Tata Steel commissions India’s largest blast furnace at Kalinganagar

Bhubaneswar, September 20, 2024: Tata Steel today successfully commissioned India’s largest blast
furnace at Kalinganagar, Odisha. With a total investment of Rs 27,000 crore, the Phase II expansion at
Kalinganagar will take the total capacity at the site from 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 8 MTPA. The
new facility was inaugurated by T. V. Narendran, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Steel, in the presence of
senior leaders of the Company.
The new blast furnace will significantly boost the plant's overall production capabilities, allowing Tata Steel to
meet the growing demands of various industries, including automotive, infrastructure, power, shipbuilding,
and defence. It will also provide advantages in specific areas like oil & gas, lifting & excavation, and
construction.
With the Phase II expansion, Odisha has emerged as the largest investment destination in India for Tata
Steel, with a total cumulated investment of over Rs 100,000 crore in the last 10 years.
On this occasion, T. V. Narendran, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Steel, said: "The commissioning of
India’s largest blast furnace at Kalinganagar is a momentous occasion for the steel industry, setting new
benchmarks in capacity, technology, and sustainability. A key enabler of socio-economic development in the
region, the expansion not only strengthens Tata Steel's position as a leader in high-end, value-added steel
segments but also showcases our advanced engineering prowess. It underscores our commitment to
boosting private investment in India, aligning with the nation's vision for self-reliance and sustainable
industrial growth. On behalf of Tata Steel, I thank the Government of Odisha for their unwavering support and
applaud the collective efforts of our employees, suppliers & vendor partners, and all other stakeholders in
enabling this significant milestone.”
The new blast furnace, with a volume of 5,870 m 3 , is equipped with state-of-the-art features for long
campaign life and an eco-friendly design to optimise the steelmaking process. This blast furnace will utilise
four top combustion stoves, a first in India, along with two preheating stoves for optimum specific fuel
consumption in hot metal production. In a first for Tata Steel, a dry gas cleaning plant has been installed to
maximise energy recovery from by-product gas. The world’s largest Top Gas Recovery Turbine (TRT) of 35
MW power generation capacity will help with the recovery of an additional 10% of energy. An evaporative
cooling system is being employed for the first time in an Indian blast furnace, optimising space footprint while
lowering specific water and power consumption by approximately 20% compared to conventional designs.
The blast furnace will also have a zero-process water discharge plan with rainwater harvesting.Key facilities in Phase II expansion at Kalinganagar also include a Pellet Plant, Coke Plant, and Cold Rolling
Mill, each incorporating advanced technologies and sustainable practices. The new state-of-the-art steel
plant incorporates modern technologies focused on value-added products, operational efficiency, and a
significant reduction in carbon footprint.
The Kalinganagar plant is not just an industrial complex; it is a key contributor to the socio-economic
development of the region. Tata Steel has invested significantly in community development programmes that
focus on education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities, positively impacting over 2 lakh people in the
surrounding areas. The success of Tata Steel Kalinganagar is also deeply rooted in its workforce. Tata
Steel’s ‘Safety First’ culture ensures that the highest safety standards are maintained, making Kalinganagar
one of the safest steel plants in the country and the world.
Tata Steel Kalinganagar is the first Indian manufacturing plant to be named a Global Lighthouse by the World
Economic Forum (WEF). In 2024, the Kalinganagar plant also received the prestigious ResponsibleSteel TM
Certification, marking a significant milestone in its sustainability journey.