State-run Steel Authority of India (SAIL) on Tuesday said its production grew to 3.2 million tonnes, the highest ever in the first quarter, clocking a six per cent rise over the same period last year.
“In the first quarter of FY’14, SAIL has registered impressive growth in various production and techno-economic parameters,” SAIL said in a statement.
Production during June, 2013 was at 1.08 million tonnes, higher by seven per cent compared to same month last year.
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SAIL said its value-added steel production also touched the highest during the quarter to 1.28 million tonnes, a four per cent growth over the same period last fiscal.
Production efficiency, it said, also got a boost with energy consumption was lower by one per cent and blast furnace productivity improving by two per cent.
“During April-June 2013, new projects worth around Rs. 2,700 crore have commenced production. The new 4,060 cubic meter blast furnace at Rourkella Steel Plant will also commence production in the current month,” SAIL said.
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With several other projects on the anvil, the annual production capacity of hot metal of the company is expected to grow to 19 million tonnes by next fiscal from the current level of 14 million tonnes, it said.