Tata Steel has enhanced the capacity of its plant to eight million tpa (MTPA) from three MTPA by commissioning India’s largest blast furnace. The company has invested Rs 27,000 crore in this Phase-II expansion at Kalinganagar.

The new blast furnace will boost the plant’s overall production capabilities, which would help meet the growing demands of various industries, including automotive, infrastructure, power, among others. It will also provide advantages in specific areas such as oil & gas, lifting and excavation and construction. 

The commissioning will set a new benchmark in capacity, technology and sustainability for the steel industry. The new blast furnace, with a volume of 5,870 m3, is equipped with modern features for long campaign life and an eco-friendly design. It will utilise four top combustion stoves, a first in India, along with two preheating stoves for optimum specific fuel consumption in hot metal production. Also, a dry gas cleaning plant has been installed for energy recovery from by-product gas. The blast furnace will have a zero-process water discharge plan with rainwater harvesting.

Key facilities in this expansion at Kalinganagar include a pellet plant, coke plant and cold rolling mill, each incorporating advanced technologies and sustainable practices.