Surat: Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) on Thursday announced the commissioning of a state-of-the-art Pickling Line and Tandem Cold Mill (PLTCM) at its flagship Hazira plant.

The facility was inaugurated by Keiichi Ono, Ambassador of Japan to India, and is designed to manufacture high-quality cold-rolled base steel for advanced and proprietary products developed by parent companies ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel.

Ono said the adoption of advanced Japanese technology marks a new phase in Japan’s contribution to India’s “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative, particularly in high-end steel manufacturing.

With an annual capacity of 2 million tonnes, the PLTCM is expected to significantly boost the company’s automotive steel capabilities. The new line will support domestic production of advanced high-strength steel, helping reduce import dependence and meet growing demand from the automotive sector.

According to the company, the facility incorporates advanced process technologies, automation, and globally benchmarked quality systems, drawing on the technical expertise of its parent firms. It will produce a range of automotive-grade steels, including advanced high-strength steel, galvannealed, galvanised, and press-hardened steel, enhancing its competitiveness in the domestic market.

The output is aimed at providing end-to-end solutions for automakers while aligning with global sustainability standards, enabling vehicle lightweighting and improved safety in line with Bharat NCAP norms.

The company added that the new automotive line will strengthen its downstream capabilities and align them with global benchmarks. The commissioning is part of AM/NS India’s ongoing ₹60,000-crore expansion programme at its Hazira facility, focused on developing upstream, downstream, and allied infrastructure. DeshGujarat