Steel demand growth estimated at 9-12% for FY25

12 Jun 2024 CW Team

Rohit Sadaka, Director & Head- Materials and Diversified Industrial, Ind-Ra, remarked, "We anticipate a balanced domestic demand-supply scenario, with demand growth aligning with capacity expansions across industry players. However, the persistent global oversupply situation may pose a significant import threat." He further predicts that raw material and finished goods prices will remain stable, given a moderate recovery in global demand. Domestic steelmakers are expected to maintain stable credit metrics, fuelled by heightened profitability and improved operating cash flows amidst debt-led capital expenditure.

Globally, steel demand is projected to remain steady, with China's transition to low-carbon initiatives and moderate demand from the European Union counterbalanced by growth in emerging economies like India. Ind-Ra also predicts that global steel prices will remain within a range in FY25. Despite global challenges and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, Ind-Ra maintains a stable rating outlook for its rated entities in FY25, citing anticipated profitability improvements and a stable interest rate environment. The liquidity of large and mid-sized integrated steel players is forecasted to remain sufficient in FY25, supported by enhanced cash flow from operations in previous years, thereby fortifying their financial flexibility. This stability, combined with favourable working capital dynamics, is expected to facilitate debt-funded capital expenditures in FY25 and FY26, thus maintaining steady credit metrics. (Source: ET Energy)

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has maintained a neutral stance for the steel sector in the fiscal year 2025, foreseeing a year-on-year demand growth of 9%-12%. This projection is grounded on the sustained expansion in end-user industries such as automobiles and infrastructure. It follows a 13.8% surge in FY24 and an 8% compound annual growth rate over the past five years. Ind-Ra highlights that this demand growth is anticipated to closely mirror the gross fixed capital formation, which is expected to dip slightly to 8.5% year-on-year for FY25 from 10.2% in the preceding fiscal year. Rohit Sadaka, Director & Head- Materials and Diversified Industrial, Ind-Ra, remarked, We anticipate a balanced domestic demand-supply scenario, with demand growth aligning with capacity expansions across industry players. However, the persistent global oversupply situation may pose a significant import threat. He further predicts that raw material and finished goods prices will remain stable, given a moderate recovery in global demand. Domestic steelmakers are expected to maintain stable credit metrics, fuelled by heightened profitability and improved operating cash flows amidst debt-led capital expenditure. Globally, steel demand is projected to remain steady, with China's transition to low-carbon initiatives and moderate demand from the European Union counterbalanced by growth in emerging economies like India. Ind-Ra also predicts that global steel prices will remain within a range in FY25. Despite global challenges and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, Ind-Ra maintains a stable rating outlook for its rated entities in FY25, citing anticipated profitability improvements and a stable interest rate environment. The liquidity of large and mid-sized integrated steel players is forecasted to remain sufficient in FY25, supported by enhanced cash flow from operations in previous years, thereby fortifying their financial flexibility. This stability, combined with favourable working capital dynamics, is expected to facilitate debt-funded capital expenditures in FY25 and FY26, thus maintaining steady credit metrics. (Source: ET Energy)

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..