Tata Steel’s Ferro Alloys & Minerals Division (FAMD) launched TATA SILCOMAG, India’s first branded silico manganese at Durgapur, a major consumption center of the product.

Silico manganese is a ferroalloy widely used as an alloying agent in the manufacture of steel (especially long products). It provides the necessary toughness and hardness to steel and, hence, is a critical ingredient for steel making. Currently, no branded silico manganese is available in the market through the distribution route and Tata Steel is the pioneer in introducing silico manganese as a branded product.

Speaking on this occasion, a senior official from Tata Steel said, "As a part of the brand promise, TATA SILCOMAG fulfills the long-felt market need of consistency and guaranteed chemistry, weight and size. It comes with the guarantee of restricted carbon, sulphur and phosphorus, thus reducing the cost of refining and achieving the desired specifications".

The product will initially be sold in branded 50 kg HDPE bags. Soon, 25kg HDPE bags will also be introduced in the market.

The annual domestic demand for silico manganese is around close to 3 lakh tonnes from the secondary carbon steel segment. This demand is clustered in select pockets across the country viz. Raipur, Durgapur, Mandi, Ludhiana etc. The secondary steel producers make ingots/ billets, which is further rolled into Rebars, Wire Rods & Structurals. Tata Steel expects to dominate the silico manganese market in and around Durgapur.

"In the months ahead, the product will also be launched in Raipur and Mandi/Ludhiana, which are also major consumption centers", said the spokesperson.

Tata Steel Limited pioneered manganese alloy making in India by setting up one of India’s first ferroalloy plants in 1958 at Joda, Odisha. The plant, which was subsequently modernized and expanded, is the oldest continuously operating ferroalloy unit in India.

Tata Steel’s Ferro Alloys & Minerals Division (FAMD) is the leading Manganese Alloy producer in India and the 6th largest Chrome Alloy producer in the world, with production units in India and South Africa. It has an integrated value chain - starting from mining, beneficiation, Ferro Alloy production to marketing & sales.

FAMD enjoys long term relationships with most reputed world players in premium geographies viz. Japan, South Korea, Europe etc. FAMD is also known for its focus on service reliability, customized offerings and consistent quality.

Backed by state-of-the-art quality control laboratories and a full-fledged R & D unit, FAMD has been at the forefront of Ferro Alloys development in India.

Now, Tata Steel’s Ferro Alloys & Minerals Division creates another first with the launch of TATA SILCOMAG, India’s first branded Ferro Alloy.