India is one of the world’s leading crude steel producers, supported by large integrated steelmakers and specialised manufacturers. Primary steel manufacturers in India produce steel from iron-bearing raw materials through processes that include ironmaking, steelmaking and casting. The steel manufacturing industry in India uses different steel production methods depending on the producer’s facilities and raw material sources. This article examines key manufacturers, beginning with Kairali TMT, and explores the major processes used to produce steel.
What Are Primary Steel Manufacturers in India?
Primary steel manufacturing generally involves processing iron ore and other iron-bearing materials to produce the iron required for steelmaking, while secondary steel production mainly uses recycled steel scrap as its raw material. Integrated steel manufacturers bring several stages together, from ironmaking and steelmaking to casting and, in some cases, rolling.
The distinction between primary and secondary steel production depends on the production route and industry classification.
| Primary steel production | Secondary steel production |
| Commonly involves ironmaking from iron ore | Commonly uses scrap and other metallic inputs |
| BF–BOF is the conventional integrated route | EAF and induction furnaces are common |
| Can include ironmaking, steelmaking and casting | Often focuses on melting, refining and casting |
In Indian industry statistics, BF–BOF producers are generally classified as primary steel producers, while DRI-based EAF and induction-furnace producers are commonly grouped under the secondary sector. Therefore, using iron ore or having downstream facilities does not automatically make a manufacturer a primary steel producer.
Primary Steel Manufacturers in India – Quick Overview
India’s steel sector includes large integrated producers with nationwide operations and specialised manufacturers serving regional markets. The following table provides an overview of selected companies and their manufacturing focus; it is not a ranking by production capacity.
| Manufacturer | Location/presence | Main manufacturing focus |
| Kairali TMT | Kerala and South India | TMT bars and partially integrated manufacturing |
| Tata Steel | Multiple locations | Integrated steel production |
| JSW Steel | Multiple locations | Flat and long steel |
| SAIL | Pan-India | Integrated steel and infrastructure products |
| Jindal Steel | Multiple locations | Flat, long and specialised steel |
| AM/NS India | Gujarat and other locations | Integrated steel manufacturing |
Key Primary Steel Manufacturers in India
1. Kairali TMT – Steel Manufacturing and TMT Production in Kerala
Kairali TMT is a recognised TMT steel bar brand in Kerala, operated by Kairali Steels & Alloys Private Limited. Its manufacturing facilities include a Continuous Casting Machine (CCM) and an automated rolling mill, supported by partial backward integration. A CARE Ratings report published in November 2025 records an installed TMT bar production capacity of 1.2 lakh metric tonnes per annum, increased from 90,000 tonnes in the previous year.
The CCM produces billets that can be processed through the rolling mill into reinforcement bars. Kairali’s product range includes different bar sizes and grades for construction applications. Its manufacturing and distribution presence across Kerala makes it relevant to the regional construction market and places it among the TMT bar manufacturers in Kerala. The company’s range of Kairali TMT steel bars serves residential, commercial and infrastructure requirements.
2. Tata Steel
Tata Steel operates integrated steelmaking facilities in India, including its established Jamshedpur plant and facilities at Kalinganagar and Meramandali. Its portfolio includes flat steel, long products and specialised grades used in construction, automotive manufacturing, engineering and other industrial applications.
3. JSW Steel
JSW Steel operates an extensive manufacturing network, with integrated facilities such as Vijayanagar in Karnataka and Dolvi in Maharashtra. Its product portfolio includes hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel, coated products, wire rods and TMT bars, serving the infrastructure, automotive and industrial sectors.
4. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is a government-owned steel producer with five integrated steel plants and several special steel facilities. Its products include railway rails, TMT rebars, wire rods, plates, structural sections, sheets and coils, supporting infrastructure, construction, transport and engineering industries.
5. Jindal Steel
Jindal Steel operates integrated steelmaking facilities across Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Its manufacturing activities include steelmaking, mining and downstream production, with products serving infrastructure, railways, energy, engineering and other industrial applications. Its operations include steelmaking facilities at Angul and Raigarh.
6. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India)
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel. Its Indian operations include an integrated steel plant at Hazira, Gujarat. The company manufactures flat steel products for sectors such as automotive, construction and engineering, supported by downstream processing and finishing facilities.
6. ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India)
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel. Its integrated manufacturing operations are centred on Hazira, Gujarat, where it produces hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated steel. The company uses ironmaking technologies such as blast furnaces, DRI and COREX, alongside EAF and CONARC steelmaking, supplying products for automotive, infrastructure and construction applications.
Primary Steel Production Methods Used in India
Steel manufacturers in India use different production methods according to their raw materials, plant infrastructure and technology. The main routes include BF–BOF, DRI–EAF and induction furnace steelmaking.
1. Blast Furnace – Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF–BOF) Route
The BF–BOF route is a conventional integrated method of primary steel production. Iron ore, coke made from coking coal and limestone are fed into a blast furnace, where iron ore is reduced and smelted to produce molten iron, also called hot metal. This is transferred to a Basic Oxygen Furnace, where oxygen is blown through the molten metal to reduce excess carbon and remove impurities. The resulting crude steel is then refined and cast into semi-finished products.
2. Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) – Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Route
In the DRI process, iron ore pellets or lump ore are reduced to sponge iron without being melted. Natural gas or coal can serve as the reducing agent, depending on the plant. The sponge iron is subsequently fed into an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), where electrical energy is used to melt it. Scrap steel and other metallic materials can also be added to the furnace before the molten metal undergoes further refining and is prepared for casting.
3. Induction Furnace (IF) Steelmaking
An induction furnace uses electromagnetic induction to generate heat and melt metallic inputs. These may include sponge iron, steel scrap and other suitable materials. The molten metal is processed to achieve the required steel composition before casting. Induction furnaces are widely used in India’s smaller and medium-scale steelmaking sector, contributing a substantial share of the country’s crude steel output.
Simplified steel manufacturing process
- Raw materials: Iron ore, coal, limestone and other metallic inputs
- Ironmaking / Direct reduction: Blast furnace or DRI production, depending on the route
- Steelmaking and refining: BOF, EAF or induction furnace
- Continuous casting: Billets, blooms or slabs
- Rolling and finishing: TMT bars, structural steel, sheets and coils
A simplified illustration of alternative steel production routes and downstream processing. Individual routes do not all use identical stages.
From Molten Steel to Finished Products: Casting and Rolling
After steelmaking, molten steel is converted into semi-finished products before being shaped into usable forms. Three important stages are involved:
- Continuous casting: Molten steel is solidified in a Continuous Casting Machine (CCM) to produce billets, blooms or slabs.
- Rolling: These semi-finished products pass through rolling mills to achieve the required shapes and dimensions.
- TMT processing: Reinforcement bars undergo controlled quenching and self-tempering to develop a combination of strength and ductility.
| Manufacturing stage | Main output |
| Continuous casting | Billets, blooms and slabs |
| Rolling | Bars, rods, sections and coils |
| TMT processing | Reinforcement bars |
What to Consider When Choosing a Steel Manufacturer in India
Manufacturing capacity alone does not determine whether a steel product is suitable for a construction project. Consider these factors before selecting a supplier:
- Manufacturing capabilities: Understand the facilities and production processes used.
- Steel grades: Check whether the available grades meet project requirements.
- Quality standards: Verify applicable BIS standards, including IS 1786 for TMT bars.
- Product properties: Consider strength, elongation, ductility and dimensions.
- Availability: Assess the manufacturer’s distribution network and product supply.
Understanding India’s Steel Manufacturing Landscape
India’s steel industry includes manufacturers with different production routes, infrastructure and product specialisations. Understanding these differences helps buyers assess their options. Kairali TMT‘s casting and rolling facilities support its role in Kerala’s construction steel market through its range of TMT products.
Frequently Asked Questions About Primary Steel Manufacturers in India
Who are the major primary steel manufacturers in India?
Major integrated steel producers in India include Tata Steel, JSW Steel, SAIL, Jindal Steel and AM/NS India. Their classification depends on their production routes, particularly the ironmaking and steelmaking processes used.
What is the difference between primary and secondary steel manufacturing?
Primary steel production generally uses iron ore-based ironmaking, commonly through the BF–BOF route. Secondary production typically relies on scrap or sponge iron melted in electric arc or induction furnaces.
Which steel production methods are used in India?
India uses three major steelmaking routes: Blast Furnace–Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF–BOF), Direct Reduced Iron–Electric Arc Furnace (DRI–EAF) and induction furnace (IF) steelmaking.
Who are the major steel manufacturers in Kerala?
Kairali TMT is a recognised TMT bar manufacturer in Kerala, with manufacturing facilities, casting and rolling infrastructure, and a distribution network serving the state.
How are TMT bars manufactured?
TMT bars are produced by rolling heated steel billets into bars, followed by controlled water quenching and self-tempering. This process develops a strong outer layer and a more ductile inner core.