The Research and Development Centre for Iron & Steel (RCDI&S), a division of Indian state-owned steel producer Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has developed technology which will result in energy cost savings of at least 10%, an official at SAIL said.

The technology has been adopted on a pilot basis at the hot strip mill at SAIL's Rourkela Steel Plant and is expected to result in energy savings of $3.5 million per year, the official said.

The technology will also be offered for adoption by private sector steel producers and, according to RDCI&S, if all Indian steel producers were to accept it, it could lead to national energy cost savings of $25-28 million per year.

The technology developed by RDCI&S scientists involves application of lubricants to the rolling surface during the hot rolling of steel coils, which reduces roll force and energy consumption by 10% and roll wear by 50%, the official said.

A hot rolling oil for the purpose has been jointly developed by RDCI&S and Indian Oil Corporation, the country's largest oil refiner and marketer.