**Executive Summary**
The "SRTMI R&D Connect: From Ideas to Industrial Impact" workshop was inaugurated by Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy on 7th April 2026 in New Delhi. Organized by the Steel Research & Technology Mission of India (SRTMI), the event aimed to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application to drive innovation in India’s steel sector. Key objectives included fostering a circular economy, accelerating green decarbonization, and establishing a robust pipeline of deployable technological solutions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Objectives**
* **Transition to Sustainability:** Shift the steel sector from traditional growth to a future defined by green decarbonization and a circular economy.
* **Commercialization Focus:** Prioritize faster technology development, pilot-scale validations, and the transformation of laboratory research into industrial results.
* **Global Benchmarking:** Position the Indian steel industry as a resilient, "Atmanirbhar" (self-reliant) powerhouse and a global benchmark for excellence.
**Workshop Highlights**
* **Startup Ecosystem:** A dedicated session allowed startups to pitch solutions for digitalization, process efficiency, advanced materials, and waste utilization.
* **Industry-Led Roadmap:** Major steel players like SAIL, Tata Steel, and JSW presented strategic problem statements to align research with real-world industrial challenges.
* **Technical Excellence:** Academicians from premier institutions (IITs and NITs) delivered presentations on operational excellence and the circular economy.
* **Knowledge Exchange:** A poster presentation session showcased innovative work from students, researchers, and industry professionals.
**Sectoral Momentum**
* **Growth Trends:** India remains a vibrant engine of growth with rising demand, despite a global landscape of contraction in the steel sector.
* **Collaboration:** The event convened over 180 stakeholders, including government representatives, industry leaders, startups, and research bodies like CSIR-IMMT.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Steel & Government**
**Impact:** Advances the national mission of building a "Viksit Bharat" by strengthening the domestic R&D ecosystem and fostering indigenous technology.
**Action Required:** Continue to position SRTMI as a dynamic collaborative platform and support policies that catalyze future industry-academic partnerships.
**Steel Industry Leaders (SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW, etc.)**
**Impact:** Provides access to a pipeline of innovative solutions designed to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and meet sustainability targets.
**Action Required:** Commit to bold investments in R&D and provide clear strategic problem statements to guide academic research toward deployable solutions.
**Academic & Research Institutions**
**Impact:** Offers a platform to showcase breakthrough research and align academic expertise with the practical needs of the steel industry.
**Action Required:** Focus research efforts on operational excellence, decarbonization, and the circular economy to ensure work moves beyond the laboratory.
**Startups**
**Impact:** Gathers exposure to major industry players and provides opportunities to implement innovative technologies on a shop-floor level.
**Action Required:** Develop and present scalable solutions focusing on process efficiency, waste utilization, and advanced materials.
Key Entities Referenced
Steel Research & Technology Mission of India (SRTMI): A joint initiative of the Ministry of Steel and major industry players established to drive R&D, innovation, and technology development in the Indian steel sector.
Ministry of Steel: The central government ministry responsible for overseeing the growth, policy formulation, and R&D ecosystem of the steel industry in India.
Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy: The Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries who outlined strategic priorities for the sector, including the transition to a circular economy and green decarbonization.
Viksit Bharat: The national vision for a developed India, providing the overarching strategic framework for the steel sector's modernization and sustainability goals.
Ministry of Steel
H. D. Kumaraswamy Inaugurates SRTMI R&D
Connect Workshop to Drive Innovation and
Industrial Impact in India’s Steel Sector
Posted On: 07 APR 2026 7:42PM by PIB Delhi
The Steel Research & Technology Mission of India (SRTMI), a joint initiative of the Ministry of Steel and
major Indian steel players, successfully organized a high-level workshop titled “SRTMI R&D Connect:
From Ideas to Industrial Impact” on 7th April 2026 at New Delhi.
Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Minister of Steel & Heavy Industries, inaugurated the workshop,
presiding over the proceedings as Chief Guest. The event convened a diverse assembly of key
stakeholders, including prominent government representatives and major industry leaders such as SAIL,
Tata Steel, JSW, SIMA, etc. Academic expertise was well-represented by prestigious institutions,
including IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT (BHU), NIT Trichy, NIT Durgapur, IIT Delhi, IIT Indore, and ISM
Dhanbad. In addition to industrial and academic pioneers, the workshop engaged emerging startups and
renowned research bodies like CSIR-IMMT. Together, these participants deliberated on critical priority
areas aimed at fortifying the steel sector through strategic innovation and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Addressing the delegates during the high-level workshop, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy, Hon’ble Minister of
Steel & Heavy Industries, said, “As we build the backbone of a Viksit Bharat, the steel sector must
transition from traditional growth to a future defined by a circular economy and green decarbonization.
Our mission is to ensure that innovation moves beyond the laboratory—transforming ideas into
implementation and research into results. By empowering our startups and prioritizing indigenous
technology, we are not just producing steel; we are forging a modern, sustainable, and Atmanirbhar
industry that stands as a global benchmark for excellence.”
Sh. Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, while addressing the workshop, said, “While the
global steel landscape faces a period of contraction, India stands as a vibrant engine of growth, bucking
the trend with rising demand and unparalleled momentum. This unique position is our greatest opportunity
and our responsibility to lead the world through innovation. By committing ourselves to bold investments
in R&D today, we are ensuring that the Indian steel industry remains a resilient, world-class powerhouse
for generations to come.”
Shri M.R. Gupta, President, SRTMI and Director (Mines), SAIL, stated during his address: “As we move
forward, we are committed to a mission-mode approach—prioritizing faster technology development,
pilot-scale validations, and accelerated commercialization. Our goal is to build a robust pipeline of
deployable solutions that meaningfully enhance productivity, reduce costs, and strengthen the
sustainability of the Indian steel sector.”
On this occasion, Shri Ashish Chatterjee (Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Steel),
Shri Abhijit Narendra (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel), Shri Krishna Kumar Singh (Director of
Personnel and holding additional charge of CMD, SAIL), were present, along with other senior officials
from the Ministry of Steel and the industry.Shri Abhijit Narendra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, stressed the importance of the workshop’s key
focus areas.
During the workshop, the Hon’ble Minister of Steel, along with Secretary, Ministry of Steel, and senior
officers of the Ministry, interacted with various students, researchers and startups, who had presented their
innovative ideas and work through posters during the workshop.
Key Highlights of the Workshop:
Startup Ecosystem: A dedicated Startup Pitch Session featured innovative solutions from startups
focusing on process efficiency, digitalization, waste utilization, and advanced materials.
Industry-Led Roadmap: Leading steel companies, including SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW, SIMA, and
Jayaswal Neco Industries Ltd., presented strategic problem statements focusing on resource
efficiency, waste utilization, and green steel and decarbonization technologies, aligning research
with real-world industrial challenges.
Technical Excellence: Eminent academicians from premier institutions, such as IIT Bombay, NIT
Trichy, NIT Durgapur, and COEP Technological University, Pune, delivered technical presentations
on operational excellence, the circular economy, and decarbonization.
Knowledge Exchange: The workshop concluded with a poster presentation session showcasing
innovative work by students, researchers, startups, and industry professionals aligned with SRTMI’s
focus areas.
The event served as a strategic platform to bridge the gap between breakthrough research and shop-floor
application, reinforcing India’s commitment to becoming a technology-driven global steel powerhouse.
The workshop witnessed participation from over 180+ stakeholders across industry, academia, and
startups, marking a significant step in the Ministry of Steel’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the R&D
ecosystem and position SRTMI as a dynamic collaborative platform. The event concluded with the
expectation to catalyze future partnerships, accelerate technology development, and support the transition
of the Indian steel sector toward innovation-led and sustainable growth.*****
AG
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