Tube & Pipe India Emagazine Oct-Nov Issue 2022

The company has its advent in the year 1992. The foundation of this enterprise was laid with a forethought of providing superior quality, reliability and achieving the highest standards of customer contentment. Backed bytheexperienceandtechnicalknowhowof over three decades by the promoters, 'ROLLCON' offers value in the field of processingofflatsteelproducts.

ENGINEERED TO BRANDED TECHNOLOGY

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Take the best that exists and make it better “ ”

Tube Mills

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Editor’s Note

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the inaugural issue of Tube & Pipe India magazine!

India is poised to grow into a USD 5 trillion economy and infrastructure development is set to play a crucial role in this glorious journey. From oil & gas and power to roads and railways, every sector is witnessing infrastructure creation at an unprecedented pace which augurs well for the tube & pipe industry.

With the aim to create a National Gas Grid, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorised approximately 33,768 km Natural Gas Pipeline Network across the country. Out of this, 20,334 km of natural gas pipelines including spur lines are operational and a total of 15,194 km length of pipelines is under various stages of construction. In addition to this, a total of 3,52,961 Inch-kilometer of Steel and Medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) pipeline has been laid by the City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities across the country. This development has opened the door of opportunities for the tube & pipe industry, besides ensuring easy availability of natural gas across all regions.

In FY 2021-22, India consumed 204.23 MMT of petroleum products and 63.9 BCM of natural gas. India’s oil demand is projected to rise 50 percent to 7.2 MBD in 2030 from 4.8 MBD in 2019 as against a global expansion of 7 percent and natural gas demand is projected to double to 133 BCM in 2030 from 64 BCM in 2019 as against a 12 percent rise in global gas demand. With the immense growth in the oil & gas sector, a lot of pipelines are expected to be laid across the country, which will drive revenue growth in the tube & pipe market.

Meanwhile, due to the rapid industrialisation and urbanisation across the country, there has been a rise in the demand for different types of metallic pipes from manufacturing plants, machinery, and mechanical instruments across heavy industries and sectors like water treatment, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, breweries, dairy, pulp and paper, sugar, and food processing. As per a report by Global Market Estimates, the global steel pipe market is projected to grow from USD 146.87 billion in 2022 to USD 325.64 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 8.24 percent from 2022 to 2027 and Asia-Pacific would play a crucial role in this growth. The report highlights oil & gas and automotive as two major sectors that are contributing to the growth of steel pipes in India.

The government has launched various schemes and initiatives for the economic growth and social development of the citizens. One such initiative is Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water by 2024 to all rural households through individual household tap connections. The government also aims to improve irrigational facilities and provide affordable housing through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana respectively. All these programmes would act as major growth drivers for the demand for PVC pipes and fittings in India in the near future. According to the latest report released by Lucintel, the Indian plastic pipe market is expected to reach an estimated USD 10.9 billion by 2027 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 10.3 percent from 2022 to 2027.

Tube & Pipe India magazine is aimed at covering 360 degrees of the sector with a focus on all types of tubes & pipes, including metal and non-metal, having vast application in areas like the construction industry, chemical & power piping industry, plumbing industry, pipeline industry, etc. We intend to recognise the unique needs of the industry and accordingly, provide in-depth coverage with our content across segments like news, industry trends, company feature, expert interviews, product showcases, trade show previews & reviews, technical articles, case studies, and an event calendar. The magazine would be available online in the format of a website providing the entire content. Additionally, the print magazine would be replicated as an e-magazine.

Tube & Pipe India is the latest addition to our magazine portfolio which already includes titles like Paper Mart, Wire & Cable India, and Mommy & Baby Times among others. We thank our avid readers for being our inspiration!

Parveen Kumar Jain Group Editor & Chairman

www.papermart.in www.papermart.in/emagazine

www.wirecable.in www.wirecable.in/emagazine

APL Apollo: Constantly Moving Up the Ladder with Innovative Products and R&D Investments

With a capacity to produce 2.6 million tonnes per annum, APL Apollo Tubes Ltd. is the largest producer of structural steel tubes in India. The Company has an extended distribution network of warehouses and branch offices in 29 cities across the country catering to domestic as well as 20 countries worldwide. Its multi-product offerings include over 1,100 varieties of pre-galvanised tubes, structural steel tubes, galvanised tubes, MS black pipes, and hollow sections, making APL Apollo one of the leading branded steel product manufacturers in India. In an exclusive interview with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Sanjay Gupta, CMD, APL Apollo Tubes Ltd. takes us through the business journey of the company, the infrastructure setup, the product range, and the way ahead.

Mr. Sanjay Gupta, CMD, APL Apollo Tubes Ltd.

Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of APL Apollo Tubes along with its crucial milestones?

Sanjay Gupta: For over three decades, APL Apollo has gone from strength to strength to lead the charge in revolutionising the steel tube manufacturing industry. Since establishing its first manufacturing plant in Sikandarabad in 1986, today, the Company is the largest producer of structural steel tubes in India, with an installed capacity of 2.6 million tonnes. It has attained

pole position in all the segments of customers they cater to and excellently sums up TUBES as Tough, Utilitarian, Bold & Unbeatable, Environment Friendly and Scalable which completely showcases pillars of growth and success.

TPI: Kindly cast some light on the infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and machinery installed at your facility.

SG: APL Apollo has a pan-India presence with 11 manufacturing facilities – 4 in Uttar Pradesh, 2 in Karnataka, 2 in Raipur (Chhattisgarh), 1 in Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad and Maharashtra each. APL Apollo introduced Direct Forming Technology (DFT) in the Indian markets. DFT products offer undisputed advantages in terms of flexibility, production capability and cost reduction for both company and end users - these products lead to cost savings of up to 3-5 percent. Another key feature is that through this DFT technology, the Company can manufacture customised and tailor-made sizes of tubes. This acts as a very key competitive advantage for APL. So, tubes of any size specifications can be effectively made through this technology without any coil rollover change. This has resulted in increased and wide applicability of steel tubes across sectors.

TPI: Tell us about your product portfolio along with its key strengths and applications.

SG: APL Apollo Tubes’ products are widely used across segments ranging from construction, building material, housing, agriculture, energy, irrigation, engineering, etc. in the Indian & global markets. APL Apollo enjoys a vast product portfolio of over 1,500 SKUs, manufactured in a wide range of types, customised shapes and sizes,

"APL Apollo focuses extensively on innovations... This approach has helped the Company to become the market leader in the structural steel tube industry in India, and we aim to continue to keep our market dominance"

including square and rectangular hollow sections, black round tubes, galvanised tubes, pre-galvanised tubes and products manufactured through the DFT technology. India’s first closed steel door and window frame “Apollo Chaukhat” is another ground-breaking creation of APL Apollo, in sync with its vision of providing quality and innovative products to its valued customers. Based on trusted Italian technology, “Apollo Chaukhat” is easy to fit, termite proof, fire resistant, environment friendly and recyclable. Building material segments, infrastructure and construction segments are the main demand drivers for the Company.

TPI: What are the recent developments at your end? Also, what are your future plans?

SG: APL Apollo started from circular tubes for water irrigation and we became the first company to introduce square and rectangular steel tubes for structural applications. At APL Apollo, we have always believed in innovation. Recently, we unveiled two new brands ‘Apollo Navrang’ and ‘Steel Building Solutions’. Under the brand umbrella of ‘Navrang’, APL Apollo has come out with a wide range of colour-coated coils and sheets for PEB Purlins. APL Apollo has transformed the future of building and construction with its exclusive range of heavy structural tubular products. Now, the entire building can be built on tubular sections (hollow steel sections) which save time as the fabrication gets much easier with these structural steel tubes.

Going ahead, APL Apollo is in the process of launching several new products in the coming months. APL Apollo is the first ever company to move from commoditised products to branded products, particularly in the steel tubes segment. APL Apollo is constantly moving up the ladder with its strong pan-India network of fabricators and dealers.

TPI: Please shed some light on the market footprint and clientele of APL Apollo along with the expansion plans.

SG: We are the fastest growing structural steel tube manufacturer and exporter in India, we are the largest producer of pre-galvanised and Electric Resistance

Welded (ERW) steel tubes, exporting to over 20 countries globally. Currently, we have more than 800 dealers and distributors’ network in the domestic market, which we aim to enhance even further in the coming years. APL Apollo is looking to further strengthen its global presence on the back of the growing popularity of its state-of-the-art product range.

TPI: Share your outlook on the tube and pipe industry. How do you see the market evolving in the future?

SG: The future growth of the tube and pipe industry in India is driven by the fast-growing infrastructure and real estate construction industries. Undoubtedly, in view of the government’s ambitious schemes of 100 smart cities, metro projects in over 50 cities and above all, its ‘Housing for All’ goal are among the topmost priorities in the country. Hence there will be an impetus for instructural steel tubes in the market.

TPI: What is your technology and business roadmap?

SG: Working endlessly to satisfy shifting preferences of consumer requirements and to provide high-quality products at a competitive price, APL Apollo focuses extensively on innovations. Be it instilling the latest technology or optimum utilisation of resources, the company never hesitates in investing more in R&D which works as a driving force behind their ever-growing ability to create new products, adopt new applications, strengthen processes, develop new markets, and enhance existing market share. This approach has helped the Company to become the market leader in the structural steel tube industry in India, and we aim to continue to keep our market dominance going ahead.

TPI: Anything else you would like to add to the interview?

SG: We are India’s number 1 structural steel tube manufacturer in the country and the largest producer of Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) steel tubes in India and exporting to over 20 countries globally. We are the fastest growing pre-galvanised steel tube manufacturer and exporter in India. Our products have received Export House status.

Mr. Shiv Kumar Singhal, President (Commercial), Maharashtra Seamless Ltd.

Founded in 1989, Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. (MSL) is the flagship company of the diversified D.P. Jindal Group. Being engaged in the manufacture of seamless pipes (various capacities), MSL caters to applications and industries such as oil exploration, boilers, pipelines, petrochemicals, etc. The Company has established a pan-India presence with manufacturing facilities in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. In an exclusive interview with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Shiv Kumar Singhal, President (Commercial), Maharashtra Seamless Ltd., takes us through the business journey of the company, the infrastructure setup, the product range, and the way ahead.

Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of your company along with its crucial milestones?

Shiv Kumar Singhal: Maharashtra Seamless is a part of the D.P. Jindal Group. Our Group Chairman Shri D.P. Jindal started his entrepreneurial journey from our parent company Jindal Pipes Ltd. We’ve been manufacturing ERW pipes at our Ghaziabad facility for more than three decades.

Founded in 1989, Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. (MSL) entered the seamless pipe market with the setting up of a state-of-the-art Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) plant in Nagothane, Maharashtra for the manufacturing of seamless pipes up to 7” outer diameter. In 2000, MSL established a plant to make the largest diameter Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) pipes in India up to 20” outer diameter. In the following year, the Company successfully commissioned a wind power project with a 7MW capacity in Satara, Maharashtra.

MSL set up another seamless pipe manufacturing plant using plug mill process for higher diameter seamless pipes up to 14”, in the year 2004. In 2005, the Company entered into value-added products & premium connections, and set up the facility for 3LPE, 3LPP, and FBE anticorrosive coating in up to 48” pipe diameter in Nagothane in 2006.

Then, in 2012, MSL extended its seamless pipes to range up to 20” at Nagothane. In the same year, another state-of-the-art MPM Mill was started in Mangaon, Maharashtra to increase the capacity of seamless pipe manufacturing. In 2020, we also acquired another seamless manufacturing unit called United Seamless Tubulaar Pvt. Ltd. (USTPL) at Narketpally, Telangana, through NCLT. It is a 100 percent subsidiary of MSL and the merger process with MSL is on. Furthermore, we have also expanded our ERW business by setting up a plant in Bellary, Karnataka and Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

TPI: Kindly cast some light on the infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and machinery installed in your facility.

SKS: We have established a pan-India presence with manufacturing facilities in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,

“We also provide solutions for downstream applications for transmission of oil, gas, and petroleum products from refineries to all depots, airports for air turbine fuels, and installations through cross-country pipelines.”

Karnataka, and Telangana, for manufacturing ERW pipes from ½” to 20” in diameter. In seamless also, we have three manufacturing units, i.e. two units in Maharashtra and one unit in Telangana, Mangaon, and Hyderabad for manufacturing seamless pipes from ½ to 20”.

We have established in-house state-of-the-art production units. Also, our modern laboratories have been NABLapproved. We have NACE laboratories for supplying seamless pipes for service. Besides, we are equipped with all the testing facilities like NDT, UT, EMI, Eddy-current, MPM, Hydro Tester, Impact testing, Hardness Tester, etc.

TPI: Tell us about your product portfolio along with its key strengths and applications.

SKS: Our product portfolio caters to each and every sector and application like oil & gas, refineries, petrochemicals, chemicals, fertilizers, power, railways, boiler, automotive, bearing, gas cylinders, infrastructure, mechanical, and structural applications. We are supplying to all the major boiler manufacturers like Thermax, Thyssen, ISGEC, BHEL, etc. Our major supplies go to the leading players in the oil & gas sector like ONGC, OIL, and all refineries like BPCL, HPCL, IOCL, Reliance, and AM&NS for transmission of oiI & gas. Our products like casing & tubing and drill pipes are used in the upstream sector for the exploration of oil & gas. We supply our pipes to midstream for transmission of crude oil from basins to refineries.

Moreover, we also provide solutions for downstream applications for the transmission of oil, gas, and petroleum products from refineries to all depots, airports for air turbine fuels, and installations through cross-country pipelines. The products are also used in higher pressure, higher temperature, higher mechanical strength, corrosive atmosphere, mega power plants, etc.

TPI: What are the recent developments at your end? Also, what will be your future plans?

SKS: Recently, we have developed for the first time in India and started supplying cylinder pipes which used to be imported 100 percent. Also, we have bagged an important and prestigious order for a subsea pipeline, which would also substitute imports, and is being manufactured by no other player in India. We are planning to achieve full capacity utilisation by adding value-added products, increasing our client base with more market share, and bringing efficiency & profitability. The merger with MSL & USTPL would pave the way for achieving the envisioned goals.

TPI: Please shed some light on the market footprint and clientele of your company along with the expansion plans.

SKS: We are enjoying major market share because of our widest product range which our competitors do not have. We have attained a glorious and successful track record for catering to all the important projects for many decades with prestigious clients like ONGC, OIL, BPCL,

HPCL, IOCL, Reliance, L&T, NTPC, BHEL, Thermax, Thyssen ISGE, and many more.

In addition, we have established our footprints in overseas markets such as the USA, Canada, Latin America, and the Middle East. Our export market share is almost 30 percent.

TPI: Share your outlook on the tube and pipe industry. How do you see the market evolving in the future?

SKS: India is one of the largest economies in the world. There is a lot of infrastructural development and related projects which are going on. The domestic demand for tubes & pipes is quite high and a lot of imports are still coming in. In this regard, we have further scope for capacity building to cater to the domestic requirements in the market. Also, new avenues of the export market have opened up for India due to present geo-political situations in the global steel industry.

TPI: What is your technology and business roadmap?

SKS: We have the finest technology available in the world for manufacturing seamless pipes, i.e., CPE, MPM & Plug Mill, PPF latest technology from Dandeli which gives superior quality, surface finish, and close tolerances. The Company has a dedicated team of professionals and we don’t compromise on quality and safety. We would like to achieve 100 percent customer satisfaction by supplying our quality products at the right time, at the right place, and at the right price

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Venus Pipes and Tubes: Aiming to Expand Existing Capacity by Manufacturing Higher Diameter Welded & Seamless Pipes

Venus Pipes and Tubes Ltd. is one of the leading stainless steel pipe and tube manufacturers with a firm reputation. While growing in the field of innovations, Venus has expanded its wings of uncompromised services and products worldwide. In an interview with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Arun Axaykumar Kothari, Managing Director and CFO, Venus Pipes and Tubes Ltd., takes us through the business journey of the company, the infrastructure setup, and its ambitious expansion plans.

Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of Venus Pipes & Tubes along with its crucial milestones?

Arun Axaykumar Kothari: We are one of the growing stainless-steel pipes and tubes manufacturers and exporters in India having over six years of experience in manufacturing stainless-steel tubular products in two broad categories: seamless tubes/pipes and welded tubes/ pipes.

Our Company operates in the stainless-steel products industry. Stainless steel is a value-added product with high corrosion-resistant properties, superior aesthetic finish, and higher life span. These features have helped in increasing the popularity of stainless steel across the world. Despite being one of the largest producers as well as consumers of stainless steel, the per capita stainlesssteel consumption in India remains low. India’s per capita

Mr. Arun Axaykumar Kothari, Managing Director and CFO, Venus Pipes and Tubes Ltd.

stainless steel consumption has increased from 1.2 kg in 2010 to 2.5 kg in 2019; however, its consumption is much lower compared to the world average of 6 kg per capita as per a D&B Report. This low consumption pattern is an indication of the inherent opportunities existing in the sector.

The table below sets forth some of the major events in the history of our Company:

Year Details

2015 Incorporation of our Company.

2015

Established manufacturing plant at Dhaneti, Bhuj-Bhachau highway, close to Mundra and Kandla Ports.

capacity of 12,000 MT per annum which is spilt up i.e. SS welded pipe/tubes with 8400 MT per annum (700 MT per month) & SS seamless pipes & tubes with 3600 MT per annum (300 MT per month).

2015

Commenced the production of stainless steel welded pipes, stainless steel high precision & heat exchanger tubes, stainless steel hydraulic & instrumentation tubes, and stainless steel box pipes at our manufacturing plant located at Dhaneti, Kutch, Gujarat.

2017

2017

Addition of stainless steel seamless pipes to the production line.

Started exporting stainless steel welded and stainless steel seamless pipes to countries in the European Union, Brazil, the UK, Israel, etc.

TPI: Tell us about your product portfolio and clientele.

2017

Registered our trademark under Class 6 of Trademarks Act in respect of “manufacturer of stainless steel and carbon steel pipes and fittings” which is valid till 2027.

2021 Conversion from a private limited company to a public limited company.

2022 Listing of the Company on Exchanges.

2022

Getting approval for BIS licenses, the first company in the country to achieve the same.

TPI: Kindly cast some light on the infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and machinery installed at your facility.

AAK: We have one manufacturing plant which is strategically located at Bhuj-Bhachau highway, Dhaneti (Kutch, Gujarat) in close proximity, around 55 km and 75 km from the ports of Kandla and Mundra, respectively, which helps us in reducing our logistic costs on procurement of raw materials and imports and export of our products.

Our manufacturing facility has separate seamless and welded divisions with the latest product-specific equipment and machinery including tube mills, pilger mills, draw benches, swaging machines, pipe straightening machines, TIG/MIG welding systems, plasma welding systems, annealing furnaces, etc. As of July 2022, our manufacturing facility has a total installed

AAK: We are currently manufacturing welded pipes/ tubes with sizes 6 mm - 219.3 mm and seamless pipes/ tubes with sizes of 6 mm - 114.3 mm diameters. We manufacture five product lines, namely, stainless steel high precision & heat exchanger tubes; stainless steel hydraulic & instrumentation tubes; stainless steel seamless pipes; stainless steel welded pipes; and stainless steel box pipes.

Under our brand name “Venus”, we supply our products for applications in diverse sectors including chemicals, engineering, fertilisers, pharmaceuticals, power, food processing, paper, and oil & gas. Some of our clients are Aarti Industries Ltd., Adani Group, Ajanta Pharma Ltd., Asian Paints Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Ltd., Indian Space Research Organisation, ITC Ltd., JK Paper Ltd., etc.

TPI: What are your key strengths?

AAK: Our competitive strengths are:

International Accreditations and Product Approvals

We are one of the growing brands in stainless steel pipes/tubes having a presence in both seamless pipes and welded pipes/tubes segments. We follow international standard manufacturing practices and our manufacturing facility benefits from the quality benchmarking certifications such as ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 from Bureau Veritas, a thirdparty inspection organisation accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service, and certification under the Indian Boiler Regulation (IBR) for manufacturing and supply of stainless steel seamless and welded pipes and PED 2014/68/EU and ADW/AD 2000 –Merkblatt W0 from TUV, which is a requirement for supply in the European Union countries. Such practices and accreditations,

coupled with our technical capabilities and knowhow enable us to manufacture products for both domestic and international customers as per ASTM (US), EN (Europe), JIS (Japan) and DIN (Germany) standards. Our capabilities and accreditations have enabled us to supply our products to 57 Fortune India 500 companies in the past across sectors, including chemicals, engineering, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, etc., that follow stringent quality standards. We believe that our certifications and industrial expertise favourably position us in servicing client requirements across all segments of the stainless steel seamless and welded pipes/tubes market.

Specialised Production of Stainless Steel Pipes and Tubes

We are a pipes and tubes manufacturer with the sole focus on manufacturing welded and seamless pipes in a

single metal category, i.e., stainless steel. As we have been catering to customers (both domestic and international) in only one metal segment since our inception, over the years, we have built expertise in terms of the production process, inventory management and marketing of products in the stainless steel pipes and tubes segment. This gives us the benefit of segment expertise thereby placing us in a position of advantage vis-à-vis our competitors in accurately assessing and responding to customer preferences in this segment as there are very few manufacturers in this single metal product segment. We believe that this focus has well positioned us in attracting and retaining customers with requirements for specialised stainless steel pipes and tubes including continued client interest from emerging sectors like chemical, petrochemicals, engineering, oil & gas, fertilisers, food processing, pharmaceuticals, power, etc.

Multifold Demand for our Products

The demand for our products in our ordinary course of business is generated from three broad categories:

• New projects: We supply our products for new projects across a diversified range of sectors, including but not limited to, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, engineering, chemicals, etc., on a regular basis throughout the year. We have maintained our presence in these sectors on a consistent basis in the last three financial years and have continued to secure orders both from existing and new customers.

• Repair and maintenance: We regularly supply our products to existing and new customers, consequent to normal wear and tear of the products being used

“As we have been catering to customers (both domestic and international) in only one metal segment since our inception... This gives us the benefit of segment expertise”

by them. The frequency of such orders is dependent on the relevant sector and typically an instruction/ order is raised to supply a specific number of pieces in order to rectify the deficiency.

• Replacement: Most of our products are used in the transportation of highly corrosive fluids, requiring production in compliance with applicable quality standards. Due to their application in a highly corrosive environment, these products slowly corrode throughout their calculated design life. After the designed service life of a particular piping bundle of any project is over, it is essential to replace the entire piping with new pipes.

We believe that the demand from the aforesaid categories ensures a strong order book on a yearon-year basis. Further, considering the number of sectors serviced by us, we believe that the demand for our products shall increase in the future placing us in a competitive position. Considering the nature of our products and their demand, we further believe that we shall be in a position to create new customer relationships and strengthen the existing ones due to repeat orders.

Experienced and Qualified Team

We have an in-house quality team comprising 30 dedicated personnel working under the overall supervision of our board of directors. Our quality control team ensures that our raw materials as well as end products are tested on all quality parameters to ensure that we are compliant with the international product standards.

TPI: Please shed some light on the market footprint of Venus Pipes & Tubes along with the expansion plans.

AAK: We sell our products both in the domestic as well as international markets. In the domestic market, we sell our products to the end customers as well as traders/ stockists while in the international market we supply our products through traders/stockists, authorised distributors, and certain marketing representatives in the European Union market. We started exporting our products in the year 2017 and as of today, we have

exported to more than 21 countries including countries in the European Union, Brazil, the UK, Israel, etc.

We are proposing to expand our existing manufacturing capacity for welded pipes/tubes and seamless pipe/tubes by manufacturing higher-diameter welded pipes (up to 1219.2 mm) and seamless pipes (up to 168.3 m). The following is a brief description of the machinery that are proposed to be procured for the purposes of increasing the production capacity of the welded as well as seamless pipes/tubes:

Plant Category Purpose

LSAW(A358) Plant Welded Pipes/Tubes

To increase production capacity by 600 MT per month by manufacturing higher diameter welded pipes.

Pilger Plant

Seamless Pipes/Tubes

To increase production capacity by 500 MT per month of higher diameter seamless pipes.

Tube Mill Welded Pipes/Tubes

The new welded pipe production line will increase the existing welded pipes range to a maximum of 20” (508mm) diameter and thickness up to SCH80s with a capacity of 700 MT per month.

Further, we also plan to set up a piercing line for manufacturing of hollow pipes with the capacity of 800 MT per month, as our backward integration strategy. The total capacity post planned CapEx would be welded (2000 MT per month) & seamless (800 MT per month) capacity i.e. 2800 MT per month.

Kisaan Steels: Equipped with Modern Machines and In-House CNC Facilities

Kisaan Steels (P) Ltd. was incorporated in 1973 and is one of the leading manufacturers of steel forgings in northern India. The products are made as per customer's requirement out of carbon steel, alloy steel & stainless steel and are being successfully used in high-profile companies who insist on quality products. In a conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. A. Mookherjee, CEO, Kisaan Steels (P) Ltd., reveals details about the company’s manufacturing capabilities, product portfolio, clientele, and future roadmap.

Mr. A. Mookherjee, CEO, Kisaan Steels (P) Ltd.

Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of your company along with its crucial milestones?

A. Mookherjee: Primarily, we have two major industries, associated with the Kisaan Group. One is Kisaan Steels (P) Ltd. (KSPL) and the other is Kisaan Techno Forge (P) Ltd (KTF). KSPL is located in Ghaziabad whereas Kisaan Techno Forge is in Sikandrabad, which is located within 35 kms. We, at KSPL, are manufacturers of forgings, flanges, tubes, tube sheets and shafts, etc. while at KTF; it is pipe & pipe fittings.

The advantage of the Company is that we are a professionally managed group of companies which manufacture standard and special forgings in-house. We can make single piece forging upto 10 tonnes per piece. Further, we have state-of-the-art CNC

machines to manufacture as per customer requirement. We have business credibility in the market. We also export our products. Superior quality, timely delivery, and competitive prices are the pillars of our company's philosophy.

TPI: Cast some light on infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and machine installed at your facility.

AM: Our machine shop is well-equipped with modern and accurate machines like CNC, VMC, VTL machines and band saws, heat treatment facilities and to handle every type of job. We have open forge hammers-Electro Hydraulic type with the capacity of a maximum of 10 tonnes and die forging with a capacity ranging from 0.5 inches to 72 inches. We are also into alloy steel, carbon steel and stainless steel and duplex steels.

TPI: Please tell us about your product portfolio along with its key strengths and applications.

AM: We cater to various industries with wide range to products including turbine shaft, blocks, flanges, tube sheets & blinds, etc. Our strength is our in-house CNC facilities for drilling holes, grooving and other activities. We have the right infrastructure, NABL accredited test labs and MPI facilities.

TPI: What are the recent developments and what will be your future plans?

AM: We are presently consolidating our facilities to optimise our resources for a productive professional approach to business excellence. We are into expansion mode wherein we have acquired extensive land for setting up state of art forging facilities comprising of Press, Ring Rolling, and associate facilities. Our focus is PQCDSME (Productivity, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Safety, Morale, and Environment).

TPI: Please share some light on the clientele of your company.

AM: We have esteemed customers in government as well as private companies including Engineers India Ltd., Bharat Petroleum, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), GAIL India (Ltd.), Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd., Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd., Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), NTPC Ltd., ISGEC and Punj Lloyd Ltd., among others.

TPI: Share your outlook on the tube & pipe industry.

AM: The market for forgings, pipes and tubes is on the upswing. The government is making efforts with its ‘Make in India’ initiative. Not only in India, but we can also cater abroad and that’s what we are focusing on.

TPI: What is your technology and business roadmap?

AM: Our business roadmap is to consolidate our business. As I mentioned, we are on the verge of attaining potential exponential growth. We are also into expansion mode. We have our second factory in Sikandrabad which is around 35 km from our parent factory in Ghaziabad. Moving forward, we might relocate the facilities there so that we have enough space and optimisation of flow to get the benefit of scale and productivity. We plan to focus on conservation of energy, green initiatives, and up skilling our available resources.

“Our business roadmap is to consolidate our business. As I mentioned, we are on the verge of attaining potential exponential growth.”

“We have been the first producer in the world to have a fully electric machine, multi-radios with the capability to cut the tube in the cycle to make the most complex geometry”

Mr. Carlo Fratini, Business Development Manager, Crippa S.p.A.

Crippa: Innovative Technological Solutions in Response to Dynamic Market Demands

Crippa was established in 1948 by Agostino Crippa as a sole proprietorship and became a limited company in 1977. Today, Crippa is a strong, cohesive industrial group that combines the expertise of Crippa S.p.A. and SMI S.r.l. to provide tube process technology. For over a half-century, we have been designing and producing machines for bending and working metal tubes. The company has been internationally recognised as a leader in this field, distinguishing itself for the high quality, productivity, and level of innovation of its machines and solutions. In an interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Carlo Fratini, Business Development Manager, Crippa S.p.A., talks about the company’s business journey, product range, and future plans.

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about your company highlighting its presence in India.

Carlo Fratini: Crippa is a worldwide point of reference in tube processing: we are present with our personnel on all five continents including the Indian market. We have been working in India for many years with our agent and serve the top brands for automotive and aircraft, as well as furniture, heat exchangers, and air conditioning.

TPI: Tell us a bit about your manufacturing capabilities and product range.

CF: The Crippa group provides complementary industrial solutions for tubes from diameters 0.5’’ to 11’’. We offer a comprehensive product range, designed to respond to every type of work. We provide specific, transversal, and highly customised tube solutions in synergy with our customers. The lead time is in accordance with our customer requests ranging from two months to six months, depending on the solution. In addition to tube bending and end-forming machines, we design customised work cells or special machines for sector-

specific processes. We always guarantee the best cycle times with the highest reliability and repeatability.

TPI: Has there been any new development at Crippa?

CF: Absolutely! We have a lot of competitors and every year, we put something on the market to remain the pioneer. We have been the first producer in the world to have a fully electric machine, multi-radios with the capability to cut the tube in the cycle to make the most complex geometry in the world. Everything we produce is fully electric. Crippa has always integrated sustainability into its business strategy. Most of the machines we produce are fully electric to minimise their environmental impact through CO2 emissions and enable our customers to use renewable sources of electricity to power their machines.

TPI: What are your future plans?

CF: We have an eye for new technology, and in the future, there will be more fully electric vehicles. Hence, we are developing new technology, keeping in mind that sooner or later, the conventional engine would be banned.

TPI: What are the strengths of your company and how do you look forward to the Indian market?

CF: Our strength is that we always produce something new. Our machines are designed and made to last for

years. Our customers have known Crippa for a long time. And if we are able to provide our machine in their facility, they will never change again.

We see big potential in India. We have a very good and long relationship with our local agent in the Indian market – Pradman Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd. There are many key players in the aerospace and automotive industries of India who could be our potential customers. We are investing a lot and will start marketing our products in India this year by making our product available in the exhibitions. We’ll participate at the METEC India event to be held in Mumbai from 23 to 25 November, 2022, and our stall would be M141. This summer, we also attended the Himtex Expo, where we showed a linear machine.

"Most of the machines we produce are fully electric to minimize their environmental impact”

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Olimpia 80: Supporting Tube Industry with Customised Solutions

Olimpia 80 S.r.l. has been successfully operating in the planning and implementation of plants and equipment for the production of high-quality tubes for over 40 years. The company manufactures custom-made equipment for its customers, thus offering high technology, high quality, userfriendliness as well as substantial reductions in manufacturing costs and the highest productivity. In a conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Cesare Vernocchi, Area Sales Manager, Olimpia 80 S.r.l., talks about the company’s journey, strengths, and its patented technologies.

Mr. Cesare Vernocchi, Area Sales Manager, Olimpia 80 S.r.l.

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about your company. Cesare Vernocchi: Olimpia 80 is an Italian familyowned private company. We are a manufacturer of complete lines and equipment for welded tubes and pipes. Our strength is that we can provide customised solutions to our clients, and every project is engineered according to the customer’s needs. We are a small company, but we invest a lot of our time and money in developing new solutions for tube manufacturers. We have customers all over the world and in India; we have had two crucial clients since last year- Ratnamani Metals and Tubes Ltd. and APL Apollo Tubes Ltd.

TPI: Can you elaborate more on the order you received from India?

CV: For APL Apollo, we signed the order for the fifth machine with linear cage-forming technology for square and rectangular sections. We are very happy because we have been receiving repeated orders. The philosophy of APL Apollo matches ours and we are glad to be associated with them.

TPI: How do you ensure customer satisfaction in every machine you deliver?

CV: Just to explain our working method, we stay in contact with the customer, try to understand their needs, and then start engineering the best solution together, keeping in mind the mechanical characteristics and the layout of the plant. After knowing the customer requirements, we begin the engineering process of the machine & machine parts inside our premises, start the

production, assemble the line, test the line (cold test), and finally, deliver it to the customer. The technician goes to the customer, installs the machine, puts it in operation, trains the operator and helps him achieve the desired goal. Our job finishes only when the customer is able to produce exactly the quality of the tubes required by them.

We also have a company specialised in welded tube manufacturing for stainless steel named Olimpia Inox. The company specialises in stainless steel tubes welded by laser. This gives us an opportunity to test our idea before implementing it.

TPI: Tell us about your product portfolio along with its key strengths.

CV: Olimpia 80, at this moment, has over 30 existing copyrights on different solutions. Some of our patented technologies include linear cage forming for round tubes, linear cage forming for square and rectangular tubes,

“We stay in contact with the customer, try to understand their needs… keeping in mind the mechanical characteristics and the layout of the plant.”

tube mill with sliding change on rails, automatic driven Turks heads etc.

TPI: Shed some light on the recent developments.

CV: We have engineered a cut-off solution for mediumbig sized stainless steel tube mills that use the laser cutting method instead of conventional blades or double blades solutions. One of the advantages of this machine is that it does not have to be stopped for changing blades.

One year ago, we installed the prototype at the premises of one of our customers in Italy. In the recent Tube 2022 exhibition, we presented the second step of the machine. We are in production of some machines for the same customer. We might be a small organization, but we think big. We follow our customer step by step in order to give them the maximum technology and solution and solve their problem.

TPI: Could you tell us a bit about the manufacturing capabilities of the company?

CV: Our Company is capable to manufacture around 8 to 12 completed tube mills per year, depending on the size. With our production capacity, we can cover a wide range of tubes from OD 5 mm to OD 450 mm. However, that depends on the order that we receive as we don't keep stock of our products and produce only on order.

TPI: How much time does it take for you to make a machine?

CV: At this moment, the delivery time for every kind of machine is around one year. We provide fully engineered and customized solutions; every machine we produce is different from the others. Apart from this, Olimpia 80 pays great attention to technical assistance and after-sales service.

transfluid®: ‘Flexibility is the Key Strength’

transfluid® is one of the leading manufacturers of tube processing machines and tube bending machines. The company offers tailor-made solutions - for plant and mechanical engineering, the automotive and energy industries, shipbuilding, aerospace, and manufacturers of medical devices. In a conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Simon Müller, Sales Manager, transfluid®, talks about the company’s manufacturing capabilities, product range, and new developments.

Tube & Pipe India: Please tell us about your company. Simon Müller: transfluid® was founded in 1988. We are a company with about 230 employees. An internationally preferred partner for the production of pipe machining and bending machines – transfluid® has been developing pipe machining technologies in a customer-centric manner. We undertake the complete construction, designing, and manufacturing of tube bending, tube forming, tube cutting lines, and also fully automated systems. We provide turnkey solutions to our customers.

TPI: Tell us a bit about your manufacturing capabilities.

“We have developed a robot bending solution. The advantage of this robot bending machine is that you can process small dimensions such as 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm tubes with fewer vibrations in the bending process.”

Mr. Simon Müller, Sales Manager, transfluid®

SM: We are manufacturing about 250 machines per year for various applications in different sectors. transfluid® offers tailor-made solutions for applications ranging from plant and mechanical engineering, automotive & energy industries, shipbuilding, and aerospace to the production of medical equipment. The engineering is mostly done in Germany. We have a lot of companies who are sub-supplying us, but we have the possibilities to manufacture main components such as tooling. We do a lot of design and development for our customers.

TPI: Could you shed some light on the product range of transfluid®?

SM: We have bending machines for tube diameters from 4 mm up to 330 mm. The tube of a bigger diameter is used in the shipbuilding and offshore industry, whereas

taking a look at the customer needs and the application of the products they intend to manufacture, we assess the different courses of action on what we can do to get our machines running in the best possible ways for our customers, besides being economical.

TPI: Tell us about your presence in the Indian market.

SM: We have a partner in India, Proteck Machinery Pvt. Ltd. and they are the exclusive reseller of transfluid® for more than 10 years. They have their own service on-site so that they can do the maintenance on our machines or help our customers with the installation of the machines. However, we are also doing a lot of services directly from Germany, especially if we have big, fully-automated production lines delivered to India. We help them get the machines running and conduct proper training.

the smaller sizes are used in the automotive industry for heating applications.

We have cutting machines, Chipless orbital cutting systems, and Knife cutting for the range up to 120 mm. The biggest advantage of the Chipless orbital cutting system is that you don't have to clean the tubes after cutting as unlike saw cutting, there are no chips produced. The tubes can directly be used in further processing steps.

We have a tailor-made answer to the challenges of tube and tube end forming: tight tolerances, sharp edge contours, polished surfaces, and the processing of high-strength materials are converted into an almost unlimited variety of forms with the greatest precision possible.

Our machines, with different equipment and electrical or hydraulic forming axes create limitless possibilities for the accurate and fast realisation of the most diverse forms.

TPI: What are the key strengths of your company?

SM: In my opinion, flexibility is the key strength of our company. We are doing a lot of customisations for our customers to make sure that they get the desired results from our machines. We customise our standard machines to provide benefits to customers. After

Over the years, we have had various machines in India including 50 different types of newer ones and a lot of them include auto loading and unloading functions. We have many hand-operated machines as well as automated systems.

TPI: Has there been any recent development in transfluid®?

SM: At transfluid®, we have put a lot of work into the development of our type SRM forming machines. We use the rolling method to optimise the collaring process for tubes. We have also developed a robot bending solution. The advantage of this robot bending machine is that you can process small dimensions such as 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm tubes with fewer vibrations in the bending process. It can take the tube, bend the tube, and unload the tube. It is quite an economical solution as you don't need to be a robot programmer to handle the machine. One would be able to run this machine after about half a day of training on the transfluid® bend software.

TPI: What are the future plans of your company?

SM: In the near future, we would consider e-mobility and for our first project; we are bending busbars for electric cars. We are looking for new businesses and new industries which are processing tubes. There are a lot of new things starting up every year.

AMOB: Eyes Indian Market for Future Expansion

AMOB is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of metalworking technologies. The company was founded in 1960 and over the years, it has grown as per the customers’ requirements and the market demand. Currently, it provides one of the biggest ranges of specialised equipment for the tube and pipe bending industry across the world. In an interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Manuel António Barros, Operations Director, AMOB Group, talks about its manufacturing capabilities, product portfolio, and future plans.

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

Manuel António Barros: AMOB has been in business for 62 years. We are the world’s leading manufacturer of metalworking technologies and provide one of the biggest ranges of specialised equipment for the tube and pipe bending industry worldwide. We remain very close to our customers.

AMOB is a family-owned company and the one thing that separates us from some of our competitors is that we are completely vertical in our production. The customers can get turnkey solutions from us.

TPI: Can you elaborate on your product range?

MAB: From full hydraulic machines to full electric machines, we have one of the biggest ranges of tube machines in the world. Our machines are

“We believe that the Indian market has a lot of potential in future as this sector is developing very fast in India… In the future, we want to grow AMOB. We have key markets where we want to grow our presence and India is one of them.”

Mr. Manuel António Barros, Operations Director, AMOB Group

able to bend tubes between 5 mm in diameter and 420 mm. We serve the global market with exceptional machinery and tooling for tube and pipe bending, section bending, and swaging purposes – ranging from simple, manual appliances to complex, fully electric

control of the entire process starting with the welding of the frames, cutting of the metal sheet, machining of all components, to the automation of the machines, electrical cabinet construction, and software design.

TPI: Tell us about your presence in India. How do you look forward to the Indian market?

CNC-powered systems. AMOB designs, develops, retails, and services a variety of products for a range of leading industrial industries including automobile and shipping, aeronautics, and construction, amongst others.

TPI: Please tell us a bit about your manufacturing capabilities and the factories.

MAB: We have around 200 employees at our main plant in Portugal. Our headquarter spans 18000 sq m and is equipped with the highest technological production equipment including CNC machining centres, lathes, and milling machines, as well as sheet metal cutting and bending machinery for guaranteed high fabrication standards. As we are completely vertical in our production, everything takes place inside AMOB. We have

MAB: We believe that the Indian market has a lot of potential in the future as this sector is developing very fast in India. We have a long history with India and our first machine was installed more than 20 years ago. At the moment, we work with different partners in various regions of the country. In some regions, we count on commercial sales support only, but in other regions, we have service support technicians also. And yes, it has been a good market for us. While it is not the biggest market for AMOB, but, for sure, it is one of the markets with the biggest potential in the next five to 10 years.

TPI: What about your global market presence?

MAB: We have sales agencies in more than 20 countries and we have partnerships in more than 60 countries. At the moment, we have our machines installed in 92 different countries. On average, we sell machines to 35 to 40 countries a year. AMOB has commercial facilities in Russia, Brazil, Spain, Benelux, France, United Kingdom and a worldwide network of over 70 agencies and technical centers.

TPI: Has there been any new development at your company in the recent past?

MAB: In the last five years, we've been very focused on developing our range of fully electric tube bending machines. Our latest machine has been on the market for two years now. It's a machine that can bend tubes up to 52 millimeters. Our customers prefer this kind of machine because the geometry of the parts that they need to produce tends to become more complex. We have received great feedback on the machine.

TPI: Tell us about your future plans.

MAB: In the future, we want to grow AMOB. We have key markets where we want to grow our presence and India is one of them. We want to continue our strategy of vertical integration as we want to be less dependent on other companies and keep on supporting our customers.

K.D. Industries: ‘Quality Products and Fast Turnaround Time are Our Strengths’

K.D. Industries Inc. is one of the leading manufacturers of carbon steel ERW pipes and tubes in the UAE. The company’s close proximity to the port ensures prompt imports of raw materials to its facility, as well as delivery of finished goods to its clients. K.D. Industries uses the latest technology and equipment, to ensure 100 percent customer satisfaction. In a conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Kunal Dayal Shevakramani, Managing Director, K.D. Industries Inc., talks about the product range, manufacturing capacities, the future plans, and shares his outlook on the industry.

Mr. Kunal Dayal Shevakramani, Managing Director, K.D. Industries Inc.

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

Kunal Dayal Shevakramani: K.D. Industries is based in Dubai, UAE. Established in the year 2000, we manufacture ERW pipes in various sizes and finishes including black, galvanised, painted, powder coated and so on and so forth. We supply to customers all over the globe, mainly in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand besides our domestic market, UAE, and its neighbouring countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. We have an annual production capacity of over 50,000 tonnes.

TPI: Elaborate on your manufacturing capabilities.

KDS: Split into two facilities, K.D. Industries covers a total area of about 60,000 square meters and employs 157 people. We do various types of value-added processes for the tubes such as threading, coupling, and grooving and perform various types of inhouse tests to comply with various specifications and certifications such as UL, FM, and NSF. We are CE certified for the European market and have a very strong presence in the sprinkler industry. We are approved in various countries by civil defence authorities.

TPI: Tell us more about your product range along with the key applications and strengths.

KDS: Our product ranges from 0.5 inches to 6 inches. We comply with European standards as well as American standards. In American standards, we can offer pipes from schedule 10 to schedule 80. In EN standards, we can supply extra light to heavy pipes. Quality products and fast turnaround time are our strengths. The products can

be used in various applications like boring, fencing, furniture, scaffolding, mechanical fabrication, oil & gas, sprinkler, irrigation, water supply, and low-pressure gas systems.

TPI: What are your future plans?

KDS: We got our FM Approval last year. In the future, we plan to attain API certification. Simultaneously, we have plans to increase not only our capacity but also, introduce more products in terms of size and specifications.

Additional capacity would be in line with welded pipes, but, adhering to various sizes and finishes, complying with various specifications. We plan to finalise everything this year and hopefully have it executed by next year.

TPI: Share your outlook on the tube and pipe sector.

KDS: Steel prices are near the bottom. I don't think we should expect any further correction after July other than a major event. The second half of this year seems more promising.

We, at K.D. Industries Inc., believe that quality always comes first, and will continue to make every effort to ensure that our products measure up to the strictest standards.

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“We do various types of value-added processes for the tubes such as threading, coupling, and grooving and perform various types of in-house tests to comply with various specifications and certifications such as UL, FM, and NSF.”

Rollcon Engineering: India’s Infra Push to Give a Boost to Tube & Pipe Industry

Rollcon Engineering Co. is a renowned name in flat steel products/strip processing lines & equipment. The company has, over the years, established its reputation as an innovative leader and quality manufacturer by upgrading its manufacturing facility and maintaining the highest standards of quality and services. In an interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Jasbir Maggu, Managing Director, Rollcon Engineering Co., talks about its product range catering to the tube & pipe industry along with the expansion plans.

Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of your company along with its crucial milestones?

Jasbir Maggu: We started with very humble beginning. The first project we took up was manufacturing a tube mill and a slitting line in 1993. We used to provide turnkey projects. Along with the tube mill, we used to manufacture HF tube welding plants and supply of such projects.

Subsequently, our company grew little by little and now, we are catering to a large section of the steel industry which includes tubes and pipes manufacturing and processing. We are proud to be associated with a very large number of well-known clients in India, as well as abroad. The journey of 30 years has been so far so good.

“Our diversified portfolio helped us and enabled good penetration into the market… There's a great demand in the market, which is driving this industry very well.”

Mr. Jasbir Maggu, Managing Director, Rollcon Engineering Co.

TPI: Can you cast some light on the infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and machinery installed at your facility?

JM: By and by, we felt the need for better infrastructure. Initially, we used to have basic machines but as we grew, we found that without proper infrastructure, we cannot grow in the right way. Hence, we invested in various machines like automatic VMCs, boring machines, and Plano millers. Likewise, we have a number of CNC machines which helped us in maintaining our quality as well as our serviceability in terms of timely deliveries. We have different kinds of CNC Turning Centres/VMCs besides heavy-duty table type boring, floor boring machines, EOT cranes, and testing facilities.

We have all kinds of facilities as far as machines are concerned for the manufacturing of good quality tube mills. We manufacture around 8 to 10 mills a year, and apart from this, we manufacture cold rolling mills, Galvanising lines, color coating lines, pickling lines, slitting lines, and cut-to-length lines. We take up turnkey projects not only for tubes and pipes but also for color coating lines and galvanising lines, slitting lines, and cutto-length lines.

TPI: What are the recent developments and what will be your future plans?

JM: A lot of demand is coming up for the sectional tubes. We are diversifying into Direct Forming Technology (DFT), which is a new segment. As of now, we are starting with two sizes - 100/100 and 200/200.

DFT is the future. In conventional tube mills, you need a huge inventory of rolls as you need to change the rolls for the different sizes, but DFT is a common roll technology, wherein you don't need to change the roll according to size. With the involvement of automation, you don't lose time switching from one size to the other. We are keeping a close eye on the latest developments in the tube & pipe industry in India and abroad and adopting them.

TPI: Please shed some light on the market footprint and clientele of your company.

JM: We have delivered good projects all over India, as well as abroad including in Africa, Southeast Asia, and

the Middle East. Our diversified portfolio helped to give us a good penetration into the market. Most of the tube manufacturers in India know us. We are proud to be associated with the companies like Hi-Tech Pipes Ltd., Nezone Group, APL Apollo Tubes Ltd., Bhushan Steel & Strips, etc, which have a sizeable market share. We are associated with some of them for as long as 2025 years. APL Apollo is one of the largest tube & pipe manufacturers in India. I believe they manufacture close to 200,000 tonne of tubes and pipes.

We are pleased to witness such magnificent growth taking place in India. There's a great demand in the market, which is driving this industry very well.

TPI: Share your outlook on the tube & pipe industry.

JM: In India, we are fortunate to witness this period when the government is proactive on infrastructure projects. You can see a lot of infrastructure projects going on in India, like roads, bridges, ports, and airports. Many ports are being modernized, new airports are being developed, and railway stations are being commissioned, refurbished, and renovated. Apart from this, industrial corridor and defense projects are coming up. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, every region of our country is witnessing plenty of infrastructure projects.

We are very bullish because you cannot separate the tube & pipe industry from all these infrastructure projects as it is intricately intertwined with the development of all these projects.

TPI: Anything else you would like to add to the interview?

JM: The future for the tube & pipe industry looks very bright in India. I would like to emphasise that there are a lot of opportunities in India. The current government supports infrastructural projects in India with various schemes and policies.

In my opinion, India will now witness the kind of growth that China has witnessed for the last 40 years. Hence, I would like to wish the people in the industry including the technocrats and entrepreneurs all the best for such an enormous development!

Shah Steel & Tubes: Planning to Foray into Stainless Steel Pipes & Value-Added Pipes Segment

Shah Steel & Tubes (Shri Pujalal Lallubhai Shah Group) has been a preferred steel provider, offering quality-focussed distribution services to its clients ever since its inception in the year 1957. Headquartered in Ahmedabad, the company is one of the largest distributors of steel pipes & hollow sections in the country. In a conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Sapan S. Shah, Partner, Shah Steel & Tubes, talks about the company’s product range, and market presence in India.

Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of your company along with its crucial milestones?

Sapan S. Shah: Our Company was founded by my grandfather in 1957. We've been serving the industry for the last 65 years. We have, over the years, kept almost all the products related to steel pipe and geographically, we have grown across the country. As India progresses towards industrial development, we are serving the industries, and catering to their needs. The country, as a whole, is going into value addition. The level of manufacturing is increasing. We are providing custom-

made tailored needs, by keeping a large number of products as per customers' needs in our product line.

TPI: Cast some light on infrastructure at your facility. SSS: As we are stockists and super stockists of pipes, we need to have a good level of storage and racking technology installed in our warehouse. We need to segregate different types of grades. One single type of pipe has at least 20 types of thicknesses and 8 types of grades. Hence, we have to manage our stock accordingly. A small mistake can lead to a big problem when it comes to supply. Pipes of the same thickness, same size,

“The market is evolving as the needs are getting very specific and tailormade, and the users are constantly in search of products whereby they can save money.”

Mr. Sapan S. Shah, Partner, Shah Steel & Tubes

and same length can have different categories of steel installed in it. That makes a lot of difference and we have to maintain that in our warehouse. Being a stockist, we don't have any machinery but we keep a good racking and storing system in our warehouses around the country.

TPI: Tell us about your portfolio. Where do you procure your products from and what are your future plans?

SSS: We are into line pipes, boiler pipes, and APH tubes. We have ERW pipes, rectangular pipes, spiral pipes, seamless pipes, and pre-galvanised tubes. Right from 15 NB to 2500 NB, we keep almost every kind of steel pipe. We procure 80 percent of our products from Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. and the D.P. Jindal Group. We are their authorised exclusive distributor.

We would soon be foraying into stainless steel pipes and value-added custom length pipes, whereby, we will work as per the future planning of our clients. According to their order book, we will keep the materials ready so that we can save on the delivery time when the actual requirement comes.

TPI: Please share the market footprint and clientele of your company.

SSS: Over the last 65 years, we have developed a supply chain and maintained a lot of channel partners in key

strategic locations around the country. We hardly go to the OEMs or users directly. Our model is to deal through channel partners because we only deal in pipes, but the manufacturer or the user might require fittings or adhesive which will help them join the piping. Our channel partners purchase products from us, give the value addition or make a bunch of different products together and then supply to the users.

TPI: Kindly describe your outlook on the tube & pipe industry.

SSS: The market is evolving as the needs are getting very specific and tailor-made, and the users are constantly in search of products whereby they can save money. They are also trying and experimenting with new types of pipes and different grades. We, as a stockist, need to know what kind of demand is going to come. If we stock something, that doesn’t cater to the demands, it would make no sense.

TPI: What is the business roadmap for the coming years?

SSS: There are a lot of challenges; having said that, opportunities are also there. We need to do a lot of hard work because steel is a very cyclical industry. We need to keep abreast of the developments happening around the market.

Motilal Laxmichand Sanghavi: Betting

Big on Carbon & Alloy Steel Tubes

Motilal Laxmichand Sanghavi is one of the fastest growing companies engaged in supplying all types of seamless, boiler tubes, hydraulic tubes, heat exchanger tubes, pipes & fittings, and square & rectangular tubes. In an exclusive interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Hemal D. Sanghavi, Partner, Motilal Laxmichand Sanghavi, takes us through the company’s wide product range, the clientele of the company, market footprint, and future plans.

“The industry is doing quite well …. The last 18 months have been on a growth trajectory. I feel the same growth pattern would continue for the next 18 months too.”

Mr. Hemal D. Sanghavi, Partner, Motilal Laxmichand Sanghavi

Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of your company along with milestones?

Hemal D. Sanghavi: The Company was established in 1930 by my late grandfather Mr. Motilal Laxmichand Sanghavi. It is a 90-year-old company and over the years, we have grown to be one of the prime and largest stockists of seamless and ERW pipes & tubes in India. Our warehouse is in Kalamboli, Maharashtra.

Between the late 1960s and early 70s, we were the first dealers for Tata Steel which was earlier known as TISCO. Around the late 70s and early 80s, we became distributors and dealers for Murugappa Group’s Tube Investments of India Ltd. for ERW boiler tubes. We’ve been associated with Indian Seamless Metal Tubes Ltd., which is now known as ISMT, since its inception. Similarly, we’ve been with Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. since its inception. We were also dealers of Kalyani Seamless Tubes, which is now taken over by Indian Seamless Metal Tubes. These are some of the major milestones of our company.

Around fifteen years ago, India was not manufacturing tubes over 10 inches. Hence, we had to import products from Japanese companies such as Sumitomo Corporation, JFE Steel, and Nippon Steel Corp., and European firms like Tenaris. Apart from this, we have imported goods from Russia, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Ukraine. However, now the manufacturing capacity has increased to 20 inches and we do not import anymore.

TPI: Cast some light on the infrastructure and machines installed at your facility.

HDS: We have a big stockyard in Kalamboli where we have a crane loading and unloading facility as well as the basic testing facility that is required for third-party inspection agencies. We provide IBR certificates to our clients as and when required.

TPI: Tell us about your product portfolio along with its strength and application. What have been your recent developments?

HDS: Majorly, we have a stock of carbon steel seamless pipes - SA/ ASTM A 106 Gr B, SA/ ASTM A 53, API 5L Gr. B., low-temperature carbon steel seamless pipes –SA/ ASTM A 333 Gr. 6, SA/ ASTM A 333 Gr.1, Alloy Steel Seamless Pipes – IBR - SA 335 P1, SA 335 P5, SA 335 P9, SA 335 P11, SA 335 P22, and ERW boiler tubes for the sugar industry. We also keep higher grades like P11 and P22 for the powerhouse.

Notably, we are growing our product mix. Additionally, we have included special grades like P11 and P5, amongst other products to the company’s product portfolio.

TPI: Shed some light on the market footprint and clientele of your company.

HDS: We have various clients. In the oil and gas industry, we are dealing with all the refineries such as Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd., and Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd. either through tenders or through direct procurement. In the engineering segment, we have Larsen & Toubro Ltd. and GB Power Co. Ltd., amongst others as our major clients. We have also started focusing on exports.

TPI: How do you see the market evolving in the future and what would be your roadmap?

HDS: The industry is doing quite well and the current government is quite supportive. We see a tremendous growth opportunity in alloy steel and carbon steel segments. Although the market is getting complicated in the terms of margin, the volume seems to be good. The last 18 months have been on a growth trajectory. I feel the same growth pattern would continue for the next 18 months too. After 2024, there might be a sudden consolidation.

Amardeep Steel Centre: Eyeing Global Market

Incorporated in the year 1984, Amardeep Steel Centre is a dealer, supplier and exporter of raw materials like pipes, tubes, plates, fittings, fasteners, etc. as well as process equipment such as heat exchangers, towers, tubebundles, etc made up of tantalum, titanium, zirconium, Hastelloy, niobium, Inconel, Monel, nickel alloys, duplex steel, stainless steel, alloy steel and carbon steel among other metals. In a conversation with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Deepak Sheth, Marketing Manager, Amardeep Steel Centre, talks about the company’s business journey, product range, and future plans.

Tube & Pipe India: Could you please give us a brief outline of the business journey of your company along with some crucial milestones?

Deepak Sheth: Under the stewardship, of Mr. Sumermal K. Sheth, the idea of Amardeep Steel Centre was born in the year 1984. Mr. S.K. Sheth is a visionary entrepreneur who had the ability to foresee huge opportunity in the Indian Metals Industry. From a small enterprise which was catering to domestic clients is now an international player with the advent of liberalisation.

AMARDEEP STEEL CENTRE has emerged as a revelation in this aura of cut-throat competition in the steel sector of the Indian Industries. Amardeep Steel Centre has been a pioneer in manufacturing, supplying, importing and exporting industrial raw materials. Over the past 3 decades it has been primarily into supplying ferrous & non ferrous metals to India's leading industries.

TPI: Cast some light on infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and machinery installed at your facility.

Mr. Deepak Sheth, Marketing Manager, Amardeep Steel Centre

TPI: Tell us about your product portfolio along with the key strengths and applications.

DS: Our product mix consists of raw materials like seamless and welded pipes & tubes, plates, sheets, round bars, wires, pipe fitting likes bends, stub ends, tees, reducers, unions, caps, couplings, elbows, flanges, rods, welding electrodes, wires, coils, angles, circles, shims etc. Also, the process equipment like heat exchangers, pressure vessels, reactors, etc. caters to the everincreasing needs of numerous industries like chemical

the very few suppliers which is registered with all the companies of the Ministry of Defense.

TPI: What are the recent developments and what will be your future plans for this?

DS: Our future plan is to increase exports as well as strengthen our presence in the domestic market. Recently, we have started keeping stock of Corten steel plate, which is extensively used in infrastructure projects but not easily available. We are also keeping stock of alloy steel P91 pipes, which is very critical for power plants. Secondly, we are planning to increase our share of exports by setting up overseas branch offices.

industries, petrochemicals, fertilizers, pharmaceutical, power plants, steel industries, sugar industries, refineries, etc.

Amardeep Steel Centre is a proud supplier of Industrial Raw Materials & Process Equipment to Fortune 500 Companies of India and all the renowned Public Sector Units of the country. In addition to this, it is the one of

TPI: Share your outlook on the tube & pipe industry. How do you see the market evolving in the future?

DS: I believe that the market is so massive that you can trade as much as you want. There's no limit to how much you can sell steel materials. Moreover, after the COVID pandemic and the implementation of the ‘Make in India’ policy, Indian products are in huge demand. Many countries have banned products of the Chinese origin due to which India is getting a boost.

DS: We have a warehouse 10,000 sq ft in Mumbai where we keep our stock. We even fabricate some custom made items for our customers as per their order requirements

“Our future plan is to increase exports as well as strengthen our presence in the domestic market.... We are planning to set up overseas offices for business expansion.”

Welspun, Tata Steel Collaborate to Build 'Framework' for Hydrogen Transport

Welspun is a part of the H2Pipe Joint Industry Project on Hydrogen Pipelines, launched by DNV. The aim of the project is to develop the “world’s first guideline” for the transportation of hydrogen in pipelines.

Welspun Corp Ltd. (WCL) has joined forces with Tata Steel in order to develop the “framework for and subsequently manufacturing” pipes for the transportation of pure hydrogen and natural gas-blended hydrogen. A leading welded line pipe manufacturer, Welspun Corp Ltd. is the flagship company of Welspun Group.

As per the WCL's statement, “Welspun Corp Ltd and Tata Steel Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to come together and work towards developing the framework for and subsequently manufacturing green pipes for the transportation of pure hydrogen and hydrogen blended with natural gas.”

The strategic association with Tata Steel is to explore the appropriateness of a wide range of pipes by WCL for the transportation of fuel. This will further pave the way for alleviating climate change-related issues and building a secure future, according to WCL. This MoU is going to augment the general understanding and knowledge of the transportation of hydrogen from a global standpoint, the company said.

About the development, Mr. Vipul Mathur, Managing Director & CEO, Welspun Corp Ltd., said “We are working towards strengthening its expanding product portfolio both in India and globally while focusing on building a future-ready world.”

In the words of Mr. Rajeev Singhal, Vice President –Marketing & Sales (Flat Products), Tata Steel Ltd., “This will enable us to jointly develop steel for safe transportation of hydrogen gas which is a critical requirement for adoption of hydrogen fuel in line with the government's National Hydrogen Mission.”

In October 2021, Welspun onboarded the H2Pipe Joint Industry Project on Hydrogen Pipelines which was started by the leading industrial certification body DNV. Being a worldwide industry project, the aim of the project was to develop the “world’s first guideline” for the transportation of hydrogen gas in existing and new offshore pipelines.

Roca India to Invest INR 50 crore in Pipe Manufacturing Plant

The Indian branch of the international sanitary-ware brand Roca is all set to infuse INR 50 crore in its maiden pipe manufacturing facility.

Roca India, a leading sanitary ware company, is planning to invest INR 50 crore in its Greenfield facility in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. The firm is aspiring to attain twice its revenue to cross the INR 4000 crore mark in the next four years - as published in news reports.

Roca India, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Barcelonabased Roca Group, is going to establish the pipe

Image Source: Tata Steel Downstream Products Ltd.

Roca Showroom in Barcelona | Image Source: Roca

manufacturing plant at Alwar under its flagship brand Parryware. The company expects that the plant would be operational by the middle of 2023. Roca acquired Parryware from the Chennai-based conglomerate Murugappa Group in 2008.

Speaking positively about the company’s steadfast growth, Mr. K.E. Ranganathan, Managing Director, Roca India, said, “Despite economic headwinds and cost pressure, the company remain optimistic about India’s growth trajectory and will continually invest here. The firm’s capital expenditure will be around INR 50 crore in the maiden pipe manufacturing facility in Rajasthan.”

Presently, Roca India has annual revenue of around INR 2000 crore. Mr. Ranganathan exclaimed that the company will be able to grow at 25 percent CAGR and will surpass the INR 4000-crore mark in the next four years. The firm forayed into the pipes segment primarily with the aim to enhance its revenue share to 15 percent in the next five years from the current 9 percent contribution to its global sales. “Roca India contributes 9 percent of the group’s global turnover. India is the third largest market after Spain and Mexico. We have set a target to expand this share to 15 percent in the next five years,” he asserted.

Tata Steel Chooses Energiron DRI Technology to take a Major Step into Green Steel Production

Tata Steel Netherlands has partnered with Energiron Alliance for the design of the future-ready Energiron direct reduction plants in IJmuiden.

Tata Steel Europe, with a predominant presence in the UK and the Netherlands, has selected Danieli as the technological partner for the Heracless (Hydrogen-Era-Carbon-Less) project for the Netherlands subsidiary. The project is aimed at transitioning the integrated steel mill in IJmuiden from the current BF-technology to green hydrogenbased steel production, to pursue a sustainable future.

As stated in an official press release by Danieli, Tata Steel Netherlands has awarded Energiron Alliance (Tenova+Danieli) with a contract to perform the design of the future Energiron direct reduction plants in IJmuiden. All the Energiron® DRI plants are hydrogen-ready by design and can start using hydrogen as reduction gas without the need to modify the equipment, the Company added DRI pellets processed by Energiron® plants enable 96 percent metallization and variable carbon content ranging from 0.5 percent with extensive use of hydrogen, and up 4.5 percent using 100 percent natural gas. Due to the Energiron DRI technology, the global steel producer will be able to make the use of hydrogen in a simple and effective way, producing high-quality green steel in a clean environment.

Energiron® is the DRI technology jointly developed by Tenova and Danieli.

“We recently made agreements about our future with two ministries and the province of North Holland. In doing so, we have indicated we want to be CO2 neutral before 2045 and to emit between 35 and 40 percent less CO2 before 2030. This will largely be achieved via the hydrogen route. We are replacing the blast furnaces with modern technology that uses hydrogen or gas instead of coal”, explains Mr. Hans van den Berg, CEO of Tata Steel Netherland.

Also, Ms. Annemarie Manger, Sustainability Director, Tata Steel, informs that the new plants will be built on the site while all the current plants will be operational until the latest lines are “up and running”. The partnership with McDermott, Danieli and Hatch marks the inception of the basic engineering to be able to “flesh out our plans more specifically”, she added.

Image Source: Danieli

August 31, 2022

Nomura Singapore Acquires Stake in Rama Steel Tubes

Rama Steel Tubes has a presence in over 16 nations, including its subsidiaries in UAE and Nigeria which has strengthened the company's presence in global markets.

Rama Steel Tubes Ltd. (RSTL), a leading steel tube manufacturer, has announced its financial results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2022, i.e. Q4 of FY22. According to data available on NSE and the news release by ANI, Nomura Singapore Ltd. acquired 1,00,000 shares at an average price of INR 371 on 15 June 2022.

The company has reported a growth in revenues of 63 percent from INR 476.57 crore in FY21 to INR 777.37 crore in FY22. The Profit After Tax (PAT) has shown a growth of 121 percent to INR 27.31 crore in FY22. Moreover, the EBIDTA has shown a growth of 111.59 percent year-over-year, which stood at INR 51.75 crore in FY22 against INR 24.46 crore in FY21.

Started in 1974, Rama Steel Tubes has been continuously striving to improve its performance by increasing sales, the share of value-added products, innovating new products, and aggressive cost optimisation on a

RSTL has state-of-the-art plants in Sahibabad, Khopoli, and Anantapur.

continual basis. RSTL products range includes MS ERW black pipes from 15 mm to 200 mm diameter pipes.

RSTL has a global presence in more than 16 countries, including its subsidiaries in the UAE and Nigeria which has strengthened the company's presence in global markets. The Company has the world's latest technology, plant and machinery, which also includes sophisticated testing equipment. Also, there are state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in Sahibabad (Uttar Pradesh), Khopoli (Maharashtra), and Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh).

APL Apollo launches Next-Gen Steel Building Solutions for Structural Steel Tubes

APL Apollo Tubes launched the innovative steel building solutions at The Lalit, New Delhi on July 1, 2022, with the presence of 200 influencers from the construction industry including architects, structural consultants, contractors, and developers.

August 2, 2022

APL Apollo always speaks about something new, innovative and something that revolutionises the construction industry. Yet again, the company has proved it right by launching Steel Building Solutions technology. To be a part of this change, APL Apollo Tubes Ltd. invited the best in the industry to join and share their experience in the industry over the years and their experience with Tubular Technology. Steel Building Solutions is the ‘NAYI-SOCH’ we all need. APL Apollo has transformed the future of building and

construction with its exclusive range of heavy structural tubular products. Steel Building Solutions technology and Apollo Column tubes are known as the heart of Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) due to their faster speed of project completion, superior quality, strength, costeffectiveness, and eco-friendliness.

Mr. Anubhav Gupta, Chief Strategy Officer, APL Apollo Tubes

APL Apollo’s Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Anubhav Gupta presented how APL Apollo’s products can benefit the construction industry to achieve Speed, Cost Benefits, Quality, and Environment at the same time. The event also had reputed industry stalwarts from steel fabrication, structural engineering and architect backgrounds who gave presentations on the benefits of Tubular technology.

Now, the entire building can be built on Tubular sections (Hollow Steel Sections) which saves time the fabrication gets much easier with these structural steel tubes. Minimal or no on-ground fabrication is required as it is pre-fabricated, precisely engineered and cut to length which speeds up the process and saves around 16 days per slab as compared to conventional/traditional methods of Construction.

These tubes by APL Apollo are used across various prominent structures like hospitals, housing, factories, warehouses, cold storages, shopping malls, commercial

offices, oxygen plants, data centres, food parks etc. Currently, tubes by APL Apollo are being used to build 7 hospitals at different locations across New Delhi.

Venus Pipes & Tubes to Invest in Capacity Expansions of Hollow Pipes

Gujarat-based Venus Pipes & Tubes Ltd. has made a positive debut on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) with the stock rising to INR 351 as compared to the issue price of INR 326. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Venus Pipes & Tubes was subscribed 16.31 times – as published in news reports.

“Decent listing gain seems to be justified with increasing demand for its products and company aiming to doubling its capacity to cater the demand. On valuation per se, the issue is fully priced-in,” said Mr. Prashanth Tapse, Vice President (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd. Notably, the proceeds from the Venus IPO will be utilised in the investment of the project towards capacity expansion and backward integration for manufacturing hollow pipes, to meet working capital requirements, and for general corporate purposes. Venus Pipes and Tubes is a leading manufacturer and exporter of stainless steel pipes and tubes in the country.

The company, under the brand name Venus, supplies its products for application in diversified sectors, including chemicals, engineering, fertilisers, pharmaceuticals,

power, food processing, paper, and oil and gas. The manufacturer also exports to twenty countries.

APL Apollo Tubes Team

Venus Pipes & Tubes serves various diversified sectors & applications, and exports to twenty countries.

Image Source: Venus Pipes & Tubes

Tata Steel Introduces a Green Investment Plan for UK Steel Tube Plant

The investment at the tube mill site will be put into setting up a new slitter, enabling the mill to process coils out of steel slabs that will be procured from the Port Talbot steel making site in South Wales.

Tata Steel has launched a new green investment plan of 7 million pounds (USD 8.09 million) for its Hartlepool tube mill, primarily based in the North-East UK. Being a green investment, as proclaimed by the steel giant, it will reduce carbon emissions, improve production capacity, and cut costs in order to boost its business in the country.

The investment will be utilised for a new slitter which will allow the Hartlepool site to process coils made out of steel delivered from the company’s Port Talbot steel making site in South Wales. All of the steel products made at this site, wherein approximately 300 people continuously work producing up to 200,000 Tonnes Per Annum (TPA) of steel tubes, are 100 percent recyclable. Moreover, the investment is projected to generate ROI in less than three years’ time.

Image Source: Tata Steel

Works Manager of Tata Steel in Hartlepool, Mr. Andrew Ward, mentioned that this project will allow the company to bring a “vital process” on site, which will end up freeing thousands of tonnes of capacity at the Port Talbot location. Not only that but it also is predicted to improve production efficiency and reduce overall CO2 emissions from their steel processing as well as reduce the cumulative costs across the business.

GMDA Insists Early Completion of Water Pipeline Project in Gwal Pahari, Haryana

The Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) has been requested by the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to complete the work on the water pipeline in Gwal Pahari as early as possible.

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has appealed to the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) to speed up the development of the 450 mm water supply pipeline in Gwal Pahari at the earliest date possible, as per a leading news daily.

The water pipeline project, which was initiated in 2012 but hasn't yet been completed, has compelled the GMDA to urge that HSVP should take action against the relevant officials who are delaying the completion of the related work.

Image Source: Freepik

In the past few years, it has come to light that the Gwal Pahari residents have expressed their concerns over declining water levels. They assert that since the village relies on borewells for its drinking water, the water level has been consistently dropping. It is now extremely significant that GMDA starts supplying the village with canal water as soon as possible.

Primetals Technologies and POSCO to Come Up with a Green Steel Demo Facility

The demonstration plant is an important part of POSCO’s commitment and longterm plans of replacing its current blast furnaces with HyREX plants.

Primetals Technologies Ltd. and South Korea-based leading steel producer POSCO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement to develop a demonstration plant for hydrogen-based hot metal production in South Korea. The startup of the plant is expected to take place in early 2027.

Dr. Kisoo Kim, Head of Low Carbon Process R&D at POSCO, says, “For the development of eco-friendly hydrogen-based hot metal production, collaboration across all sectors such as raw materials, engineering, and hydrogen is essential. Thanks to the collaboration between POSCO and Primetals Technologies, we will make use of leading technological knowledge during development and implementation.”

The Korean steel company would manufacture Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) by using hydrogen as reducing gas – the HyREX technology. Then, the DRI will later be melted in an electric smelter. The HyREX solution is cost-competitive as it is directly using sinter fines and is avoiding any agglomeration steps – like sintering or pelletizing – in advance.

Since POSCO is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the HyREX technology will play a great role in the same. The Company intends to keep on assessing the commercial feasibility of hydrogen-based hot metal production until 2030. The development and construction of the HyREX demonstration plant is an important part of this mission. Moreover, POSCO’s longterm aim is to gradually replace its current blast furnaces with HyREX plants.

“We expect the HyREX technology to be a long-term and fundamental solution in many regions where it is difficult to use pellets. Let’s create a new success story together,” said Mr. Aashish Gupta, Executive Vice President, Primetals Technologies Ltd.

JSW Steel Orders High-Productivity Straightening Lines from Danieli

The investment in Danieli’s straightening lines will allow up to 15 percent energy consumption and full-line setup time savings at JSW Salem Works.

Mumbai, headquartered JSW Steel Ltd has ordered two complete straightening lines from Italian technology provider Danieli Group for the conditioning of rolled steel bars for JSW Salem Works.

As stated in the official press release, the new installation will consist of two fully-automated and high-productivity straightening lines which are capable of conditioning a wide range of diameters, reaching straightening speeds up to 120 m/min.

Representatives from POSCO (in blue) and Primetals Technolo gies at the MoU Signing Ceremony .

Image Source: Danieli

The high-efficiency Danieli solutions featuring advanced automation equipment and process control integrated into a user-friendly interface would pave the way for savings of up to 15 percent in energy consumption and full-line setup times at JSW Salem.

The new design of the straightening rollers and the wide, variable working-angle cover a large field of bar diameters and material yield tensile characteristic to be treated, in terms of size and straightening tolerances. A precise head and tail bar straightness is also assured.

A hydraulic protection system and adjustable straightening force on the lower roller prevent cracks on the rolls due to overloads generated by operator machine settings, or due to highly ovalised and off-shape incoming hot-rolled, forged or extruded bars. A mechanical action will be carried out on the whole circumference of bars to obtain excellent straightening, up to 0.5 mm/m for asrolled steel (up to 0.1 mm/m for bright steel).

Since 1970, Danieli Group has supplied more than 140 straightening and reeling lines for various ferrous and nonferrous materials.

Welspun’s East Pipes Wins INR 689 Crore Project for Steel Pipes in Saudi Arabia

Within the order, Welspun Corp’s associate firm East Pipes Integrated Company for Industry will manufacture and supply steel pipes to SWCC. The recent order follows the slew of other projects awarded by the SWCC of SAR497 million in March and SAR490 million in May this year.

July 16, 2022

Welspun Corp Ltd. has informed that its associate company, East Pipes Integrated Company for Industry, has won a project worth SAR 324 million (~INR 689 crore) from the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) in Saudi Arabia.

The order is about manufacturing and supplying steel pipes – as published in news reports. The said project is slated to be executed during the ongoing financial year, as per the company’s statement.

“Associate company EPIC, based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has been awarded a contract by the

SWCC for the manufacturing and supplying of steel pipes. The contract is valued at approximately SAR (Saudi Riyal) 324 million including value added tax and the same is going to be executed in this financial year,” according to the company.

This comes in addition to the recent slew of orders awarded by the SWCC of SAR 497 million (~INR 1,056 crore) in March 2022 and SAR 490 million (~INR 1,041 crore) in May this year.

EPIC is the leading manufacturer of Helical Submerged Arc Welded (HSAW) pipes in Saudi Arabia. Welspun Corporation, the flagship company of Welspun Group, is among the largest welded line pipe manufacturing companies.

Image Source: East Pipes Integrated Company for Industry

Meghmani Finechem Commissions India’s Largest CPVC Plant

Meghmani’s new CPVC manufacturing plant was developed with an investment of INR 190 crore. It would have a production capacity of about 30,000 TPA.

Meghmani Finechem Ltd. (MFL), a leading chemical manufacturer, has commissioned India’s largest Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Resin (CPVC) plant at Dahej Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), Bharuch, Gujarat.

The new CPVC manufacturing unit was reportedly developed at an estimated cost of INR 190 crore. The unit will have a production capacity of approximately 30,000 tonne per annum (TPA). It is said to be the only second-of-its-kind plant in India. CPVC is a unique kind of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with added chloride. It is mainly used as a raw material by PVC pipes manufacturers and many others operating in unorganised sectors.

The first plant of 10,000 TPA was established in Tamil Nadu by DCW Ltd. Mr. Maulik Patel, Chairman and Managing Director, MFL, asserts that India’s dependence on importing CPVC would reduce by approximately 20-22

percent with the commissioning of this plant. At present, about 95 percent of the requirements of CPVC resins are met through imports.

During his interaction with the media, Mr. Patel also stated that with the commissioning of this plant, the country’s production capacity would go up by about 40,000 TPA.

MFL has a state-of-the-art fully automated production facility equipped to meet international standards in the manufacturing of caustic soda, caustic potash, chlorine, hydrogen, chloromethanes, hydrogen peroxide, epichlorohydrin, and CPVC resin.

TUBACEX Wins its Largest-Ever Order with Abu Dhabi National Oil

TUBACEX will construct a new tube and thread manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi, which would be operational by 2024. It will be the first-ever facility for OCTG manufacturing in the Middle East.

TUBACEX Group has won its largest-ever project with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) worth in excess of 30,000 tonne over ten years. The order is about the supply of comprehensive solutions for gas extraction in the Middle East.

Within the project, TUBACEX will construct a new tube and thread manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi, which is expected to be operational by 2024. It will be the first-ever facility for Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) manufacturing in the Middle East. This order is an addition to other recent multi-annual awards for the manufacturing of umbilical, nuclear, and aerospace

56 | NEWS TUBE & PIPE INDIA • OCT - NOV 2022 www.tubepipeindia.com tubes, giving TUBACEX a total backlog of more than EUR 1.5 billion. Backlog of orders, here, refers to the money

Image Source: Meghmani Finechem

Seamless Stainless Steel Tubes | Image Source: TUBACEX

amount of the product which was ordered by a customer and is not shipped yet.

The agreement signing took place during the “Make it in the Emirates” forum held in Abu Dhabi which brought together the largest industrial companies and investors in the UAE to share their development strategies and boost local manufacturing investment.

About the said order, Mr. Jesús Esmorís, CEO of TUBACEX, said that this agreement strengthens their long-term

positioning in the Middle East market, boosting and consolidating their operational structure in the region.

After the inauguration of the new facility, the company will have three production plants in the region, that is, in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, where the service centers and sales offices are also situated.

With this agreement, TUBACEX has boosted its diversification plan, in line with the trend of decarbonisation and the energy transition towards green power and lower carbon.

Tube Investments of India Shares its Financial Performance for Q1 FY23

Murugappa Group-owned Tube Investments of India has reported a standalone profit after tax (PAT) of INR 134.32 crore for the first quarter of the current financial year.

Chennai-based Tube Investments of India Ltd. (TII), part of the Murugappa Group, has shared its standalone quarterly results for the first quarter of the current fiscal ending June 30, i.e. Q1 FY23. The company had registered a standalone profit after tax (PAT) of INR 134.32 crore. In Q1 FY22, the PAT stood at INR 96.96 crore.

The total income during the quarter under review grew from INR 1,267.64 crore in Q1 FY22 to INR 1,969.04 crore registered in Q1 FY23 this year.

Under the ‘Engineering’ segment, the company registered a revenue of INR 1,244 crore as compared to the revenue of INR 815 crore registered in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal.

In the Metal-Formed Products’ segment, the revenue for the first quarter stood at INR 335 crore while the revenue was INR 245 crore in the same period last year. The ‘Mobility’ division of the firm reported revenues of INR 246 crore during the first quarter of 2022 quarter compared to INR 172 crore gained during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

In Q1 FY23, the total income of TII was INR 1,969.04 crore.

Speaking on the financial performance, Mr. M.A.M Arunachalam, Chairman, Tube Investments of India Ltd., said, “Despite the continuing challenges in supply chain constraints, fuel and commodity prices, the Company has witnessed steady performance during the quarter. Growth was higher in the domestic market in Engineering, Metal Formed Products, and Industrial chains division. Previous year was also affected partially due to Covid. The Company is also making steady progress on the launch of its EV three-wheeler and tractor products. The performance of our subsidiaries CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd and Shanthi Gears Ltd has been very encouraging delivering strong growth and profitability across all segments.”

5, 2022

Tube Investments of India looking for OEM Partnerships

Recently, Tube Investments has commissioned a new tube mill, featuring advanced process technology, in Chennai.

Tube Investments of India Ltd. (TII), a Murugappa Group company, is emphasising upon OEM partnerships as well as building up the distribution channel networks in a bid to increase its presence in the overseas markets. As published in a leading newspaper – the exports business, as a key factor, will determine the company’s growth, in addition to differentiated products and niche applications.

Mr. Vellayan Subbiah, Executive Vice Chairman, TII, informed the shareholders that FY 2021-22 was a good year in terms of exports. Further, this is in tandem with the company’s strategy of increasing the share of exports in each of its businesses.

In the TII’s annual report for 2021-22, Mr. Subbiah remarks, “Exports of tubular products accounted for more than 20 percent of engineering business’s revenue. The industrial chains business saw over 40 percent of revenues through exports. The mobility business, continued to grow in the global market, enhancing its export sales and capitalising on the opportunities in the micro mobility vehicle and fitness space. We have also built the manufacturing capability for an aggressive push in exports of bicycles into new geographies.”

Notably, TII has recently commissioned a new tube mill with advanced process technology in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), a new Greenfield facility for Industrial chains in Tiruttani (Tamil Nadu), expanded the Cold Drawn Welded (CDW) tube plant in Rajpura (Punjab), and the auto chain facility in Aurangabad (Maharashtra).

He also remarked that the engineering business, which is focused on premium tubular products & solutions for automotive and off-highway sectors, has registered an uptick in revenue and profitability across domestic and export markets.

Furthermore, the Chennai-based firm is also increasing its presence in the clean mobility sector. TII has established a 100 percent subsidiary Tl Clean Mobility Pvt. Ltd. (TICMPL) to consolidate and proactively focus on its activities in the segment.

APL Apollo Tubes Sales Surges by 13.3 Percent in Q1 of FY23

APL Apollo is commissioning the largestever plant in New Raipur, which is expected to deliver a significant contribution and improve the sales mix.

July 2, 2022

APL Apollo Tubes Ltd. (APL Apollo) has announced its sales volume performance for the first quarter ending 30 June 2022, i.e. Q1 FY23. The leading manufacturer of structural steel products has attained a sales volume of 422,788 tonne in Q1 FY23 while it was 373,124 tonne in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal – Q3 FY22.

APL Apollo attained a sales volume of 422,788 tonne in Q1 FY23.

Image Source: Tube Investments of India

The quarterly sales volume of APL Apollo decreased during the Q-o-Q as the steel industry experienced

Q4 FY22 after a slump in sales volume performance in Q3 FY22, i.e. 402,729 tonne.

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Slashes Product Prices by About 6.5 Percent for September

From the month of September, the value of hot rolled coils will reduce by USD 58 to USD 838 per tonne and the steel bars’ prices will decrease by USD 34.8, i.e. 4.9 percent, to 97,000 yen per tonne. Notably, the costs of the H-shaped beams will remain the same.

August 24,

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is planning to reduce steel product prices by up to 6.5 percent from September onwards, as an aftermath of the ongoing weakened local market conditions as well as reduced demand from automakers.

The topmost Japanese electric-arc furnace steel maker has maintained the same prices for its entire range of steel products, including the H-shaped beams, for the third consecutive month in August.

However, from September, the value of hot rolled coils will reduce by 8,000 yen (USD 55.7), i.e. 6.5 percent, to 115,000 yen (USD 800.69) per tonne. Besides, the steel bars’ prices, including rebar, will decrease by 5,000 yen

(USD 34.8), i.e. 4.9 percent, to 97,000 yen (USD 675.38) per tonne. Notably, the costs of the H-shaped beams will remain the same.

According to a statement by Tokyo Steel, the international steel markets are witnessing an adjustment period due to a significant slackening in demand, particularly in Europe, whereas prices in China remain weak as restrictions to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, bad weather, and disruptions in supply chains keep on obstructing the demand.

Saudi Steel Pipe Secures USD 25 Million Contract with Tenaris Global

In March this year, Saudi Steel Pipe signed a deal with Tenaris Global Services for the supply of steel pipes for the oil & gas sector.

August 1, 2022

Saudi Steel Pipe Company (SSPC), Saudi Arabia's premier manufacturer of welded steel pipes, has concluded their contract with Uruguay-headquartered Tenaris Global Services. The deal was about supplying oil and gas steel pipes to Tenaris.

The contract, worth Saudi Riyal (SR) 94.7 million (USD 25.19 million), is expected to project a financial impact during the second half of this year, the company stated in a stock exchange (bourse) filing.

It was during March this year that SSPC entered into an agreement with Tenaris Global Services for the provision of steel pipes for the oil & gas sector, which have supposedly been valued at SR 139 million (USD 36.97 million).

In 2019, Tenaris which is a leading supplier of tubes for the energy sector and other applications announced the acquisition of 47.79 percent of the shares in SSPC. Thereby, it rebranded Saudi Steel Pipes Company to TenarisSaudiSteelPipes following the integration of SSPC into the global commercial and industrial network of Tenaris.

Representative Image: Steel Pipes

Image Source: Saudi Steel Pipe Company

Tenaris Takes Over Steel Pipe Producer Benteler

The deal between Tenaris and Benteler is expected to be closed during the fourth quarter of the current year.

Luxembourg-headquartered Tenaris S.A. is going to take over 100 percent of the shares of the US-based steel pipe producer Benteler Steel/Tube, for about USD 460 million.

Benteler Steel/Tube, part of the group company –Benteler North America, has been acquired on a cashfree and debt-free basis. This includes about USD 52 million in working capital. The said take-over emphasises Tenaris’ efforts to escalate its manufacturing capabilities. The company expects that the deal will expand Tenaris’ production capacity and presence in the local manufacturing market of North America.

With a pipe rolling capacity of about 400,000 MTPA, Benteler Steel/Tube also has a production facility in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.

The transaction is dependent upon regulatory board approvals, including the US antitrust authorities,

Benteler Steel/Tube has been acquired on a cash-free and debt-free basis.

Louisiana Economic Development, and other local entities, along with several other customary conditions. The acquisition is expected to be concluded during the fourth quarter of the current year.

Tenaris, the global manufacturer and supplier of steel pipes and related services for the energy industry, has reported enormous growth in profits during its first quarter, with its net sales growing 100 percent year-onyear and its net income increasing by 400 percent.

Borusan Mannesmann Secures Line Pipe Supply Tender in Denmark

The leading Turkish steel pipe producer Borusan Mannesmann has won the line pipe supply tender worth EUR 13.5 million.

July 22, 2022

Turkey-based Borusan Mannesmann, a leading steel pipe manufacturer, has secured an order worth EUR 13.5 million line pipes tender. The tender was organised by Denmark-headquartered Evida Service and Energinet Teknik, as informed by Borusan Mannesmann.

According to the company statement, the line pipes will be utilised in the transportation of biogas to industrial plants located in the islands of Denmark, such as the Lolland and Falster islands.

The pipes, which will be manufactured at Borusan’s plants in Gemlik district (Bursa province), will be shipped and finalised within 2022, the company informed.

Marking the company’s second investment in Europe after Italy as it established Borusan Mannesmann Vobarno Tubi S.p.A. in 2001. Then, in 2014, the company

The pipes would be manufactured at Borusan’s plants in Gemlik district.

expanded its presence in the US market by setting up Borusan Mannesmann Pipe US Inc. to manage the Houston Baytown factory investment in the USA.

With more than six decades’ experience in producing pipes, Borusan Mannesmann manufactures more than 4,000 product varieties globally to meet the needs of the automotive, construction, machinery production, and energy industries.

Saudi Steel Pipe Wins a Deal Worth USD 25.8 Million from Aramco

As per the statement by the Saudi Steel Pipe, the duration of the contract, which is valued at USD 25.80 million, would be for ten months. The steel pipe maker expects the deal to have its financial impact in the first half of 2023.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)-based Saudi Steel Pipe Company (SSPC) has secured a deal worth SAR 97 million (USD 25.80 million) for the supply of oil and gas steel pipes to Aramco. Aramco is one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, providing valuable contributions across the hydrocarbon chain.

The time frame or validity of the contract would be for ten months, as per the statement by SSPC. The steel pipe manufacturer is hoping the transaction will have an impact on its financial performance in the first half of 2023.

Aramco manages KSA’s hydrocarbon reserves base, optimising production, and maximising long-term value. Some of the key downstream activities of Aramco

include refining and petrochemical manufacturing. Other activities include base oils, lubricants, and power generation.

Saudi Steel Pipe Company, now known as TenarisSaudiSteelPipes, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of electric resistance welded (ERW) steel pipes for the fields of energy, industrial, and construction segments. TenarisSaudiSteelPipes offers its customers a wide range of products including Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG), line pipe, API, premium connections and related accessories and services.

Venus Pipes & Tubes Receives BIS Certification

The BIS Approval is for the range of stainless steel seamless and welded tubes and pipes of Gujarat-based Venus Pipes & Tubes. The Company is the ALL INDIA FIRST manufacturer to attain the certification.

September 14, 2022

Venus Pipes & Tubes Ltd. has announced that it has received the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification for the range of stainless steel seamless and welded tubes & pipes – as published in news reports.

The company says that it has been recognised as the ALL INDIA FIRST (AIF) manufacturer to receive the approval for the range and it has received the AIF circular for its Rajkot Branch.

Speaking about the approval, Mr. Arun Kothari, Managing Director, Venus Pipes & Tubes, said, “At Venus, we give utmost priority to quality & consistency with our inhouse quality control team for our products and this

Image Source: Freepik

approval is a testimony for our high-quality products and processes followed for manufacturing of Pipes & Tubes.”

The Gujarat-based manufacturer is a pipes and tubes producer with the sole focus on manufacturing of welded and seamless pipes in a single metal category, i.e., stainless steel (SS).

He further added that “These licenses will give us better opportunity to expand our client base and serve the existing clients better. We are proud of our teammates and their effort towards serving the best quality has yielded results.”

Aramco Abqaiq Plant - Saudi Arabia | Image Source: Aramco

Tube Investments of India Ventures into Electronics Component Segment

Tube Investments has diversified its portfolio with the acquisition of Noidabased Moshine Electronics, which is aligned with its long-term growth plans.

Tube Investments of India Ltd. (TII), a Murugappa Group company, has acquired a 76 percent equity stake in Moshine Electronics Pvt. Ltd. (MEPL), a company manufacturing camera modules for mobile phones. The take-over by the Chennai-based firm marks its entry into the electronics component business.

The acquisition would be through the secondary purchase of shares which are valued at about INR 8.64 crore. MEPL has its manufacturing facility in Noida. This is in line with TII’s long-term growth plans and creating new lines as well as multiple sources of revenue.

“Through our acquisition of Moshine Electronics, we have diversified into the electronics components ecosystem which will enable us to fulfil the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of our country,” said Mr. M A M Arunachalam, Chairman of TII.

The company said in a statement that it has identified electronic products and components as a growth

The acquisition is in line with TII's long-term goals.

sector. India is a major importer of electronic items and parts. Recent policy initiatives from the Government of India offering Production Linked Incentives and Phased Manufacturing Programs are expected to boost indigenisation of this growing segment.

TII had recently expanded into manufacturing electric vehicles. Recently, through its subsidiary TI Clean Mobility (TCM), the group entered into a definitive agreement with electric heavy commercial vehicle company, IPL Tech Electric (IPLT) to acquire a 65 percent stake in that company for INR 246 crore.

Inductotherm Heating & Welding Onboards Adrian Wood to the Board of Directors

Being associated with Inductotherm Group for over 15 years, Mr. Adrian Wood has encompassed a broad knowledge base of all heating & welding applications, besides his experience in building customer relations and negotiating contracts.

July 21, 2022

UK-based Inductotherm Heating & Welding Ltd, part of the Inductotherm Group, has announced the promotion of Mr. Adrian Wood who will now join the Board of Directors with effect from July 1, 2022. As Sales Director, Mr. Wood will be responsible for all revenue streams and in addition, as a Board member, Adrian will contribute to the future director of the organisation.

Mr. Adrian Wood, Sales Director and Board of Directors Mem ber, Inductotherm Heating & Welding Ltd

Having worked for the Inductotherm group for over 15 years, he has built his technical induction heating and welding expertise predominantly dedicated to the Thermatool brand, but now has a broad knowledge of all heating and welding applications, besides his experience in building customer relations and negotiating contracts.

Appointed as the Head of Sales in 2018, then promoted to the Director of Sales in 2020, and the Director of Inductotherm Italy Board of Directors later the same year, Mr. Adrian brings knowledge of developing sales strategies, implementing, and managing new sales activities to generate new growth across several territories.

Mr. Wayne Hine, Managing Director of Inductotherm Heating & Welding Ltd, says, “Adrian’s promotion to Sales Director was to recognise the achievements and

management of sales since 2018, having strengthened the sales team with new appointments and restructuring internal processes that make IHW Sales & Marketing more efficient and proactive to meet customers’ needs across Europe and in all our markets sectors. He now has full P&L responsibility for the Sales, Service and Spares departments.”

He further added, “The subsequent appointment to the Board of Directors in Inductotherm Heating & Welding Ltd provides the platform for Adrian to be part of the strategic decisions and trajectory of the company. First task will be to promote the new service centre’s in Turkey and Europe which are key to our future plans as is continuing new equipment development and increased liaison with customers to ensure our R&D is aligned to industry sector needs.”

Italy-Based Tube Producer Profiltubi Orders Thermatool’s HF Welding Solution

Italy-based Profiltubi in Reggiolo and its subsidiary Officine Metallurgiche Ventura S.p.A. (OMV) have purchased five Thermatool Solid State HF Welders. The new equipment will replace the current welder technology with the latest high-efficiency technology which ensures maximum productivity.

The Thermatool welders have the latest Thermaview operator HMI systems, allowing the display of realtime data, and integrated interactive information, including Industry 4.0 communication capability for data exchanges with customers’ SCADA systems. The investment will further drive the company’s high-quality expectations using the latest technologies for highquality production of tubes and pipes.

Thermatool’s “Proven Performance and Process Control” uses patented technologies and continues as the HF welding technology pacesetter. With experience in a wide range of broad applications and a global network of service technicians including from their offices in Turin, Italy, Thermatool is the industry leader in providing Solid State HF Welders, Induction Heaters, and High-Speed Flying Shears. The Company serves their customers with the highest Return on Investment (ROI), which is

why Profiltubi has selected “Thermatool” for the current order.

The Profiltubi group, located in, where its production plant occupies a site of more than 130,000 sq m with buildings of more than 55,000 sq m. The Company has been operating in the steel industry for 50 years and is specialized in the manufacture of electro-welded carbon steel tubes in a wide range of shapes and sizes to meet customers’ demands.

OMV’s mantra is “Continuous innovation.” Today, OMV is a company of around 60 employees with a simple idea: to continue to produce tubes and remain the reliable choice of reference for the industry of the future.

Based on the principle of “Proven Performance and Process Control”, Thermatool uses patented technologies and has an experience in a wide range of broad applications.

Thermatool & Inductotherm Heating & Welding Team at Tube 2022

MAN Industries Announces Q1 FY23 Results, Income Surges by 23.8 Percent

MAN Industries says that there is a robust book of bids totalling more than INR 17,000 crore in various stages of evaluation for various oil, gas, and water projects in both the domestic and global markets.

MAN Industries (India) Ltd., the flagship company of MAN Group and one of the leading large diameter pipe manufacturing companies, has announced its financial results for the quarter that ended June 30, 2022, i.e. Q1 FY23.

In the first quarter of the current FY, the Mumbaibased firm registered a standalone total income of INR 507.9 crore in Q1FY23, compared to INR 410.30 crore in Q1FY22. Thus, the total income grew by 23.80 percent y-o-y. On a consolidated basis, total income jumped 27.5 percent y-o-y to INR 523 crore.

The EBITDA for the quarter stood at INR 35.20 crore while it was INR 45 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. Further, the company reported the standalone PAT at INR 10.50 crore in Q1FY23, as

against INR 19.30 crore in Q1FY22. The consolidated PAT for the quarter under review was INR 9.80 crore.

The unexecuted order book or backlog of orders currently stands at approximately INR 1,000 crore, which is expected to be executed in the next five-six months. As per the company’s interaction with the media, there is a robust book of bids totalling more than INR 17,000 crore in various stages of evaluation for various oil, gas, and water projects in both the domestic and global markets.

Salzgitter Places Large Order with Primetals

Technologies for Electric Arc Furnace

The newly ordered Electric Arc Furnace Ultimate is designed to produce 1.9 million tonne per annum (TPA) of steel. The order is an important step in Salzgitter’s investment towards the longterm aim of green steel production.

August 26, 2022

Germany-based steel producer Salzgitter AG has signed an agreement with the UK-based Primetals Technologies Ltd for an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Ultimate. With a tapping weight of 220 tonne, the furnace will have a production capacity of 1.9 million tonne per annum (TPA) of steel. It will be implemented at the steel plant in Salzgitter, Germany. The startup is scheduled for the end of 2025.

Salzgitter is investing in the world’s leading and largescale transformation program in the steel sector. Within

the Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking (SALCOS) project, the producer aims to convert the existing integrated steel plant to green steel production in three stages by 2033. As part of the transformation, two direct reduction plants and three electric furnaces will be built, which

Image Source: MAN Group

Representatives from Salzgitter and Primetals Technologies at the contract signing ceremony. | Image Source: Primetals Technologies

will then successively replace the existing blast furnaces and converters. This order for one EAF with Primetals Technologies marks the first step in this process.

“It underscores our ambition to remain a leader in the decarbonisation of the steel industry and to set up the Salzgitter site for the future on a lasting basis. With Primetals Technologies, we have a strong partner on our side – true to our strategy of moving toward a sustainable industry,” said Mr. Ulrich Grethe, Head of Steel Production, Salzgitter.

There are numerous reasons which motivated Salzgitter to select Primetals Technologies as the supplier. A sound reference base with several recent successful EAF projects, low consumption figures of the technologies involved, and competence in project management were three main factors. The scope of the order includes engineering, supply, and construction.

“Primetals Technologies is pleased to support Salzgitter AG's decarbonization projects with the installation of a highly efficient EAF. With our Green Steel technology, we enable low CO2 steel production,” said Mr. Aashish

Gupta, Executive Vice President and Head of Upstream, Primetals Technologies.

EAF Ultimate is a part of Primetals Technologies’ new generation of electric steelmaking equipment. It is characterised by short tap-to-tap times, fully automated operation, and advanced control systems. The Salzgitter EAF features dust removal systems, a heat recovery system, a water management system, electrical compensation for grid stabilisation, and material handling for alloying materials and additives. It will also include Level 1 and 2 automation and the LiquiRob robot system.

The SALCOS project will replace a coking-coal-based steelmaking process with a new hydrogen-based route. This is expected to save around 95 percent of the annual CO2 emissions of around 8 million tonne. One of Germany's leading steel and technology groups, Salzgitter has an annual capacity of 7 million tons of crude steel. The group employs 25,000 people worldwide in 150 national and international subsidiaries and associated companies.

Inductotherm Heating & Welding Attains Triple BSI – ISO Certification

Before, Inductotherm was accredited with the ISO 9001 certification while it now has the ISO 14001 certification which is significant for health & safety and the ISO 45001 certification which recognises environmental concerns.

June

2022

Inductotherm

Heating & Welding Ltd. has announced its accreditation by the British Standards Institute (BSI) with ISO 45001- Health & Safety and ISO 14001Environmental certifications. The UK-based firm already had the ISO 9001- Quality certificate.

As stated in an official release by the Company, the Inductotherm Heating & Welding team works diligently to assess and implement new working practices so as to raise standards on a continual basis. The Company commends the contribution of Mr. Martyn Tucker, H&S Officer; Mr. Paul Carr, Production Manager, and Mr. Alan Mosdell, IMS Manager.

The ‘Quality ISO 9001’ certification highlights the commitment of the company to keep providing products and services that meet or exceed the customers’ requirements and expectations.

Occupational Health & Safety ‘ISO 45001’ accreditation emphasises the due regard given to occupational health

Image Source: I nductotherm Heating & Welding Ltd.

and safety as an essential part of the responsibilities and commitment to eliminating hazards and reducing OH&S risks. The promotion of safety and health matters is recognised as a mutual duty and objective of all management and employees.

Furthermore, the Environment ‘ISO 14001’ certification implies that Inductotherm Heating & Welding recognises that there is an impact on the environment from its activities, particularly through the use of natural resources and the generation of wastes as well as the direct and indirect carbon emissions. The certification recognises that the induction technology of the Company upgrades many polluting heating and welding methods such as gas. This commitment has already seen Inductotherm Heating & Welding switch all its companies energy use to renewables.

US Cold Drawn Seamless Steel Pipes Market Report 2022 by Research and Markets

Increased offshore spending and new oilfield discoveries are expected to create significant growth opportunities for the players operating in this market, as per the market research and analysis by Research and Markets.

Research and Markets has released a new market research report, titled, “U.S. Cold Drawn Seamless Steel Pipes Market By Standard (ASTM A179, ASTM A106, ASTM A511/A511M, ASTM A213), Product Type (MS Seamless Steel Pipes), Production Process, Application, and End-use Industry - Forecasts to 2029”.

As per the study by the market intelligence agency, the US cold drawn seamless steel pipes market is projected to reach USD 994.3 million by 2029, i.e. with a CAGR of 7.7 percent during the forecast period 2022-2029. The growth is attributed to the increasing demand for seamless pipes in the oil & gas sector. Meanwhile, the uncertain raw material prices and slackened demand in saturated markets are expected to curb the growth of the cold drawn seamless steel pipes market in the USA.

Increased offshore spending and new oilfield discoveries are expected to create significant growth opportunities for the players operating in this market. But trade protectionism and the introduction of new substitutes pose challenges to the growth of the market.

The market is segmented into ASTM A179, ASTM A106, ASTM A511/A511M, ASTM A213, ASTM A192, ASTM A209, ASTM A210, ASTM A333, ASTM A335, ASTM A53, and other standards. In 2022, the ASTM A335 segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the U.S. cold drawn seamless steel pipes market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increasing need for seamless ferritic alloy steel pipes for high-temperature services. However, the ASTM A213 segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Based on product type, the market is segmented into MS seamless steel pipes, hydraulic MS seamless pipes, ERW square & rectangular hollow section pipes, and honed tubes.

In 2022, the MS seamless steel pipes segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the U.S. cold drawn seamless steel pipes market. This segment is also slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high growth of this segment is

Image Source: Research and Markets

attributed to its increasing use in the construction industry due to its high strength and pressure-bearing capability, growing use in the manufacture of structural parts & mechanical parts, including oil drill pipes, automobile transmission shafts, bicycle frames, and steel scaffolding.

Based on the production process, the market is segmented into cross-roll piercing & pilger rolling, multi-stand plug mill, and continuous mandrel rolling. As per application, the market is classified into precision instrumentation, boiler tubes, heat exchanger tubes, hydraulic applications, fluid transfer lines, rifled tubes, bearing pipes, mining applications, automotive applications, and general engineering applications.

In 2022, the boiler tubes segment is estimated to account for the largest share and is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is due to the increasing need for boiler tubes in steam boilers, fossil fuel plants, industrial processing plants, and electric power plants. Also, the growing demand from end-use industries boosts the growth of this segment. Based on the end-use industry, the cold drawn seamless steel pipes market is segmented into oil & gas, infrastructure & construction, power generation, automotive, and other end-use industries.

Also, the oil & gas segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the U.S. cold drawn seamless steel pipes market in 2022, as per the market report. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increasing government initiatives and investments and the rising need for upstream operations, including onshore & offshore drilling, general plumbing applications, and midstream operations in the oil & gas industry. Also, the power generation segment would register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

ONGC Earmarks the Investment of INR 31,000 Crore for Oil & Gas

ONGC also mentioned that it is planning to leverage international collaborations with reputed global majors for the same, for which talks are already in an advanced stage.

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) India is planning to invest INR 31,000 crore in the upcoming three years. The infused funds will be deployed in exploring the Indian sedimentary basin for fuel reserves. It will pave the way for increasing the nation’s production in the energy sector and becoming self-reliant. In a statement, ONGC informed that its board held a meeting to strengthen its ‘Future Exploration Strategy’.

“The company has drawn up a comprehensive roadmap to further intensify its exploration campaign, allocating a capital expenditure of about INR 31,000 crore in the next three fiscal years during FY 2022-25. This is 150 percent of its exploration expenditure of INR 20,670 crore in the last three fiscals during FY 2019-22,” according to the statement.

Moreover, ONGC India is also looking forward to international collaborations with well-known global major firms for exploration-related activities.

As per statistics, it is found that India is dependent by over 80 percent on imports to fulfill the oil demand.

Assessing avenues for increasing domestic production of oil & gas would provide a significant solution and guard the domestic market against volatility in energy prices in the international markets.

“This exploration intensification includes activities funded through ONGC's internal program as well as funded and facilitated by the government,” the statement said.

In the internal program of ONGC, which constitutes –the re-exploration of mature basins, consolidation of emerging basins, and probing of emerging & new basins, ONGC is trying to strive for about 1,700 million tonne of oil and oil equivalent gas (MMTOE) of yet-to-find (YTF) reserves during the three fiscal years.

GAIL’s Board Approves to Raise INR 25,000 crore Debt Ahead of Expansion

GAIL currently manages about 14,488 km of natural gas pipeline network and possesses 75 percent of the market share in the transmission of natural gas in India.

August

2022

GAIL India Ltd., a PSU undertaking, has announced that its board has approved the raising of INR 25000 crore, via the issue of secured and/or unsecured nonconvertible debentures and bonds.

The move to raise capital is based on the governmentowned enterprise’s plans to enter into the chemicals and green energy segment and expand its current

Image Source: ONGC India

Image Source: GAIL India

business of natural gas transmission. In a stock exchange filing, GAIL India said that the Board of Directors, in its meeting, approved borrowing funds besides the already borrowed funds up to around INR 25000 crore in one or more tranches.

Presently, GAIL owns and operates about 14,488 km of the natural gas pipeline network with approx 75 percent of the market share in the transmission of natural gas

within the country, connecting multiple gas sources to various customers.

Aligned with the central government's ‘National Hydrogen Energy Mission’, GAIL is establishing a green hydrogen production facility with a capacity of 4.3 tonnes per day (TPD) in Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh. The facility will generate green hydrogen using the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) technology, which is based on the electrolysis of water.

Cairn Oil & Gas’s Mangala Oil Field Celebrates 13th Year-Anniversary

Image Source: Cairn Oil & Gas

Cairn Oil & Gas, which has three oil fields in Rajasthan (Mangala, Bhagyam, and Aishwariya), is intending to double its production capacities and further increase its contribution to India’s oil & gas sector.

Cairn Oil & Gas, India's largest private sector crude oil producer and a unit of Vedanta Group, has reached a significant milestone as it has completed thirteen glorious years marked with successful operations from its Mangala oil field in Barmer, Rajasthan. The discovery of the oil field in 2004 was marked as India's largest onshore discovery in this period of over two decades.

Since its discovery of the first oil, the Mangala oil field has generated more than 497 mmbbls (one thousand and one million barrels) as of August 2022.

Mr. Prachur Sah, Deputy CEO, Cairn Oil & Gas, remarked, “We are happy to announce that Mangala oilfield has completed its 13th year of production. The field has been instrumental in supporting India's domestic crude oil production and we are confident that the field will remain relevant in the coming years as India charts its

path towards energy ‘aatmanirbharta’. The field has been home to some of the finest global partnerships that have propelled innovation in technologies of oil and gas exploration and production.”

Mr. Shah also added that Cairn is aiming to reach double the current production capabilities and contribute 50 percent to India's domestic crude production.

Presently, Cairn Oil & Gas is a proud contributor to India's domestic crude oil sector, with about 25 percent and with its oil fields in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. A lion’s share of this production is generated from Cairn's Rajasthan oil fields’ block which includes Mangala, Bhagyam, and Aishwariya. The net production from the block has surpassed 660 mmboe (million barrels per day). Moreover, the Mangala field and Rajasthan block will be in the driver’s seat, leading the nation towards selfreliance.

Gas Pipeline Deal Between L&T and Kuwait Oil Company Gets Extension

The gas pipeline project is valued to be about USD 450 million. The period of the agreement between Kuwait Oil Company and Larsen & Toubro would be extended for nearly 240 days, up until 26 December 2022.

September 1, 2022

Kuwait has decided to increase the duration of its agreement with India’s engineering major Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T). The contract, which was for constructing a gas pipeline spanning 145 km, is worth about USD 450 million, as published in a news daily of Kuwait. Located on the Arabian Peninsula bordering Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Kuwait is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), a subsidiary of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and a government-owned holding company, is responsible for managing the Gulf emirate’s upstream sector.

KOC received approval from the Central Agency for Public Tenders (CAPT) to renew its contract for about

The contract with L&T has been renewed for about 240 days.

240 days until 26 December 2022, a leading Arab daily reported. This will enable L&T to complete the project.

It was more than three years ago, i.e. in April 2019 when KOC had selected and awarded L&T for the gas pipeline project and its associated facilities to supply the AlAhmadi refinery from the border gas fields in North Kuwait.

Parliamentary Standing Committee Suggests Project Monitoring Mechanisms for Gas Pipeline Projects

In the report by the Standing Committee, it was noted the ministry has been advised to prepare a roadmap regarding enhancing the supply and domestic production of natural gas through unconventional hydrocarbons.

August 11, 2022

The parliamentary standing committee on petroleum and natural gas has appealed to the central government regarding the creation of a pertinent project monitoring mechanism for oil & gas pipeline-related projects. The involvement of the monitoring mechanisms and the relevant stakeholders will enable the completion of the gas pipeline infrastructure within the stipulated time. It would be quite beneficial for time-bound projects.

The parliamentary panel, which was headed by Lok Sabha member Mr. Ramesh Bidhuri, in its 15th report,

Image Source: Freepik

has suggested the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas an effective mechanism to resolve bottlenecks and challenges in the pipelines. Moreover, with appropriate software, the key stakeholders can contribute to the development of a single platform to provide approvals for the development of city gas distribution and pipeline infrastructure.

In the report, it was also stated that the standing committee would appreciate the cooperation of the Union Ministry with the agencies to evolve the single window mechanism as soon as it is possible.

The committee also asserted that while pipelines are being laid across the country under the National Gas Grid project for the transmission of gas, India currently has about 20,227 km of operational pipelines. Now, about 15,500 km of pipelines are expected to be added by 2024-25.

Moreover, the standing committee appreciates the expansion of the pipeline infrastructure. However, they expressed concerns about the delaying of the pipelines

such as the Haldia-Jagdishpur Pipeline, Kochi-KoottanadBengaluru-Mangaluru Pipeline, and Angul-Srikakulam Pipeline.

“The ministry should evolve a project monitoring mechanism in which all the stakeholders may be brought under one group so that the project can be monitored and implemented in a time-bound manner and also interventions at the right time can be made. The committee may be apprised of the action taken in this regard,” the report said.

In the report, it was also noted that the panel had already suggested the ministry prepare a roadmap for the way forward regarding enhancing the supply and domestic production of natural gas through unconventional hydrocarbons, expediting production activities in awarded blocks along with fiscal/monetary incentives, and so on. The union ministry, in its response to the said suggestions, has listed the measures taken to increase domestic crude oil & gas production.

Indian Oil Corporation to Begin Trial of Asanur Terminal in Kallakuruchi, Tamil Nadu

Indian Oil laid the groundwork for the INR 470-crore project in November 2020, in a bid to ease the stress on the other terminals. The Greenfield terminal would supply fuel to Villupuram, Cuddalore, Perambalur, and Puducherry.

August 25, 2022

The trial run of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.’s (IOCL) Asanur terminal is all set to begin in a month – as published in a leading newspaper. About the testing of the terminal, Mr. V.C. Asokan, Executive Director, IOCL, says that the transmission of petroleum products for the trial will begin as they expect to attain the remaining approvals soon. This is likely to be commissioned by the end of the year.

The INR 470-crore project, which was launched in November 2020, would relieve the pressure on the IOCL’s other terminals. The new terminal would supply fuel to Villupuram, Cuddalore, Perambalur, and Puducherry, according to Mr. Asokan.

The pipeline, spanning 700 m, originating from the existing pumping station has been laid to the Greenfield

About 75 acres of land was acquired for the Asanur terminal.

terminal. Also, at the terminal, a shed with eight bays with truck loading and blending facilities and a vapour recovery system has been built for the handling and storage of finished petroleum products.

A total of 75 acres of land belonging to Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd. (SIDCO) was acquired for this terminal. This project is a chunk of the INR 7,900 crore investment which was planned for Tamil Nadu.

Start of a New Gas Pipeline Connecting Poland & Slovakia

The new gas pipeline, which is an interconnection between Poland and Slovakia, is spread over 164 km and is a part of the North-South Gas Corridor.

Two neighbouring nations – Poland and Slovakia, both part of the European Union (EU) – are now connected with a new gas pipeline. This provides leverage to Warsaw (Poland) to import 5.7 billion cubic m (bcm) of natural gas and provides Bratislava (Slovakia) with access to 4.7 bcm each year. The testing of the new pipeline was concluded at the end of May on the Polish side of the border.

The new gas pipeline, spanning 164-km, is part of the North-South Gas Corridor, connecting the gas terminal in Poland's Swinoujscie Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal and the Baltic Pipe (a natural gas pipeline), to natural gas infrastructures in the south-eastern Poland as well as central-eastern and south-eastern Europe, as published in news reports.

“The Poland-Slovakia gas connection is an important element of the North-South Gas Corridor and is one of the key energy investments in the region,” said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki during the inauguration ceremony of the new pipeline.

Gas Pipeline

Prime Minister of Slovakia Eduard Heger asserted that this brings Slovakia a step closer to secure gas supplies and energy diversification by procuring LNG from Norway.

The new pipeline interconnection is managed by two firms – Poland-based Gaz-System and Slovakia-located EUSTREAM, which secured EUR 33 million from the EU budget through the Connecting Europe Facility initiative.

Nepal Looks Forward to India’s Help to Build Petroleum Pipelines

As the Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline gets completed, Nepal intends to sign a G2G agreement with India for two more petroleum pipeline projects and has forwarded proposals to the Indian government for the same.

Nepal has sought India's technical support and grant assistance for the construction of two more petroleum pipeline projects under the government-togovernment (G2G) agreement – as published on a leading news agency.

The petroleum pipeline, spanning 69 km, laid between Motihari in Bihar and Amlekhgunj in Nepal's Bara district constructed with India's assistance is already in

72 | DEMAND DRIVERS TUBE & PIPE INDIA • OCT - NOV 2022 www.tubepipeindia.com September 5, 2022

Representative imege of pipeline

operation. Being launched on September 10, 2019, the pipeline is being used for supplying diesel from Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) to Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) Ltd.

Once the Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline is completed, the Nepal government seeks to enter into a G2G agreement with India to construct two more petroleum pipeline projects and has forwarded proposals to the Indian government in this connection, as per the report.

Among the proposals, one is for a 52-km pipeline from Siliguri in West Bengal to Jhapa in Nepal and another 69-km pipeline connecting Amlekhgunj to Lothar in Chitawan district, both within Nepal, as an extension of Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline, said Ms. Urmila K C, Under Secretary at Nepal's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Supplies. The cost for construction of the Siliguri-Jhapa pipeline project is estimated to be INR 288 crore and the Amlekhgunj-Chitawan pipeline is expected to cost INR 128 crore.

“We are waiting for India's approval for signing the MoUs for the construction of the two pipeline projects, she said, adding that detailed surveys of both the projects have already been completed by a joint technical team from Nepal and India,” she said.

The proposal also includes the construction of a 40,000 kilolitre (KL) storage tank in Jhapa and a 1,00,000 KL capacity storage tank in Chitawan with India's assistance, she said. The Nepal government has also proposed the construction of two storage tanks with a capacity of 41,000 KL each, in Amlekhgunj. Out of this, one is to be constructed with India’s assistance and the other by the Nepal government itself.

After the completion of these pipelines, fuel for aircraft and other petroleum products will be effectively supplied to Nepal, and it would substantially reduce fuel transport costs.

Tullow Oil Reaches Out to ONGC Videsh, IOCL for a Kenyan project

August 1, 2022

London-headquartered Tullow Oil has reached out to India's major PSU in the oil & gas sector – ONGC Videsh Ltd. in Nairobi. The discussions between the two firms are about the London-based firm’s scouting for strategic investment for its onshore oil project in Kenya.

A senior official at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining, Government of Kenya tweeted that the ministry officials had met the Indian High Commissioner to Kenya along with representatives of ONGC Videsh, the overseas investment arm of ONGC India, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., respectively.

“The meeting was positive and the parties agreed to hold further discussions in the coming weeks,” said the tweet by Tullow Oil regarding the aforementioned meeting. They also mentioned that the talks had been hosted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining.

Previously in July, the firm had expressed its optimism that it could make significant progress to find an investor for its onshore oil project in Kenya during the second half of the year.

Tullow Oil is an independent oil and gas exploration and production firm, focussed on Africa and South America. The Company has interests in over 30 exploration and production licences across eight countries around the world.

Tullow Oil is optimistic about finding an investor for the onshore oil project in Kenya during the second half of this year.

Image Source: Tullow Oil

North East Gas Grid Project Makes Significant Progress

A gas pipeline from Barauni to Guwahati will connect the North East Gas Grid to the National Gas Grid. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board authorised the work of the 1,656-km NE Natural Gas Pipeline Grid to Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd.

The North East Gas Grid (NEGG) Project has achieved the completion of a 50.17 percent target incurring an expenditure of INR 2236.97 crore. This includes Viability Gas Funding (VGF) of INR 1,030-crore. As published in a leading newspaper – the scheduled completion target of the project is March 2024.

As per the annual report from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, a trunk gas pipeline from Barauni to Guwahati will connect NE Gas Grid to the National Gas Grid. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorised the work of the 1,656-km-long NE Natural Gas Pipeline Grid to Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd. Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd. (IGGL) is a joint venture company of IOCL, ONGC, GAIL, OIL, and NRL.

The government established IGGL on August 10, 2018, towards implementing the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for Northeast India, released by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2016. Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 envisages Northeast economic development by leveraging its hydrocarbon potential, enhancing access to clean fuel and accelerating growth.

The Ministry took up the NEGG project connecting all the northeastern states to the National Gas Grid through the Barauni-Guwahati natural gas pipeline as a part of the “Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga” Scheme.

The NEGG Project runs through: twelve districts of Assam, one district of Arunachal Pradesh, two districts of Manipur, four districts of Meghalaya, two districts of Mizoram, two districts of Nagaland, two districts of Sikkim, seven districts of Tripura, and two districts of West Bengal.

In addition, the PNGRB has authorised seven geographical areas for the city gas distribution (CGD) network in Assam. Till May 2022, the authorised CGD entities have laid a 7,721-inch km steel pipeline and 11,757-inch km of medium density polyethylene pipe (MDPE) pipeline in their geographical areas for PNG connections and establishing CNG stations.

The project is being implemented in three phases:

Phase-I: Sections with plain agricultural terrain and no EC requirement (Guwahati, Numaligarh, Itanagar, Dergaon / Jorhat, Dimapur)

Phase-II: Section in hilly terrain and having requirement of EC (Shillong, Silchar, Panisagar, Banaskandi, Agartala, Aizawl)

Phase-III: Sections in hilly terrain, the requirement of EC and feasibility of laying pipeline linked to highway width widening (Dimapur, Kohima, Imphal)

Image Source: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas

TCR Engineering Spearheading 84 Gas Pipeline Testing Projects in the Country

The projects which are executed by TCR Engineering include the CGD and slurry gas pipeline projects of leading oil & gas, construction, infrastructure, and steel companies.

Maharashtra-based TCR Engineering Services is executing 84 gas pipeline testing projects across the country – as per a leading news agency. The business activities of the company include the quality testing of components used in various applications related to industries such as steel, automobile, chemical processing, defence, electronics, nuclear power, and capital goods, amongst others.

“We are currently undertaking Non-Destructive Test (NDT) and inspection activity on gas infrastructure pipeline projects at over 84 sites across India. Our role includes testing or inspection of the pipelines and giving them certification,” says Mr. Rohit Bafna, Global President, TCR Engineering.

The projects, being implemented by TCR Engineering, include the City Gas Distribution (CGD) and slurry gas pipeline projects of leading oil & gas, construction, infrastructure, and steel companies, Mr. Bafna said.

TCR Engineering undertakes quality assurance checks of pipelines.

TCR Engineering is responsible for several quality assurance checks of these pipelines during the construction stage. The Company undertakes radiography testing and NDT testing on cross-country projects such as Paradip-Somnathpur-Haldia Pipeline, Paradip-Haldia-Durgapur LPG Pipeline, KoyaliAhmednagar-Solapur Pipeline, and various other CGDs.

“TCR has been approved by IOCL to work in multiple spreads of the prestigious Kandla-Gorakhpur LPG pipeline, which is expected to be world's longest LPG pipeline,” Mr. Bafna said, sharing details of a few projects his company is executing.

Steadfast Oil Supply Assured for Northern Region as India-Bangladesh Pipeline Nears Completion

The trans-national oil pipeline between India and Bangladesh is expected to deliver the capacity of one million tonne of fuel per year. The 131 km pipeline making its way through Siliguri, West Bengal to Parbatipur, Dinajpur is slated to be operational by December 2022.

August 28, 2022

Dhaka, Bangladesh-headquartered Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the public sector enterprise, asserts that the northern districts of the country suffer face a frequent issue of shortage of fuel since transporting the fuel from Chattogram port to Dinajpur, Rajshahi and Rangpur takes up a significant

Image Source: My Gov India Twitter Page

amount of time. This is purely due to the time issue and not because of the shortage of fuel, says BPC.

A transnational oil pipeline between the two neighbouring nations India and Bangladesh will mitigate these challenges. Known as the IndiaBangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project (IBFPP), it would ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel to 16 districts of the Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions in an expeditious and cost-effective manner.

Mr. Khalid Ahmed, Director (operation and planning) of BPC, told a leading newspaper that the work to lay down the pipeline is about to be complete. The

transmission of oil from India would start by December this year.

The pipeline, spanning 131.57 km, would link Siliguri (West Bengal) in India to Parbatipur (Dinajpur) in Bangladesh. The total construction cost amounting BDT (Bangladeshi Taka) 520 crore (~INR 441.23 crore), the Indian government is providing BDT 303 crore (~INR 257.10 crore) and the BPC is providing the remaining BDT 217 crore (~INR 184.13 crore).

From the total area of the pipeline, 126.50 km is positioned in Bangladesh while 5.07 km comes from India. About 125 km of pipeline under the IBFPP has been installed already, as of April 30, 2022.

Guwahati Refinery Celebrates its 60th Anniversary

The celebratory event was graced with the presence of the Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.

Guwahati Refinery, the first-ever public sector refinery of India and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.’s first refinery, celebrated its 60th year-anniversary on August 3, 2022. Since 1962, the refinery has been relentlessly serving the nation and provides LPG, motor spirit (petrol), aviation turbine fuel (ATF), kerosene, high-speed diesel, light diesel oil, and raw petroleum coke.

In celebration of the milestone, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri attended a special event celebrating the remarkable achievements of India’s oil and gas sector.

Commemorating the occasion, the minister released two coffee table books and postal stamps along with the Minister of State Rameswar Teli. Minister Hardeep Singh Puri remarked that the bouquet of hi-tech refineries that took birth 60 years ago in Guwahati has blossomed into 10 state-of-the-art refineries.

During the celebration, he further added to his statement that it is an occasion to remember and salute the

pioneers who have dedicated their lives and inspired us to emerge successful in the path of industrialisation. The Guwahati Refinery provides various petroleum products across the region of Northeastern India as well as beyond, up to Siliguri through the Guwahati-Siliguri Pipeline spanning 435 km. It became the first pipeline of Indian Oil and was commissioned in 1964.

Representative Image: Oil Refinery

Huntingdon Fusion Techniques Upgrades PurgEye® 100

The new IP65-approved PurgEye® 100 now comes in a metal housing instead of plastic. It features leak-tight push buttons, auto calibration features, vacuum-sealed leak-tight probe assembly, and a wrist/neck strap.

23,

UK-based

Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT® has introduced an upgradation in the PurgEye® 100 range and added new features that place this monitor at the forefront of Weld Purge Monitoring.

Fundamentally, weld purging means the absence of oxygen and it is significant for welders to be aware of when it is safe to begin welding to enable protection from oxidation. This state-of-the-art Weld Purge Monitor® accurately reads down to 100 ppm, suitable for welding stainless steel.

About the upgradation in the product, Mr. Luke Keane, Technical Sales Manager, Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT®, informs, “We are very excited to be launching our new PurgEye® 100. Guesswork is eliminated with the monitor and welders can know exactly what the oxygen content is before, during and after welding.”

PurgEye® 100, which can be hand-held, is now equipped with a metal housing which used to be a plastic one. The readings on the device can be from atmospheric oxygen level (20.94 percent) right down to 100 ppm (0.01 percent) of oxygen.

It is IP65-approved and has leak-tight push buttons, auto calibration features, a vacuum-sealed leak-tight probe assembly, and a wrist/neck strap. Featuring a clear LCD screen display, the PurgEye® 100 device also shows the low battery icon as well as the low sensor icon when it is so. Moreover, if the monitor is not in operation, an automatic sleep mode gets turned on to preserve the battery.

SIKORA CENTERWAVE 6000/1200 for Process

Optimisation and Quality Control of Plastic Pipes

The SIKORA CENTERWAVE 6000 series is based on an innovative measuring principle of millimeter wave technology. It offers automatic control of the extrusion lines producing pipes.

July 30, 2022

SIKORA has added an upgrade in CENTERWAVE 6000, which measures the wall thickness, inner profile, diameter, and ovality of plastic pipes. The new model specifically covers diameter ranges from 250 to 1,200 mm [10 to 48”], thus meeting the requirements of large pipe manufacturers.

The compact design of CENTERWAVE 6000/1200 makes it easy for the pipe makers to integrate into production and is especially suitable for extrusion lines producing

CENTERWAVE 6000 | Image Source: SIKORA

pipe diameters of up to 1,000 and 1,200 mm [39.4 and 48”]. In-line, the system supports immediate centering and reliable quality control. For the American market,

Image Source: Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT®

the new model also covers the common 48” IPS and DIPS standards.

Small pipes from 60 mm [2.3”] as well as large pipes up to 3,200 mm [126.0”] diameter – the CENTERWAVE 6000 device series are characterised by their innovative measuring principle based on the millimeter wave technology. The operator immediately receives continuous and precise measured values – without presetting the product parameters and without any calibration.

The device is equipped with a transceiver that rotates permanently. Due to the rotation speed and the line speed running parallel to it, the measurement takes place in the form of a helix structure in the direction

of production, ensuring 100 percent coverage. In this way, the wall thickness, diameter and inner profile are recorded without gaps both over the entire circumference and in the longitudinal direction of the pipe, and min. and max. values are reliably determined.

With each rotation, the measuring spot overlaps. Thus, the inner contour of the pipe is precisely mapped and abnormalities such as sagging are immediately detected so that countermeasures can be initiated. Besides measuring all relevant parameters, the CENTERWAVE 6000 also offers automatic control of the extrusion line taking into account the standard deviation. This avoids over-consumption and achieves a higher degree of automation of existing plants, enabling an amortisation of significantly less than one year.

Graebener Pipe Bending Press or Pipes and HalfShells up to 75 mm Wall Thickness

Graebener has a rich legacy of building customised machines for use in pipe mills. The new pipe bending press is used for bending open seam pipes and half-shells in a step bending process.

May 1, 2022

Germany-based Graebener Maschinentechnik GmbH & Co. KG is the top choice for a leading global manufacturer of longitudinally welded large-diameter pipes. With the new Graebener® Pipe Bending Press, the global player optimises its production processes and is able to manufacture an enormous range of the most diverse special pipes with a wide range of dimensions and extreme diameter-to-wall thickness ratios.

The machine manufacturer has been building customised machines for use in pipe mills for decades. The recently developed pipe bending press is used for bending open seam pipes and half-shells in a step bending process. The special feature of this custombuilt machine is its enormous flexibility, as it can be used to produce tubes of the most varied dimensions: with outside diameters from 12" to 48" (up to 100" for half-shells), wall thicknesses from 12 to 75 mm, and lengths between 6 and 13.2 m.

Notably, the unique feature of the pipe bending press is that it can be utilised to produce tubes with very small diameters and high wall thicknesses. Materials with high yield strengths, such as X80, X90, and X100, can be processed seamlessly. For such an enormous production spectrum, large-diameter pipe manufacturer, several lines are normally needed.

Another plus point is the enlarged stroke of the bending sword as well as its stable lateral guidance. The enlarged stroke ensures that the sword can be completely pulled out of the tube after completion of the bending process. This means that the remaining gap in the tube can be closed directly in the machine with the aid of the sword itself. The stable lateral guidance makes this process possible even for small, thick-walled tubes. Thus, an additional pipe closing press is thus no longer necessary. With the Graebener® Pipe Bending Press, investment volumes can be reduced and production cycles can be shortened.

The bending press has a press force of 70,000 kN, which is achieved by six controlled hydraulic cylinders on the bending sword. Thanks to a special force distribution and control system, even the small, thick-walled tubes can be produced. For six-meter-long tubes, for example, the press achieves a press force of an exceptional 52,000 kN.

Image Source: Graebener

If tube diameters of up to 100" are to be produced, the press can be used to bend half-shells which are later assembled into a tube. A specially developed handling system ensures the automated removal of the half-shells after the bending process. Simultaneously, all process parameters are stored with help of the Graebener® BendPro automation system, so that the settings and travel range for recurring products can be recalled at any time.

All Graebener® bending presses are designed in such a way that the various tube sizes in the standard dimension range can be produced flexibly and without changeover. The changeover time for dimensiondependent tools is eliminated and thus contributes to increasing the efficiency of the bending process.

NS Máquinas: Automated Tube Finishing for Increased Productivity for Large Diameters

The ML product line, which includes MLW200 3Z, has machines for a wide range of diameters even as small as 5 mm and can go up to 310 mm.

June 5, 2022

The MLW200 3Z wet tube finishing machine is one of NS Máquinas’ most recent developments for automated surface finishing on long and large-diameter tubes. This machine can handle tubes from diameters of 20 mm up to 205 mm.

It features the ML Planetary System, which is there in all NS Máquinas ML models, and it means there is no contact roller grinding against the tube. This keeps surface temperatures to a minimum, preventing material distortion. Also, the MLW200 3Z machine can ensure that vibration will be minimised by having the abrasive belts rotate around the tube while the feeding rollers are transporting it through the finishing heads. This is what makes the machine ideal to finish long, large-diameter tubes.

Despite being designed to process mainly round tubes, planetary systems also make it possible to finish other products such as oval, tapered or drilled tubes, as well as D-shaped profiles. Replacing the abrasives is also less time-consuming. On a planetary machine, the feeding systems are integrated into the machine body, which makes adjusting them easier than on a centerless system. A planetary system, when combined with a program storage feature, also gives you the possibility to finish only certain sections of the tube and decide which stations will perform by selecting the respective parameters.

Being a three-station machine, the MLW200 3Z offers the flexibility to go anywhere from one up to six finishing stations. The multi-station design also implies that one can traverse from a rough surface to a fine, spotless,

and uniform finish in one single pass. It can come complete with automatic loading and unloading systems that enable the entire finishing process to be executed without an operator. This increases the machine’s productive flexibility in the sense that it allows the operator to multitask.

This is the case with the NS Máquinas bundle-type loading and unloading system, where tubes are placed in batches on the loading table and then transported automatically. The bundle-type system affords great savings both in terms of handling costs and processing time for 6 or even 12-metre tubes.

The machine being equipped with automatic loading and unloading systems can benefit from further automation with the use of a powerful and user-friendly mobile touch screen control panel. Besides, the machine can be operated by any user with only basic training on how to work with the software.

The ML product line has machines for a wide range of diameters, with models that can go up to 310 mm, from diameters as small as 5 mm. One of the reasons ML machines stand out is their operational flexibility on simpler models, but more complex versions have their own benefits.

MLW200 3Z Tube Finishing Machine

SMS group’s X-Pact® Quicksetting: An Intelligent System for Highly Flexible Production

Combining the automation system with an intelligent database, the X-Pact® Quicksetting system provides intelligent connectivity and systematic integration of knowledge and data.

X-Pact®

Quicksetting is an intelligent setting system developed by the SMS group for HF tube welding lines. Since it reduces change-over and setting times in welded tube plants, productivity gets significantly increased. Also, the product quality can be reproduced and continuously improved by means of databasesupported plant settings. The system fulfills the current requirements for high flexibility in production with ever smaller batch sizes and wider production mixes.

The Quicksetting module, which has been successfully in use for many years for ERW welded tube plants, was implemented in 2019. With the new implementation, it received an update using current software technology and a new, web-based user interface. At the same time, this new Quicksetting module was integrated into the X-Pact® brand family.

Combining the automation system with intelligent database software creates the link between plant engineering, technological know-how, and operation. The X-Pact® Quicksetting system provides intelligent connectivity and systematic networking of knowledge and data.

The X-Pact® Quicksetting stores the parameters and roll data for the product portfolio in a database. The data record can then be gradually supplemented to include the plant owner’s customised settings.

As part of X-Pact® Process Guidance, X-Pact® Quicksetting easily allows you to get the best out of your plant: the intuitive user interface of the intelligent, database-supported software is used by the operator to set the desired tube format and transfer it to the plant –corresponding settings are then executed automatically. The settings can be easily stored to achieve reproducible results. In this way, tubes with the same parameters and quality can be reliably reproduced later.

Image Source: SMS group

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