India steel industry growth to boost ferro-alloys sector

The Indian Ferro Alloy Producers’ Association (IFAPA) stated at the 6th International Ferro Alloys Conference in Goa that India’s expanding steel industry provides a significant growth opportunity for the domestic ferro-alloys sector. The association noted that India’s crude steel production reached approximately 165 million tonnes in 2025, representing a year-on-year growth of over 10%, with steel demand expected to grow by 7% annually.

India aims to reach a steelmaking capacity of 300 million tonnes by FY31. This expansion is expected to increase the demand for alloying inputs such as manganese, chromium, and silicon. Per-capita steel use in India has also risen significantly, reaching approximately 109 kg in 2025.

Manish Sarda, Chairman of IFAPA, emphasized the necessity of securing indigenous sources of critical raw materials to ensure global competitiveness and support the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. He called for faster exploration and development of domestic manganese, chrome, and other critical minerals.