Key Highlights
- Tata Steel has developed a new hot-rolled fire-resistant E350 structural steel.
- According to the company, the steel can retain two-thirds of its room-temperature strength at 600°C for up to three hours.
- The product has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under IS 15103.
- It can be used in industrial sheds, warehouses, commercial buildings, bridges, large pillars and other structures where fire safety is important.
- Tata Steel MD and CEO T V Narendran expects Indian steel consumption to grow by 7–8% or more in the coming years.
- Narendran said policy support, investment and customer willingness to pay more for greener steel will be needed for India’s transition to green steel.
Jamshedpur: Tata Steel has developed a new hot-rolled fire resistant E350 structural steel that, according to the company, can retain two-thirds of its strength at 600°C for up to three hours. The product has been certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under Indian Standard IS 15103 and is aimed at improving the fire resistance of structural frames used in buildings and infrastructure.
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The steel has been developed using a specialised alloy design and microstructural engineering, with micro alloying elements designed to help the steel retain its properties at high temperatures. Tata Steel said the material can be used in pre engineered buildings, industrial sheds, warehouses, commercial building frames, hollow sections and tubes, large pillars, bridges and other infrastructure. Its possible use also extends to malls, hospitals, airports and multi-storey buildings where structural safety during a fire is a major concern.
More Time for Evacuation and Rescue
The key advantage of the new grade is its ability to retain structural strength for a longer period during a fire. In a situation where temperatures rise sharply, maintaining the strength of the main structural members can help delay structural failure and provide additional time for evacuation and rescue operations. Subodh Pandey, Vice President, Technology, R&D, New Material Business and Graphene, Tata Steel, said the growing focus on fire safety in modern infrastructure requires new materials and technologies. The company said the new product will also add to its value added steel portfolio.
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Steel Demand Seen Growing 7–8% in Coming Years
Separately, Tata Steel CEO and MD T.V Narendran said Indian steel consumption is expected to grow by 7–8% or more over the coming years, supported by domestic demand, infrastructure projects and industrial activity. He said rising global tariffs and trade barriers have made stronger local supply chains and investment in domestic manufacturing increasingly important. On green steel, Narendran said India was still at an early stage and would need government policy support, large industry investments and customers willing to pay a premium for lower carbon steel.
