ArcelorMittal has laid the foundation stone for the new integrated steel plant of its joint venture, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) at Rajayyapeta in Anakapalli district in Andhra Pradesh
The Rajayyapeta plant will produce a range of high-quality, value-added steel products, strengthening India’s ambition to expand domestic steelmaking capacity. It is expected to generate more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. The 8.2 MTPA integrated steel plant will support ArcelorMittal’s long-term growth in a key market.
Low-Cost And Competitive Plant
With an excellent coastal location and proximity to the existing slurry pipe-line that enables easy connection to one of India’s richest iron-ore deposits, it will be one of the lowest-cost, most competitive plants in India.
The steel manufacturing operations of the new plant are planned to commence by the first quarter 2029, with other units being introduced in a phased manner over the subsequent quarters. The total investment is estimated at over ₹70,000 crore (about $7.5 – $8 billion) which will be deployed in a phased manner.
ArcelorMittal’s Strategy To Grow India Presence
The project forms part of ArcelorMittal’s strategy to grow its presence in India, a key market with strong long-term demand driven by infrastructure, urbanisation and industrial development. It builds on the expansion already underway at AM/NS India’s existing plant in Hazira. India has set a target of reaching 300 million tonnes of crude steel capacity by 2030–31, and the development of new, advanced steelmaking facilities will play an important role in achieving this objective.
Building Highlight Of 50 years
ArcelorMittal executive chairman Lakshmi Mittal said: “Today marks the next chapter in our partnership with India, one built on shared ambition and enduring trust. I have been in the steel industry now for fifty years, and I can honestly say that what we are building here in India is one of the highlights of these 50 years.”
Safety At The Core
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India chairman and CEO Aditya Mittal said: “South India is one of the fastest growing markets with excellent logistics, and so the plant will be able to cater to all the customers in the region as well as more broadly throughout India. Now the construction will start – and the focus will be on ensuring that this is managed with safety always at the core. The completion of this facility will further augment the position of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India as one of the leading steel companies in the country.”