ISA Steel Conclave 2025 highlights AI, green finance and raw material security

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ISA Steel Conclave 2025 highlights AI, green finance and raw material security

ISA Steel Conclave 2025 highlights AI, green finance and raw material security

Industry News
Sep 17,25

ISA Steel Conclave 2025 in New Delhi gathered 450+ delegates and 100 speakers, spotlighting AI, green finance, raw material security, and sustainability for India’s globally competitive steel sector.

ISA Steel Conclave 2025 highlights AI, green finance and raw material security

New Delhi

The sixth edition of the ISA Steel Conclave 2025 concluded in New Delhi on September 9, 2025, drawing more than 450 delegates and around 100 speakers. Organised by the Indian Steel Association (ISA), the two-day event focused on leveraging artificial intelligence, financing for green transition, and securing raw materials to ensure sustainable growth of India’s steel industry. Themed “Steel for Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Driving Sustainability and Growth”, the conclave was supported by the Ministry of Steel and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

ISA President Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel Ltd, emphasised reducing reliance on coking coal, strengthening MSMEs, and making Indian steel smarter, greener, and globally competitive. He highlighted double-digit domestic demand growth expected in FY26 despite recent weather disruptions. Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, as Chief Guest, underlined the role of green steel, decarbonisation, technology adoption, and raw material security in achieving the 300 MT capacity target by 2030. Union Minister Piyush Goyal urged the sector to exceed global averages in per capita steel consumption, calling for prefabricated steel adoption, shipbuilding expansion, and use of government infrastructure investments to generate new demand.

The event featured awards, with Richa Singh of Tata Steel receiving the Gender Diversity Icon Award and Ragini Kumari of Jindal Steel earning the Special Jury Choice Award. Five doyens of the steel industry—V R Sharma, Vinod Nowal, Tridibesh Mukherjee, Hemant N Nerurkar, and K A P Singh—were recognised for their contributions.

Sessions explored sustainable finance, with M. Nagaraju of the Ministry of Finance stressing risk guarantees and green bonds, while Vimal Anand of the Ministry of Commerce called for global benchmarks. Abhay Bakre of MNRE highlighted green hydrogen’s role in sustainable steelmaking, and Nidhi Khare of the Consumer Affairs Ministry reinforced India’s commitment to quality. Knowledge reports released included “Strengthening the Future: Steel for Growth and Resilience” by McKinsey & Company, India’s Coking Coal Strategy by EY, Deloitte’s Futuristic Strategy for Steel Industry in Odisha, and AT Kearney’s Decarbonisation of Indian Steel Industry.

The Coking Coal Summit, held alongside, addressed global price volatility and proposed an India-specific indexation model, while breakout sessions showcased AI-driven optimisation, carbon resource utilisation, and hydrogen transition pathways. The discussions provided a comprehensive roadmap for resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness, aligning India’s steel industry with global best practices and national climate goals.