Tata Steel’s production up 14% in 2008-09

: Tata Steel, a leading steel maker of the country, today said its production surged by nearly 14% to 6.25 million tonnes in 2008-09 fiscal on the back of robust demand from sectors like auto and construction. In 2007-08, the company’s hot metal production stood at 5.50 million tonnes, a statement from Tata Steel said. During the fiscal under review, the world’s sixth largest steel producer also saw its sales volumes rise by 9% to 5.23 million tonne as against 4.78 million tonne. The sale of long products, mainly used in construction sector, increased by 25% to 2 million tonne from the earlier 1.60 million tonne.

In the segment of flat products, used by sectors like automobile and consumer durables, the company saw a marginal 1.25% rise in output at 3.22 million tonne. Overall, Tata Steel’s saleable steel production grew by 11% to 5.37 million tonnes from 4.85 mt. Its crude steel output too went up by 13% to 5.64 million tonne as compared to 5.01 million tonne. The steel major’s production and sales volumes registered an impressive double-digit growth in March also. Its saleable steel output increased by a maximum of 28% to 5.7 lakh tonnes while hot metal and crude steel volumes went up by 20% and 17% respectively.

—PTI