Kolkata, May 22 : Overtaking Japan, India emerged as the second largest stainless steel producer in the world after China, according to data released by the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF).
India's stainless steel production rose to 3.32 million tonnes for 2016, showing an impressive growth of about 9 per cent over three million tonnes achieved in 2015.
"This is a great moment for the Indian stainless steel industry. ISSDA urges continuous policy support from the government to take the Indian stainless steel industry to newer heights," Indian Stainless Steel Development Association's (ISSDA) President K.K. Pahuja said on Monday.
At their annual conference in Tokyo on May 14-19, 2017, the ISSF said India overtook Japan as the second-biggest producer in 2016.
Leading Indian stainless steel players include SAIL - Salem, Jindal Stainless, BRG, Viraj Profiles Ltd, Sunflag Iron and Steel, and Panchmahal steel.
Pahuja said several government initiatives are likely to give a strong push to the stainless-steel industry in future and National Steel Policy released by the Ministry of Steel will give impetus for long-term benefits.
"Increase in exports of stainless steel from India to the world market, especially Europe and Americas, has established Indian producers capable of producing quality material from their mills, meeting stringent quality parameters," he added.
