Sail-owned, Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) has recorded its highest September steel production in 2020. Output for the month surpassed its target of 280,000mt and stood at 282,030mt, according to media reports.
The output of hot metal registered 12pc growth, while that of crude steel increased by 27pc from Sept 2019. Production of hot-rolled coils rose by 40pc, with a 27pc increase in saleable steel production in the month.
BF No.1 at the unit recorded its highest daily hot metal production, which stood at 4,062mt. The company had to cut its output amid the COVID-19 pandemic and idled three blast furnaces of the five blast furnaces. In September, the company refurbished two blast furnaces, while one is still under repair and maintenance.
BSL dispatched 297,000 of steel products, of which 18,000mt was in the overseas markets. China was the biggest export market for BSL and placed orders for about 150,000mt of hot roll coils and slabs since June. BSL also received orders from Nepal and Vietnam.
Sail reported an increase in sales by 31.3pc in Q2 (July-Sept) of fiscal 2020, said a company statement. The company’s sales recovered in H1 (Jan-June) and reached the prior year’s levels, largely aided by a recovery in sales from June onwards.
In Q2 FY2020, the company’s saleable steel production rose by 5.2pc over the prior-year period.