The latest addition to Essar Steel’s import grade steel portfolio are the plates the company is supplying to Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL). A proud offering of the Essar Steel R&D team, the plates are compliant with the BSEN 10025-3 S420N specification and will be used in BHEL’s boilers.
Until recently, BHEL had to import the plates from Europe. The plates are used to fabricate boiler structures, where the boiler and its integrated parts are suspended from the roof. Platform beams of various dimensions support the entire boiler suspension and its components. The fabrication requires plates of a higher thickness (75 mm – 130 mm) and each boiler needs approximately 400 tonnes to 800 tonnes of plates. BHEL makes approximately 20-25 boilers annually, and Essar Steel will now be supplying the entire estimated annual requirement of 12,000 MT.
While Essar Steel is enabling BHEL to cut costs and lead time by supplying steel that earlier had to be imported it is also helping in conserving foreign exchange reserves by “Making in India”.