Tata Steel board affirms long-term growth strategy for India business
The board granted in-principle approval for a 4.8 MTPA Phase 1 expansion at Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL).
Company approves expansion at NINL, design work for new thin-slab facility, downstream projects and mining partnerships
Mumbai, December 11: Tata Steel’s board has reaffirmed its long-term India growth strategy and approved a series of expansion initiatives focused on capacity enhancement, downstream diversification, mining integration and new low-carbon technologies. The decisions align with the company’s approach of prudent capital allocation and profitable, sustainability-led growth, a company release said on Wednesday.
The board granted in-principle approval for a 4.8 MTPA Phase 1 expansion at Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL). The project will significantly expand Tata Steel’s long products portfolio, particularly in retail-driven construction segments, and position the company to tap growing domestic demand.
It also approved funding for design and engineering work for a 2.5 MTPA thin slab caster and rolling facility at Tata Steel Meramandali, along with progress toward securing regulatory approvals. The expansion will increase the company’s finished steel output—especially thinner gauge flat products—by an additional 2.5 MTPA.
Strengthening its downstream presence, the board cleared plans to set up a 0.7 MTPA Hot Rolled Pickling and Galvanizing Line (HRPGL) at Tarapur, Maharashtra. Positioned within the existing cold rolling complex, this will be the first facility of its kind in India and is expected to support automotive customers through import substitution and enhanced quality.
To deepen integration in the western region, Tata Steel signed an MoU with Lloyd Metals & Energy Ltd (LMEL) to explore iron ore mining, logistics (including a slurry pipeline), pellet manufacturing and steelmaking opportunities in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The partnership includes evaluation of mining concessions, a greenfield 6-million-tonne steel plant to be developed in two phases, and strategic cooperation on steel projects already being developed by LMEL. All proposals remain subject to due diligence and regulatory approvals.
Additionally, the company signed definitive agreements to acquire 50.01% stake in Thriveni Pellets Private Limited (TPPL), which owns Brahmani River Pellets Limited (BRPL). BRPL operates a 4 MTPA pellet plant at Jajpur, Odisha, along with a 212-km slurry pipeline. LMEL holds the remaining stake in TPPL.
The board also reviewed progress on HIsarna, Tata Steel’s proprietary low-carbon ironmaking technology. After a decade of pilot operations in Ijmuiden and recent joint trials with a global steelmaker, Tata Steel has approved engineering work and regulatory processes to set up a 1 MTPA demonstration plant in Jamshedpur. HIsarna uses lower-grade ore, eliminates the need for coke and allows the use of steel slag, positioning it as a sustainable technology for future steelmaking.
About Tata Steel
Tata Steel is among the world’s largest steel producers with 35 MTPA capacity, a global presence across five continents and consolidated revenues of around USD 26 billion in FY25. The company has been recognised for digital leadership, sustainability, diversity and operational excellence, including multiple ResponsibleSteel certifications across its Indian plants.
