In a statement, Primetals Technologies said the new strip mill rolled up its first coils on 31 January, officially moving the project into start-up mode. 

The mill has an annual capacity of 3 million metric tons and can roll sheet in thicknesses between 1.2 mm and 25.4 mm, and in widths between 725 mm and 2,250 mm. SAIL intends to use the mill to produce construction, automotive and API-grade steels.

The project was awarded to a consortium made up of Mitsubishi Corp. and multinational engineering firm Larsen & Toubro. Mitsubishi was responsible for the project management and L&T undertook civil construction, erection and local supply. 

Primetals Technologies was responsible for the design and engineering of the hot strip mill as well as the supply of major mechanical equipment and technology. The order included a new reheating furnace, a single-strand roughing mill, a seven-strand finishing mill, two downcoilers, and auxiliary rolling equipment.

Primetals Technologies said SAIL aims to boost production capacity by roughly 70% to 24 million metric tons annually.