Tube & Pipe India EMagazine Aug-Sept Issue 2023

Nippon Steel Pipe India's 14 R K Steels Plans to Add 5 Tube Mills, Increase Production Capacity to 25,000 TPM

High-Strength Steel Pipes Contribute to 22 Rashmi Green Hydrogen Steel: Aiming for Complete Range of Seamless Pipes and Tubes....

18 36 Bhushan Tubes Targets INR 1000 Crore Revenue for FY 23-24

42 50 Parth Equipment to Enhance Manufacturing Capabilities to 100 Machines Per Year by FY25

TI Machine Building: Forming the Future by Enabling Ideas into Reality

Bhushan Tubes Targets INR 1000 Crore Revenue for FY 23-24

San-Eki Japan Partners with OM TechCorp India to Provide Local Support to Indian Tube Producers

OM TechCorp: Consulting Services for Industrial Seamless Stainless Steel Tube Production

DeeTee Industries to Setup 1,50,000 Sq. Ft. Facility to Increase Large Diameter & Longer Parts' Production Capacity

HYPREX: Japan's Leading High-Pressure Fabrication & Testing Technology Supplier

GL Control GmbH: Laser Measurement of Tubes and Extruder Bore Holes

InspecTech Analygas: Customized Non-Destructive Testing Solutions

Xiris Automation: Solutions for Weld Inspection and Monitoring

Speakin

Harnessing the Industrial Growth Phase

TheglobalsteeltubesandpipesmarketwillgrowataYoYCAGRof 6.3percenttoreach a valuation of USD 278.32 billion by 2030. India’s market share ranges from 8-9 percent. Meanwhile, the global PVC tubes and pipes market will reach a valuation of USD 12.1 billionby2031,andasizeof 31.1 milliontonnesby2028,withaYoYCAGRof 46percent.TheIndianPVCtubesandpipesmarketisprojectedtorecordaYoYCAGRof 10.6 percent during 2022-27. Furthermore, India is on a path of wide & large-scale infrastructural development, energy independence, and sustainable development. The government programmes like Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and oil, natural gas, and hydrogen pipelines across the country have opened opportunities for hugecapex investments forthe tubesand pipes manufacturers. The UnionBudget2023announcementsstampedtheirconfirmationonnationalintentfor infrastructural growth; capex allotment increased to INR 10 lakh crore, additional funds allotment of INR 69,684 cores towards Jal Jeevan Mission, INR 79,000 crore allotted towardsthehousing sectordevelopmentunderPradhan Mantri AwasYojana, and27percentadditionalcapexannouncedbystate-ownedoilcompanies.

The vision for this note was clear; I wanted to talk oneon-one with the readers about all that Tube & Pipe India has to offer. I wanted to share our efforts in bringing forward this edition, the concurrent events of the industry, and a small, profound piece of personal opinion. There are various ways to achieve our targets, and mine was to ensure a connection with my readers.

Apartfromdomesticprojects, Indiaisalsoleadingandworking towards international collaborations for energy & power sharing, and development of alternative energy sources like Hydrogen. As a result, an increase in demand for tubes and pipes is expected, inall typesof forming materials,suchassteel, iron,plastic,zinc,aluminum, etc.,forapplicationinvaryingindustries,includingoilandgas,petrochemicals,power and water supply, construction, automotive and transportation, sanitation, agriculturalirrigation,processplants,andmechanicalengineeringunits.

The international exhibitions can assist industries on a global scale in harnessing the benefits from a period of growth, development, and achievements by bringing together technology providers, manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of the industry. Trade fairs act as a one-stop showcase platform allowing the exhibitors to directlycommunicatewithvarious industryplayers, fromsupplierstocustomers, and reap the benefits of the convergence of established industrial giants, global companies, and start-ups. Exhibitors have a chance to build brand awareness, advertise to a wide pool of industry players, and build a network of cordial relations, business deals, and joint ventures. Thematic exhibitions help in bringing together all the products, technologies, R&D, and possible innovations impending in any industry’s growth. Furthermore, fair competition is the lifeline of any industry, and trade fairs allow all levels of participants an equal chance to harness growth opportunities,withtheonlylimitbeingtheirimagination.

Exhibitionsandtradefairsprovideanidealplatformformodernmarketforcestocome together. As one walks the aisles of Tube & Pipe Fair 2023, New Delhi, one will gain a deeper understanding of the global manufacturing industry and attain know-how of theinnovationsdominatingthesteerintothefutureof thetubesandpipesindustry.

Priyank Jain, CEO Tulip 3P Media Private Limited

Surya Roshni's Relentless Quest for Growth

Since its inception in 1973, Surya Roshni

has transformed into an organization that has not only developed its lighting and consumer durables business but also built a stronghold in the steel pipes and strips business. With a combined capacity of about 12,15,000 MT per annum for steel pipes and strips, the company has consolidated its position as a leading manufacturer of GI pipes in India. The business has further strengthened with the set-up of 3LPE coating facility unit in 2018, and direct forming technology (DFT) in April 2022, being one of the largest lighting companies in India, the lighting business manufactures an array of conventional to modern LED lighting. 'Surya' Brand and 'Prakash Surya' have a strong presence of more than four decades in India. With a revenue of over INR 8000 crores, Surya enjoys a strong pan-India presence with an extensive dealer network. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Padma Shri Jai Prakash Agarwal, Chairman - Surya Roshni Limited, shared the company's overview, manufacturing capabilities, recent developments, business roadmap, and current trends in the Indian tube and pipe industry.

Tube & Pipe India: Please share Surya Roshni Limited's journey, major milestones, and crucial achievements.

Jai Prakash Agarwal: The journey of Surya Roshni started in 1973 by manufacturing steel tubes and gradually diversifying into the lighting category in 1984. Since then it has grown by leaps and bounds to become one of the largest steel pipes and lighting companies in India. It further ventured into PVC pipes in 2010 and into consumer durables like fans and home appliances in 2014-2015. The steel pipes manufacturing facilities are located at Bahadurgarh (Haryana), Malanpur (Madhya Pradesh), Hindupur (Andhra

Padma Shri Jai Prakash Agarwal, Chairman - Surya Roshni Limited

Pradesh) and Anjar (Gujarat). Today, the company enjoys strong industry leadership by being India's largest manufacturer of GI pipes and the largest exporter of ERW pipes. Steel pipe division manufactures a wide range of steel pipe products that find application across highopportunity segments like agriculture, infrastructure, oil and gas, water, and construction.

TPI: What is the manufacturing set-up and production capacity of your steel pipe plant?

JPA: ERW pipe (GI, black, and section) and pregalvanized (GP) pipe are manufactured at all our manufacturing units in Bahadurgarh, Malanpur, Hindupur, and Anjar. API pipes catering to the oil and gas sector are manufactured at our Bahadurgarh and Anjar units with external 3LPE coating of pipes done at Anjar. These plants are suitably equipped with high-end machines ranging from slitting lines, pipe mills, galvanizing units, finishing machines, and fail-safe, as well as high-pressure hydro machines along with adequate handling facilities. The Gujarat unit is strategically located in close proximity to two major ports, Kandla and Mundra, providing a significant advantage for exports and imports. The unit exports over 70 percent of its production. With a combined capacity of about 12,15,000 MT (1.215 million MT) per annum for steel pipes and strips, the company has consolidated its position as a leading manufacturer of GI pipes in India.

Padma Shri Jai Prakash Agarwal, Chairman - Surya Roshni Limited, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award by President Shri Ram Nath Kovind on 8th November 2021 at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Delhi.

industrial infrastructure, urban development, solar structures, electrical poles, and telecom towers, etc.

API/3LPE coated spiral pipes are used for oil and gas pipelines, oil well casing, water transportation, and our CR strips have applications for auto components, electrical stamping for motors, cycle rims, umbrella tubes, and rips, furniture, and fittings.

TPI: Please shed light on your steel pipe market footprint and USP.

JPA: Surya has built an exceptional reputation in both the Indian and global markets due to its innovative products, commitment to quality, and excellent service, all offered at competitive prices. Our brand has gained the trust of millions of customers worldwide, and we remain dedicated to delivering superior products while adhering to the strictest global quality standards. Prakash Surya stands as a brand image that is synonymous with high-quality products delivering consistent performance and peace of mind. It is because of this trust of our esteemed clients that today Surya has a significant presence in more than 50 countries and is among the top three in black pipe exports.

TPI: Please tell us about your steel pipe product portfolio and its applications.

JPA: Our product portfolio includes GI pipes with applications for agriculture and irrigation, casing and tubing, water transportation, plumbing greenhouses, fire fighting, street light poles, and solar panels, etc. Black pipes are used in applications for construction, fabrication, fencing, metro railway platforms, airports, powder coating, sign boards, industrial applications, and scaffolding. Our hollow section pipes find applications for infrastructure - airport, metro, railways, warehousing,

One of Surya's key strengths lies in producing largediameter pipes, ranging from 114.3mm to 406.4mm in ERW and 457mm to 2667mm in spiral pipes. Our expertise extends to manufacturing various special grades, including API 5L grades such as X70, X80, PSL 1, PSL 2, and API 5CT grades H40, J55, K55, and PSL 1. Our commitment to quality assurance begins from the raw material stage and continues throughout all manufacturing processes until the pipes reach our esteemed clients. To ensure the highest quality, our quality assurance department is fully supported by a modern laboratory for conducting metallurgical and chemical tests, as well as a test house for evaluating physical properties.

TPI: What is your steel pipe technological and business roadmap?

JPA: New technology always aims to simplify the process and saves time and labour. Surya recently introduced the best-in-class direct forming technology (DFT), paving an innovative route of high-tech designed methodology to produce ERW structural steel section pipe. This technology significantly reduces the time of producing customized hollow sections by including them in the mill

range without changing the roll. Being a completely automatic and computerized process, DFT saves the setup time and makes operation settings accurate, easy, and efficient. Compared to traditional production processes, this method is completely automatic and computerized, all PLC control with a DC digital control system only to motorize the roller movement during the size changes. Surya is taking big strides in its chosen areas with tested skills, commitment, a skilled workforce, vast experience, and mature leadership. In a bid to introduce technology in our daily operations, we rolled out salesforce automation (SFA) across all the regions.

TPI: Surya Roshni is expanding its steel pipe Hindupur plant. Please share some details about this underway expansion.

JPA: Surya Roshni is planning to set up a new steel pipe plant in Hindupur, Andhra Pradesh for manufacturing. The large dia new plant being 100 percent financed through internal accruals, has an investment of INR 75 crore and will have a production capacity of 72,000 TPA. With the setup of the new plant, the company aims to cater to the ever-growing and demanding oil and gas sector filling the void of high-quality pipes being available in the southern part of India. This new mill will put our Hindupur plant in the category where niche products are manufactured to cater to a niche market.

TPI: Please elaborate on your capex investments for new ERW pipe mills at existing facilities.

JPA: To meet the growing demand for larger diameter pipes, ranging from 18" up to 24", we have decided to expand our operations. This expansion will not only enhance our capability to handle larger pipe sizes but also enable us to strengthen our presence in the oil and gas markets, increase our exports, and cater to local irrigation and water distribution projects. To achieve this, we plan to install ERW pipe mills capable of producing products like ERW pipes (black, and GI), 3LPE coated pipes, and API/pilling pipe at our Anjar Plant in Gujarat. The proposed manufacturing facility will have a capacity of 100,000 MTPA, with an estimated cost of INR 75 crore to INR 80 crore. This strategic move will position us to better serve our customers and expand our market reach, contributing to the growth and success of our company.

TPI: Surya Roshni has recently invested in its Prakash Surya brand and distribution networks. Can you share

in detail all the steps that you have taken?

JPA: Over the years, the company has developed a strong brand and robust distribution network across the world. Our investments towards strengthening distribution (including trade network and retail outlets) and decentralized depot networks ensure smooth logistics movement, prompt delivery, and customer satisfaction, aptly supported by strong marketing and publicity initiatives. It has established its brand 'Prakash Surya' and has been consistently promoting through different advertising mediums for enhanced market visibility. The company's products are sold across the length and breadth of the country owing to the strong dealer and distributor network. Besides, the decentralized branch/depot networks help with the quick delivery turnaround to customers. The company offers a wide array of products that are sold across India and exported to over 50 countries across the world.

TPI: Have there been any other developments at Surya Roshni in recent times?

JPA: The company recently implemented SAP software to integrate and automate key processes, resulting in faster and more efficient operations. As a responsible corporate citizen, Surya Roshni aims to assist in promoting social development by building capacity within the broader society. The company considers societal wellbeing and ecological responsibilities as the key focus area for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavors. The company is continuing with the high growth momentum in lighting, consumer durables, steel, and PVC pipe by focussing on further improving the distribution and reach, across urban, semi-urban, and rural India. There will be several new product launches and the company will continue to aggressively drive channel financing too. The company is also continuing to invest in automation and upgradation of systems to drive higher efficiencies and productivity. Surya Roshni is focusing on aggressive advertising and promotions (including both above-the-line and below-the-line advertising) to enhance its brand visibility.

TPI: Can you share with us your observations on key market trends in the Indian tubes and pipes market?

JPA: There is a high demand for steel pipe in various sectors with strong improvement in the Indian economy, including rural and urban. The industry opportunity has been so exciting considering the following encouraging developments which will generate demand for our steel pipes and strips business. The Indian economy showed resolute strength during the period with the government's stance for Atma Nirbhar bharat which has opened new avenues with immense hidden opportunities to explore in making India a global manufacturing hub in the medium to long term. With huge investments made in housing, and infrastructure like railways, ports, roads, airports, etc., demand for steel products is reaching a new level and more will be anticipated in time to come.

TPI: What are your vision and plans for your company's future?

JPA: Our vision is to become the largest global enterprise that delivers optimized solutions to consumers and value to stakeholders while providing the best steel pipe to markets worldwide. We are fully committed to delivering

value to our teams, customers, and shareholders through high-return transactional initiatives, while also maintaining a positive dividend profile. We carefully assess growth opportunities not only to improve top-line revenue but, more importantly, to ensure consistency and enhance our bottom line as well.

Hindupur Plant

Nippon Steel Pipe India's HighGrade, High-Strength Steel Pipes Contribute to Automotive Weight Reduction

Nippon Steel Pipe India derives its foundation and

technological supremacy from its parent company, Nippon Steel Corporation, Japan. As of 2023, the NSPI boasts of an experience of 12 years in the Indian market, wherein NSPI has been marketing some of the specialized improvement every year, showcasing a resilient, and persistent stance that it probably gets from its Japanese roots. In a recent conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Managing Director, Nippon Steel Pipe India, relays the journey map of NSPI, growth trajectory, strengths and USP, and the company's relations with its regional clientele, OEM manufacturers. As a major supplier of tube applications to 4W, 2W, and construction machinery OEMs, NSPI looks forward to venturing into EV, making the contribution in lightweighting of the car by developing high grade steel.

Tube & Pipe India: Please share with us Nippon Steel Pipe India's journey, including history, major milestones & achievements.

Hiroyuki Yoshikawa: Nippon Steel Pipe India (NSPI) was founded in 2010. It is a subsidiary of Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC), one of Japan's leading steel manufacturers. NSC has its manufacturing bases in Japan and other countries around the world. It is Japan's largest steelmaker, along with being one of the world's leading steel pipe makers.

NSPI began its journey in India in 2010 with a manufacturing plant in Neemrana, Rajasthan. In 2012, we installed ERW and CDW lines, and

from 2013, started full-scale operation of pipe making in India. Since the start of operations, we have started our business with the SOP of front forks (FF) for 2-wheeler (2W) OEMs. Since 2014, we have been gradually expanding our business towards 4-wheeler (4W) with the advantage of our company's specialty products, and we have started supplying steering and door impact beam (DIB) parts. Additionally, in 2016, we entered the high-pressure tube (HPT) business for construction machinery OEMs.

In recent years, we have been promoting the development of difficult-to-make products of high-

Mr. Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Managing Director, Nippon Steel Pipe India

grade raw material (RM) among 4W parts and adding them to our product portfolio. Specifically, the points are as follows:

● In 2017: For the 4W business, we started a supply of stabilizer applications that converted solid tubes to hollow tubes for the first time in India.

● In 2018: Started SOP of torsion beams application for 4W suspensions.

● In 2023: We further expanded our product portfolio and started supplying axle housing tubes as 4W suspension.

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about your product portfolio and its application areas.

HY: Our product portfolio is categorized on the basis of our clientele sectors. We manufacture ERW and CDW tube applications for 4W OEMs, 2W OEMs, and construction machinery OEMs. Although the business started with FF for 2W, high-grade applications for 4W and HPT for construction machinery, which is gradually increasing, FF for 2W has about half of our total production, 40 percent for 4W, and the remaining 10 percent is for construction machinery. We offer a variety of applications like front fork (FF), door

impact beam (DIB), stabilizer, steering shafts, and high-pressure tubes (HPT) to our customers.

For the 4W OEM sector, we offer a wide range of high-quality mechanical tube applications including steering systems (steering shaft and steering column, etc.); stabilizers (500MPa grade, etc.); supplying to major OEMs from solid to hollow (that is approximately 40 percent weight reduction); torsion beam (710MPa Grade, etc.); and DIB (980, 1470, 1570, 1765 MPa grade, etc.)

All the above applications have already been approved by major OEMs in the 4W/2W sector and are in mass production. As NSPI has vast experience & many achievements, we believe it can apply to new customers as well.

Tube & Pipe India: What is your company's USP?

HY: NSPI's USPs are its roots in Japan. 4M's in NSPI, machine, method, and material originate from the parent company in Japan, NSC, and, as a man, Japanese managers are stationed full-time and take command of the manufacturing site.

NSC's ERW pipe business has a history of more than 50 years and has provided the world's highest

quality steel tubes to Japanese OEMs and Tier-1s. NSPI can procure highgrade RM from Japan and supply difficult-to-make products that are required high safety performance. We also have deep connections with our parent company, which enables us to develop products based on consistent quality control of materials and customer needs. On the other hand, the NSC Group also owns a related steel plant in India and can respond to customers' needs for local procurement of base material coils. Taking advantage of these USPs, It is our mission to contribute to the Indian industry by transferring the most advanced technology from Japan to India.

Tube & Pipe India: Brief us about your manufacturing facilities and production capacities, infrastructure setup, plants, and machinery.

HY: Our manufacturing plant is based in Neemrana. Our plant houses an ERW mill, draw bench, furnaces, cutting machines, quenching and tempering machines, and UST. Our main machines and equipment are of Japanese make and technology. It has a manufacturing capacity of 2,400 MTPM and has sufficient capacity to meet our customers' requirements.

Tube & Pipe India: Can you elaborate on the global and Indian market trends of the tubes & pipes industry? Which trends do you identify emerging as drivers of industrial growth in the future?

HY: The Indian market will grow continuously and significantly, and will undergo some structural changes, like an increase in large-size vehicles along with the growing need for safety and environmental measures. In the 4W sector, the recovery is and shall remain, stable post-pandemic. There has been a structural shift, as big vehicular model (C segment, SUVs, etc.) sales have increased. This trend applies not only to Japanese 4W OEMs but also to non-Japanese 4W OEMs. India's 4W passenger car production recorded about 4.6 MU in FY 2022-23 and is expected up to 7

MU in FY 2030-31. In the 2W sector, the recovery post-pandemic has been weak, especially in rural areas due to high inflation, high interest rates, etc. Though, we are expecting a stable recovery from FY23 onwards at a 4 percent YoY compounded annual growth rate (CAGR).

In India, EVs will bring big changes to automotive manufacturers and their entire supply chains. The lightweight structure will emerge as a major theme, as the lighter the vehicle, the less energy it needs, which increases the range, crucial for

EVs. This trend will lead to changes in requirements for tube bending, with a growing need for compact yet high-performance components, especially thin-walled tubes made from high-strength materials. The lightweight structure increasingly requires complex, asymmetrical shapes with diverse cross sections. In this trend, we are confident that there will be more fields where NSPI can provide value.

NSPI's strengths include high-grade RM procurement capabilities, integrated quality control from RM

to pipe manufacturing, and superiority in product development capabilities, mainly high-grade products. We plan to receive new orders for highend products that are difficult to manufacture by other companies.

Tube & Pipe India: What are Nippon Steel Pipe India's plans for the future?

HY: NSPI is aiming for growth by manufacturing capacity expansion for high-grade items to meet demands from the 2W, 4W, and HPT markets. We will upgrade our product portfolio and aim to further shift orders to high-grade products. EVs also have high potential and we are looking forward to the growth and entry of the EV market. The EV market has a great opportunity for us, as we can meet the demand for lightweight, high-strength tubes. We are working towards the development of high-grade products for Indian Automotive market considering the weight reduction as an important future automotive industry requirement especially for EV segment vehicles. At the same time, we will also focus on utilizing local materials in order to meet the 'Make in India' demands of each customer. For that, we plan to promote the localization of base material coils in close cooperation with AM/NS India which is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and NSC.

with the

An upcoming media company, Tulip 3P Media brings out publications for different B2B verticals. Theactivitiesofthecompanynowembraceeventsandmarketresearchaswell.Tulipiscurrently on its way to further expanding its publication portfolio through publications for other business verticalsandarichofferingofothernichemediaservices.

Rashmi Green Hydrogen Steel: Aiming for Complete Range of Seamless Pipes and Tubes with Manufacturing Capacity of

600,000 MTPA

Anew initiative of the Rashmi Group of Companies, Rashmi Green Hydrogen Steel Private Limited is a company committed to becoming the world's leading manufacturer of seamless pipes and tubes. The company's current installed capacity of seamless products (hot and cold finish) is 120,000 MTPA in the size range of 10 mm OD to 4-inch NB with wall thickness ranging from 1.50 mm to 15.24 mm. As part of future plans, the company aims to enhance their seamless products range from 4-inch to 24-inch NB with an additional capacity of 500,000 MTPA catering to all business segments. The group also manufactures ductile iron pipes and fittings in the size range of 80 mm to 1200 mm NB having manufacturing capacity of 700,000 MTPA. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Sunil Kumar Patwari, CEO & Vice Chairman, Rashmi Group, shared about the company's manufacturing and production capabilities, market footprint, industries served, its vision and mission, 3 phased future plans and the company's EHS strategy.

Mr. Sunil Kumar Patwari, CEO & Vice Chairman, Rashmi Group

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about your group's journey, significant milestones, and crucial achievements?

Sunil Kumar Patwari: Founded in 1991, Rashmi Group has made its mark in industries like iron and steel, ferro alloys, cement, power, DI pipes and fittings, dredging, electronics, nitrile and latex. We began on a modest scale and ever since developed into one of the top producers of steel, cement and ductile iron pipes. We have been exploring new avenues, ever since we embarked upon this great journey.

Rashmi Green Hydrogen Steel, one of the newest initiatives of the Rashmi Group of Companies, aspires to have a strong interest and transparent commitment to being the world's leading maker of seamless pipes and tubes. Our ongoing acculturation to cutting-edge technologies is essential for manufacturing products of the highest caliber. We, Rashmi Green Hydrogen Steel (seamless division), hereby stand committed to the best of quality products and complete customer satisfaction.

The biggest asset of the organization is the time-tested business management skills and expertise of the leaders and top management have exhibited over the years. The group possesses a very strong financial stability and this fundamental strength combined with low-risk operations has helped the group not only in expanding its business presence in India but also in China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, GCC, South East Asia, EU, NAFTA etc.

TPI: Can you share in detail about your plant facilities, their manufacturing setup, process, and production capabilities?

SKP: Our current installed capacity of DI pipes and fittings is 700,000 MTPA in size range of 80 mm to 1200 mm NB and for seamless products (hot and cold finish) is 120,000 MTPA in size range of 10 mm OD to 4-inch NB with wall thickness ranging from 1.50 mm to 15.24 mm. The company has its

operations in Eastern India with offices situated in all metropolitan cities across the country. The organization has operational facilities in Kharagpur and Jhargram in West Bengal, since 1991. Being India's one of the fastest growing business conglomerates, we have a strong foothold in countries like China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, UAE and Singapore.

TPI: What does your product portfolio include? What are the product's key strengths and USP?

SKP: Our exhaustive products and services portfolio includes pig iron, sponge iron, pellet plant, sinter plant, billet, wire rod, TMT bar, DI pipes and fittings, electronics, dredging, nitrile, latex and seamless pipes and tubes. Holding a strong base across India, our product and service offerings find acclamation in foreign markets too. The reason behind this is our strong commitment to research and development, high industry standards and best quality that addresses customers' demands and empowers us to form long-term relationships with them.

TPI: Please elaborate on the industries you cater to and your market footprint?

SKP: Our seamless pipes and tubes have uses in multiple industries. In the automobile industry, we provide seamless pipes and tubes featuring a hollow section, which are widely utilized as components for various applications. In the boiler, heat exchanger and power segment, our seamless products are used in the construction of various components of power generation plants such as boilers, steam turbines, heat exchangers, super heaters, economizers and condensers. Another use of our seamless pipes and tubes is in the chemical industry because this industry involves the transportation of a wide range of liquids, gases, and chemicals. In the heavy machinery and mining industry, our seamless products are used for various applications such as, hydraulic systems, drilling equipment, excavators, mining shafts, processing

of minerals and exhaust systems and slurries under high pressure and temperature conditions. They are also used in the development of rail infrastructure like bridges, tunnels, ducts, and various railway components, which provide a strong and stable base for trains to run on. In the oil and gas sector, they are available in types like casing, tubing, drill pipe and line pipe and are used for exploration and transportation of crude oil, natural gas, and other petroleum products. PMC and EPC companies also recommend and use our products for their various project activities like, pipeline, refineries, chemical, fertilizer, power plant and infrastructure. These seamless products are also used for various structural applications such as the construction of pillars and scaffolding support.

TPI: What is your vision and mission for the future?

SKP: Our vision is to attain engineering leadership in both DI pipes and seamless pipes and tubes industry, as we strive to be the leader and no.1 in the world in our area of operation. We also long to uphold the interest of all stakeholders and to make the operations environmentally friendly.

The foremost mission in our expansion plan is implementing a 686m3 blast furnace, construction of which has already started, and production target date is December, 2024. Thus, we will be the first manufacturer of seamless products in India to produce hot rolled round billets from our own converter and MBF.

For seamless products, we have started implementation of our 2nd phase expansion, and we aim to expand our presence through manufacturing of API line pipes and OCTG products catering to the oil and gas, refinery and energy segments, by enhancing our products range from 4-inch NB to 7-inch OD with an additional capacity of 200,000 MTPA.

In the 3rd phase expansion of seamless products, we will further enhance our size range from 7-inch OD to 24-inch NB with an additional capacity of 300,000 MTPA catering globally to all the business segments. After implementation of all these seamless products range and capacity expansions, we will have a combined seamless products capacity of 600,000 MTPA, which will make our company the single largest manufacturing unit of seamless pipes and tubes in India.

For DI pipes and fittings, our expansion plan includes an additional capacity of 700,000 MTPA, which will enhance our combined capacity to 1.4 million MTPA, making our company the largest manufacturer of these products and no.1 in the world.

Further, we are the first seamless pipes and tubes manufacturer in the world to use synthesis gas from charcoal in reheating furnaces and first unit in India to run boiler and hot air generation using bio pellets. Our mission is to produce the best quality products at competitive

prices to create value for our clientele and stakeholders. We shall pursue the policy of transparency and adherence to modern management practices, while our commitment to the highest standards of responsible ethical conduct in the organization shall continue as ever. We will remain committed to providing our employees with a safe and healthy working environment.

TPI: Tell us about your EHS strategy?

SKP: Management of the Rashmi Group has taken up eco-friendly (i.e. 3 R's, Reduce, Recycle and Reuse) philosophy for day-to-day plant operations and firmly believes in providing a safe and clean working environment to its employees, customers, neighbors, visitors, and people at large. We strive to make a positive impact on the environment by focusing on the following key practices:

● Reduced CO Emissions: 2 By utilizing green hydrogen as the primary energy source, our steel production process emits significantly lower levels of carbon dioxide compared to conventional methods, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.

● Renewable Energy Integration: Our reliance on renewable energy sources for hydrogen production aligns with the transition towards clean and sustainable energy systems. It helps drive the growth of the green energy sector, creating a positive

ripple effect on the environment and local economy.

● Waste Minimization: Through efficient resource management, our company minimizes waste generation and maximizes the utilization of byproducts, ensuring a circular economic approach to steel production.

● Local Economic Development: As a sustainable energy startup, we aim to drive economic growth by creating employment opportunities, supporting local communities, and contributing to sustainable development goals.

Elimination of unsafe, unhygienic conditions in all the operating areas and prevention of unsafe practices are given prime importance by the top management. The accidental loss and adverse environmental impacts can be controlled through good quality and safety management with active employee's involvement.

In conclusion, Rashmi Green Hydrogen Steel Private Limited is committed to transforming the steel industry through environmentally friendly practices and utilization of Green Hydrogen Technology. Our innovative approach significantly reduces carbon emissions, harnesses renewable energy sources, and minimizes waste generation. As a socially responsible startup, we are proud to be based in West Bengal, India, and are dedicated to playing our part in building a sustainable and prosperous future for the region and our planet.

R K Steel Plans to Add 5 Tube Mills, Increase Production Capacity to 25,000 TPM

RK Steel Manufacturing Company Private

Limited is a prominent manufacturer, wholesaler, and exporter of assured quality hot rolled tubes, black steel tubes, pre-galvanized tubes, and precision tubes based in Perundurai, Tamil Nadu. R K Steel makes continuous efforts to serve its customers in different market segments. Critical market analysis coupled with customer feedback has allowed R K Steel to expand its product range and the company is planning capacity expansion from present 15,000 TPM to 25,000 TPM by incorporation of additional five tube mills. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Pramod Bhalotia, Managing Director, R K Steel Manufacturing Company Private Limited, shared the company's overview, manufacturing capabilities, sectors catered, recent developments, and the company's future plans. He also discussed many other topics such as current trends in the Indian tube and pipe industry.

Tube and Pipe India Please tell us about your journey, : major milestones, and crucial achievements.

Pramod Bhalotia: R K Steel is a family-owned business that strives to build relations and serve its customers with high quality products. Mr. Pramod Bhalotia, Managing Director, R K Steel Manufacturing Company, was a steel trader. He shifted to Chennai in 1984, where he worked in service for 2-3 years and then opened his own trading firm. With hard work and perseverance, I laid the foundation of a manufacturing company called R K Steel Manufacturing Company Private Limited in 2006. When the company started in 2009, we had a production capacity of 2000 TPM only. Gradually, the company progressed and opened another mill in 2017, in Perundurai, which is today at a production capacity of 15000 TPM. This facility is still in the expansion stage.

TPI What is the manufacturing set-up and production : capacity of your plant?

Aug-Sep 2023

Mr. Pramod Bhalotia, Managing Director, R K Steel Manufacturing Company Private Limited

PB: Upon the establishment of our Perundurai facility in 2017, we initially operated with four tube mills. Subsequently, in 2019, we successfully introduced a cold galvanizing line into our operations. Building upon this progress, a year later, we integrated a cold rolling mill. Currently, we are in the stages of implementing an expansion initiative which entails the incorporation of an additional five tube mills. These new facilities are projected to enhance our production capacity, from 15,000 to 25,000 tons. At present, our manufacturing capabilities encompass the production of CR, HR, GP/GI tubes. Furthermore, we are well-equipped to cater to the demands of the oil and gas industry.

TPI Could you shed some light on the product : portfolio and major clientele?

PB: Our size range in precision pipes is 15mm -173 mm OD. In GI pipes, our sizes range from 0.5 inches to 6 inches OD. We cater to industries like the fire protection industry, furniture industry, automobile industry, hospital industry, transformer industry as well as the general fabrication industry. Moreover, we are also planning to venture into the gas industry. Our major clients include L&T, Adani, IOCL.

Today we are one of the leading manufacturers of pregalvanized tubes, black tubes, and precision tubes with total plant capacities of 2,50,000 MTPA. R K Steel was able to expand its global presence to Sri Lanka, Bhutan, East African countries, and Bangladesh through its strong and widely spread distribution network, good customer relationships, high quality, and flexibility. Furthermore, with the changing times, we have also incorporated backward integration in our processes. Today we have a cold rolling tandem mill, coil galvanizing line, and stateof-the-art tube mills. Our high level of automation allows us to give high quality pipes and tubes that are suitable for projects and cater to stringent quality needs of the industry.

TPI Tell us about your distribution network and its : key features.

PB: Our distribution network is set in a way where we have one distributor present in each area. Sub-areas and villages have certain critical retailers that have been appointed by us. Our other USP is that our wholesale and retail networks are very streamlined and we ensure that our distribution network does not clash with their retail network. This allows not only RK Steel but our customers to grow with time. If any wholesaler is connected with us we make sure we do not approach his client. For retailers, we make sure our retailers are not buying from our wholesalers. As the two networks are not interlinked,

people are happy with our company. All our employees see themselves as a team, and they take their work very seriously as a responsibility, which allows smooth running of our operations.

TPI Have there been any recent developments at your : company, if so kindly share them with us.

PB: Presently, we are trying to bring in bundling systems to facilitate convenient material storage. Additionally, we have successfully integrated backward integration strategies within our operational processes, obviating the need for meticulous management of various SKUs of tubes and pipes. Our uninterrupted raw material supply extends to a 24-hour cycle, leaving our primary focus directed toward optimizing our manufacturing capabilities.

TPI What according to you are the factors behind the : growth of the tubes and pipes industry in India?

PB: Speaking in terms of South India, infrastructure is developing greatly, for example, in the gas industry in the north, every house gets gas supply through pipelines but in the south, it is still very dependent on the cylinder system. So the growth in infrastructure in the north has to reach the south. So by 2030-35, the southern pipe industry will be thriving very well.

Secondly, in the north, there are many suppliers and the south has less suppliers because infrastructure growth has been stunted in the south. So as the infrastructure grows, the pipe industry will be thriving in South India by 2035. We believe that a company that can keep their services updated and supply their customers on a timely basis, customers are willing to pay them even a premium amount as they can rely on the company.

TPI What are your vision and plans for your : company's future?

PB: We are trying to venture deeper into the northern market. We also have plans to evaluate both east and west regions to see which is a better expansion option. We aim to achieve faster delivery to the customers, where the products reach the customers within 48 hours. Our motive behind installing nearly ten tube mills was that for any order we receive, we can provide fast delivery to our customers. We are expecting this development to be completed by the end of the next calendar year.

Aug-Sep 2023

Today we are one of the leading manufacturers of pre-galvanized tubes, black tubes, and precision tubes with two total plant capacities of 2,50,000 MTPA.

Satyam Iron & Steel Co. to Invest INR 500 Crores in Two Years to Double the Production Capacity

Satyam Iron & Steel Company Private Limited is a

pioneering sponge iron manufacturing enterprise that has evolved into a fully integrated steel plant. Over the past two financial years, the company has invested over INR 500 Crore, with plans to allocate a similar amount for expansion and production capacity enhancement in the upcoming financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. It is often said that a resilient individual views adversity as a stepping stone toward success rather than an obstacle. Following this profound wisdom, Mr. Rahul Agarwal, a prominent industrialist, has effectively overseen the company since 2002 to address the challenge of sourcing quality raw materials at competitive prices. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Rahul Agarwal, Director, Satyam Iron & Steel Company Private Limited, shared his insights into the company's organizational structure, business strategies, and future endeavors.

Tube&PipeIndia:Pleasetellusabout SatyamSteel'sorganizationalsetup. Rahul Agarwal: Inaugurated in 2002 with a single 100 TPD sponge iron plant, the company has achieved remarkable growth and advancements in its technical and operational domains. The company swiftly expanded its capabilities by adding another 100 TPD sponge iron plant in 2003. By 2023, the company

has undertaken significant developments, including the installation of a 200 TPD sponge iron unit with a capacity of 60,000 MTPA, three 15 ton induction furnaces with CCM with a capacity of 1,35,000 MTPA, a 60,000 MTPA capacity rolling mill, and a 15 MW captive power plant all situated in its sprawling 50-acre factory. The ongoing projects at Satyam Steel

Mr. Rahul Agarwal, Director, Satyam Iron & Steel Company Private Limited

encompass a sponge iron plant with a capacity of 2,40,000 MTPA, MS billet production at 1,35,000 MTPA, rolling mill operations at 60,000 MTPA, and a 15 MW captive power plant, showcasing the company's dedication to expansion and innovation in the steel industry.

TPI: Can you elaborate on the specific functions of each of your three subsidiaries?

RA: Satyam Steel is a fully integrated steel plant, and all the functions involved in the production of steel used as raw material for finished goods are carried out. Its products are sponge iron plants, MS billet, HR strips, captive power plants, and rolling mills.

BST Infratech Limited has for the last 20 years manufactured and supplied iron & steel products of the highest quality. Our current production capacity is approximately more than 2.5 lakh MT annually. Recently, BST Infratech was awarded with ET Industry Leaders East, 2023 for being the leading manufacturer of high-class iron and steel goods. Our range of products includes MS HR strips with a production capacity of 1,50,000 MT per annum, M.S. ERW pipes available in round, square, and rectangular shapes, and G.I. pipes available in round and square shapes with a production capacity of 1,50,000 MT per annum, metal beam crash barriers having a production capacity of 15,000 MT per annum, swaged type steel poles with a production capacity of 15,000 MT per annum. We also have a power transmission tower with a production capacity of 15,000 MT per annum, and railway OHE galvanized structures and cantilever bracket tubes/guide tubes with a production capacity of 10,000 MT per annum.

Manbhum Ispat Pvt. Ltd. (BSPL), is a heavy structured re-rolling mill that produces better and improved M.S. angle, M. S. channel, M.S. joist, HBeam, and M.S. unequal angle. It currently manufactures approximately up to 1,00,000 MT per annum of structural items required

for general engineering purposes. It has been approved by organizations such as WBSETCL, SAIL, DVC, CORE, PSPCL and many more.

TPI: Satyam Steel has by and large provided you with raw material security. Please comment on this.

RA: The availability of high-quality raw materials at a good price is the game changer for any company associated with manufacturing and construction. In the past, especially in the iron and steel sector, people have faced difficulties in procuring raw materials at a fixed budget to produce better products. Several companies have been shut down due to this reason. Owing to this reason, Satyam Steel was established and it is a matter of pride for us to say that after so many years, it has been loved and accepted by a lot of people belonging to this industry. It has indeed provided us and others with the so-called raw material security all around the year. We have remained focused on manufacturing sponge iron since 2002. From 2023 onwards, billet and H.R. strips that would confirm the satisfactory standards of our clients have been added to our inventory. It is through serving them, shall we grow.

TPI: Is Satyam Steel planning on further investment in expansion?

RA: More than INR 500 crore have already been invested in the last two

financial years, in Satyam Steel and we plan to invest more than INR 500 Crore in the upcoming financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25 to facilitate expansion and increase production capacity. In our vast factory in Mangalpur, Ranigunj, inside multiple sheds, all production work is carried out. Currently, we are concentrating our complete resources on doubling the total production capacity by the next financial year. Any other investmentrelated decisions will be taken after evaluating the performance and growing demands for the products after the end of this time period.

TPI: Do you follow the same business strategy in all three verticals, or are they different? What is your strategy for Satyam Steel?

RA: In a way, the business strategy for all three companies could be perceived as the same. For example, all three companies were built to provide exceptional products at the best prices to the iron and steel industry when the unavailability of good and affordable products was at its peak. The massive network of distributors, dealers, and fabricators who constantly buy our products know that due to their high strength, flexibility, and durability, our products are most suitable for general engineering and construction-related works. Our

passion for creating a very efficient sales force for all three companies is our top priority. We have devoted our mission and vision to establishing proper work ethics and principles in our organizational system so that we would never compromise on product quality or customer delight.

TPI: What is your opinion about Green Steel production? Is it a viable option in India?

RA: Green steel, which refers to the steel produced through processes that do not emit carbon dioxide, and relies on hydrogen as the reducing agent (remover of oxygen) in steel

production. Hydrogen is used to pull oxygen away from iron oxide, leaving pure iron behind to which a little carbon is added to make steel. Currently, the steel industry uses carbon, in the form of coke, which has been used for pulling away oxygen which generates carbon dioxide, a significant environmental concern. Hydrogen can effectively replace coke in this process. According to Australia's Commonwealth Industrial and Scientific Research Organization (CSIRO),66 percent of India's (and Australia's) iron ore is not suitable for being made into green steel. This is because Indian iron ore is low-

grade. Low-grade iron ore can only be made into steel in blast furnaces using huge cooking pots in which iron ore is melted and made to combine with coke, before being poured into moulds for making steel slabs. For technical reasons, green steel making requires the electric arc furnace (EAF) route and EAFs need high-grade ores, in which iron content is over 60 percent. Hydrogen releases very less heat and the use of hydrogen results in the embrittlement of iron, leading to cracks and fractures in the metal.

TPI: What are your vision and plans for your youngest subsidiary?

RA: The company's vision is to continue expanding and innovating in the steel industry while maintaining a strong commitment to product quality and customer satisfaction. We are planning to invest INR 500 crore more to facilitate expansion and increase production capacity. Currently, we are concentrating our complete resources on doubling the total production capacity by the next financial year. Our vision is to establish proper work ethics and principles in our organizational system so that we never have to compromise on product quality or customer satisfaction.

Arabian Pipes Company Signs 2 Steel Pipe Supply Contracts Worth USD 85.86 Million & USD 11.46 Million

Arabian Pipes Company bagged two steel pipes supply orders, worth USD 85.86 million from Aramco and USD 11.46 million from China Geo-Engineering Corporation's Saudi branch. APC will supply pipes to Aramco for 10 months and to China Geo-Engineering Corporation's Saudi branch for 7 months.

Jul 4, 2023

Arabian Pipes Company (APC) has signed supply contracts worth USD 85.86 million and USD 11.46 million with Saudi Arabian oil and gas company Aramco and China GeoEngineering Corporation's Saudi branch, respectively. Under the contracts, Arabian Pipes Company will

supply pipes to Aramco for 10 months and to China Geo-Engineering Corporation's Saudi branch for 7 months.

The financial impact of the contract on Aramco is expected to be reflected in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2024, while the impact of the contract with China Geo-Engineering Corporation's Saudi branch is predicted to be reflected in the first quarter of 2024.

Grow Ever Group's New Unit to be Commissioned by Mid-2024 in West Bengal

Grow Ever was founded in 2008, with an intent not

just to create another steel manufacturer; but to sculpt a legacy that could redefine the contours of the steel industry. The group has managed to create a niche in the highly competitive market where they are now the leading choice for OEMs for MS ERW precision steel tubes. To cater to the demands of their expanding export division, their 4th state-of-the-art unit in Uluberia (West Bengal) is on track for commissioning by mid-2024. Additionally, they are adding cutting-edge high-end machines including laser cutting facilities to their units. Their R&D initiatives extensively explore areas like automation, AI in manufacturing, and advanced material science to ensure our products are not only of superior quality but are also produced efficiently. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Rajat Sarawgi, Managing Director, Grow Ever Group of Companies, spoke about the company's plan to set up their 4th unit, the demand for steel tubes and pipes in India, the company's R&D initiatives and his long-term goals for the group.

Tube & Pipe India: Grow Ever was planning to set up an annealing unit to cater to export division demands. When can we expect the commissioning of this plan?

Rajat Sarawgi: At Grow Ever, our continuous pursuit of excellence and innovation is deeply rooted in our core values of honesty, integrity, and hard work. Our vision has always been to position Grow Ever Group and, by extension, India, at the forefront of the global steel industry.

This has driven our every initiative, including our ambitious plan to set up an annealing unit. I'm pleased to inform you that our 4th state-of-theart unit in Uluberia (West Bengal) is on track for commissioning by mid2024. This new facility will house advanced tube annealing along with other value-added capabilities equipped with some of the finest machinery the industry has to offer. The primary objective behind this unit is to cater to the demands of our

Mr. Rajat Sarawgi, Managing Director, Grow Ever Group of Companies

expanding export division. As the world continues to recognize the quality and precision of Indianmanufactured goods, the establishment of this facility is a strategic move to bolster our presence in the global market, especially considering the pivotal role annealing plays in ensuring the strength and durability of steel components.

Moreover, in our unwavering commitment to being a holistic solutions provider, we are further enhancing our components line. A slew of cutting-edge CNC and other high-end machines including laser cutting facilities will be added to our arsenal. This not only signifies a value addition to our existing business but also reiterates our goal of driving India's prowess in precision steel manufacturing. Our mission isn't just to lead but to do so sustainably. As we march towards our goal of being an industry leader, we remain committed to expanding employment opportunities and carving out a path that will eventually see our nation making even more significant imprints on the global map. Every project and every new venture is a step towards that grand vision.

TPI: India's infrastructural development is in a booming phase, especially as we move toward a transformation of tier-2 & tier-3 cities into smart cities. Please outline the application scope for MS steel tubes and pipes in this scenario.

RS: The transformation of India's urban landscape, particularly in tier2 and tier-3 cities, is nothing short of phenomenal. As we envision a future punctuated with smart cities, the role of advanced materials, especially MS precision tubes and pipes, cannot be underestimated.

There are multifaceted applications of these tubes in this burgeoning infrastructural context. The MS

precision tubes can be used for sustainable infrastructure development. As we emphasize green and sustainable city infrastructures, MS precision tubes are primed for use in lightweight and durable building frameworks. Their superior strengthto-weight ratio ensures robust constructions while minimizing material wastage. They are also used in modern transportation systems. The ambitious transit projects across these emerging cities, from metro rail networks to advanced bus transit systems, lean heavily on precision tubes. These tubes form the backbone of many vehicle components due to their high tensile strength and resilience, ensuring the safety and longevity of our urban transit solutions. Additionally, the MS precision tubes find their application in renewable energy infrastructure. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), India is set to experience a significant rise in renewable energy adoption. MS precision tubes find their application in structures like solar panel mounts and wind turbine frameworks, given their durability and ability to withstand environmental stressors. With a growing emphasis on state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in these cities,

precision steel tubes are crucial in medical equipment frames and emergency service vehicles, ensuring they're both lightweight and robust. Our urban aspirations are vast, but they're rooted in a very fundamental premise: creating cities that are efficient, sustainable, and most importantly, livable. MS precision steel tubes, given their versatility and robustness, are integral in turning this vision into a reality. As we stand at the cusp of this urban metamorphosis, it's more apparent than ever that precision in material sciences, embodied by-products like ours, will be central to our success story.

TPI: As a developing country, it is normal to have under-explored segments; which do you think can help in building demand for steel pipes and tubes?

RS: India's journey as a developing nation is characterized by myriad opportunities waiting to be tapped, and it's insightful to recognize that certain under-explored segments could bolster the demand for MS precision tubes. Even today, agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, employing over 50 percent of the total workforce. As we strive to modernize our agrarian landscape, precision steel tubes have significant potential in agricultural machinery, greenhouses, and controlled irrigation systems. With an emphasis on increasing crop yields and efficiency, durable and reliable infrastructures will be

“As the world continues to recognize the quality and precision of Indian-manufactured goods, the establishment of this facility is a strategic move to bolster our presence in the global market.”

pivotal. While urban centers have been the focal point of infrastructural growth, rural regions still present vast avenues for expansion. From community centers to local transport and healthcare facilities, the scope for employing MS precision tubes in rural structural projects is expansive and largely untapped.

As India becomes more healthconscious, there's a growing demand for fitness equipment and recreational structures. Precision tubes provide the needed durability and resilience for these applications, from gym equipment frames to adventure sports infrastructures. Additionally, as sectors like ecommerce, pharmaceuticals, and agro-based industries expand, there's a burgeoning demand for specialized storage solutions. Precision tubes can be integral to creating racking systems, cold storage units, and specialized containment solutions that ensure both space optimization and product safety. Given the climatic conditions of our nation, we periodically face natural calamities. In response, there's a rising need for disaster-resistant structures, emergency shelters, and rapid deployment systems. MS precision tubes, with their high strength-toweight ratio, can play a crucial role in this segment.

At Grow Ever, we've always been attuned to the nation's developing narrative. Recognizing the potential in these under-explored segments, our strategic direction emphasizes innovating and adapting our offerings to these pivotal areas. Our commitment to integrity, hard work, and team spirit propels us to work alongside these sectors, offering bespoke solutions tailored to their unique challenges. While our nation has made significant strides in several sectors, the journey of development offers a plethora of niches that are yet to be fully explored. Our tubes, given their

multifaceted applications, hold the promise of not just fulfilling these demands but setting the benchmark for quality, sustainability, and innovation. Embracing these segments can pave the way for holistic growth and fortify India's position on the global stage.

TPI: As a steel products manufacturer, what are your opinions on Green Steel production? Do you think it is a viable consideration for India?

RS: Green Steel production is undeniably one of the most transformative concepts in the steel industry today. As we're at the cusp of an environmental paradigm shift, it's imperative to evaluate its feasibility and alignment with India's unique context. Steel production, historically, has been resourceintensive and responsible for a significant share of global CO2 emissions. Reports from the World Steel Association reveal that steel production accounts for roughly 7-9 percent of all direct emissions from fossil fuels. Transitioning to Green Steel production methods, which primarily involve the use of hydrogen as a reducing agent instead of coal, can drastically reduce the carbon footprint. The MS precision tubes

sector, given its widespread application in critical industries, stands to benefit immensely from Green Steel. A transition would not only enhance the sustainability of the products but also cater to the growing demand from industries and consumers increasingly valuing environmentally friendly products.

For a country like India, which has been at the forefront of IT and technological innovation, integrating Green Steel production methodologies presents an exciting challenge. We have the technical acumen, research institutions, and human capital to drive this transformation. Initial investments in Green Steel production are substantial. However, given the trajectory of global trade agreements and carbon tax impositions, traditional steel production could face economic barriers in the future. Embracing Green Steel now can position India as a leader, offering both a competitive and sustainable product in the international market. India has a unique advantage in this context. India has abundant sunlight and is steadily advancing in solar power generation. Solar energy can be harnessed to produce hydrogen, a primary component in Green Steel production. Thus, India has the potential to not just adopt but spearhead Green Steel's mass production.

As a forward-thinking company, we at Grow Ever have always been proponents of innovation. We

“As I look to the horizon, my long-term vision for Grow Ever Group is ambitious, yet grounded in our core values of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity.”

recognize that Green Steel isn't just a trend but a pressing need and a testament to our commitment to sustainability, integrity, and forwardthinking. While the immediate transition might have its set of challenges, we firmly believe in India's potential to adapt and excel. We envision a future where our tubes, produced using Green Steel methodologies, become a gold standard in sustainability without compromising on quality or affordability. Green Steel production in the context of MS precision steel tubes and India's unique position is more than a viable consideration; it's an evolutionary step. It merges the dual goals of sustainable development and economic progress.

TPI: Please tell us about your R&D initiatives and how you align them with your market USP.

RS: Research and Development (R&D) stands at the very heart of Grow Ever Group's commitment to innovation and excellence. In an industry marked by rapid advancements and growing demands, our R&D endeavors are not just a means to stay ahead of the curve but to redefine it. They're the bedrock upon which we build our market USP. Our R&D team works hand-in-hand with our marketing and customer service divisions. By staying attuned to market feedback, we identify specific pain points and challenges our

customers face. This alignment ensures that our innovations are rooted in real-world requirements, leading to products that not only push the boundaries of what's possible but also cater directly to the evolving needs of our clientele. In keeping with global trends and our own organizational values, a significant portion of our R&D focuses on sustainable and ecofriendly manufacturing processes. This not only reinforces our commitment to a greener planet but also presents a significant market USP in an era increasingly dominated by environmentally conscious businesses and consumers. We are passionate about integrating the latest technologies into our operations. Our R&D initiatives extensively explore areas like automation, AI in manufacturing, and advanced material science to ensure our products are not only of superior quality but are also produced efficiently. Our R&D isn't limited to products alone. We invest heavily in skill development, ensuring our team is always equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques. This human-centric approach to R&D not only empowers our workforce but also ensures consistent quality, a key component of our market USP. We have established a system where continuous feedback from our distribution channels and end-users is looped directly back to R&D. This

real-time data stream aids in immediate iteration, ensuring that our products remain both cuttingedge and directly aligned with market needs.

Our R&D initiatives are an embodiment of our company's ethos: a blend of innovation, customer-centricity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It's this very ethos that allows us to provide products of unmatched quality, catering to diverse sectors and continually setting benchmarks in the steel industry. Our market USP, derived from these efforts, is a testament to the value we place on constant growth, adaptability, and forward-thinking.

TPI: Please share your long-term vision for Grow Ever Steel.

RS: When I founded Grow Ever, it wasn't just to create another steel manufacturer; it was to sculpt a legacy that could redefine the contours of the steel industry. As I look to the horizon, my long-term vision for Grow Ever Group is ambitious, yet grounded in our core values of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity. First and foremost, I see our company not just as a national stalwart but as a global ambassador for Indian manufacturing prowess. Our new plant, currently in its nascent stages, is a testament to that ambition. Strategically located and leveraging state-of-the-art technology, this plant represents our

commitment to meet growing demand while setting new benchmarks in quality and efficiency. However, it's not just about scaling operations. We wish to infuse sustainability into our growth narrative. We aim to champion green steel production, reducing our carbon footprint, and setting a precedent for environmentallyconscious manufacturing. Every ounce of steel we produce should not only meet the highest quality

standards but also be a beacon of eco-friendly practices. Our vision transcends business metrics. At its heart, Grow Ever is about people. As we grow, we aim to create numerous employment opportunities, nurture talent, and foster a culture of growth and learning. We have always believed that our strength lies in our team, and as we move forward, investing in their growth remains paramount. Lastly, but most significantly, we're

laying the groundwork for the next generation. Our commitment is to leave behind a legacy that future leaders can build upon, ensuring that our organization remains synonymous with excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth for decades to come. My plan for Grow Ever Group is holistic. It's about forging a future where we lead not just in volume, but in value, impact, and legacy, illuminating the path for others in the industry to follow.

JSW Steel Plans to Increase Domestic Capacity to 50 Million Tons and Long Steel Product Portfolio Share to 35%

JSW Steel is planning to get a higher share of long steel products in their portfolio to meet the growing demand. They aspire to increase domestic capacity from 28.2 million tons to 50 million tons by 2030 and expect the share of long steel products- bars, wires and rods, to reach 35 per cent going forward.

Aug 19, 2023

The demand for long steel products has been

growing from the construction and infrastructure sector in India and to meet the growing demand JSW Steel is planning to get a higher share of the product. The Sajjan Jindal-led company is aspiring to increase its domestic capacity from 28.2 million tons to 50 million tons. G.S. Rathore, full-time director and chief operating officer of JSW Steel, reports, “We plan to take the share of long products to 35 percent when the capacity goes up to 50mt. Our focus will be on highend long products”. The share of long products, which are mostly produced by the secondary steel producers, is 54 percent, while the share of flat products — hot and cold rolled coils used in automobiles and consumer durables — is 46 percent. In general, more long steel is consumed by a developing economy such as India because of its focus on creating infrastructure while In a matured economy such as the EU or the US, the share of flat products is more than long.

JSW has, however, focused on flat products historically as it started with a cold rolling mill. As a company policy, it sends 50 percent of flat products to downstream units for further value addition such as galvanizing, coating, or tinning. The company's expansion, however, is centered around three locations, Vijaynagar in Karnataka, Dolvi in Maharashtra, and Jharsuguda in Odisha. In each of these places, the

company can add 5mt each going forward, over and above the ongoing phase of expansion. The share of long products is about 28 percent for JSW Steel. The company produces long products in the Salem plant. About 90 percent of the product goes to the automobile sector. JSW's renewed focus on long steel is in line with industry trends where large integrated players are looking at expanding long product portfolios, especially for the value-added segment. However, there is a possibility that there could be a shortfall of long products in the next 3-4 years.

“If long steel demand grows by 8-8.5 per cent per annum over the next 3-4 years, we are looking at a shortfall of long products in India, unless secondary players add capacities aggressively and ramps up production quickly,” says Jayanta Roy, senior vicepresident, and group head, corporate sector ratings, Icra.

MKK Metal to Introduce DFT Line to Double its Production Capabilities in Next 3 Years

MKK Metal Sections

Private Limited was set up in 2008 for production of high quality ERW pipes and tubes. With a product range spanning over a thousand varieties of circular, square, rectangle and octagonal MS black pipe & hollow sections, galvanized tubes and structures, solar module mounting structures, shutters, purlins, colour coated roofing sheets, and various other cold roll formed sections, MKK is the largest steel product manufacturer in South India. Currently having an annual production capacity of 2.5 lakh MT per annum, the company is set to launch a new line with DFT (Direct Forming Technology) by 2024, which will exponentially increase its production capabilities to 5 lakh MT per annum in the next three years. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Nishant Garg and Mrs. Srishti Garg, Directors, MKK Metal Sections Private Limited, shared about the company's journey, manufacturing and production capabilities, key trends in the Indian tubes industry, company's recent and upcoming developments and many more topics.

Mr. Nishant Garg and Mrs. Srishti Garg, Directors, MKK Metal Sections Private Limited

Tube & Pipe India: Please share MKK Metal's journey, major milestones, and crucial achievements.

NG & SG: The only most extensively used material which is completely reusable and recyclable in the world is steel. Steel has continued to evolve, becoming smarter and more sustainable - Setup in 2008 by the late Mr. Mahesh Khandelwal, MKK is the epitome of the same. Having started with the capacity of manufacturing 1 lakh MT per annum, we are almost on the verge of tripling our capacity. We were the first company in Southern India to manufacture tube sizes of CHS up to 406.4mm OD, SHS 300mmx300mm and RHS 400mmx200mm. Over the years with constant R&D and keeping up with emerging market trends we have expanded our product portfolio to include solar mounting structures, warehouse racking systems and crash barriers for highways. Today we are the only manufacturers in this industry with SKUs going over 2200 products. We are very proud of the quality standards that we have set over the years and the value that our customers place on our brandMETPRO.

TPI: What is the manufacturing set-up and production capacity of your plant?

NG & SG: Both of our manufacturing set-ups are located in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu with currently an annual production capacity of 2.5 lakh MT per annum. Our production lines include 8 tube mills, 16 cold forming mills, and a state-of-the-art 9-meter semi-automatic galvanizing plant. We are very pleased to inform, that we will be adding a new line with DFT (Direct Forming Technology) by 2024, which will increase our production capabilities massively.

TPI: Please tell us about your product portfolio and its applications.

NG & SG: With an annual production capacity of 2.5 lakh metric tons and a product range spanning over a thousand varieties of circular, square, rectangle and octagonal MS black pipe & hollow sections, galvanized tubes and structures, solar module mounting structures, shutters, purlins, colour coated roofing sheets, and various other cold roll formed sections. We have further expanded into

warehouse racking systems and W beams for highways. Speaking of applications, nearly every industry requires steel. From airport terminals to metro stations, industrial and commercial shed structures, lifting and excavation industries, bus body and automobile industries to highway cantilever structures, MKK is silently building the backbone of the country.

TPI: Can you share with us your observations on key market trends in the Indian tubes and pipes market?

NG & SG: Infrastructure is currently on a boom in India, and after India reaching the 4th highest GDP, there is no stopping us anytime soon. Steel tubes and pipes are the backbone of all our infrastructure projects from highways to metro stations to aerobridges, so domestic consumption is at an all-time high. Moreover, with many European countries looking for manufacturing partners outside of China, exports from our country have also been on the rise. Overall, the market looks very promising for at least the next decade with demand and consumption continuously on the rise.

TPI: Please shed light on your market footprint and USP.

NG & SG: Our USP has always been sizes that aren't easily manufactured and customizations for OEMs that other manufacturers aren't able to provide. Being a service provider in a heavy manufacturing industry is unheard of and that is where we leave our mark. Logistically, our market base mainly covers Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, but due to the specialized sizes and services we can cater across the country. Being situated next to a port works to our advantage and we are working on increasing our share in the export market.

TPI: What is your company's technological and business roadmap?

NG & SG: The only way to stay relevant in any market today is by keeping up with the technology. All

our machines are always being updated which helps us in increasing our productivity and enhancing the quality of our products. We have a niche market for bigger sizes of square and rectangular hollow sections which we plan to grow with our new DFT machine. Apart from that, METPRO GUARD is making its mark as we are the only manufacturers in Southern India currently who are manufacturing guard rails for the highways. On the galvanizing front, we are one of the few plants that are about to galvanize structures larger than 6 meters and are constantly working to increase our market share, especially in the coastal regions.

TPI: Have there been any recent developments at your company, if so kindly share them with us.

NG & SG: The most noticeable development that we are looking forward to is going to be the launch

of our DFT machine by 2024 which will manufacture sizes up to 350mmx350mm and thicknesses of up to 16mm. Apart from that, we have been increasing the productivity of our existing tube lines by reducing breakdowns and constant upgrades.

TPI: What are your vision and plans for your company's future?

NG & SG: Our vision is to play a pivotal role in building a strong infrastructural backbone for India while continuously building a community of strongly knit partners both within and outside the company. Working together with both our consumers and suppliers to build a seamless supply chain is our constant endeavor. The company is now on a growth trajectory and we aim to reach a production capacity of 5 lakh MT per annum in the next three years, plans for which are already underway.

APL Apollo Tubes Aiming to Achieve Capacity of 10 Million Tonnes, Received Grant of INR 500 Crore

Jul 10, 2023

APL Apollo Building Products Private Ltd, a

subsidiary of APL Apollo Tubes Limited, received a grant of INR 500 crore from the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) of the Government of Chhattisgarh. The grant provided by the Government of Chhattisgarh includes relaxation of stamp duty, 75 percent net SGST for 15 years, electricity duty exemption for a period of 15 years limited, and transport subsidy towards exports for 15 years. The grant was provided for the establishment of a manufacturing facility by APL Apollo Building Products Private Ltd. at Rigni Village, Chhattisgarh.

As per Deepak Goyal, Director (Operation) and Group Chief Financial Officer at APL Apollo Tubes, the company is on track to achieve significant milestones, including a 100 percent organic capacity expansion and is set to become debt-free by the end of FY24. “All will be organic, 100 percent organic. By this year end,

we will be debt-free,” he said. APL Apollo Tubes aims to achieve a capacity of 10 million tonnes by the year 2030. The main objective of the expansion is to meet the growing demand of its customers and strengthen its position in the market.

APL Apollo Building Products Private Ltd received a grant of INR 500 crore from the Government of Chhattisgarh for the establishment of a manufacturing facility at Rigni Village, Chhattisgarh.

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TI Machine Building: Forming the Future by Enabling Ideas into Reality

Headquartered in Chennai, TI Machine

Building(TIMB), a unit of Tube Investments of India Limited, offers a wide range of customengineered machines like tube mills and mill elements, straightening machines, precision swaging machines, draw benches, pilger mills, and material handling systems that can be integrated into manufacturing lines. The company provides complete solutions with automation and industry 4.0 features for special machines. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Baskaran S, Associate Vice-President, TI Machine Building (A unit of Tube Investments of India Limited), shared an overview of the company, market footprint, recent developments, and future plans for the company.

Tube & Pipe India: Please provide an overview of TI Machine Building and milestones achieved.

Baskaran S: What initially began as an SPM unit for Tube Investments of India (TII), TI Machine Building (TIMB) has come a long way. We now aim to build machines and automation solutions for external customers utilizing capabilities developed by supplying machines internally for the Murugappa group as a whole. Considering the list of segments that the Murugappa group has made their mark in, we truly have become an SPM unit, developing machines not only for

tubes but also for other products such as abrasives, ceramics, and EVs, among others.

TPI: Can you highlight some of the innovative products or technologies developed by the company catering to the tubes and pipes segment?

BS: Our standard machinery for tubes includes ERW tube mills, cold draw benches, straightening machines, push-pointers, and precision swaging machines. Recently, we have developed a 3-roll high precision tube reduction (HPTR) double-strand pilger mill for

Mr. Baskaran S, Associate Vice-President, TI Machine Building (A unit of Tube Investments of India Limited)

one of our key customers. We also build tube handling systems for tube transfer and in-plant transport.

TPI: Kindly shed light on your market footprint, clientele, and product portfolio.

BS: TIMB is already at an advantage considering the fact that it is a part of the Murugappa group and has supplied machines to multiple businesses within. This has in turn improved our capability, increasing our confidence to approach similar big players in the market who currently have the need for capital equipment. With this new capability and confidence, TI Machine Building aspires to make this expertise available to external customers, with the intent of converting ourselves into a standalone business. This aspiration is more fanned by the increased need for capital equipment in a growing economy like India in the category of tube-making, automation, and forming machines. However we don't restrict ourselves to only tubes, we have ample opportunities in various other markets, such as building machinery for abrasive industries, test rigs and automation solutions for the EV sector, cycle industry, etc. We have recently developed a 3-post test rig

for three-wheelers and a complete battery swapping station for Etrucks.

TPI: What are the key market challenges faced by TIMB, and how does the company adapt to them?

BS: As a special-purpose machine builder, we live with challenges and uncertainties. These challenges present themselves in the form of customized demands from customers, rapid technology advancement, cost pressure, skilled workforce, supply chain disruption, and evolving customer needs. To address these challenges, we are investing more in research, development and training, standardization of product design, building strong customer relationships, and continuous improvement of our operations.

TPI: Could you share insights into TIMB's research and development efforts and how do you drive innovation within the company?

BS: We have partnered with our inhouse centralized technological centre for this very purpose. We don't only take care of machinery requirements, we also provide solutions for any revamp/

refurbishment or plant improvement projects in-house. We constantly benchmark our machines to the industry standard and frequent collaborations with top technical experts across the globe help us in this endeavour.

TPI: What are TIMB's plans for future growth and expansion, both in India and internationally? Are there any upcoming projects, partnerships, or initiatives?

BS: Recently, we have scaled up our operations quite considerably, constructing a new plant for inhouse manufacturing and acquiring state-of-the-art machinery to accomplish the same. We have quite a few major projects materializing as we speak. Right now, our main focus is to increase brand recognition and reach, thereby allowing potential customers to also reach out to us.

TPI: What are your views about the tubes and pipes market evolving in the future? How do you plan to make the most of the upcoming market opportunities?

BS: India, as of today, is a growing and promising market for all businesses and our focus is to grab this opportunity in manufacturing and supplying capital equipment. A lot of the major tube-making OEMs have expansion plans in upcoming years and we plan to tap into these requirements whenever they arise. However, from what we've observed till now, customers today are more inclined to invest less and gain more, both monetarily, of course, this has presented a significant challenge, no doubt. To counter this, we are finding new ways to optimize and reduce costs, a form of cost-kaizen to say the least. However, our core stance has not changed, in providing top-of-the-line features irrespective of the requirement.

Bhushan Tubes Targets INR 1000 Crore Revenue for FY 23-24

Started 3 decades ago, Bhushan

Tubes Private Limited, has a current presence in 5 Indian cities namely Delhi, Ghaziabad (UP), Kochi (Kerala), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Rourkela (Odisha). It is envisioning expanding its footprint to overseas markets starting from the Middle-East. Its growth ambition is reflected in their upcoming state of the art storage yards at Ghaziabad and Nagothane locations to increase storage capacity to over 12,000 metric tons to meet evolving demands of the market. With a diverse product portfolio encompassing products like MS ERW pipes, galvanized pipes, seamless pipes and more, the company is trying to achieve a remarkable sales level of 1,25,000 metric tons annually and reach a revenue level of INR 1000 crores for FY 23-24. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Gaurav Mittal, Managing Director, Bhushan Tubes Private Limited, discussed the company's business journey, warehouse capacities, new and upcoming developments, product portfolio and business roadmap.

Mr. Gaurav Mittal, Managing Director, Bhushan Tubes Private Limited,

Tube & Pipe India: Please share Bhushan Tubes' journey and major milestones.

Gaurav Mittal: Bhushan Tubes started its journey almost 3 decades ago under the leadership of its visionary founder Director and Chairman Shri Bharat Bhushan Mittal from scratch with no other aim but to establish a respectable name in the pipe and tube industry following the path of principles, sheer hard work and determination. He never let his humble beginning come in the way of his dreams or limit his aspiration of achievement. The journey started from a modest office in the heart of old Delhi, also known as the steel market, with a handful of highly efficient and capable minds and st never looked back ever since. The 1 major milestone came when we expanded our network of sales office and warehouse to Ghaziabad (U.P) and then kept growing to Kochi (Kerala), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Rourkela (Odisha).

TPI: Please elaborate on your warehousing capacities and their locations.

GM: Bhushan Tubes takes pride in its robust and enviable network of sales offices and strategically located warehouses spread across the length and breadth of the country. Delhi serves as the corporate office, along with multiple warehouses in Delhi region with a storage capacity of more than 2,000 metric tons. Ghaziabad (U.P) warehouse has a current capacity of 1,000 metric tons which will get further scaled to 3,500 metric tons as another state of the art warehousing facility complying to the EIL and ISO standards is expected to be ready by end of CY 2023. Kochi (Kerala) has a capacity of 300 metric tons and Rourkela (Odisha) of 1,000 metric tons. Mumbai (Maharashtra) again having multiple storage yards with a current combined capacity of 1,500-2,000 metric tons which will get further boosted to 5,000 metric tons with another highly sophisticated self-sufficient facility coming up at Nagothane (Raigad, Maharashtra) along with its own micro QC lab for at hand inspection and testing processes. These expansions will take our storage capacity to more than 12,000 metric tons, helping us provide expertise and the fastest solutions to our extremely valuable customers.

TPI: Please shed light on your market footprint and USP.

GM: As an organisation we have always envisaged the idea that, “the day we stop growing is the very day we start shrinking” and following this mantra we have always aimed to keep expanding our presence and footprint in this vast nation full of opportunities waiting to be explored. Typically freight factor has been a very major cost component for our product which most of the times decides our viability and competitiveness in any project. Basing this, we have always aimed to move closer to the source and origin of our product to counter this factor and this has given us tremendous impetus. With current presence in 5 major states, our aim is to take it further up, thus providing genuine and premium quality products to

our customers with the fastest delivery time at the most competitive prices and striving to achieve the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

Our USP has been to provide complete piping solutions to our valuable customers under one roof catering to MS ERW pipes ranging from 15 mm to 500 mm dia, galvanized pipes ranging from 15 mm to 600 mm dia, seamless pipes ranging from 15 mm to 500 mm dia, large diameter spiral welded pipes (SAW) ranging from 500 mm to 3500 mm dia and premium products like boiler tubes, air heater and exchanger tubes, alloy steel pipes and tubes. What makes us highly trustable and a preferred option among our customers is the fact that we do not stock or deal in any kind of Chinese pipes and thus our clients are always assured of premium Indian branded products at all times. We have an on-site and offsite option to provide various types of specialised coatings like 3LPE coating, epoxy coating, aluminium painting, polyurethane coating, coal tar tape wrapping, enamel based coating, food grade epoxy coating. We also take pride in having executed projects with a critical level of pipe nesting of up to 4 different diameter pipes being put into each other to negate the high volume and low weight concern thereby giving our customers unmatchable freight benefits.

TPI: Which major market segments are among your clientele?

Proudly we have very recently been honoured with the prestigious award of being the “highest lifters of ERW and seamless pipes and tubes on all India basis” by the DP Jindal Group which comprises of Jindal Pipes Ltd. and Maharashtra Seamless Ltd.

GM: Taking cue from the diverse presence, our customer base also follows the same pattern as we cater to the piping demands of wide range of industries like sugar industry, paper mills, chemical mills, automobile industry, power plants, fire fighting contractors, turnkey contractors, HVAC, oil and gas, boiler manufacturers, water and irrigation. We feel proud to be trusted channel partners for not only major pipe manufacturers in the country but also leading players of these various industry segments who place their trust in us for their prestigious and reputed project requirements.

TPI: As one of the nation's major distributors, how do you handle the turbulence of demand-supply trends?

GM: Personally I come across this point of discussion at various levels and forums, and honestly this very characteristic is what defines the steel industry at best and if one can master the art of over-riding this turbulence, then no storm can take them out. Ever since covid struck, such bouts of turbulence have become more frequent and extreme and so we have learnt not only to live with it but to turn it into our strength rather than a weakness. Being nation's one of the largest pipe distributors, we are always supposed to maintain sufficient levels of inventory at all our locations so that any abnormal supply-demand imbalance can be overridden maintaining continuous and smooth flow of supplies at all times. We also have forecasting tools to help us assess seasonal changes in demand and supply patterns, sometimes even specific to particular markets wherein we adjust our inventory levels accordingly.

TPI: What is your company's business roadmap and market strategy?

GM: Our main objective right now is to oversee the completion, and initiating the full-fledged functioning of our upcoming state of the art storage yards at Ghaziabad and Nagothane locations which will give a big boost to our current capacity, subsequent to which we will be targeting to achieve sales level of 1,25,000 metric tons annually. The strategy going forward is to focus on developing sales in regions like MP, Rajasthan, eastern states like Orissa, Assam where our current penetration is not up to the desired levels. We are also actively looking at exploring overseas markets which have huge potential still untapped by us.

TPI: Can you share with us your observations on key market trends in the Indian tubes and pipes market?

GM: Based on current trends and outlook, I strongly feel the need for modernised ERW and SAW pipe manufacturing plants in the eastern part of the country, specially keeping in view the government's impetus and focus on economic and infrastructure growth in that

We have grossed the sales tonnage of 1,00,000 metric tons in FY 2022-23.

region. Moreover despite us being the 2nd highest steel producing country in the world after China, we are still highly focussed and concentrated on producing basic category and grades of welded as well as seamless pipes and tubes. There are very few handful facilities that too with negligible production capacity which produces API grades pipes beyond X60 or even PSL-2 for that matter. Alloy steel seamless speciality grades like P-5, P-91 are still a rarity, however looking at the pace at which global giants are shifting their focus from China to India, we really need to upgrade our thought process as well as the manufacturing capabilities.

TPI: Have there been any recent developments at your company, if so kindly share them with us.

GM: Proudly we have very recently been honoured with the prestigious award of being the “highest lifters of ERW and seamless pipes and tubes on all India basis” by the DP Jindal Group which comprises of Jindal Pipes Ltd. and Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. We have also grossed the sales tonnage of 1,00,000 metric tons in FY 2022-23.

TPI: What are your vision and plans for your company's future?

GM: We envision to expand our footprints and presence to overseas markets starting from the Middle-East which has been actively on our business development radar and expect it to materialise soon. We are also challenging ourselves to scale the ambitious target revenues of INR 1,000 Cr. for the FY 2023-24 from domestic sales.

San-Eki Japan Partners with OM TechCorp India to Provide Local Support to Indian Tube Producers

Established in 1957, San-Eki Limited is one of Japan's

leading manufacturer of 2 and 3-roll pilger mills and tube weld mills. Since its inception, the company has sold around 250 weld mills and 30 pilger mills to clients spread all across Asia. San-Eki is the only single company to supply both weld and pilger mills and technology. Over 50 years of experience and satisfied clients with repeat orders give San-Eki a proven edge in providing tube forming & rolling solutions for critical grades and sizes. In recent times, the company has expanded its sales from the domestic Japanese market to South Korea, Thailand, and now India. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Takeshi Shimada, President, San-Eki Limited, shared the company's overview, product portfolio, sectors catered, recent developments, and the company's future plans. He also discussed many other topics such as the company's vision and aims for the Indian market in the coming years.

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about San-Eki and its history.

Takeshi Shimada: San-Eki Ltd, established in 1957 in Japan, is a manufacturer of 2 and 3-roll pilger (tube cold rolling) mills and tube weld mills. Clients use these mills to produce seamless & welded tubes for critical applications like aerospace, nuclear, medical, semiconductor, automotive, and process equipment; involving high-grade material (nickel alloy, SS, Ti alloy) and precision tolerances.

TPI: Cast some light on the infrastructure setup at your facility, product portfolio, and major clientele.

TS: We have a 20-person staff including 7 designers, 8 mechanics, and materials expert advisory from JSTP. Complete design, engineering, parts manufacturing, assembly, and testing are done in-house. Additionally, we have in-house pilger and weld demo mills for development trials. San-Eki products and services include tube mills and consulting

Mr. Takeshi Shimada, President, San-Eki Limited

San-Eki aims to assist the Indian industries in producing indigenous high-grade and precision dimension tubes for critical sectors such as hydrogen fuel, civil aerospace, space, nuclear, medical, and semiconductors.

services. For seamless tubes, we manufacture pilger/ tube cold rolling mill having high-speed 2-roll & precision 3-roll. For round, oval, flat welded tubes, we have the welding mills (ERW, TIG, PLASMA, LASER). We also provide related spares parts and consulting services like customized tubing product and process line development, consulting for critical material manufacturing (Ti alloys, Zr, Ta, Nb, Ni, etc.), and high-quality and critical-grade raw material supply for tube manufacturing.

Since 1957, the company has sold around 250 weld mills and 30 pilger mills. Some multinational clients of San-Eki include Minebea Group of Companies (Thailand), HITACHI, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Group, Nas Toa (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Futuba Industrial Co. Ltd, Navien Inc., Furukawa Techno Material, JFE, T.RAD Co. Ltd.

TPI: What is your USP? What industries do your tube mills and tube rolling machinery serve?

TS: San-Eki is the only single company to supply both weld and pilger mills and technology. Over 50 years of experience and satisfied clients with repeat orders give SanEki a proven edge in providing tube forming & rolling solutions for critical grades and sizes. San-Eki's pilger mills used by tube producers to produce tubes have many applications including heat exchangers, condensers, instrumentation, superheaters, surgical tools, interstage coolers, precision tubing (liquid chromatography), fuel lines, structural and actuation tubes, boiler tubes, control tubes, high purity tube. The industries served by us are power generation, shipbuilding, chemical, petrochemical & refinery, oil & gas, fertilizer, nuclear, aero-

space and defence, space, medical & life sciences, automotive, food and beverages, and semiconductor.

San-Eki has successfully supplied weld mills for the production of ferritic SS ERW tubes for the exhaust system, austenitic SS tubes for EGR coolers, CS tubes for shock absorbers & headrests, and laser welded SS tubes for heat exchangers.

San-Eki's advantage is also in providing consulting - further to process the seamless/welded tubes into micro tubes using drawing technology and other processes. Such micro tubes are used for precision measuring instruments like thermocouple, pressure gauge; for processed parts like laser processing tip nozzles, suction nozzle, dispenser nozzles; for lifestyle products like clock parts, watch parts, ornaments, magnetic recording heads, musical instrument parts; for precision parts for home appliances; for optical communication -ferrule; for aerospace and space industry; for capillary tube for propellant propulsion system for satellites, micro heat pipes; for various process like ECM electrode tube and gas chromatography; for medical industry in stent, endoscope components, cannula needle, needle with lure-lock, dental equipment parts; and for electronic components & semiconductor like micro heat pipes, metal seal, contact probes used for electrical inspection of PCB, IC and LCD, mobile phone, antenna.

TPI: Could you tell us about recent & noteworthy projects accomplished by your company— specific to tube & pipe companies?

TS: Some noteworthy accomplished projects include, 2 roll pilger for the production of fuel injection tubes (Japan), medical tubes (Japan),

semiconductors (Japan), and duplex grades. We have also in our name, 3 roll pilger for the production of nuclear tubes and grades βTITAN, Ti + Ni, and weld mill for the production of fibre laser welded flat tube (Korea), HF welded 400 series tube, laser welded tubes for heat exchanger.

TPI: Do you undertake R&D at your company? How do you maintain the quality of your offerings?

TS: Yes, San-Eki is constantly investing in R&D to optimize the cold rolling and forming process. We ensure that quality is adhered to in the design as well as the parts used. All the machine parts are Japansourced. We have a dedicated inhouse team of design engineers and have senior Japanese rolling, forming industry experts on board as consultants. Additionally, we have in-house pilger and weld demo mills for development trials. All this ensures optimal machine designs and end results with the highest quality standards.

TPI: What are your vision and plans for your company's future? Do you have any specific plans for the Indian market?

TS: San-Eki's focus has always been to benefit the clients and give them a high value on their investment. In recent times, we have expanded our sales from the domestic Japanese market to South Korea, Thailand, and now India. This expansion has proven successful. India and Japan have a high degree of congruence of political, economic, and strategic interests.

San-Eki views India and Japan as partners that have responsibility for and are capable of responding to global and regional challenges. With this in mind, San-Eki aims to

assist the Indian industries in producing indigenous high-grade and precision dimension tubes for critical sectors such as hydrogen fuel, civil aerospace, space, nuclear, medical, and semiconductors. This is possible with machinery and process consulting/knowhow provided by San-Eki. We have partnered with OM Techcorp, India to provide local support towards technology awareness, sales, and after-sales services in India. Presently, San-Eki is executing 2roll and 3-roll pilger mills orders for Indian companies and we look forward to sharing our expertise with ever-growing Indian tube producers and industrial consumers.

Xiris Automation Launches Pre-Weld Inspection System for HF Tube Mills

Xiris Automation has launched its Pre-Weld Inspection system for HF tube mills. The system measures and tracks the position and temperatures of various features of the tube as it heats up and is formed at the induction coil. The system is easy to set up and define tolerance limits, reporting results in real-time to the operator.

Jul 25, 2023

Xiris Automation recently released its Pre-Weld

Inspection system for HF tube mills. With a goal of meeting the long-standing needs of tube fabricators to monitor tubes going into the weld box on a High Frequency (HF) tube mill, the system measures and tracks the position and temperatures of various features of the tube as it heats up and is formed at the induction coil. Using a thermal camera specifically designed to measure temperature in the range of hot metals (e.g. 350-1800°C), the Pre-Weld inspection system is easy to set up and define tolerance limits, reporting results in real-time to the operator.

The system includes dimensional features such as V angle and V length, and actual temperatures of the strip edges, weld point and resulting bead, which can be more effectively monitored to detect whether the tube welding process remains within control. All thermal image video and extracted feature data can be recorded for further evaluation for quality assurance.

It also comprises a robust housing for the camera that is capable of withstanding the harsh environment of the immediate area of the induction coil on most HF tube mills, using air to keep the optics area clean. The system comes with a ruggedized HMI controller with several interface options to integrate with the tube mill and plant process monitoring systems.

Screenshot of the PreWeld Inspection System –Tracking Temperatures on Various Features

Parth Equipment to Enhance Manufacturing Capabilities to 100 Machines Per Year by FY25

Parth Equipment Limited, established in

1988 is a leading company specialized in engineering and manufacturing of plants for production of stainless steel and carbon steel tubes. Based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the company's production infrastructure consists of 4 manufacturing plants, more than 70 machine tools, and around 200 employees creating a diverse portfolio of over 75 models in more than 15 product categories. They have vast clientele spread across India as well as abroad including the USA, the Middle East and Africa. They are in process to enhance the manufacturing capability further to produce 100 machines per year by FY25, and aim to develop DFT mill and automatic offline tube cutting machine in near future. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Arth Shah, Executive Director, Parth Equipment Limited, talked about the company's journey, success story, product portfolio, recent developments and innovations. He also talked about company's vast clientele, and shared his views on the future of the tube and pipe industry.

Left to Right: Mr. Arth Shah, Executive Director, Mr. N T Shah, MD & Chairman, and Mr. Parth Shah, Executive Director

Tube & Pipe India: Parth Equipment Limited looks back on a history of more than 30 years. Please elaborate on your journey, crucial milestones and success story.

Arth Shah: Our journey began in 1988 with a small workshop in Ahmedabad, which was manufacturing components for the tube industries. Under the leadership of Mr. N T Shah, a technocrat with a master's degree from IIT Bombay, our organization went on to become the market leader in supplying tube mills and plants for the production of ferrous and non-ferrous tubes. We received the opportunity to supply our first tube mill for stainless steel tubes in 1991. Owing to the sturdy design and superior build quality, Parth Equipment continued receiving opportunities to add various machinery and new tube sizes to the product basket over the journey of 35 years. At present, our product portfolio consists of over 75 models in more than 15 product categories. Genuine commitment to the most stringent quality levels, utmost care for specific customer requirements, and excellent after-sales support have been our tools to success.

Over the years, we have increased our production capacity. At present, our production infrastructure consists of 4 manufacturing plants, more than 70 machine tools, and more than 200 employees. We are in process to enhance the manufacturing capability further to produce 100 machines per year by FY25.

TPI: Please share with us your offerings and plant portfolio for the production of tubes and pipes.

AS: We are one of the few manufacturers to supply a complete range of equipment. Our diverse product portfolio consists of machinery required in stainless steel, carbon steel, and non-ferrous steel tube plants. We supply equipment for both the welded and seamless tube industry. This approach helps mitigate risks and enable us to perform well even in challenging situations. We offer tube mills for

stainless steel and carbon steel tubes upto 10" NB, tube straightening machine upto 10" NB, tube draw bench upto 150 MT pull capacity, round and square pipe polishing machine, and hydro testing machine upto 10" NB. We also specialize in flying coldsaw cutoff machine, coil slitting line, pilger mill dies and mandrels, tube swaging machine, and tube-end chamfering machine.

TPI: What developments and innovations are you inheriting in your plants and technology for the tubes & pipes industry?

AS: We focus on value addition through high-end engineering. We are a group run by IITians and technology enthusiasts. With a strong backbone of industrial setup and a quality-conscious mindset, we thrive to succeed in the new atmosphere, set out with a single goal to do something new and better which is done by investing in research and development. We are continuously adding new automation features to our machines to increase productivity and reduce manpower. We have made improvements to make our machines compatible with Industry 4.0. In the future, we want to develop the direct forming technology (DFT) mill to produce square and rectangular tubes directly without tool change. We are also in the process of developing the automatic offline tube cutting machine required especially in the automotive industries.

TPI: Brief us about your manufacturing locations and manufacturing capacities for technologies related to the tubes & pipes industry.

AS: Parth Equipment Limited is located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the growth engine of India. Our headquarters, machine shops, roll manufacturing facility, fabrication shop, and assembly workshops are situated over an area of 1,00,000+ square feet in the industrial epicenter of the city, making it the largest facility in India among this industry. We have a brilliant workforce comprising of engineers,

technologists, machine operators, quality inspectors, sales and marketing professionals, and others. Our machine shops consist of CNC turning centres, vertical machining centres, CNC plasma cutting machine, heat treatment furnace, surface grinding machines, bore grinding machines, CNC cylindrical grinding machine and many more conventional machine tools, making it one of the most advanced machine shop. We are using state-of-the-art CAD-CAM software to program the CNC machines to produce complex geometry. We have installed solar power plants at our factory to reduce carbon footprint and promote sustainable development. The production planning and inventory management of our 25,000+ SKUs is controlled by the ERP software.

TPI: Parth Equipment Limited stands out for rigorous process control. What additional services and solutions do you provide to your clients apart from the capitalintensive plant and infrastructure.

AS: Apart from supplying machinery, we offer services related to installation and commissioning of the equipment supplied by other OEMs. We give technical guidance related to the processes and equipment requirements to our customers for turnkey projects. We have a vast experience of cold rollforming technology. We have designed and manufactured the tooling required for the production of various unique profiles and opensections, which has given a competitive edge to our customers. We also supply customized electrical panels and hydraulic powerpacks for the tube industry.

TPI: Tell us about your vast clientele in India and globally catering to the tubes & pipes sector.

AS: We have supplied over 1000 production plants to our valued customers across India as well as abroad including the USA, Middle East, and Africa. Many of our customers have started their industrial journey with our

machines, kept on expanding by giving repeat orders, and are now one of the prominent tube manufacturers worldwide.

Our well-diversified product basket helped us with a good market penetration across the tube industry. We have supplied machines for stainless steel tube manufacturing in Ratnamani Metals and Tubes, Venus

Pipes and Tubes, Jindal SAW, Maxim Tubes, Inoxium Tubi, etc. We have also supplied high-frequency stainless steel tube mills in Ravi Seamless, Arnay Tubes, ASB Tubes etc. Our customers in carbon steel tubes include BHEL, Goodluck Industries, Tata Steel, Rashmi Group, Meta Engitech, Lalbaba Seamless, and many more. We have

also supplied plants for copper, brass, and aluminium tubes to various customers like Mehta Tubes, Indian Copper, Multi Metal, Siddhi Group, etc. We have also supplied customized assemblies for the colour-coating and galvanizing lines to our customer Tenova Group, which were exported to Europe and South-East Asia.

TPI: How do you foresee the future of the tubes & pipes industry? What according to you are the factors which are expected to fuel the growth of this sector?

AS: The market for the tube and pipe industry has seen a sharp recovery post Covid-19 pandemic and it will continue to grow over the next decade. The rising export of India-made tubes in the European and American markets and declining imports from China will increase the requirement for "Made In India" tubes and pipes. Government policies and programs, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and infrastructure projects like railways, metros, expressway corridors, and smart city mission will fuel the growth of the sector.

ACME Group Raises INR 40 Billion Fresh Funding for Oman Green Hydrogen & Ammonia Project

ACME Group raised a fresh funding of INR 40 billion from REC, for the start up of its green hydrogen and ammonia project located in Duqm, Oman. The facility is projected to produce green ammonia in the capacity of 100,000 tons in its initial phase, and then expanded to 1.2 MMTPA.

Jul 22, 2023

CME Group, an Indian renewable energy company, has recently shared that it raised INR 40 billion in fresh funding from infrastructure finance firm REC, in order to start its green hydrogen and ammonia project located in Oman. As per official statements, the fund raised will

Abe utilized for the first phase of the project, which is set to be located at the special economic zone in Duqm, Oman.

The upcoming facility is projected to produce green ammonia in the capacity of 100,000 tons in its initial phase. Following the initial production, the facility will then be expanded to a production capacity of 1.2 metric million tons per annum, with approximately 3.5 gigawatts of electrolyzer capacity. ACME also stated that it signed preliminary agreements with REC for over INR 210 billion of loans.

OM TechCorp: Consulting Services for Industrial Seamless Stainless Steel Tube Production

Established in 2012, OM TechCorp team members have 30 years of experience in the

complete value chain of the steel tubular industry. OM TechCorp synergizes its domain knowledge collaborating with global companies to provide proven, expert, tech-based experience to customers. The company collaborates with global machinery, technology vendors and integrates them to provide end-to-end consulting services.

Through meticulous production process designs, OM TechCorp ensures optimal opex costs and meticulously selected capex solutions. This prevents over or under-specification in procurement, thus maximizing capacity and quality.

Overview

OM TechCorp serves as a consulting firm specializing in the production of hot and cold finish industrial seamless carbon and stainless tubes/pipes. We act as representatives for a range of processes, QC machinery manufacturers, and technology providers dedicated to both welded and seamless tube/pipe production. Our consulting services encompass plant setup, process guidance, machinery advisory, and supply. We leverage strategic collaborations with global machinery and technology vendors, seamlessly integrating them to offer holistic consulting solutions.

The demand for plant setup consulting has surged, particularly with tier 1 companies like Welspun, Jindal, and MAN venturing into SS tube and pipe production. We excel as a professional consulting company covering the entire value chain of the SS seamless tube industry, with a special focus on

niche sectors such as defense, aerospace, nuclear, and medical. Our team boasts over 30 years of hands-on experience in stainless steel tube plant design, erection, production, quality management, and global sales.

Products, Markets, and Applications

Our expertise lies in the production of seamless tubes and pipes, encompassing a wide range of forms including straight, U bend, and coil. We work with a diverse array of materials, including stainless steel, duplex, super duplex, austenitic, martensitic, ferritic, and high nickel alloys. Our production processes and technologies span hot finish through extrusion, as well as, cold finish methods such as pilgers and draw techniques ensuring the highest quality in our products.

Our products find extensive applications across various industries and markets, including energy, power,

Mr. Abhishek Parasrampuria, Partner, OM TechCorp

defense, fertilizer, refinery, railways, automotive, and process equipment.

ConsultingScope

Our consulting services cover the entire value chain, spanning from the integrated SS plant (billet into finish tubes) to sales. Our clients have the flexibility to choose from a range of options, whether it's individualized services, customized packages, or comprehensive turnkey solutions. In the concept phase, we offer advisory services on product mix, end-user markets, and project viability, and we determine the production process route and technology based on product mix, yield, and capacity. During project initiation, we focus on plant machinery selection, setting parameters, defining specifications, and capex supplier selection. We also plan and select contractors for various aspects like site layout, civil and structural work, equipment foundations, internal logistic pathways, hoist energy systems and main distribution, IT infrastructure, safety and emergency, adherence to local regulations, water and air. During project execution, we monitor the site according to plans, coordinate interfaces between contractors and equipment, supervise installation and commissioning, and ensure seamless integration between IT systems and plant automation. In the production phase, we provide HR expertise in tube production, offer advisory services on raw materials, production

planning, quality management, and certification, and conduct final product trials. We also evaluate and select long-term repair and maintenance service providers. In the realm of marketing, we offer advisory services on plant approvals, assist in developing new clients, structure offtake agreements, facilitate global market penetration, and manage after-sales services while keeping an eye on application and market trends. Lastly, in the debottlenecking phase, we provide advisory services for existing plants, including process upgrades, line modernization, optimizing product quality, yield, and cost structure, expanding product portfolios, and achieving margin optimization.

Value Addition: Expert Contractor Team

We have an expert team of contractors who have executed steel tube plant projects. This contractor team or vendor can invoice directly to the client, while their activities are being instructed and monitored by the OM TechCorp consulting team. This way, all project activities are synchronized by a specialized team- ensuring adherence to the project budget, schedule, and smooth implementation.

The plant design and layout team at OM TechCorp specializes in basic and detailed engineering, dimensioning, and layout planning for various facilities, including storage, packing, transport, sheds, and auxiliary equipment like compressed air and gas stations. They also focus on process route layout to minimize product travel time and provide technical assistance in meeting statutory norms towards plant erection. Design aspects of the building include air conditioning systems, heating and ventilation systems, fire detection and extinguishing systems, lighting, escape routes,s and communication equipment such as telephone, industrial TV, and intercom systems. Additionally, the construction and fabrication team handles civil infrastructure, structural aspects, and equipment foundations, while Aug-Sep 2023

the electrical and safety team designs power distribution systems and safety measures. The IT, ERP, and automation team integrates ERP solutions with plant automation and ensures robust networking and security. Training is provided by the training team for personnel in various roles, and the marketing team excels in market penetration, branding, sales strategies, and client support, ultimately creating a strong marketing and sales platform for clients.

Delivering Project with a Positive Start

At our core, we possess a fusion of production technology prowess and an acute understanding of market dynamics. Our multidisciplinary team, proficient in electrical, civil and structural, engineering and design, IT and automation, environmental and safety, and plant erection, specializes in tube plant projects. Our all-encompassing expertise, spanning the entire project lifecycle, guarantees adherence to budget and timeline. Our production process designs assure optimum opex costs and the lowest possible final product costing capex is selected and customized with our hands-on technical input. This avoids over or under-specified procurement thereby optimizing capex expenditure to produce the desired capacity and quality. This focus on opex & capex converts into better yield production, competitive product pricing, and optimum breakeven point. Furthermore, we serve as a single point of contact for comprehensive production technology and seamless project coordination, simplifying project interfacing integration and eliminating supplierrelated issues. Beyond this, we provide vital plant human resources and market support, facilitating a seamless launch for new ventures.

Current Tube and Pipe Market Scenario

The growth of critical sectors in India, such as nuclear, defense, energy, chemical, aerospace, and medical, necessitates high-quality

tubes for various applications, both hot-finish piping and cold-finish tubes.

The production of hot finish SS hollows within India offers a substantial price advantage in export markets compared to hot finish hollow producers in Korea, Europe, and Japan. Moreover, the existing anti-dumping measures against Chinese imports in Europe, Thailand, and the USA favor India's

exports of hot-finish SS hollows and cold-finish tubes. Additionally, the ongoing war has disrupted routine supply chains, creating opportunities for Indian exports.

The Indian government's recent extension of the BIS clause for steel imports has significantly reduced imports of SS hollows, particularly from China. This presents a substantial opportunity for local manufacturing, further complemented by

anti-dumping measures on Chinese imports of SS hollows.

Recent policies by the Indian government, such as the 'No global tender for government procurement of up to Rs 200 crore,' have provided a significant boost to domestic production of hot finish SS tubes and pipes. This presents a lucrative business opportunity for government buyers such as NPCIL, BHEL, NTPC, BARC, and others.

Oil Ministry Shares Ongoing Construction of Multiple Natural Gas Pipelines of 12,206 Km Length

Mr. Rameswar Teli has recently shared that a total of 12,206 km of natural gas pipelines are under various stages of construction. 23,173 km pipelines, out of the total 33,592 km, have become operational. The government has taken several steps to raise the share of natural gas in India's energy basket.

Jul 28, 2023

The minister of state in ministry of petroleum or

natural gas, Mr. Rameswar Teli recently shared that natural gas pipelines, with a total of 12,206 km length, are under various stages of construction. Mr. Teli shared in a written statement, “With the aim to create a national gas grid (One Nation, One Gas Grid) and increase the availability of natural gas across the country, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorized about 33,592 km natural gas pipeline network across the country.” This development is taking place in line with India's aim to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix from 6.7% to 15% by 2030. 23,173 km pipelines, out of the total 33,592 km, are operational. The government has taken several steps to raise the share of natural gas in India's energy basket like the expansion of national gas grid pipeline and the CGD network, setting up of LNG terminals, and allocation of domestic gas to compressed natural gas and piped natural gas.

Mr. Teli shared that the government has also allowed marketing and pricing freedom with a ceiling price to gas produced from high pressure and high temperature areas, deep water and ultra-deep water and from coal seams, SATAT initiatives to promote bio-CNG,

among others. Furthermore, PNGRB Chairman, Mr. Anil Jain has also recently shared that India must be prepared for an imported gas-based regime as the country imports around half of its natural gas requirement. India has consumed 60 billion standard cubic meters of natural gas in FY23. The regulator implemented a unified tariff on April 1, 2023 for the interconnected natural gas pipelines with an objective of 'One Nation, One Grid and One Tariff'. Entity level integrated natural gas pipeline tariff was introduced in the regulations. Further, the number of unified tariff zones have been increased from two to three.

DeeTee Industries to Setup

1,50,000

Sq. Ft. Facility to Increase Large Diameter & Longer Parts' Production Capacity

Incorporated in 1975 in Dewas, Deetee Industries has a

total of three manufacturing units in Indore- the tooling division unit, RMR division unit & TMR division unit; offering a complete range of slitting line tooling, cold rolling mill rolls, tube-forming rolls, section-forming rolls etc. confirming international standards. Presently, their products are exported to over sixty-five countries all over the world including the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, Germany, Korea, South Africa, Malaysia, the Gulf countries, Southeast Asian countries, etc. DeeTee uses COPRA (German) software for the roll designing which helps them to design the rolls with utmost perfection. It has been awarded a Certificate of Export Excellence by the Indian Government. DeeTee is soon coming up with a 1,50,000 square feet new facility, along with an advanced heat treatment facility and other new imported machinery. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Aradhya Baheti, Managing Director, DeeTee Industries Private Limited, shared the company's history, infrastructure setup, and product portfolio. She also talked about the company's recent developments and future vision of the company.

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about your company's history, significant milestones, and crucial achievements.

Aradhya Baheti: DeeTee Industries, established in 1975, has quickly grown into the biggest and leading manufacturer and exporter of international quality industrial tools from India. Incorporated in 1975 as an ancillary

unit-I, in Dewas; DeeTee started producing cold rolling mill rolls with its second unit-II in 1983, in Indore. They shipped their first export to the Gulf in 1986. Thereby in 2002, DeeTee started their 3rd unit for tube mill rolls & bar mill tooling. In 2010, DeeTee partnered with European slitter tooling manufacturer- EmmeBi-Lame Srl. Today, EmmeBi-DeeTee jointly market products in Europe.

Mr. Aradhya Baheti, Managing Director, DeeTee Industries Private Limited

DeeTee caters to about 50 percent of the requirement of tools in the domestic market – the “largest in India”. All steel giants in the domestic market are our customers like AMNS, JSW, Jindal, Apl Apollo, TATA Steel, etc.

A wide range of products are manufactured at DeeTee which include slitting line tooling, tube/section forming rolls, bar/ wire rod mill rolls, cold rolling mill rolls for 2Hi, 4Hi, 6Hi, and 20 Hi mills, Sendzimir mills rolls, leveler rolls, shear blades, tube cut off knives, friction saws, shafts, and arbors, etc. DeeTee's products are exported to over sixty-five countries all over the world. We are now producing 12000 pcs per month of slitting line tooling and 3000 tube forming/section forming rolls per month with a maximum of dia.900 mm. We are the first in this line in India to be certified with ISO certification, and cater to about 50 percent of the requirement of such tools in the domestic market– the “largest in India”. Additionally, we have now started manufacturing extrusion tooling and bright bar tooling.

TPI: Cast some light on the infrastructure setup at your facility.

AB: DeeTee Industries has a total of three manufacturing units in Indore. In unit 1 which is the tooling division, we manufacture complete slitting line tooling, including slitting knives, spacers, over-arm separators, rubberized spacers, rubber rings, COC cutters, fins, etc. Our tooling division has an in-house heat treatment facility and we can do heat treatment of jobs up to 650 mm dia. In our Unit 2, RMR division, we manufacture cold rolling mill rolls like work rolls, and other rolls for 6Hi, 4Hi, and 2 Hi mills, Sendzimir mill rolls, backup rolls, skin pass mill rolls, flattener rolls, deflector rolls, shafts, and leveler rolls, long shear blades, extrusion tooling, bright bar tooling, etc. Here also, we have an inhouse heat treatment facility, where we can do the HT process for bigger

jobs and heavy weights i.e. parts diameter 550 mm (max.) and weight up to 3000 kgs (max). Unit 3 which is the TMR division, is responsible for manufacturing tube-forming rolls, section-forming rolls, bar/ wire rod mill rolls small shear blades, tube cut-off knives, etc., and here we can make tube-forming / sectionforming rolls up to dia.900 mm and weight up to 3000 kgs.

TPI: Kindly shed some light on your product portfolio and its application areas.

AB: We have a diverse range of products in our product basket. DeeTee offers a complete range of slitting line tooling confirming international standards. These include rotary metal slitting knives, metal spacers, rubber-bonded spacers, stripper rings, over-arm separator discs, shims, and other precision tools. DeeTee's slitting line tooling has the highest degree of hardness uniformity and the ideal metallurgical properties to slit any metal. DeeTee manufactures slitting line tooling in precision and extra precision tolerance grades with lapping. DeeTee can manufacture slitting line knives and spacers up to 750mm in diameter.

We also manufacture world-class forged rolls- Sendzimir mill rolls/cluster mill rolls, 6Hi, 4Hi, and 2Hi mill rolls, skin pass rolls leveler rolls and shear blades, etc. The rolls are prone to very tough working conditions and are perfect in terms of wear resistance, toughness, and hardness. Right from the raw material inspection, to heat treatment to grinding and final dispatch, all rolls undergo very stringent quality checks. We manufacture various types of rolls for all metal processing in rolling mills including tube forming rolls, rod mill rolls,

tube mill tooling, wire rod mill rolls, tube mill shafts, bar mill rolls, section forming rolls, etc. Metal processing rolls that are manufactured by DeeTee find their application in welded tubes, seamless tubes, open sections, wire rods, tube straightening, and various other industrial applications.

Tube forming and section forming roll designing is a very critical stage as it affects the cost of the rolls, the life of the rolls, the productivity of the mill, and the quality of the tube/section. DeeTee uses COPRA (German) software for the roll designing. The customer has to provide only the basic details of the mill and the input and output details, and DeeTee can design the rolls with utmost perfection. Salt bath heat treatment is considered to be the best for tool steels. The high-carbonhigh-chromium grades of steel used for manufacturing tube and section forming rolls are through hardening steels i.e., when heat-treated they attain the hardness right from the outer surface till the inner core. Proper heat treatment gives good toughness, wear resistance, and uniform hardness to the rolls. The profile of the rolls is finished on CNC machines resulting in high surface accuracy and bright shiny finish of the rolls. DeeTee has a production capacity to make rolls up to 900mm in diameter.

TPI: Brief us about your market footprint, exports, and major clientele.

AB: We cater to clients nationwide and globally and our clients are from diversified industries. Being the first in this line in India to be certified with ISO certification, DeeTee caters to about 50 percent of the requirement of such tools in the domestic market – the “largest in India”. All steel giants in the domestic market are our customers like AMNS, JSW, Jindal, Apl Apollo, TATA Steel, etc. This is evident from the fact that DeeTee is exporting 50 percent of its manufacture to more than 65 countries like USA, Canada, UK, France, Australia, Germany, Korea,

South Africa, Malaysia, the Gulf Countries, Southeast Asian countries, etc across the world. We have been awarded a Certificate of Export Excellence by the Indian Government.

TPI: What is your USP that keeps you abreast of your competitors?

AB: DeeTee stands for –Determination to Establish Excellence Through Efficiency & Expertise. Maximum durability and reliability are the hallmark of every DeeTee product because of this it has won a place in the topmost ranks of the global steel and metal industry. This competitive advantage enabled DeeTee to create superior value for its customers and superior profits for itself. An experience of almost five decades has given DeeTee a competitive edge over competitors with far-

fetched market repute.

TPI: Can you share some of the recent developments undertaken by your company and their significance?

AB: As part of our expansion plans, we will be coming up with a new facility with a total plant area of 1,50,000 square feet, along with an advanced heat treatment facility and as well as other new imported machinery. This will definitely increase our monthly production capacity to a large extent as well as allow us to manufacture larger diameters and longer parts.

TPI: With a rich experience of 45 years, how have you maintained the quality of your products?

AB: We have in-house state of art heat treatment facilities that give

excellent control over product quality. Our facilities include salt baths, induction hardening, cryogenic and sub-zero treatments, etc. We have skilled manpower and are regularly updated on technology. We also have a well-managed H.R. We have an economical and trusted vendor setup. Our state-ofthe-art infrastructure is a versatile and well-equipped plant for flexibility in the product. Our offices/ agents are spread over India and important foreign markets for adequate representation and ease of transactions. We have a neverending dedication to quality, excellence, and reliability, earning the trust of domestic as well as international clientele. We do not compromise on the quality of raw material procurement and consumption leading to high-quality finished goods.

TPI: What are your thoughts on the future of the tube and pipe industry vis a vis your vision and plans for your company's future?

AB: We feel that looking at the present market scenario, the future of the tube and pipe industry is very bright in India because of the “Make In India” policy which is strongly promoted by the Indian Government. Our vision as DeeTee Group is to become the largest manufacturer of forming and cutting tools in the world.

GL Control GmbH: Laser Measurement of Tubes and Extruder Bore Holes

GL Control GmbH is a subsidiary of GL Messtechnik GmbH, which specialises in the

development, production and distribution of laser-based profile measuring systems in its origins for almost 30 years. With the takeover of the employees as well as the existing measuring solutions which focus, GL Control GmbH is the true partner for precise and non-contact measuring solutions for laser-based capture of internal geometries of tubes and other hollow bodies. Their worldwide customer portfolio mainly includes the manufacturers of piping. Due to their adaptability, their measuring solutions can be easily and flexibly integrated into existing work processes or support the digitalization of work processes.

Journey and Milestones of GL Control GmbH

Dr. Noll founded the company, Dr. Noll GmbH in 1993, for customers in the tire industry to measure tire profiles by laser. His measurement systems were soon used by tire manufacturers, test institutes, and car producers worldwide. He reached to be no. 1 in the tire industry. In 2015, after being successful in the tire

industry, he founded the GL Messtechnik GmbH and expanded into the automotive industry and in the tube industry with new developments. In 2023, the subsidiary GL Control GmbH was founded which concentrates on the development of laser technology for pipeline inspection. Tube manufacturers and testing labs are very successful using the technology of GL Control GmbH.

Traditional inspection was manual, visual, and userdependent, now our CiTriS Sensor has more speed, more repeatability and accuracy and the ability to measure deeper into the pipe. Major testing labs for pipelines use this technology for worldwide inspection. Tube producers use this technology for 100% inspection. Nuclear reactors use this technology to inspect non-accessible tubes. GL Control GmbH supports the permanent R&D of new products. The quality is strictly high to solve the requirements of modern tube surfaces.

Circular Triangulation Sensor “CiTriS”

In the realm of industrial measurement and inspection, accuracy and efficiency are paramount. Circular triangulation sensor also known as CiTriS, transforms the way the inner geometry of bores, tubes, tanks and other cavities is measured and assessed. The radial laser beam measures the inner geometry around 360° in 3600 angle steps which results in a precise inner cross section, and a 3D-model of the inner surface profile. Using this technology, the verification of tolerances is possible.

The sensor has no rotating parts and projects a 360° radial laser beam on the target inner surface and measures the contour. The projected laser line is imaged by a high-resolution image sensor. Using image analysis, the 2D contour of the cross section is created. In a single scan 3600 radii along the circumference are measured with a speed of up to 60 scans per second resulting in a radial resolution of 10µm.

Operation in Extruders

The potential applications of CiTriS are diverse and farreaching. In the domain of extruder, bore holes are subject to wear and need regular inspection and CiTriS emerges as a game changer. The scanner can be seamlessly inserted at varying depths, employing guiding sleeves or round guiding brushes to maintain the aspect and centralise the sensor. Operating at 60 scans per second, a 10 m tube can be inspected in 180 seconds with over 10000 cross sections. More than 38 million measurement points provide a detailed surface

inspection. The sensor should be easily moveable along the length of the tube. Exact centring is not required because of the wide radial measurement range of the sensor. The smallest sensor has a length of 169mm and measures a range of diameters from 60mm to 160mm. Larger sensors measure ranges up to 1000 mm. Smaller measurement ranges are in development.

Depth Determination

Depth determination is a critical aspect of CiTriS's functionality. The distance signal, produced by an encoder, is integrated to trigger sensor measurements and correlate them with the scanner's position. When mounting the CiTriS on a roller skid, the encoder can be mounted on a measuring wheel. In the case of small-bore holes and operation with sliding sleeves, the cable length inserted into the bore hole will be measured for information on distance. A special cable guide with integrated encoder is available. In the case of mounting the CiTriS on a lance, which is inserted into the bore, the encoder will be mounted directly on the lance guide.

3D-Measurement

By using information gathered during depth determination through the encoder, a software can assemble all cross sections with precise depth information to create a point cloud of the inner surface of the bore resulting in a complete 3D-model of the bore. The complete model can be dimensioned and analysed, with the ability to highlight and dimension defects. For the application of third party external 3D analysis software, STL-export is available.

Collinearity and Straightness Determination

The collinearity of the extruder elements describes a misalignment between the individual elements. In order to measure such an offset, CiTriS is mounted on a roller slide peeping out. At the transition between two elements A and B, the centering should take place in element A and the measurement in element B.

By fitting a circle to the measured data of CiTriS, an offset can be calculated. This value changes suddenly as soon as the measuring plane of CiTriS has been moved from element A to element B.

Fig 6: Measurement of the offset from element A to element B with CiTriS

To determine the straightness of an extruder bore, an additional point laser is radiated through the extruder elements from the opposite bore opening as a benchmark. CiTriS will be guided slidable and approximately centrical, e.g. mounted on a roller carriage, into the bore opening. A module consisting of a camera and a focusing screen is attached to the front of the CiTriS to detect the directional laser. The laser beam serves as an absolutely straight reference line. The detection unit is moved along this reference line in the pipe. Here, the offset to the reference line is continuously measured by the local detection of the laser point on the screen. A possible displacement of the detection unit from the center of the bore hole can be corrected using the measurement values from CiTriS.

relation to one another becomes visible due to a jump in the coordinates when the roller carriage transits from one extruder element to the next. This corresponds to the collinearity of the extruder elements to each other.

Measurement in Tubes

For tube inspection, 2D analysis software is already available. The Inspection outputs are radii, ovality, minimum internal diameter, maximum internal diameter and tolerances. Using an external measurement stand, or a centraliser inserted into the tube, the analysis is possible over the total length of the tube. For 3D inspection of the tube end a special scanner is available which moves the sensor up to 300 mm into the tube and inspects the tube end completely from the inside . Tube diameter, ovality and dents will be measured. A special feature is the measurement of the pipe end cut geometry and the weld seam profile (cut geometry is important for tubes that will be welded together).

The result provides the offset of the center point of the respective bore cross-section to the reference line at each measurement position. This corresponds to the straightness of the extruder bore. With this structure, a possible misalignment of individual extruder elements in

For the complete scan of tubes, a crawler with integrated CiTriS is available . The crawler propelled scanner moves through the complete tube and checks the inner surface for defects. Additional features for tube straightness are available. The standard CiTriS sensors have a diameter of 55.9 mm and radial measurement ranges of 50 mm – 500 mm. The sensor has a USB-3-interface for 5V-power supply and data interface to a computer. The laser class 2M allows applications without any special safety measures. For developers, who would like to integrate the sensor into their own applications, an Application Programming Interface (API) is available.

Venus Pipes & Tubes Starts Production of LSAW Pipes

Venus Pipes & Tubes Limited started the production of LSAW pipes of ~600 MT per month on 21st July 2023. This is the last phase of their planned capacity expansion with almost tripling their capacity.

Jul 21, 2023

Venus Pipes & Tubes Ltd, one of the leading

manufacturers of stainless pipes and tubes has successfully commenced commercial production of LSAW pipes of ~600 MT per month on 21st July 2023. Mr. Arun Kothari, Managing Director of Venus Pipes & Tubes Limited, said, “I am delighted to share that the company has commenced commercial production of LSAW pipes as the last leg of planned capacity expansion. With almost tripling our capacities in the last two months as compared to FY23, the company is all geared up to cater the rising demand for its products among diversified industries, whilst maintaining utmost standards and quality. The Company is poised to capture new markets, forge

stronger partnerships, and continue to raise the bar in terms of product excellence and customer satisfaction. At Venus, the company strives to increase its market share by addition in the product portfolio, expand the client base, and serve the existing clients better.”

InspecTech Analygas: Customized Non-Destructive Testing Solutions

Started in 1977, InspecTech Analygas has been a leader in customizing Non -

Destructive Testing (NDT) solutions for their clients present all over the world. InspecTech owns 50 percent of the market share of the NDT business in the U.S. and 80 percent of the market share of the NDT business in Mexico. For fifteen years, InspecTech designed and supplied sophisticated in-service inspection pigs that use the flux leakage technique to gather high-resolution data from oil and gas transmission pipelines. The revolution in digital technology has closely tracked InspecTech's own history and the effects have been remarkable. Today, in addition to their in-house electrical and mechanical engineers, the company has software and firmware specialists, and all information technology functions are customized to their systems and to their client's own needs.

Overview of the Company and Crucial Milestones

InspecTech has been in business since 1977 customizing NDT solutions utilizing the eddy current, flux leakage, and ultrasonic technologies. We take a look at your application, and which specifications you need to meet and then recommend the best technology. InspecTech's objective is to supply engineered solutions to NDT problems by providing innovative and rugged test systems, fully integrated into the production

environment. InspecTech manufactures all mechanics, and electronics, and develops our own software in-house. For fifteen years, InspecTech designed and supplied sophisticated in-service inspection pigs that use the flux leakage technique to gather high-resolution data from oil and gas transmission pipelines. Our major accomplishments include a compressed gas cylinder testing unit, the first in North America for a production environment in continuous use since 1992. InspecTech pioneered the use of flux

leakage testing for welded tubes and is a leader in the field. Flux leakage test systems for use on laser-welded automotive panel blanks were also pioneered by InspecTech and are in use in Europe, China, and the USA. Ultrasonic test systems for the welded tube industry include ERW, DSA long seam, and spiral welded products in use worldwide. Semiautomated ring gear test systems for automotive parts, in mass production use since 1993. Multi-probe thread detection and evaluation systems.

Industries Catered and Market Footprint

Currently, Inspectech is present in the oil and gas industry, automotive industry, and we also provide structural and turnkey solutions. InspecTech owns 50% of the market share of the NDT business in the U.S. and 80% of the market share of the NDT business in Mexico. InspecTech added 7 new representatives in South America, Europe as well as Chengdu, China. Our global network is spread across the globe including Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Russia, South America, United States. Some of our major clients are Tenaris, Tejas, Peasa, Tenneco, Chung-Hung Steel, American Cast Iron Co., Forza, Canadian Phoenix, Thyssenkrupp, etc.

Product Portfolio

We have a diverse range of products in our product portfolio. Eddy current full body, Eddy current weld line, offline and online ultrasonic testing, and ultrasonic skelp monitoring system are some of the products.

IBIS SCARF MONITORING SYSTEM

®

The InspecTech I.B.I.S. (InspecTech B-Scan Inspection System) is an ultrasonic device that is especially useful to the welded tube industry. The I.B.I.S. scans the weld zone and monitors the quality of the flash removal process. Its key features are-

●Scrap Reduction- Catch flash removal problems before they become costly.

●Real-time presentation of wall thickness data in engineering units over the weld.

●Audio and visual alarms for high and low limits of wall thickness.

●“Hands Free” unattended operation.

●Complete Data Logging of all online test parameters easily stored, retrieved, hard-copied or downloaded.

●Instant recall of previously used setups.

●Weight calculation and cutting to weight (optional).

The I.B.I.S. is primarily a scrap reduction tool. It displays the weld profile in engineering units and in real-time on a video display. Broken, worn, or chipped flash-cutting tools or mismatched weld edges are easily detected and alarmed. The I.B.I.S. will also monitor the weld profile to make sure that the overall weld thickness is within tolerance.

MAGNETIC FLUX LEAKAGE SYSTEM

While the Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL) method is one of the oldest NDT methods, its utilization to test laser weld seams in carbon steel tailored blanks is relatively new. The simplicity of setup and high

sensitivity make the method a superior alternative in an industry previously dominated by ultrasonic EMATs and eddy current testers. The standard MFL package offered by InspecTech can test welded steel blanks up to 3mm thick. Testing is done by passing the material seam over the test head on a conveyor, or by passing the test head over the part by robotic manipulation. Its key features are-

● Inspect laser welded seams in carbon steel plates, online, at high speeds.

● Absolute and differential channels differentiate between short and long defects.

● Ideal NDT for carbon steel plates up to 3 mm in thickness.

● Programmable set-up and changeover between products.

● Storage of all test results based on time, or piece by piece basis.

● Calibrates on 10% OD and ID notches and 0.5 mm holes.

● Economical and user-friendly. The typical location for the MFL system can be directly after the welder on the welding line, or at a downstream handling station for the welded product. There is also a special version of the MFL system designed for use on a continuous welding line. It has a marking system to spray defects and a modified machine interface.

ON-LINE ULTRASONIC TESTING SYSTEM SPIRAL

Over the years the welded tube industry has come to rely on ®InspecTech ultrasonic testing systems to verify weld quality and integrity both on the tube mill and on the finishing floor. Ultrasonic testing of welded tubes is a universally recognized method, offering equal sensitivity to both inside and outside defects regardless of material thickness. Codes of practice such as ISO, API, and CSA all cite ultrasonic testing of welds as an acceptable, or even mandatory, method. Depending upon the requirement, InspecTech can supply

Extra-Large Flux Leakage System

systems with 2, 4, 6, or more transducers to test various material thickness ranges and also to test HAZ (heat-affected zones) and monitor material gauges. Its key features are-

● Advanced transducer technology.

● Multi-probe test heads are easy to set up and calibrate.

● Ideal for inspecting API-5L, API5CT, and ISO standards.

● Robust mechanical construction.

● Complete data logging of all online test parameter data is easily stored,

retrieved, hard-copied, or downloaded.

● Instant recall of previously used setups.

With many years of experience in NDT systems, InspecTech exercises continuous improvement policies, to supply the welded tube industry with systems of the highest reliability and sophistication, coupled with ease of understanding and operation. For weld-line testing of carbon steel tubing 50mm (2.0”) in diameter and up (and more recently down to much smaller diameters), the method of

choice is ultrasonic testing. Ultrasonic testing is very sensitive to defects throughout the weld section and, at the same time, the test is relatively insensitive to process variations.

Research and Development

InspecTech's research and development team works closely with our clients, towards a goal of continuous improvement to our equipment and systems. For example, the use of Flux Leakage testing for ERW long seams is rapidly gaining international acceptance.

Maharashtra Seamless Writes Letter to Steel Ministry for Cauvery Basin Casing Pipe Tender Rejection

Maharashtra Seamless wrote to the steel ministry for the redressal of the unfair rejection of its casing pipe tender for the Cauvery basin drilling. In the letter the company claims that it is an “approved source” of specialized steel required in the project and that 40-50 percent of its existing capacity “is idle these days due to huge imports”.

Jul 25, 2023

Maharashtra Seamless has written a letter to the

steel ministry regarding the unfair rejection of its casing pipe tender for the Cauvery basin drilling, and seeking redressal for the matter. The letter states that the company is an “approved source”, that is, supplier of such specialized steel — called Q-125 casing pipes — and has been supplying to ONGC, OIL and other PSUs since 1992. The letter noted, “We would like to confirm that we are capable of manufacturing the above Q-125 casing pipes and wish to participate in the subject tender and in case of award of this contract to us we will supply the required

Premium Connection Casing Pipes to ONGC for meeting their urgent requirement.” Maharashtra Seamless stated that its management has “invested significantly” on development of new products in India like drill pipe, oxygen cylinder pipe, sub-sea, low wall thickness, etc.

With an installed capacity of 8.5 lakh tonne per annum to produce seamless pipes and tubes, the company claimed that 40-50 percent of its existing capacity “is idle these days due to huge imports”. “This order is very much important for us to utilize our idle capacity,” the company mentioned in the letter, adding that the company also has the requisite technical backing and tie-ups to go ahead with the manufacturing process. As per tender documents available, the value of these orders is close to INR 400 crore. The letter also stated that approvals were sought (across categories) in July 2022, December 2022 and then again March 2023. Earlier this year, in March and June, a Grievance Committee meeting chaired by a senior Steel Ministry official approved the proposals. “However, approval to procure the required casing pipes through ICB tender (international competitive bidding) is still awaited from the Ministry,” the letter said.

Xiris Automation: Solutions for Weld Inspection and Monitoring

Xiris Automation Inc. is involved in the

research, development, and manufacture of high-technology machine vision products requiring a multidisciplinary staff that includes software, mechanical, electrical, and optical engineering skills. They have been developing specialized machine vision products for process & quality control for over 30 years. The company employs highly skilled engineers, computer scientists, and technicians who are all involved in the design and development of machine vision systems and software. They design and manufacture all their products internally at their head office in Canada with about 43 staff. In addition, they have a European sales and service office in Germany and a sales office in Thailand. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Cameron Serles, Founder and CEO, Xiris Automation Inc., shared the history of the company, product portfolio, recent developments, and plans for the future with respect to the Indian market.

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about your company and its history.

Cameron Serles: Xiris Automation Inc. was originally founded in 1989 to build custom machine vision solutions. Over the years, the company has developed a variety of machine vision systems for the automotive, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, electronics, and plastics industries. However, developing custom machine vision systems is a difficult business model, so in the early 2000s, Xiris started looking for a growing market that was in need of standard machine vision products, one where Xiris could bring its expertise and engineering

Mr. Cameron Serles, Founder and CEO, Xiris Automation Inc.

capabilities to create superior solutions. After making several false starts, we finally settled on the metalworking industry, thinking that it offered a number of interesting opportunities for camera systems. In about 2008, Xiris discovered the tube and pipe market, learning that a need existed to develop a camera system to measure the weld bead profile of a tube right after the weld box to detect quality defects in the weld and the forming of the tube. An intensive development effort ensued where we designed a brand new product platform, bringing it to market in about 2011. It was a category in itself, as there were no significant competitors, so we had to teach the industry the value of such technology. At first, the adoption rate was slow as our limited resources could not reach too many customers. But after a few years, it did pick up pace as we started expanding our sales channel. Now, we have sold almost 300 weld inspection systems worldwide to the tube and pipe industry.

With constant R&D, we came out with a product line of HDR weld cameras that can be used in various welding applications to see the weld arc, the weld torch, and surrounding environment in 2013 or so. It was an instant hit and its use spread rapidly across the welding industry, including applications in the tube industry to look at TIG, laser, or plasma torches while they are operating. That development was followed by the development of a shortwave infrared (SWIR) thermal camera that can look at welding processes and measure the temperature of hot metals in the range of 350-1800°C, allowing process engineers to do advanced quality control of their welding processes by accurately measuring the size of the melt pool, the T8/5 cooling rate of the weld bead and other process variables. All our cameras connect to a PC that is used for camera controls, recording and playback of video, graphical feedback tools, and machine vision algorithms to extract data from the images.

Today, Xiris Automation Inc. is involved in the research, development, and manufacture of high-technology machine vision products requiring a multidisciplinary staff that includes software, mechanical, electrical, and optical engineering skills. The company employs highly skilled engineers, computer scientists, and technicians who are all involved in the design and development of machine vision systems and software.

TPI: Cast some light on the infrastructure setup at your facility.

CS: We design and manufacture all our products internally at our head office in Canada with about 43 staff. In addition, we have a European sales and service office in Germany and a sales office in Thailand. We have an R&D team of about 13 people that comprises optical, mechanical, electronic, and software engineers and technicians. We also have a full in-house production facility that is equipped to assemble, calibrate, and test all our products before they get shipped. As a result, we are rather unique in the industry where we both develop all our own technology and build it in-house, including our software, so that we can respond quickly to market trends and release new products. Our goal is to develop 2-4 new products per year plus release new versions of our software every 3 months.

TPI: Kindly shed some light on your product portfolio and major clientele.

CS: Our product portfolio for the tube and pipe industry centers around two main technologies: laser triangulation as used by our WI2200/3000 post-weld inspection product line to measure the weld bead and forming geometry of welded tubes and pipes; and SWIR thermal imaging technology in our XIR-1800 camera that is used to acquire 2D thermal images of hot metal and use them for thermography (measuring temperatures) or enhance machine vision.

The WI-2200/3000 post-weld inspection system detects quality issues related to the forming, welding, and scarfing processes on a tube or pipe mill. By using this system to measure key variables such as mismatch, undercut, sunken weld bead, freeze line, roll, and others, tube producers take the first step in controlling them and improving weld quality. Xiris' proven laser-based vision system technology uses high-resolution imaging, fast data capture, and analysis rates to provide real-time detection of defects. The system can be a single or double-head configuration, to monitor post-weld and/or post-scarf processes.

The XIR-1800 is a high dynamic range (HDR) SWIR thermal camera designed for use in critical metal joining and additive manufacturing applications where the thermal properties of key features need to be carefully monitored in real time. Combining a spectacular 120+ dB HDR capability with sensitivity to the short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum, the XIR-1800 thermal camera provides enhanced imaging of metal joining processes beyond what is visible using standard thermal or visiblelight cameras. Because it is based on SWIR imaging, the camera is able to image through smoke or fumes to provide exceptionally clear, real-time views of any metal melting process.

Most recently, we have created a new product; our HF pre-weld inspection system that enables operators to remotely monitor the welding process inside the weld

area of high-frequency tube mills. Using thermal video, the HF pre-weld inspection system provides a real-time view of the welding process and uses advanced software to measure, monitor, and record process parameters such as V angle, V length, seam gap, hotpoint, and various other parameters. Automated deviation monitoring and defect marking using these measures enables mill operators to enhance tube welding quality and achieve optimal production results. We also have a vision system for TIG, plasma, and laser tube mill operators. This solution provides a leading-edge view of the torch and gap, with automated feature extraction software used to monitor alignment offsets and/or gap measurements. A clear view of the torch condition and melt pool allows operators to react quickly to problems. Alignment offsets are also available for output to external torch positioners – allowing real-time automated re-alignment.

Our client list includes ArcelorMittal, TATA Steel, Sanoh, Tenneco, Tenaris, Fischer, Nucor, Stala Tube, Sankei, Nippon Steel, Schoeller, TERNI, Prolamsa, Siemens, GM, Caterpillar, Magna, Alstom, BMW, Hitachi, ThyssenKrupp, HP, Abicor Binzel, Lincoln Electric, Miller, Airgas, etc. and many more.

TPI: What is your USP? How does the company stay ahead of the competition?

CS: Our products all have a common USP: they are hightechnology, high-value solutions that reliably gather information about the welding process that is not readily available in a competitive product. We have a unique ability to deliver a combination of advanced hardware based on mechanical, electronic, and optical engineering as well as advanced machine vision software engineering.

Our products are highly focused to the industries we serve, such as the tube and pipe industry, where we spend a great deal of time understanding the problems being experienced by our customers before we develop our solutions to meet the industry's needs.

TPI: Could you tell us about recent & noteworthy projects accomplished by your company?

CS: Monitoring the HF tube welding process is challenging and dangerous. To improve safety for its operation staff and get a clear, close-up view of the weld 'V', a major North American pipe producer came to Xiris for a solution. They required a remote monitoring solution to observe and automatically warn of deviations in certain mechanical variations in their HF process, namely:

l Breathing on the V gap, or the cyclical instability of the tube of the space between the two strip edges just after the induction coil. Such a phenomenon could be the result of imperfect forming rollers, varying stresses along the pipe, or variances in the heat going into the tube;

l Position of the weld apex as it relates to the weld squeeze point. The weld apex is defined to be the point on the tube where the two strip edges of the tube come together and first touch. Its location is a result of a number of factors including the V angle, the forming roll position, and pressure and inductive energy flowing into the pipe;

For this application, we developed our HF pre-weld inspection system, based on our Xiris XIR-1800 HDR SWIR thermal camera encased in a specially designed housing and placed at the HF weld environment to look at the weld 'V' immediately after the induction coil. The housing provides controlled airflow to ensure that no steam, smoke, or other particulates can reach the camera optics and interfere with the image.

Process-tailored software tools ensure that the weld operator can detect the weld apex and any breathing that could occur in the seam gap on the pipe. The goal of giving the operator real-time measurable process feedback with working range limit alarm notifications was achieved so that the mill can process any anomalies and/or defects accordingly. Integrations to paint and laser marking tools were added by the customer. What started as a safety initiative resulted in a significant process improvement solution: the producer was able to achieve higher yields from a more stable process, delivered with a safer approach to monitoring the weld process, reducing the potential for operator injury.

TPI: Do you undertake R&D at your company? How do you maintain the quality of your offerings?

CS: As identified above, we are constantly developing new technology. We call it “Innovation Kaizen” based on the Japanese approach of designing for the better. Our goal is to always improve everything we do, not just our products, but also how they operate, how we operate as a

HF pre-weld inspection system

company, and deal with our customers. Our goal of developing 2-4 new products per year pushes us to always think about developing new and better products.

TPI: What are your vision and plans for your company's future? Do you have any specific plans for the Indian market?

CS: We are very excited about our recent entry into the Indian market. We feel that we are in the early stages of a boom as the pipe and tube market in India seems to be poised for spectacular growth over the next few years. We have made initial sales of our weld inspection and HF pre-weld inspection systems to key Indian brands with great success. We look forward to extending our partnership with these pre-eminent tube makers to convert them to repeat buyers of our equipment as well as expanding to the rest of the India tube industry. In 2022, we received our BIS certification for our specialty vision sensors. We hope to continue to grow our Indian business, eventually opening a sales and service office in India one day.

To consolidate our recent successes, we are exhibiting at the upcoming Tube & Pipe Fair - India show in New Delhi.

GAIL Set to Invest INR 30,000 Crore Capex Over Next 3 Years

GAIL is planning to invest INR 30,000 crore in capex over the next 3 years, on pipelines, petrochemical projects, and city gas distribution. The company is also exploring the opportunity of equity acquisition in an LNG liquefaction terminal.

Aug 23, 2023

GAIL (India) intends to invest INR 30,000 crore in

capex over the next three years, primarily on pipelines, petrochemical projects, and city gas distribution. In FY23 the company had a capex of INR 10,000 crore. According to GAIL CMD, Mr. Sandeep Kumar Gupta, “Company is growing steadily and creating infrastructure facilities across the nation. We are targeting to incur a capex INR 30,000 crore in the next 3 years, mainly on pipelines, ongoing petrochemical projects, CGD projects, operational capex, equity contribution in group companies, etc." GAIL (India) is also trying to secure natural gas for the country and consumers from different countries to avoid any future volatility. "Your company has issued an EoI to explore the opportunity of equity acquisition in an LNG liquefaction terminal along with 1 million MTPA LNG tie-up from the USA," he said.

The CMD further said that GAIL (India) has taken steps to provide tie-in connections with its natural gas pipelines to the upcoming new gas sources and upcoming RLNG terminals to enable more and new gas injections into its pipelines. Mr. SK Gupta also said that GAIL was able to achieve a gross turnover of INR

1.43 trillion in the last fiscal, which was a 57 percent increase over the previous year. The CMD further said that "Gas transmission and gas marketing are the key drivers of GAIL's business and during FY 23, we transmitted 107 million metric standard cubic meter per day (mmscmd) of natural gas, marketed 95 mmscmd of natural gas and sold 399 TMT of polymer." Gupta said it is estimated that GAIL would achieve over 120 mmscmd of natural gas transmission, over 100 mmscmd of natural gas sales, and 800 TMT of polymer sales.

HYPREX: Japan's Leading HighPressure Fabrication & Testing Technology Supplier

Tube hydroforming is itself a unique

technology used mostly in the automotive sector. With very few competitors in the world, HYPREX is one of the leading brands of high-pressure technology. Having a dedicated team of 60 employees, the company specializes in a diverse range of products and services like pressure testers, pipe benders, and highwater pressure generators in Japan and overseas. In a recent interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Tomohiro Yamamoto, President, HYPREX, spoke about the company's journey, recent or upcoming developments, product portfolio, and plans for the future specific to the Indian market.

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about HYPREX and its history.

Tomohiro Yamamoto: Since our establishment in 1930, we have been providing various types of equipment such as pressure testers, pipe benders, and high-water pressure generators using oil and water pressure to diverse industries in Japan and overseas. We provide one-of-a-kind, tailor-made solutions to customers' issues and needs, utilizing the technology and know-how that we have accumulated over the past 90 years. Since 1954, we have delivered more than 240 units of steel pipe water hydraulic pressure testers to countries around the world. In 1962, we delivered Japan's first T-joint forming machine by bulge forming, and in 1970, a flexible forming machine. We are

Mr. Tomohiro Yamamoto, President, HYPREX

meeting the needs of our customers with our environmentally friendly technology utilizing high water pressure under the brand name HYPREX.

TPI: Kindly shed some light on your product portfolio.

TY: Our company, powered by a dedicated team of 60 employees, specializes in a diverse range of products and services. Our main product offerings include hydroforming, pipe bending machines upto a diameter of 406.4 mm, pipe swagging machines, and pipe hydro testing machines for diameters up to 80mm. Additionally, we excel in E.G. coupling pipe joint pressure leakage testing and gas leakage test equipment. A notable product is our patented OCTG pipes collapse tester, designed to withstand combined external pressure and axial load or twist. Furthermore, we offer customized solutions such as automatic pipe prefabrication lines encompassing marking, cutting, bevelling, and bending processes. These capabilities underscore our commitment to delivering high-quality solutions tailored to the specific needs of our customers.

TPI: Please cast light on industries served and major clientele.

TY: With a global presence that spans across various countries, we have established operations in the United States, Russia, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, India, Iran, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Great Britain, Norway, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia. Our products serve a wide range of industries, including the steel industry, automobile manufacturing, shipbuilding, aircraft production, railways, electric power generation, gas and water supply, air conditioning, sanitary facilities, and tobacco. Additionally, our products are also utilized in numerous laboratories and universities.

Some of our major clients include Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Mitsubishi Materials, Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Toyota Motor, Nissan Motor, Honda Motor, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Universal Shipbuilding, ANA, JAL, Japan Railways, Tobu Railway, Tokyo Electric Power, Osaka Gas, Mitsubishi Electric, Panasonic, Japan Tobacco Inc, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, The High-Pressure Gas

Safety Institute of Japan, University of Tokyo, Kyushu University, and Nagoya University.

TPI: What is your USP? Could you tell us about your global footprint?

TY: Under the brand name HYPREX and with the concept of high-water pressure technology, we have two keywords: High-pressure generation technology and sealing technology.

The first is static which includes pressure testers and high-pressure capsules. The second is dynamic which includes hydroforming, a plastic-forming process. We respond to each customer's issues and needs with custom-made products, making full use of the technology and know-how we have accumulated over the years.

TPI: Could you tell us about recent & noteworthy projects accomplished by your company— specific to tube & pipe companies?

TY: Firstly, we have made significant strides in the field of high-temperature external pressure testing equipment. This equipment creates an environment under high temperature and high pressure to test the strength of target workpieces. Secondly, our pioneering liquid-filled bending technology has evolved to new heights, allowing for intricate three-dimensional bending while maintaining a sealed water pressure inside pipes.

TPI: Do you undertake R&D at your company? How do you maintain the quality of your offerings?

TY: To address special issues raised by the customers, we initiate a project to develop the necessary equipment. After that, we conduct verification using a demo machine and manufacture the equipment on the actual machine. According to the verification results, the quality is stabilized.

TPI: What are your vision and plans for your company's future? Do you have any specific plans for the Indian market?

TY: We are paying attention to the Indian market, which continues to grow, and we would like to expand our sales market by participating in trade fairs and other events to make our company better known.

Surya Roshni to Invest INR 400 Million to Upgrade

Bahadurgarh's Cold Rolling Plant's Capacity by 35,000 TPA

Surya Roshni Limited is set to invest INR 400 million to upgrade their cold rolling plant at Bahadurgarh, Haryana. The investment will increase the production capacity from 1,15,000 MT per annum to 1,50,000 MT per annum.

Aug 11,2023

Surya Roshni Limited approved an investment of

INR 400 million for the upgradation of the cold rolling (CR) plant at Bahadurgarh Plant (Haryana). The investment will enhance the capacity by 35,000 MT per annum. The project is scheduled for commissioning by the end of July 2024. The objective behind the upgradation/modification of the cold rolling plant is to achieve better surface quality and shape of the material. It will also meet the closed thickness tolerance for some main segments like stamping, and cycle rim and be able to add some wider auto-stacking stamping as per market requirements. The above upgrade of the plant will help to reduce the percentage of rejection of the material. Currently, the production capacity of the plant is approximately 1,15,000 MT per annum and after up-gradation, the

production capacity will increase to 1,50,000 MT per annum with better surface quality and shape of the material and increase the margins.

Sambhv Sponge Power Inaugurates 5 Pipe Mill in Tilda, Raipur

Sambhv Sponge Power recently inaugurated its 5th pipe mill in its factory at Tilda, Raipur to enhance the operational prowess of the factory. The event aimed at strengthening the relationship between the steel venture and its network of dealers across India.

Aug 8, 2023

Sambhv Sponge Power Pvt. Ltd., a leading player in

the steel tubes and pipe industry, recently celeth brated the inauguration of its 5 pipe mill in their factory at Tilda (Raipur, CG) with much fanfare at the Mayfair Lake Resort. In addition to rejoicing in the enhanced operational prowess that came with the new mill, the event, which was held on July 16, 2023, was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the steel venture and its network of dealers across India. The event saw an august gathering of Sambhv's top management, including Brijlal Goyal and Suresh Goyal, who

are respectively the Chairman and the Managing Director of the company, along with Manoj Goyal, Vikas Goyal and Ashish Goyal, who holds the esteemed offices of Directors in the company. Held at the Mayfair Lake Resort, one of the highlights of the event was conducive networking, and exchange of business knowledge.

During the inauguration, the notable members of the organization spoke about its vision and mission, which revolve around fostering a robust work culture and producing first-rate steel products. Moreover, the

impressive turnout at the event showcased the massive nationwide reach that the company, owing to its quality portfolio, has established over the years. On that note, it is worth mentioning that of the over 35 major dealers who attended the inauguration & traveled from different parts of India, signaling the trusted name in steel products Sambhv has become. This wide network of dealers underscores the company's unwavering commitment to quality control in its impressive array of products, including ERW Black & GI tubes and pipes.

Vikas Goyal (Director) said, “We are delighted to

announce the inauguration of our new mill, which will bolster our hold on the competitive market. We leave no stone unturned to ensure that the consumer remains happy with our products. This is why, since our inception, we have remained dedicated to upholding the superlative quality of our products. As a result, Sambhv today has an extensive network of dealers across the country, which denotes the robust foothold we have gained in as little as half a decade. Much to our pride, what sets us apart from the host of players in the industry is our excellent craftsmanship, and we hope that with the new milestone, we continue to be synonymous with success in the steel sector.”

GAIL to Seal 1 Million Metric Tons Per Year LNG Import Deal With Qatar

GAIL is nearing finalization of a substantial LNG import deal with Qatar, spanning 20+ years at 1 million metric tons annually. GAIL is poised to be India's second firm in a Qatar pact after Petronet.

Aug 3, 2023

GAIL is reportedly nearing closure on a 1 million

metric tons per year LNG import deal with Qatar, lasting for more than 20 years. The deal would be aligned with GAIL's future plans to diversify its gas imports by 2030 and to protect itself against supply disruptions due to LNG price surges. GAIL, India's largest pipeline operator, is poised to become the

second domestic company to enter into an agreement with Qatar. Petronet, partially owned by GAIL, is also trying to renew its long-term LNG deal ending in 2028 where Petronet buys 8.5 million tons per year (TPY) of LNG from Qatar.

India's target is to sign the two deals by late September. An agreement involving GAIL and Qatar would reportedly enhance the chances of Petronet's

contract renewal with improved pricing. According to Mr. Rakesh Jain, Head of Finance, GAIL is also looking to buy 5.8 million TPY from the US and a 2.5 million TPY from SEFE, the former German Gazprom unit to reduce its dependency on one country to avoid the risk of sudden disruption in LNG supply.

Tata Steel & UK Jointly Announce the 'Tata SteelSprint to Zero' 2023 Challenge

Tata Steel has recently announced its 'Tata Steel - Sprint to Zero' 2023 Challenge, to fund innovative research and development projects in low carbon hydrogen. A part of the UKIndia Hydrogen Partnerships, the announcement was jointly made by Mr. George Freeman, Science Minister of UK, and Dr. Debashish Bhattacharjee, Vice President (Technology and R&D), Tata Steel, at IISc Bangalore.

Jul 13, 2023

Tata Steel announced 'Tata Steel - Sprint to Zero'

2023 Challenge, an initiative to fund innovative research and development projects in low carbon hydrogen that offers tech-led or tech-enabled solutions to address green hydrogen technologies for the industrial sector's sustainable future. A part of the UKIndia Hydrogen Partnerships, the announcement was jointly made by Mr. George Freeman, Science Minister of UK, and Dr. Debashish Bhattacharjee, Vice President (Technology and R&D), Tata Steel, at IISc Bangalore. The UK-India Hydrogen Partnerships builds on the UKIndia Hydrogen Hub announced by the UK and Indian Prime Ministers in 2022. It will feature a range of private industry sponsored pilots to tackle 5 Grand Challenges – storage, transport, safety, production, and cost – faced by both countries.

Tata Steel is the first sponsor of the UK-India Hydrogen Partnerships sprint series, awarding EUR 80,000 funding to two innovative projects in low carbon hydrogen. As part of the challenge, the company will also offer experiential engagement to selected entities including a priority access to its integrated steel plants. The proposals bidding for the grant are expected to address two challenges: a) development and deployment of hydrogen technologies for greening the industrial sector and b) solutions for hydrogen

storage/purification. The funding call is open for solutions from academia, start-ups and industries across India and the UK. The projects must be co-led by an Indian or a UK organization with a maximum of three partners per project, where at least one organization must be either from the UK or India, with a strong academic, research and development background. The last date for submission of proposals is August 31, 2023, and winners will be announced by October 2023. The projects will commence from November 2023 and will last for 9-12 months.

The announcement was jointly made by Mr. George Freeman, Science Minister of UK, and Dr. Debashish Bhattacharjee, Vice President (Technology and R&D), Tata Steel, at IISc Bangalore.

Emirates Steel Arkans Signs MoU with Al Jazeera Steel Product Company for Joint Product Expertise

Emirates Steel Arkan and Al Jazeera Steel Product Company signed a MoU to establish a framework for collaboration and to seize new opportunities in the steel business ecosystem.

Jul 16, 2023

AMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed

between Emirates Steel Arkan and Al Jazeera Steel Product Company (AJSP) which aims to establish a strategic framework for collaboration, further benefiting from joint product expertise and seizing new opportunities in the steel business ecosystem. The MoU coincides with AJSP establishing a medium-section rolling mill in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi and also planning to introduce a tube mill and heat-treated alloy round bars. The MoU provides Emirates Steel Arkan the opportunity to supply semis, including billets, blooms, and beam blanks to AJSP's upcoming factory in Abu Dhabi or existing factory in Sohar, Oman. The two parties will also research options for collaboration in the promotion and marketing of finished products involving light and medium sections from AJSP and heavy sections from ESA.

Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO, Emirates Steel Arkan, said, “Through this MoU, we will bolster our market share, synergize our collective knowledge and expertise, capture new business opportunities, and bid for upcoming projects. By harnessing the strength of our shared vision for decarbonizing the

steel industry, resources, and experience, we are ready to chart a course toward unparalleled growth and success in the dynamic steel business ecosystem.

Sheikha Amal Bahwan, Chairperson, Al Jazeera Steel Product Co, stated, “We are delighted to partner with Emirates Steel Arkan, the UAE's largest steel and building materials manufacturer, to further strengthen our proposition and ability to serve customers around the world with diverse steel products. By joining forces, we aim to leverage ESA's unrivaled expertise and expansive market presence, complemented by Al Jazeera Steel's established reputation for manufacturing excellence.”

ADNOC Gas Awards USD 3.6 Billion Contract to NPCC-Tecnicas Reunidas JV for Gas Process Infrastructure Expansion

ADNOC Gas has granted a USD 3.6 billion contract to a partnership between National Petroleum Construction Company Co. PJSC (NPCC) and Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas to expand gas processing infrastructure in the UAE.

Aug 9, 2023

ADNOC Gas, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's gas

unit, has reportedly awarded a USD 3.6 billion contract to a joint venture between National Petroleum Construction Company Co. PJSC (NPCC),

owned by Abu Dhabi state fund ADQ, and Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas. The contract was given to expand its gas processing infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates. The new gas processing facilities will allow an optimized supply to the Ruwais Industrial Complex in Abu Dhabi's western Al Dhafra region.

The strategic Maximizing Ethane Recovery and Monetization (MERAM) project of ADNOC Gas aims to boost ethane extraction by 35%-40% from its onshore facilities in the Habshan complex by building new processing facilities, as well as to unlock further value from existing feedstock, delivering it to Ruwais through a 120-km (75 miles) natural gas liquids pipeline. ADNOC has shared that over 70% of the contract's value would "flow back into the UAE's economy".

SAIL and SMS Group Signs MoU on Sustainable Steel Production

SAIL and SMS group signed an MoU to drive developments focused on implementing longterm sustainable steelmaking practices, with a particular emphasis on decarbonizing steel production.

Aug 15,2023

SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited), a Maharatna

PSU and SMS group, signed a memorandum of understanding at SAIL's Management Training Institute (MTI) at Ranchi, Jharkhand on August 3, 2023 to work together on sustainable steel production and decarbonization efforts. The MoU signifies their commitment to drive developments focused on implementing long-term sustainable steelmaking practices, with a particular emphasis on decarbonizing steel production in SAIL's integrated steel plants across India. This partnership aims at addressing the challenges of reducing carbon emissions and making the steel industry more environmentally friendly. In this respect, SMS will provide its technological expertise for design and engineering activities, equipment supplies, and

technical assistance for erection and commissioning projects at SAIL's facilities across India. This objective aligns with India's ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions from industrial processes such as steel production by 2070.

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IGGL & ONGC Sign Three Agreements to Connect ONGC's

Natural Gas Fields with NEGG

IGGL and ONGC have signed three agreements for connecting ONGC's natural gas fields with the North-East Gas Grid (NEGG), to transport natural gas from Jorhat, Silchar and Tripura assets of ONGC to provide to the consumers. The North-East gas grid project has currently reached 75.52 percent completion.

Jul 14, 2023

Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) has signed

three hook-up agreements with ONGC, for the connection of ONGC's natural gas fields with the North-East Gas Grid (NEGG) for transportation of natural gas from Jorhat, Silchar and Tripura assets of ONGC to provide to the consumers. IGGL is laying a 1,656 km long natural gas pipeline connecting the capital cities and demand centres of the north-eastern states. The signed hook-up agreements will facilitate the evacuation of 1,85,000 scmd of natural gas from Jorhat Asset, 82,500 scmd from Silchar asset and 7,#,000 scmd from the Tripura asset of ONGC through NEGG. The North-East gas grid project has currently reached 75.52 percent completion.

As per the strategy, the signed agreements will create further opportunities to connect more gas fields of ONGC with NEGG in future. IGGL is also continuously

working towards connecting with other gas producing companies to connect their gas fields with NEGG. Apart from utilizing the hydrocarbon potential of the North-east region supported by the NEGG infrastructure, it will also pave the way for development of a gasbased economy in line with the government's Hydrocarbon Vision 2030.

Tenaris S.A. to Acquire Mattr's Pipe Coating Business for USD 166 Million

Tenaris S.A. has signed an agreement for USD 166 million to acquire 100 percent shares of Bredero Shaw International BV, a subsidiary of Mattr, holding pipe coating business. The transaction is expected to be completed in approximately six months.

Aug 14, 2023

Tenaris S.A. announced that it has signed an

agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of its subsidiary Bredero Shaw International BV from Mattr, which holds Mattr's pipe coating business, for USD 166 million (including working capital), on a cash-free, debt-free basis, subject to customary price adjustments. The business being acquired includes nine plants located in Canada, Mexico, Norway, Indonesia, the UAE, and the US, and several mobile concrete plants. The business also includes world-class R&D facilities in Toronto and Norway and a wide IP/product portfolio. The transaction is subject to

regulatory approvals in Mexico and Norway and closing is expected to be completed within approximately six months.

Cheniere Plans to Construct New Gas Pipeline to Produce upto 20 Million MTPA LNG

Cheniere is planning to build a new pipeline to boost LNG exports by connecting its Louisiana expansion project to various shale gas regions. This will help them to meet the growing demand and reduce the risks associated with LNG export.

Jul 21, 2023

Cheniere Energy Inc LNG is planning to construct a

new gas pipeline in order to amplify its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporting capabilities. The new pipeline aims to link its Louisiana expansion project with pipelines in the Haynesville, Marcellus, midcontinent, Permian and Eagle Ford shale-gas regions. This strategy will mitigate risks and satisfy the growing demand for natural gas. Since 2016 Cheniere has been expanding its Sabine Pass facility, it now requires additional natural gas to reach its planned "Stage 5" capacity. Although the cost and the size of the pipeline has not been disclosed yet, the company has already invested USD 800 million on pipeline transit fees to transport natural gas from 26 different pipelines to its LNG plants in Texas and Louisiana. Cheniere's expan-

Duliajan Numaligarh

sion project is planned to produce up to 20 million MTPA of LNG which will help the company to strengthen its position as a leading player in the LNG market.

Pipeline Limited Plans 500 Km

Natural Gas Pipeline In Assam

Duliajan Numaligarh Pipeline Limited proposes a 500 km natural gas pipeline from Duliajan to Chandrapur in Assam.

Aug 1, 2023

A500 Km natural gas pipeline has been proposed

by Duliajan Numaligarh Pipeline Limited from Duliajan to Chandrapur near Guwahati through Jorhat, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong and Nagaon in the state. The company said there was a huge possibility of business of around 5.5 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) with a pipeline that needs to target the city gas distributors and other bulk consumer industries at Bokajan, Diphu, Lumding, Hojai, Lanka, Nagaon, Morigaon, and onwards to Chandrapur near Guwahati. The company also suggested that the pipeline can also be connected to the IGGL Phase-I pipeline near Borpothar (Golaghat district in Assam).

The government has set a target to increase the share of natural gas in the energy mix from around 6.3

percent to 15 percent by 2030 which includes expanding the country's national gas grid to about 33,500 km. North Eastern states produce 20 percent of the country's natural gas output of 75 million metric standard cubic meters per day(mmscmd).

Norway Approves Integration of Equinor's Hammerfest LNG Plant to the National Power Grid

Equinor and its partner are planning to invest USD 1.3 billion to electrify and upgrade the plant which will be connected to the national power grid. This step has been taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Norway.

Aug 8,2023

In a bid to cut greenhouse gas emissions, a plan has

been approved by the Government of Norway to connect Equinor's Hammerfest LNG plant to the national power grid. Under this plan, Norway's gas power plant which is the largest single source of carbon dioxide will be shut down by 2030 and will be replaced with renewable energy. It has been estimated that Equinor could save 850,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. According to the Government of Norway, this plan will create job opportunities and in order to offer more grid connections the development of new renewable power sources will be done in the northernmost

region. A total investment of USD 1.3 billion could be made by Equinor and its partners to electrify and upgrade the plant, extending its operations by about 10 years.

IGGL Lays 1656 kms Pipeline for the Transportation of Natural Gas from ONGC's Gas Field

Oil and Natural Gas Limited and Indradhanush Gas Limited have signed an agreement to lay 1,656 km of pipeline for transporting natural gas from ONGC's fields in Jorhat, Silchar, and Tripura to the demand centers and capital cities of all the eight northeastern states. INR 3,929 crore has been committed for the project in the current fiscal.

Aug 1, 2023

Pacts have been signed by Oil and Natural Gas

Corporation(ONGC) and Indradhanush Gas Limited (IGGL) with the objective of transporting natural gas from ONGC's fields in Jorhat, Silchar, and Tripura to the demand centers and capital cities of all the eight northeastern states for which IGGL is laying a 1,656km pipeline — the NEGG (North East Gas Grid) project. INR 3,929 crore has been committed for the project in the current fiscal.

Gas production potential has been established in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura while Manipur and Nagaland are believed to have substantial reserves. According to The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the board is initiating the

consultation process for the geographical areas (GAs) spread across the regions for building natural gas pipelines, as part of the 12th bidding round for city gas distribution projects.

Equitrans Midstream Corporation Plans to Invest USD 160 Million for OVCX Project

Equitrans Midstream Corporation (ETRN) has achieved approval and a certificate from FERC for the Ohio Valley Connector Expansion (OVCX) project. ETRN is planning to invest USD 160 million for the connector pipeline which aims to enhance the company's capacity by 350 million cubic feet per day.

Aug 1, 2023

In a significant development within the energy sector,

Equitrans Midstream Corporation (ETRN) has recently achieved crucial regulatory milestones for its Ohio Valley Connector Expansion (OVCX) project. In June, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the project, marking a pivotal step forward. Subsequently, on July 27, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the final outstanding approval required for the OVCX project, opening the path for its progression. With further advancements anticipated, FERC issued a Notice to Proceed, indicating ETRN's imminent commencement of construction. To support this ambitious endeavor, ETRN plans to invest around USD 160 million in the project.

The company is preparing to begin ground-breaking activities and expects construction to commence shortly. The OVCX project strategically aims to enhance the capacity of ETRN's Ohio Valley Connector pipeline

by approximately 350 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d). It is designed to address the growing demand in key markets within the mid-continent and Gulf Coast regions through connections with long-haul pipelines in Clarington, Ohio. The estimated in-service date for this additional capacity is slated for the first half of 2024. The OVCX expansion is poised to play a pivotal role in meeting the escalating energy requirements of the region.

Saudi Steel Pipe Company - Saudi Aramco Sign USD 80.47 Million Contract

Aug 8, 2023

Saudi Steel Pipe Company has signed an agreement

with Saudi Aramco worth USD 80.47 million to supply oil and gas steel pipes for a period of 12 months. The agreement will positively impact the first and second quarters of FY24. Saudi Steel Pipe Company had previously signed four agreements worth USD 75 million with Aramco in the first half of this year for the supply of oil and gas steel pipes. These included a USD 20.2 million agreement in March; two separate agreements worth USD 25.8 million and USD 13.5 million in May and an agreement worth USD 15.5 million in June.

A contract has been signed between Saudi Steel Pipe Company and Saudi Aramco for the supply of oil and gas steel pipes worth USD 80.47 million.

Hydreen to Invest USD 2 Billion in India's Green Hydrogen Market

Hydreen, a subsidiary of Luxembourg-based cruise liners firm HLC Holdings, has announced an investment of USD 2 billion in India's green hydrogen market which will help India transition to a low carbon economy.

Aug 9, 2023

ydreen, a subsidiary of Luxembourg-based cruise Hliners firm HLC Holdings, has announced an investment of USD 2 billion for the development of India's green hydrogen market. The company has already started two projects in Kerala and Himachal Pradesh to contribute to the development of the green hydrogen ecosystem. The main objective of the investment is to support India's transition to a low carbon economy and reduce the dependency of the country on fossil fuels. Green hydrogen will play a crucial role in helping India achieve its ambitious goal to achieve 450 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030. Apart from driving the growth of the green hydrogen market, the investment will also create

job opportunities and technology transfer. With the support of Hydreen's investment, India is on track to establish itself as a prominent player in the worldwide green hydrogen industry.

Shell, ONEE Sign 12-Year LNG Supply Agreement with Morocco

Shell and ONEE have signed an agreement for the annual supply of 0.5 bcm of LNG to Morocco, for 12 years. As per Morocco's energy ministry, the LNG would be transported from Spanish ports via a gas pipeline connecting the two countries as Morocco works to construct its own LNG terminals.

Jul 20, 2023

hell has signed a 12-year agreement to provide an annual supply of 0.5 bcm of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Morocco, as per a statement by Morocco's energy minister. The deal was reportedly signed by ONEE and Shell, and is aimed towards increasing Morocco's gas supply and enhancing its electricity mix. In an early statement, the ministry stated that the LNG would be transported from Spanish ports via a gas pipeline connecting the two

Scountries as Morocco works to construct its own LNG terminals. The agreement will allow ONEE to power two key stations in northern and eastern Morocco, previously relying on Algerian gas delivered through the same pipeline.

ONEE's objective is to increase the share of gas in Morocco's electricity production in line with the country's low-carbon goals, as outlined by the ministry. As per official reports from 2022, renewables accounted for 18% of Morocco's total electricity generation, while gas represented a mere 1.6% and coal dominated with 72%. As of March 2023, Morocco's installed capacity for renewable energy had reached 40%, with the country aiming to raise that figure to 52% by 2030.

GAIL & LanzaTech Tie-Up for Pilot-Scale Carbon Capture, Conversion Project Exploration

GAIL and US-based LanzaTech have come together to research the possibilities of setting up a pilot-scale carbon capture and conversion project. As per GAIL's chairman, LanzaTech's carbon capture and utilization technology will enhance GAIL's environmental stewardship and open up new avenues for driving sustainability across its operations.

Jul 18, 2023

GAIL has reportedly tied up with

US-based LanzaTech for the exploration of setting up a pilotscale carbon capture and conversion project. As per the company's statement, LanzaTech has carbon capture and utilization technology which has a working similarity to a brewery, that is, proprietary bacteria consuming carbon-rich pollution from industrial facilities and converting it into chemicals to create rubber, plastics, synthetic fibers, and fuels. These materials can then be further used to make clothing, laundry detergent, and sustainable aviation fuel.

Mr. Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL, commented on the collaboration, “The possibilities coming out of this collaboration with LanzaTech are very promising and significant to improving our carbon footprint. Using LanzaTech's cutting-edge technology will enhance our environmental stewardship and open up new avenues for driving sustainability across our operations.” LanzaTech's CEO, Ms. Jennifer Holmgren, said "Waste CO2 can be used to make the things we need.” GAIL aims to achieve net zero emissions from its operation by 2040.

IOC Signs Long-Term LNG Import Deals with ADNOC, TotalEnergies

IOC has signed long-term LNG import deals with UAE-based Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Limited (ADNOC) and France-based TotalEnergies. As per agreements, ADNOC will supply 1.2 million tonnes per annum of LNG for 14 years, starting in 2026, whereas TotalEnergies will supply 0.8 million tonnes a year of LNG for 10 years starting in 2026.

Jul 17, 2023

IOC recently signed deals with UAE-based Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Limited (ADNOC) and Francebased TotalEnergies, for the import of LNG on a long term basis. The company's deal with ADNOC requires the import of 1.2 million tonnes per annum of LNG from ADNOC for 14 years, starting in 2026. The deal with TotalEnergies is for the import of 0.8 million tonnes a year of LNG for

10 years starting in 2026. This deal marks TotalEnergies' first long-term deal with an Indian company. Moreover, this is also the first time an Indian company signed a long-term LNG import deal with ADNOC. The deals were signed by IOC during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to France and the UAE.

As per the list of agreements put out by the Ministry of External Affairs, a "Head of Agreement (HoA) (was signed) between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and TotalEnergies Gas and Power Limited (TotalEnergies) to establish a long-term LNG sale and purchase agree-

ment (SPA)." IOC is setting up new deals following the government's goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the energy basket to 15 per cent by 2030 from the current 6.2 per cent. As per officials, India has a CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) with the UAE government, providing for zero

customs duty to be applied on LNG imports from UAE against an applicable customs duty of 2.5 per cent plus surcharge.

India has seven LNG import facilities on the east and west coasts. IOC operates a 5 million tonne a year import terminal at Ennore in Tamil Nadu.

Invent Assets Securitisation & Reconstruction Company and GMT Pipes & Tubes to Acquire Streamline Industries

Mumbai NCLT approves the acquisition of Streamline Industries, having a manufacturing capacity of ASTM A-312 welded pipes with a monthly capacity of 500-800 tons of seamless pipes, by Invent Assets Securitisation & Reconstruction Company and GMT Pipes & Tubes.

Aug 17, 2023

Mumbai National Company Law Tribunal(NCLT)

has approved the bid to acquire Mumbai-based steel pipe manufacturer Steamline Industries Ltd by the consortium of Invent Assets Securitisation & Reconstruction Company Pvt Ltd and GMT Pipes & Tubes Pvt Ltd. An amount of INR 24.74 crore was offered by the consortium against admitted claims of over INR 166 crore for the company. The consortiums had also approved a plan with a 100 percent revival plan of the company. After an application was filed by the Oriental Bank of Commerce, Streamline Industries' was admitted under the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) in 2018.

Streamline Industries has a manufacturing capacity of ASTM A-312 welded pipes with a monthly capacity of 500-800 tons of seamless pipes and it supplies to industries including oil and gas, petrochemical and

refineries, shipping and marine services, and breweries and distilleries among others.

“We are of the considered view that the instant resolution plan meets the requirements,” said a division bench of judicial member Kuldip Kumar Kareer and a technical member Shyam Babu Gautam in its order of August 11. “The resolution plan is not in contravention of any of the provisions of Section 29A of the Code and is in accordance with the law.”

India, Sri Lanka Sign Five Bilateral Agreement to Enhance Economic Connectivity with Sea, Air, Pipeline Projects

Five bilateral agreements were signed between India and Sri Lanka to enhance economic ties and connectivity. The two nations are also looking into construction of a multi product gas pipeline from Southern India to Sri Lanka for supply of energy resources.

Jul 25,2023

Shri Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Mr.

Ranil Wickremesinghe have reportedly signed five bilateral agreements to improve their economic ties through air and sea connectivity. The two nations have also agreed to conduct studies on pipelines and land

bridges to strengthen their economic linkages. With Sri Lanka facing a severe economic crisis and rising external debt, India extended their help by providing monetary assistance of USD 4 billion. The main theme of President Ranil Wickremesinghe's first visit to India would be connectivity.

In order to strengthen maritime, air, energy, and people to people connectivity between the two neighboring countries, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Wickremesinghe adopted a vision document titled,” Promoting Connectivity, Catalyzing Prosperity”. Initiation of a feasibility study for the gas pipeline was also announced by President Wickremesinghe to “ensure an affordable and reliable supply of energy resources to Sri Lanka.” Additionally, a discussion for the development of the northern port of Trincomalee as an “energy hub” was held, envisioning Trincomalee to become a national and regional center of industry, energy, and economic activity.

US Sanctions Delays Pak-Iran Multibillion Dollar Gas Pipeline Project

Pakistan has postponed the multi-billion dollar Iran gas pipeline project aiming to supply 750 million cubic feet of gas daily due to US sanctions. Tehran claims project completion from its side while Pakistan cites US sanctions delay.

Aug 7, 2023

Pakistan has postponed the multi-billion dollar gas

pipeline project to source affordable gas from Iran. According to a report, Islamabad took this step to the United States enforcing several sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear programme. The event coincides with Pakistan's efforts to stabilize its financially strained economy, aided by the International Monetary Fund of USD 3 billion in loans. The project was started as an India-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline but it became a bilateral project between Pakistan and Iran after India decided to leave the project. According to Minister of State for Petroleum Mr. Musadik Malik, “Pakistan has issued a Force Majeure and Excusing Event notice to Iran under the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA), which resultantly suspends Pakistan's obligations under the GSPA.”

Recently, Iranian Foreign Minister Mr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian, during his three-day visit to Pakistan, drew attention to the need for the completion of the project which serves the national interest of the two countries. Tehran, the capital city of Iran, has claimed to have completed its then-estimated cost of USD 7.5 billion project of the 1,150-kilometer pipeline for which

a groundbreaking ceremony was jointly conducted by then-presidents Asif Ali Zardari and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Iranian site of Gabd, near Chabahar in March 2013. Pakistan promised to finish its side of the project by January 2015 but the project has been delayed due to sanctions by the US. Mr. Musadik Malik reports, “The Government of Pakistan is engaged with the US authorities, through diplomatic channels, to seek exemption for the project. All necessary actions are being taken to construct the gas pipeline at the earliest.” The main objective of the pipeline project was to supply 750 million cubic feet per day of gas.

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