RSP sets new production benchmarks

, Nov 7: With many new key units like a new Blast Furnace Complex, Coke Ovens Complex, a Slab Caster and an expanded raw material handling plant coming to stream, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) is setting new production benchmarks.

In October, the Steel Plant produced 2.33 lakh tonnes of Hot Metal, 2.07 lakh tonnes of Crude Steel and 1.71 lakh tonnes of Saleable Steel, thereby registering growth of 16.4 per cent, 10.7 per cent and 26.7 per cent respectively over last October.

Notably, on October 20, Hot Metal production from the new and old Blast Furnaces surpassed the 9,000 tonnes mark. This indicates the fast pace of stabilisation of the new Blast Furnace-5, RSP sources said. On October 1, the Steel Melting Shop-II made 51 blows and produced 7,667 Tonnes of Crude Steel, thereby registering its best ever performance for any single day in these areas.

On October 6, the new Sinter Unit-3 recorded production of 6,725 Tonnes of sinter, which is its best ever since its inception in April, 2012. The overall growth in the performance of the Plant in October was reflected in its overall show in first 7 months of the fiscal.

Hot metal production in April-October 2013 period was about 1.41 Million Tonne, while Crude Steel production stood at 1.30 MTs and that of Saleable Steel at 1.25 MT. Accordingly, there was a significant improvement in the performance of the downstream units.

By producing 2.70 lakh tonnes of Plate Mill Plates, the Steel Plant registered a growth of 4.6 per cent over the corresponding period last year, while for HR coil, the production stood at 5.07 lakh tonnes, a growth of 3.3 per cent.

Similarly, in Galvanised sheets (74057 Tonnes) and CRNO steel (39056 Tonnes) the Steel Plant registered increase of 21.1 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively over the corresponding period last year, sources said.

The specific energy consumption was to the tune of 6.7 Giga Calorie per tonne of Crude Steel in first seven months of the fiscal, again an all time best.

PTI