.gif?width=220&height=200&mediaprotectionhash=b13da841472e6e7ed500ee35df2a350aaf53d75246118b33ea2095cc7e9a3fc4&ext=.gif)
SAIL Rolls out R&D Master Plan
09/13/2011 - SAIL’s master plan for R&D targets production of CR-GO electrical steels, development of alternative ironmaking technologies, endless strip production, carbon dioxide reduction and capture, and the design of compact steel plants.
The Maharatna Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Board has approved the company’s master plan for research and development. Aiming to acquire radically new technologies, the plan specifically targets the production of Cold Rolled Grain Oriented (CRGO) electrical steels, development of alternative iron making technologies, endless strip production, carbon dioxide reduction and capture, and the design of compact steel plants for optimal land use.
Under the new R&D plan, SAIL will undertake technology missions and high impact projects targeted at reducing raw material and energy consumption coupled with initiatives for imparting greater flexibility for raw material usage, reducing carbon-dioxide emissions and improving waste utilization. The plan targets beneficiation and pelletizing of low-grade ores and increasing the use of medium and non-coking coal in steelmaking.
SAIL will also create Centers of Excellence at the individual steel plant level that will primarily focus on various product development and improvements in collaboration with key customers and technology suppliers. The plan identifies ‘demanding markets‘ as focus areas for product development, such as steels for supercritical thermal and nuclear power generation, defense, renewable energy, and high strength profiles for high rise buildings with seismic and fire resistance.
SAIL is also planning to set up a corporate R&D umbrella organization that will oversee both centralized R&D and the plant-level Centers of Excellence. The company anticipates the new strategy will take R&D to a much higher level, with R&D expenditure set to exceed 1% of gross sales. The head of R&D will report to the Chairman of SAIL, with guidance and direction for SAIL‘s R&D initiatives to be provided by a Research Advisory Committee comprising eminent scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs.
The plan envisages formation of a cadre of Steel Technologists who will be world-class experts in the technological areas relevant to SAIL. In the long run, the company plans to explore the possibility of setting up of a “SAIL Institute for Steel Technology & Industrial Management” that would provide education and training in engineering disciplines relevant to the steel industry.
“The future orientation of R&D activity in the steel sector would be directed towards mitigating the challenges of paucity of raw materials and ensuring sustainable steel making,” said SAIL Chairman Mr. C.S. Verma, hailing the plan‘s futuristic outlook. “These will be the prime focus of our R&D strategy.”
Under the new R&D plan, SAIL will undertake technology missions and high impact projects targeted at reducing raw material and energy consumption coupled with initiatives for imparting greater flexibility for raw material usage, reducing carbon-dioxide emissions and improving waste utilization. The plan targets beneficiation and pelletizing of low-grade ores and increasing the use of medium and non-coking coal in steelmaking.
SAIL will also create Centers of Excellence at the individual steel plant level that will primarily focus on various product development and improvements in collaboration with key customers and technology suppliers. The plan identifies ‘demanding markets‘ as focus areas for product development, such as steels for supercritical thermal and nuclear power generation, defense, renewable energy, and high strength profiles for high rise buildings with seismic and fire resistance.
SAIL is also planning to set up a corporate R&D umbrella organization that will oversee both centralized R&D and the plant-level Centers of Excellence. The company anticipates the new strategy will take R&D to a much higher level, with R&D expenditure set to exceed 1% of gross sales. The head of R&D will report to the Chairman of SAIL, with guidance and direction for SAIL‘s R&D initiatives to be provided by a Research Advisory Committee comprising eminent scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs.
The plan envisages formation of a cadre of Steel Technologists who will be world-class experts in the technological areas relevant to SAIL. In the long run, the company plans to explore the possibility of setting up of a “SAIL Institute for Steel Technology & Industrial Management” that would provide education and training in engineering disciplines relevant to the steel industry.
“The future orientation of R&D activity in the steel sector would be directed towards mitigating the challenges of paucity of raw materials and ensuring sustainable steel making,” said SAIL Chairman Mr. C.S. Verma, hailing the plan‘s futuristic outlook. “These will be the prime focus of our R&D strategy.”
