H.D. Kumaraswamy calls for innovation-led growth in India’s steel sector at SRTMI workshop

Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday inaugurated the SRTMI R&D Connect workshop in New Delhi, underlining the urgent need to transform research and innovation into real industrial outcomes for India’s steel sector.

The workshop, organised by the Steel Research and Technology Mission of India (SRTMI), brought together key stakeholders from the steel industry, academic institutions, startups, and government bodies to discuss the future of the sector through collaborative innovation and technology-led growth.

Addressing the gathering, Kumaraswamy said the steel sector remains central to India’s long-term economic and infrastructure ambitions. He noted that the government’s vision is to make India a self-reliant, globally competitive, and technologically advanced nation, with steel playing a vital role in this transformation.

The minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has placed strong emphasis on the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, aimed at reducing import dependence and building indigenous capabilities. He pointed to key policy measures such as the Production Linked Incentive scheme for specialty steel, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and the upcoming Green Steel Mission as major growth drivers for the industry.

Kumaraswamy also stressed that areas such as circular economy, waste utilisation, startup-led innovation, and green steel technologies are no longer optional but national priorities that will shape the sector’s future.

He urged stakeholders to ensure that innovation does not remain limited to discussions and pilot projects. Instead, he called for faster implementation and large-scale adoption of research outcomes to create measurable industrial impact.

The day-long event featured startup pitch presentations and technical discussions with participation from leading steel players including SAIL, Tata Steel, and JSW Steel, focusing on sustainability, process efficiency, and advanced materials.

The SRTMI R&D Connect initiative is expected to play a key role in aligning policy, research, and industry efforts, further strengthening India’s steel ecosystem and supporting future-ready growth.