India Set to Become Stronger Global Ferro-Alloys Hub as Steel Industry Expands: IFAPA

India’s expanding steel industry is creating a new growth pathway for the domestic ferro‑alloys sector and an opportunity for the country to strengthen its position in global markets, an industry chamber said on Friday. The Indian Ferro Alloy Producers’ Association at its 6th International Ferro Alloys Conference said India’s crude steel production reached around 165 million tonnes in calendar year 2025, up more than 10 per cent year‑on‑year, and steel demand is expected to grow at about 7 per cent annually.

This growth, together with rising demand for specialised steels, is widening the opportunity for manganese, chromium, silicon and other alloying inputs, the chamber said. India also targets around 300 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity by FY31, significantly expanding the opportunity for manganese, chromium, silicon and other alloying inputs. India has also crossed an important consumption milestone, with per-capita steel use rising from around 24 kg in 1991 to about 109 kg in 2025.

“With India now above the 100-kg mark, the next phase of consumption growth could significantly expand the requirement for steel and, in turn, for the ferro alloys that are essential to its production,” the statement noted. The association also called for competitive power costs for energy-intensive ferro-alloy producers and rationalisation of electricity-related charges and levies.

Ferro alloys combine iron with elements such as manganese, chromium and silicon to improve steel’s strength, hardness and corrosion resistance. They are essential to producing steel for infrastructure, automobiles, railways, defense and specialised applications. "Securing indigenous sources of critical raw materials must be a priority for Indian ferro-alloy producers to become globally competitive and support the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. We need faster exploration and development of domestic manganese, chrome and other critical minerals," said Manish Sarda, Chairman, Indian Ferro Alloy Producers' Association (IFAPA).

"While several manganese ore mines have been auctioned at high premiums, many remain non-operational because the economics are often unviable. Auction frameworks should therefore encourage actual mine development and production, not simply the highest bid," Sarda added. Commercially viable access to domestic mineral resources will be critical to reducing import dependence and building a stronger, self-reliant ferro-alloys industry, he added.

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