【Ferro-alloys.com】Addressing the webinar 'Vanadium Usage in Indian Steel Industry', organized by FICCI, jointly with SRTMI in February 2022, R Saravanabhavan, Deputy Advisor, NITI Aayog said, "India is a significant consumer of vanadium but is not a primary producer of the strategic metal. It is recovered as a by-product from the slag." He added that India consumes appx 4-5% of the vanadium produced globally, with China accounting for 44-45% of the consumption. Highlighting the importance of vanadium for the steel industry, he added, "It's time that India transit from the R&D stage to production of vanadium domestically, for supporting import substitution under the National Mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat."

Paramjeet Singh, Additional Industrial Advisor, Ministry of Steel, highlighted the value chain of vanadium usage in the steel industry from availability and sourcing of vanadium, production of ferrovanadium (iron + vanadium) and alloying. "Construction sector is the biggest consumer of steel products, and vanadium plays an essential role in providing high strength & cost-effective solutions for steel applications in the construction. Vanadium is the most widely used alloying element for strengthening steels and enhancing the toughness of reinforcing bars employed in buildings, tunnels and bridges," he added.

Mr Singh also highlighted that vanadium micro-alloyed high strength rebar is a safe, reliable and cost-effective solution for concrete construction in earthquake-prone regions, thus serving the society at large. "Indian steel industry should look to produce all types of steel, which are high in strength and toughness, which in a way will drive production and consumption of alloying elements like vanadium," he noted.

VR Sharma, Co-Chair, FICCI Steel Committee and Managing Director, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. while highlighting the importance and benefits of vanadium for the steel sector mentioned, "Vanadium finds increased usage in plate manufacturing & various forging applications and have an important role in steel alloying for high strength and toughness applications." He also emphasized the need for reducing costs and increasing the value proposition for enhancing vanadium usage in the sector.

Pankaj Satija, Co-Chair, FICCI Mining Committee and Managing Director, Tata Steel Mining Ltd highlighted that by 2025, 85% of automobiles would have vanadium alloyed steel. Highlighting upon the inter-linkage of vanadium for high strength steels. "The world needs more of steel and thus more of vanadium," he added.

• [Editor:zhaozihao]