Tata Steel is celebrating 25 years of its Cold Rolling Mill (CRM) Complex in Jamshedpur, a key facility that produces cold-rolled and galvanized steel for sectors like automotive, appliances, and construction in India. The CRM was commissioned on April 24, 2000, and was completed in just 26.5 months. It was officially inaugurated by the late Ratan N Tata, then Chairman of Tata Steel, as part of the company’s Phase-3 modernisation plan, which aimed to enhance product offerings and expand value-added capabilities.
The establishment of the CRM Complex followed the expansion of the Hot Strip Mill, with a focus on producing high-quality cold-rolled products. Originally designed to have a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per year (MTPA), the plant now produces 2.0 MTPA to meet growing demand for high-strength steel, especially in the automotive industry.
The facility introduced new production lines and advanced technology to cater to the needs of automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), helping localize supply chains and reduce reliance on imports. It was one of the first in India to develop and supply cold-rolled and galvannealed skin panels, high-tensile steels, and galvannealed grades used in fuel tanks.
Since its launch, Tata Steel’s market share in the automotive sector has grown from about 20% in FY2001 to 50% in FY2025. The CRM Complex has supplied over 13.5 million tonnes of cold-rolled and galvanized products to the automotive industry, and has processed around 38 million tonnes of steel in total. The facility also supports industries like appliances, solar, and infrastructure, providing specialized materials such as Zero-Spangle Galvanized steel, another Indian first.
Chaitanya Bhanu, Vice President of Operations at Tata Steel Jamshedpur, said, “As we mark the 25th anniversary of the Cold Rolling Mill in Jamshedpur, we reflect on its crucial role in strengthening our manufacturing capabilities and expanding our product offerings. We remain committed to focusing on efficiency, quality, and meeting the needs of key industries.”
The CRM Complex continues to be a cornerstone of Tata Steel’s strategy for producing value-added steel and supporting downstream industries. Tata Steel Group, one of the world’s leading steel producers, has an annual crude steel capacity of 35 million tonnes. It operates globally across five continents and reported a turnover of approximately US$27.7 billion for the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
With over 78,000 employees worldwide, Tata Steel is dedicated to sustainability and aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2045. The company is also undergoing a digital transformation to lead in ‘Digital Steelmaking.’
Tata Steel’s plants in Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar, and IJmuiden have earned the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse recognition. The company also received the ‘Digital Enterprise of India – Steel’ Award in 2024 from Economic Times CIO. Tata Steel has been recognized for its efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion, earning the World Economic Forum’s Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lighthouse recognition in 2023.
Tata Steel has consistently performed well on the DJSI Emerging Markets Index since 2012 and ranked among the top 10 steel companies in the DJSI Corporate Sustainability Assessment since 2016. Its Jamshedpur plant is India’s first to receive ResponsibleSteelTM Certification, with more than 90% of Tata Steel’s steel production in India now coming from ResponsibleSteelTM certified sites.
The company has received numerous accolades, including the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best-performing integrated steel plant in 2016-17, seven consecutive Steel Sustainability Champion recognitions from worldsteel, the 2023 Climate Change Leadership Award from CDP, and the recognition as the most valuable mining and metals brand in India in 2024 by Brand Finance. Other honors include the 2023 Global ERM Award of Distinction and the ICSI Business Responsibility and Sustainability Award 2023.
