The Steel Research & Technology Mission of India (SRTMI), a joint initiative of the Ministry of Steel and major Indian steel players, successfully organized a high-level workshop titled “SRTMI R&D Connect: From Ideas to Industrial Impact” on 7th April 2026 at New Delhi.

Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Minister of Steel & Heavy Industries, inaugurated the workshop, presiding over the proceedings as Chief Guest. The event convened a diverse assembly of key stakeholders, including prominent government representatives and major industry leaders such as SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW, SIMA, etc. Academic expertise was well-represented by prestigious institutions, including IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT (BHU), NIT Trichy, NIT Durgapur, IIT Delhi, IIT Indore, and ISM Dhanbad. In addition to industrial and academic pioneers, the workshop engaged emerging startups and renowned research bodies like CSIR-IMMT. Together, these participants deliberated on critical priority areas aimed at fortifying the steel sector through strategic innovation and cross-sectoral collaboration.

Addressing the delegates during the high-level workshop, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Minister of Steel & Heavy Industries, said, “As we build the backbone of a Viksit Bharat, the steel sector must transition from traditional growth to a future defined by a circular economy and green decarbonization. Our mission is to ensure that innovation moves beyond the laboratory—transforming ideas into implementation and research into results. By empowering our startups and prioritizing indigenous technology, we are not just producing steel; we are forging a modern, sustainable, and Atmanirbhar industry that stands as a global benchmark for excellence.”

Sh. Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, while addressing the workshop, said, “While the global steel landscape faces a period of contraction, India stands as a vibrant engine of growth, bucking the trend with rising demand and unparalleled momentum. This unique position is our greatest opportunity and our responsibility to lead the world through innovation. By committing ourselves to bold investments in R&D today, we are ensuring that the Indian steel industry remains a resilient, world-class powerhouse for generations to come.”

Shri M.R. Gupta, President, SRTMI and Director (Mines), SAIL, stated during his address: “As we move forward, we are committed to a mission-mode approach—prioritizing faster technology development, pilot-scale validations, and accelerated commercialization. Our goal is to build a robust pipeline of deployable solutions that meaningfully enhance productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen the sustainability of the Indian steel sector.”

On this occasion, Shri Ashish Chatterjee (Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Steel), Shri Abhijit Narendra (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel), Shri Krishna Kumar Singh (Director of Personnel and holding additional charge of CMD, SAIL), were present, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Steel and the industry.

Shri Abhijit Narendra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, stressed the importance of the workshop’s key focus areas.

During the workshop, the Hon’ble Minister of Steel, along with Secretary, Ministry of Steel, and senior officers of the Ministry, interacted with various students, researchers and startups, who had presented their innovative ideas and work through posters during the workshop.

Key Highlights of the Workshop:

• Startup Ecosystem: A dedicated Startup Pitch Session featured innovative solutions from startups focusing on process efficiency, digitalization, waste utilization, and advanced materials.
• Industry-Led Roadmap: Leading steel companies, including SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW, SIMA, and Jayaswal Neco Industries Ltd., presented strategic problem statements focusing on resource efficiency, waste utilization, and green steel and decarbonization technologies, aligning research with real-world industrial challenges.
• Technical Excellence: Eminent academicians from premier institutions, such as IIT Bombay, NIT Trichy, NIT Durgapur, and COEP Technological University, Pune, delivered technical presentations on operational excellence, the circular economy, and decarbonization.
• Knowledge Exchange: The workshop concluded with a poster presentation session showcasing innovative work by students, researchers, startups, and industry professionals aligned with SRTMI’s focus areas.

The event served as a strategic platform to bridge the gap between breakthrough research and shop-floor application, reinforcing India’s commitment to becoming a technology-driven global steel powerhouse.

The workshop witnessed participation from over 180+ stakeholders across industry, academia, and startups, marking a significant step in the Ministry of Steel’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the R&D ecosystem and position SRTMI as a dynamic collaborative platform. The event concluded with the expectation to catalyze future partnerships, accelerate technology development, and support the transition of the Indian steel sector toward innovation-led and sustainable growth.

 

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AG

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