President’s Desk
Dear all Steel Stakeholders,
Steel Users Federation of India now popularly known as ‘SUFI’ has achieved remarkable success in a short span of time to bring various stake holders of steel industry on a common platform and is marching towards achieving its objective to achieve higher per capita consumption of steel and thereby promoting growth and excellence in steel industry.
SUFI has more than 7000 members across India and chapters in various states. SUFI has always acted proactively as an interface between government and steel industry and trade.
SUFI has been instrumental in creating awareness about GST, published GST-DECODED FOR STEEL, held workshops and help–desk for GST, held steel conferences in India and abroad and have regularly engaged with the government on various policy issues. SUFI provides PAN India presence with a democratic, honest and focused approach to address the members / member association’s problems and take them up suitably with relevant authorities with result oriented approach.
As a humble President of SUFI, I am sure that this federation has marked its presence and is catering to the needs by becoming a fountain of support for Indian steel industry.
I sincerely hope steel fraternity will appreciate our efforts.
With Warm Regards,
Nikunj Turakhia (President)
President
Steel Users Federation of India
Nikunj Turakhia (President)
Dear all Steel Stakeholders,
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, India’s steel industry stands at a crucial juncture—demonstrating both strength and resilience a midst global uncertainties. According to CRISIL, domestic steel demand is expected to rise by an impressive 8–9% this year, outpacing the global demand growth of 1.2% projected by the World Steel Association. This clearly reflects the dynamic transformation underway in our nation.
India’s ambitious infrastructure drive, led by initiatives such as the Smart Cities Mission, PM Awas Yojana, and Jal Jeevan Mission, continues to create vast opportunities for the steel sector. Our nation proudly holds its position as the world’s second-largest crude steel producer, driven by robust domestic consumption and expanding capacity.
However, the road ahead is not without its challenges. Rising imports from China, Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea were exerting pressure on domestic steel prices. However with imposition of SAFEGUARD DUTY of 12%,imports have dwindled significantly. Further there is still on going investigation on Hot rolled coils from Vietnam. There is also impact of confusion regarding issuance of NOC for products which do not fall under QCO regime. Many manufacturing units have approached SUFI for some resolution to this confusion based on circulars issued by MOS. As per MOS if an item is being made by mills in India or equivalent item can be used then it should not be imported and NOC will not be given. Further noc has been clubbed with SIMS registration. The industry strongly feels that such measures will hamper the development of better quality products. The Indian mills capability may be there on paper but is it able to produce reasonably economically?? If better quality raw material is not seamlessly made available to manufacturing units then “MAKE IN INDIA” will take big hit.
The Geo political issues/tensions are also taking its toll on demand as well as export viability.The uncertainty around tariffs declared and changed and changed by USA is another big dampener.Till the rules of game are not stable, trade will always get effected.
We are now entering monsoon season which in any case is always slow on demand side. CRISIL anticipates that steel prices will remain subdued in 2025, necessitating strategic planning and policy support to safeguard the interests of Indian producers.
The National Steel Policy’s target of achieving 300 million tonnes of crude steel capacity by 2030-31 remains a guiding beacon for long-term growth. Meanwhile, on the global front, crude steel production reached 1,884.6 million tonnes in 2024, and demand is forecast to reach 1,771.5 million tonnes this year, indicating a slow yet steady recovery in global markets.
In this evolving landscape, SUFI continues to play a pivotal role in uniting stakeholders, addressing policy challenges, and promoting fair trade practices. Our focus remains on strengthening the voice of users and producers alike, advocating for reforms, and facilitating dialogue that leads to sustainable industry growth.
April-2025 was a month full of activity as there was ASIA STEEL TRADE SUMMIT on 21-22 April, 2025 in SHANGHAI. SUFI made a strong pitch for India Steel Industry and its growth potential. I made a strong representation to bring investments into India in presence of delegates representing Mills/trading houses from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, S Korea, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
SUFI launched SUFI INTERNATIONAL CHAMBERS in order to facilitate any foreign company who either needs to set up Company in India for trading/manufacturing/rep off or also need market information. I am pleased to inform the members that SUFI signed an MOU with STEEL GIANT to co-operate with each other to organize conferences, seminars for the benefit of steel fraternity across the globe. Also SUFI will provide its knowledge in order to launch INTERNATIONAL STEEL AWARDS in line with SUFI STEEL AWARDS.
Further SUFI partnered with STEEL GROUP to organize COIL COATING CONFERENCE in Mumbai on 23rd April, 2025. SUFI was also supporting association at the 6th International conference and exhibition on steel industry -INDIA STEEL 2025 organized by FICCI and Ministry of STEEL on 24-26th April, 2025.
SUFI also joined hands with KALLANISH to organize ASIA STEEL MARKETS 2025 on 9-19th April 2025 in HO CHI MINH City Vietnam.
As we move forward, Let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and drive progress for the steel ecosystem in India. Together, we can transform every challenge into an opportunity and ensure that India leads the global steel narrative in the years to come.
Warm regards,
Nikunj Turakhia
President
Steel Users Federation of India
