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Date:04/03/2023

Now perception has changed completely, everyone keen to be part of a value chain rather than merely a supply chain. This transformation in mindset has taken Place, in last 2-3 years, across the globe. It is good to attract the investment for downstream industries.

The move of Philippines to follow Indonesian way is a recent example in Stainless Steel Sector. No doubt, it will take time but one thing is very sure nations dependent upon imports of Nickel or Nickel Ore have to feel heat in medium or in long term.

Here worry is Indian End-Users, OEMs, Fabricators have to tighten their belt because their basic raw material (Stainless Steel) is going to be costlier by today or by tomorrow. It will hit our Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises badly. GOI (Ministry of Commerce & Industry) must take cognizance of future scenario and accordingly steps should be there to ensure availability of cost effective SS material in our domestic market.

Just think!... What will happen to Copper ?... When Chile & Peru start behaving in the same direction...

(Disclaimer; Opinion is personal, no way related to any company or group)

Regards

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Date:14/09/2022

It seems that coming decades would be of globalization, convergence and sameness. Economic competition would be more intense, than ever before, to consume scarce resources. No doubt, excessive competitive pressures will give birth to conflicts and with the unprecedented power of modern weaponry; extinction is more likely (fig 1).

See, at this juncture, only new technology & innovations can relieve extra pressure and simultaneously curb eruption of conflicts. It will work as a panacea to save globalized economic plateau- “Our World”. Please remember, everything is important to us- the universe, the planet, the country, the company, the life and this very moment.

Our prime & sincere endeavor should be only towards the singular ways to create new things for the betterment (fig 2). But the bigger challenge is how to start?, where to start?, who will take initiative?, what will be the roadmap?...... and etc. Here things are completely hazy, therefore, once again bring “ZERO” in the picture that means start striving to see our world anew, as fresh and strange as it was to the ancients who saw it first.

Our "ZERO Based Approach" would be helpful in mitigating stagnation to a great extent and will lead us towards singularity. It is a high time to start our homework for “0 TO 1”.

Regards

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Date:24/08/2022

The indications are reinforcing and underlining the statement. Within a short time span Indonesia acquired the nameplate capacity of 5.8 Million Tonnes which means nearly 6.5 Million Tonnes, (CU 110-115%), of Stainless Steel can produced as and when required.

Presently, Indonesia can meet 50% of world’s nickel demand and inter-alia to that have large coal, oil and gas resources. The low-cost raw materials and energy along with RKEF technology ( Rotary-Kiln-Submerged Arc Furnace) will squeeze the production cost and make the Stainless Steel manufacturing more cost-competitive even compared with China.

Full shape will emerge by the year 2024 and it’s going to change the market dynamics significantly. Usage of stainless steel is increasing in ASEAN countries & India and fortunately this backup will work as a catalyst in increasing per capita consumption. End-Users, OEMs and Fabricators will also feel some sort of reliefs as far as availability and price is concerned.

Regards

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Date:16/08/2022

Why so???.... Putting the utmost important stake holders, esteemed customers, in panic is no way a smart or strategic move for petty gains. It may give rise to dissatisfaction, anguish and above all users may start exploring alternate sources also vis-a-vis there is a probability of shifting to other solutions altogether.

Secondly, day by day dependency level will start moving towards south and eventually degree of faith with the brand will follow the same path. These are intangible losses, which we are unable to gauge at that point of time, have significant say on brand values. Actions or endeavors should be in the direction of how to bring more proximity with the stakeholders.

Conclusion: See, after mutatis mutandis, it is quite obvious that intangible losses are like termites and will take time to get visible. Therefore proper mechanism, with systems & processes, is inevitable to understand and capture such type of losses, if any.

Regards

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Date:06/08/2022

Commodities prices are soaring and bound to soar vis a vis on other hand end users / fabricators are desperately looking for cost competitive solutions. Above all, just envision EV era also...

The worry part is, in absence of befitting solutions the natural growth of a segment gets adversely affected leading to no significant rise in per capita consumption. Inter-alia to that our damp-squib approaches facilitates room for competition.

Conclusion: We all have to understand, introspect and respond to the market requirements within a calculated time frame, otherwise, we all know world is small...

Regards

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Date:03/08/2022

Silos, the Grey Area to be Captured with Duplex...

Coated Carbon Steel can be replaced with Duplex Grade ( C- 0.03, Cr- 21.5-22, Ni- =1.5, Mo- =0.3, Mn- 5, Others Cu.... ) having proof stress > 500MPa and elongation > 25. There is initial cost saving of 5-6% beside the LCC benefit and savings on long term maintenance.

Cost Calculation in terms of (%) [ Carbon Steel - 70%, (External + Internal) Coating - 30% ], whereas Duplex Grade = 95%

Potential: This segment has the potential of at least one hundred thousand metric tonne per annum with a CAGR of 13-15%.

Conclusion: Prima facie, seeing the present scenario of sanctions era vis a vis envisioning the future scenario with EV, one thing comes in mind that Duplex is the future. No doubt, "Duplex Family" can easily take care of Market Dynamix, therefore, segment-wise approach is required to penetrate Duplex Grade. Rest assured in future only Duplex can ensure cost & availability both.

Regards