Kolkata, Apr 24 (UNI) Tata Steel commemorates 25 years of its Cold Rolling Mill (CRM) Complex at Jamshedpur - a landmark facility that has redefined India’s capabilities in manufacturing high-quality cold rolled and galvanised steel for the automotive, appliance, and construction sectors.
Commissioned on April 24, 2000, in a record time of 26.5 months, the Cold Rolling Mill Complex was a testament to Tata Steel’s engineering acumen and project execution capabilities. The facility was inaugurated by the late Ratan N Tata, then Chairman of Tata Steel, marking a visionary step in the Company’s journey toward advanced steel manufacturing.
Reflecting on this milestone, Chaitanya Bhanu, Vice President – Operations, Tata Steel Jamshedpur, said: “As we celebrate 25 years of our Cold Rolling Mill Complex in Jamshedpur, we reaffirm our commitment to innovation and excellence in steel manufacturing. This facility not only showcases Tata Steel's engineering prowess but also highlights our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our customers. We are proud to have set a benchmark for quality and efficiency and we remain committed to strengthening this legacy in the years ahead.”
The decision to build the CRM Complex was a strategic move by Tata Steel to add value to its hot-rolled products and move up the steel value chain. The Cold Rolling Mill was conceived as a part of Phase-3 Modernisation in 1993 after the capacity enhancement of the existing Hot Strip Mill (HSM).
Starting with an initial rated capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), the plant has since expanded to 2.0 MTPA to accommodate the growing demand for High Strength Steel (HSS) substrates used in the automotive industry. This expansion was crucial for Tata Steel to meet the evolving requirements of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of passenger vehicles. The Cold Rolling Complex introduced state-of-the-art lines, making Tata Steel a pioneer in bringing world-class technology to India’s steel manufacturing sector.
The facility has enabled Tata Steel to develop first-in-India products such as Cold Rolled and Galvannealed Skin Panels, high tensile steel, and fuel tank-grade Galvannealed Steel, directly catering to the needs of automotive OEMs. This helped drive the localisation of the automotive supply chain in India and strengthened Tata Steel’s leadership position in the sector.
Over the years, the CRM Complex has been central to Tata Steel’s growth, with the Company’s market share in the automotive industry increasing from Rs20% in FY2001 to 50% in FY2025. Tata Steel has sold 13.5 million tonnes of cold rolled and galvanised products to automotive customers, securing its position as the preferred supplier for the domestic market.
The facility has processed approximately 38 million tonnes of steel, making it a cornerstone of Tata Steel’s value-added product portfolio. It has also played a pivotal role in supporting other sectors, such as appliances, solar, and construction, by providing superior quality materials like Zero-Spangle Galvanised steel, a first in India. The investment in the CRM Complex was a visionary step that positioned Tata Steel well ahead of its time.
UNI SJC