NMDC Steel produces over 2 million tonnes hot metal in fiscal 2024-25

NMDC Steel Limited's (NSL) integrated steel plant at Nagarnar achieved a significant milestone in its stabilization journey, producing over two million tons of hot metal in the financial year 2024-2025, ending March 31, 2025. This milestone marks a 100% increase in hot metal production compared to the previous fiscal (2023-24), when the plant produced 966,468 tonnes in its first seven-and-a-half months of operation.

Having attained 60% of its rated capacity in its second year, the plant is well-positioned to reach its rated capacity of 3.3 million tons per annum (MTPA) of hot metal production in the current fiscal. Commissioned on 15 August 2023, NSL's steel plant has been steadily progressing towards its rated capacity, demonstrating a strong growth trajectory and underscoring the company's commitment to operational excellence.

NSL has also made significant progress in consolidating its market presence. Despite navigating a challenging market landscape for most of the last fiscal, coupled with a two-week production and dispatch disruption due to transporters protests at the plant gates, NSL achieved the remarkable feat of marketing over 1.45 million tons of Hot Rolled (HR) coils and sheets during the last fiscal. This represents a substantial increase of over 300% in sales volume compared to the previous fiscal (2023-24), highlighting NSL's expanding

customer base and strengthening market position.

NSL set another record by dispatching a record 2,29,874 tons of Hot Rolled Coils (HRC) in March 2025, marking the highest monthly dispatch since commencement of production. It was the strategic engagement of 4 Liberalized Special Freight Train Operator Rakes (LSFTO Rakes) which dispatched around 40,000 tonnes of HR coils in March 2025 that contributed to

the significant surge in dispatch capacity. The March milestone represents a 63% increase from the previous monthly best of 1,41,207 tonnes achieved in February 2025.

With plans to add more LSFTO Rakes, NSL is poised to further bolster HR coil dispatch capabilities, paving the way for enhanced efficiency, and thereby increased customer satisfaction.

Buoyed by the team’s performance in a tough market, Amitava Mukherjee, CMD, NMDC & NSL, also affirmed his confidence in NSL, “Our steel team is gaining in strength and crossing milestones with each passing day. I am confident that with their dedicated effort and enthusiasm we will soon reach rated capacity, even as we are inching towards becoming EBIDTA positive.”

It has been a year of notable achievements for NSL. Not content with obtaining 4 ISO Licenses and 7 BIS Certifications to cement its position in the domestic market, this fiscal NSL went on to obtain the prestigious “Conformite Europeenne” (CE) Certificate that opened up the European market for its’ produce.

Joydeep Dasgupta, Director Production, NMDC & NSL said, “Team NSL has successfully surmounted several challenges to surge forward with greater confidence. Strategic moves meant to improve Systems and sustain the momentum have yielded results. This augurs well for NSL and is a harbinger of many more achievements by NSL.”

MNVS Prabhakar, Executive Director & Head of NSL Steel Plant, Nagarnar, was appreciative of his team’s accomplishments; he asserted, “We are committed to producing the best quality Hot Rolled steel for our discerning customers. We are also firm in our resolve to further consolidate our position and contribute to the national goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”