Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a subsidiary of Steel Authority of India (SAIL) based in Chhattisgarh, has received new orders from the UAE to supply large volumes of special quality plates. According to a BSP spokesperson, the plant has received an export order for 10,000 tonnes of plates that meet European and American specifications. He added that the production process is expected to be completed in March for shipment to the UAE. The company is also fulfilling export orders for an additional 10,000 tonnes of plates, which are expected to be completed in February. Tata International, Dubai, supplies plates in mild- and high-tensile grades that meet European and American specifications.
According to the spokesperson, dual certification in the grades BS 10025 JR-AR and A 572 Gr.50 Type 3 was performed for the first time in Bhilai’s plate mill. Step-by-step monitoring, along with assistance from the plant’s quality department, resulted in the export orders being executed successfully and on time. Steel for export grades was produced for the first time in SAIL-BSP, with a limited amount of boron and titanium added in accordance with National Export Tax norms.
In the current fiscal year, the SAIL-Bhilai unit will ship 34,000 tonnes of plates to West Asian countries, including Dubai in the UAE. The order calls for approximately 14,000 tonnes to be delivered in August 2022, with different grades dual certified to European and American specifications. Aside from ensuring the desired surface quality and proper marking on the plates for identification, one important factor that has been taken into account when executing export orders is strict adherence to delivery schedules – as this is linked to the availability of a shipping vessel, according to the official.