Kobe Steel, SAIL to Launch JV for Indian ITmk3 Project

Kobe Steel announced on December 28 the firm and Steel Authority of India (SAIL) agreed to establish detailed feasibility study conducting joint venture for ITmk3 based iron making plant in India. They step into detail study to accelerate new project with annual 500,000 tonnes of output capacity. The project could start construction as early as in 2013 starting operation in 2015.

Their 50/50 joint venture, SAIL-Kobe Iron India is located in New Delhi. The joint venture conducts feasibility study and applications for authorities’ approvals. When they decide the construction, the joint venture becomes driving force.

The project is to build an ITmk3 in existing SAIL’s plant in West Bengal to annual 500,000 tonnes of iron nugget. The project procures iron ore from SAIL’s own mine in India while the project uses Indian thermal coal. Kobe Steel and SAIL purchase the nugget to use at own operations or sell to third parties.