Nagarnar (Staff Correspondent): In an extraordinary demonstration of operational excellence and technological prowess, NMDC Steel Limited (NSL), India’s youngest and modern steel plant achieved multiple record-breaking production feats on April 26, 2025, further reinforcing its emergence as a frontrunner in the nation’s vibrant steel industry.
The company surpassed its own record-breaking milestones for the third time this month as the steel plant reached its rated capacity, signalling an exceptional momentum for growth. This ability to consistently exceed expectations not only highlights the speed at which it is scaling but also the in-built potential of NSL to be a lighthouse for the new age steel plants.
At the Raw Material Handling System (RMHS), NSL set a new benchmark by achieving its highest-ever daily basemix production of 23,307 tonnes, surpassing the previous record. Additionally, RMHS presented superior operational efficiency by registering the lowest-ever tippling time of 2 hours and 35 minutes.
Building on this impetus, the Coke Oven (CO) unit achieved its highest daily pushings with 186 pushings, while the Blast Furnace delivered a stellar performance by recording its highest daily hot metal production of 11,034 tonnes. Adding to the string of achievements, the Steel Melting Shop (SMS) tapped 52 heats and produced 9,342 tonnes of liquid steel, setting a new operational milestone.
In another significant leap, the Power and Blowing Station (PBS) achieved and exceeded its rated capacity with the Top Recovery Turbine (TRT) generating over 15 MW of power for the first time; an output that emphasized NSL’s commitment to energy optimization.
The day also witnessed exceptional performances across other key units. The Sinter Plant achieved a robust production of 12,886 tonnes of sinter; the Thin Slab Caster (TSC) produced 8,850 tonnes of crude steel; and the Hot Strip Mill (HSM) delivered 8,673 tonnes of HR coils, reflecting synchronized precision and operational excellence across the entire value chain.
Speaking on these accomplishments, Amitava Mukherjee, CMD, NMDC Steel Limited and NMDC, said, “These record-breaking performances reflect NSL’s commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and resilience. It is a proud and defining moment for all of us, as we continue to raise the bar and set new benchmarks for India’s steel industry. Team NSL’s determination, passion, and trailblazing spirit in achieving these historic milestones not only strengthen our position but also contribute meaningfully towards India’s vision of achieving 300 million tonnes of steel production capacity. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved in making this possible.”
Furthering its capabilities, NSL successfully supplied liquid nitrogen for the first time to the Chhattisgarh Government, enhancing its contribution to the regional industrial ecosystem. Moreover, the STG-2 of PBS resynchronised operations with a refurbished rotor operating at 24 MW. This move is projected to reduce electricity costs by an impressive ₹10 crore to ₹13 crore per month in tune with NSL’s focus on sustainability and cost optimization.
With these achievements, NSL continues to chart a record-breaking path towards building a stronger, self-reliant India, driving transformational growth in the country’s steel sector and beyond.
Speaking on this, M.N.V.S Prabhakar, Executive Director, NSL, added, “The record-breaking performances achieved on April 26 are a testament to NSL’s world-class infrastructure, technological edge, and above all, the commitment of our workforce. These milestones are important steps towards building NMDC Steel into a more resilient and efficient steel plant.”
In NSL’s history, April 26, 2025, will be remembered as a landmark day when records were not just broken, but new standards of excellence were set for the entire steel industry.