In today’s world, steel is an indispensable component. So many thousands of items that we see around us – cars, bridges, buildings, pipelines, etc. – need steel as a building component. In some form or the other, steel manufacturing has been there for ages. But the evolution process has been ongoing, in an attempt to enhance the product and process qualities.
The steel companies melt iron ore, scrap metal, and other related products in large furnaces. Then they solidify the molten material into rough shapes. These shapes are then drawn and cast to make various steel finished products like sheets, rods, bars, beams, wires, etc.
How is the Steel industry organized?
Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) and integrated mills produce iron and steel from iron ore. These mills also have finishing facilities where they transform the iron and steel into semi-finished and finished products. Certain industries need steel in specific forms – like coated with chemicals or blended with some other metal. This job is also done in the finishing mills.
The steel industry in India
The iron and steel industry is growing at a rapid speed and counted among the major industries of India. Today, India is the 2nd largest producer of steel globally, after China. India holds the top spot in the production of steel iron in the world. Almost 83 million finished steel was produced in India in 2019.
There are more than 50 iron and steel plants in India, owned by major public and private sector players. Some of these players have a global identity while others are smaller in scale.
Here is the list of top 15 steel companies in India:
JSW Steel Ltd.
Part of the renowned JSW Group, JSW Steel is among India’s fastest-growing steel companies. It all began in 1982 from a single plant. Today, JSW Steel is India’s largest exporter of steel, with its products reaching almost 100 countries across the 5 continents. The company is among the trendsetters in the manufacturing of high-strength and advanced high-end steel products for the automotive sector. Its wide range of products includes Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled, Galvanized, and other forms of steel.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 70,957.51
Book Value (Rs): 158.46
Face Value (RS): 1.00
Turnover (Rs. In Lakhs): 15,214.04
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 4,009.00
- March 2019: 7,554.00
- March 2018: 6,071.00
- March 2017: 3,454.00
Tata Steel Ltd.
Tata Steel Ltd is counted among the second-largest Steel Companies in India. This is the steel division of the legendary and globally-renowned Tata Group. Millions around the world use some products of this group every day. Tata Steel sees growth as a wholesome process that first and foremost involves customer satisfaction. It is this policy that has driven the multi-billion dollar behemoth for more than 100 years. It is the lowest-cost steel producer in Asia, with operations in 26 countries (still expanding) and commercial presence in more than 50 nations.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 49,689.46
Book Value (Rs): 661.73
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Turnover (Rs. In Lakhs): 41,923.91
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 984.49
- March 2019: 8,873.63
- March 2018: 17,588.71
- March 2017: -4,176.22
Steel Authority of India Ltd.
Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) is a government-owned Maharatna company. It is India’s largest steel-making company from eight plants, out of which three are special steel plants. Most of the plants are located close to the source of the required raw materials – in eastern and central India. This helps to reduce the cost of production and price the end product competitively.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 17,038.87
Book Value (Rs): 96.30
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Turnover (Rs. In Lakhs): 5,498.43
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 1,926.39
- March 2019: 2,125.84
- March 2018: -566.26
- March 2017: -2,950.09
Prakash Industries Ltd.
The company came into being in 1980 with focuses on mining, power, and steel. Over the last 4 decades, the company has built a strong position for itself as a provider of value-added steel products in India. The company has always stayed tuned to the needs of the market and continuously adapted itself to the changing demands. Prakash Industries Ltd. produces a range of steel products through its hi-tech production processes.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 802.37
Book Value (Rs): 169.57
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 118.19
- March 2019: 539.22
- March 2018: 386.25
- March 2017: 81.00
Godawari Power & Ispat Ltd.
Godawari Power & Ispat Ltd is a part of the Raipur-based HIRA Group. The company is into the production of mild steel wires and other related products for more than 20 years now. In its end-to-end manufacturing activity, the company also produces items like sponge iron, Ferroalloys, iron billets, etc.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 1,124.04
Book Value (Rs): 340.09
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 174.43
- March 2019: 256.82
- March 2018: 211.29
- March 2017: -73.89
Sarda Energy and Minerals Ltd.
Sarda Energy and Minerals Ltd. (SEML) began operations from 1973. The company is into the production of steel, Ferroalloys, pellets, iron ore, and more. Throughout its life till now, the company has regularly diversified its product portfolio to remain competitive in the market and to provide value to its ever-increasing customer base. Customer centricity is the core focus of the company. And it is also proven by the fact that customers in more than 60 countries of the world trust SEML as a supplier of quality steel and related products.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 980.54
Book Value (Rs): 480.31
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 135.54
- March 2019: 207.19
- March 2018: 204.77
- March 2017: 126.97
Usha Martin Ltd.
Usha Martin was established in 1960. Today, it is among the leading manufacturers of steel wire ropes in the world. State-of-the-art plants located at multiple locations manufacture a wide range of wire ropes for application in various industries.
The company also produces:
- Wires
- Cables,
- Stranding machines
- Steel plant equipment
- Material handling equipment
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 818.23
Book Value (Rs): 20.19
Face Value (RS): 1.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 420.65
- March 2019: 46.46
- March 2018: -268.79
- March 2017: -359.52
Vardhman Special Steels Ltd.
In 1973, the Vardhman Group entered the steel manufacturing domain. It began small and had steady growth. Today, the company has attained an annual production capacity of 1,50,000 metric tons of high-quality Hot Rolled bars. Vardhman supplies its products to a range of industries like automobile, tractor, bearing, etc. Advanced manufacturing facilities and strict quality control ensure that the customers always receive value for money. The company is into continuous innovation to further enhance product quality.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 283.17
Book Value (Rs): 102.40
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 3.34
- March 2019: 22.21
- March 2018: 25.04
- March 2017: 19.14
Kamdhenu Ltd.
Kamdhenu Ltd. a part of the Kamdhenu Group is into steel manufacturing since 1995. In the last 25 years, the company has endeared itself to its large customer base with its top-grade products and superior customer service. Over the years, the Kamdhenu Group has also ventured into other business areas. But at the core of its operations, a few factors have remained constant – honesty, commitment, and customer satisfaction.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 204.71
Book Value (Rs): 67.23
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 1.88
- March 2019: 22.47
- March 2018: 15.67
- March 2017: 8.10
Orissa Minerals Development Company Ltd.
The Orissa Minerals Development Company Ltd., a subsidiary of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd., is a premier manufacturer of iron and steel, and related products. The company has iron ore mines with huge capacities that it leverages to produce the required raw materials. Its customers are spread all over the country, both in the public as well as private sectors.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 1,463.91
Book Value (Rs): 95.13
Face Value (RS): 1.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: -76.69
- March 2019: -451.63
- March 2018: -252.96
- March 2017: 6.56
JTL Infra Ltd.
Jagan Group of Companies owns JTL Infra Ltd. the company produces ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes, both Black and Galvanized. It also produces hollow and structural steel that find application in construction and engineering activities. With the best technical expertise and a qualified team, JTL Infra has customers spread all over the globe and enjoys a Star Export House status from the Government of India.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 133.92
Book Value (Rs): 57.72
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 10.08
- March 2019: 14.50
- March 2018: 8.04
- March 2017: 1.38
ISMT Ltd.
ISMT Ltd was incorporated as The Indian Seamless Metal Tubes Ltd. with an initial production capacity of 15,000 metric tons per annum. It has grown into a big organization today with a large production capacity, manufacturing special engineering steel. The company has emerged a market leader in this particular product segment.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 105.63
Book Value (Rs): -72.50
Face Value (RS): 5.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: -240.43
- March 2019: -228.78
- March 2018: -239.95
- March 2017: -279.62
Electrotherm (India) Ltd.
Since 2004, Electrotherm has been into the auction of high-quality steel products from its state-of-the-art plant in Gujarat. The company is a market leader in the induction melting equipment sector, with more than 65% share. Driven by the goal of ensuring an r-improving customer experience, the company has a commanding presence in 58 countries of the world.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 140.74
Book Value (Rs): -762.33
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 24.09
- March 2019: 141.83
- March 2018: 2.96
- March 2017: -91.28
Mukand Ltd.
Determination, reliability, and quality – these are the mottos of Mukand Ltd. From 1937, these three words have guided every action of the erstwhile. The company produces more than 400 types of engineering steel of various dimensions. The primary products are bars, wire rods, wires, and bright bars. Mukand’s alloy steel finds wide usage in the automobile industry. Mukand also exports its products to different countries across North America, Asia, & Europe.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 408.66
Book Value (Rs): 60.61
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: -190.11
- March 2019: -134.35
- March 2018: 810.26
- March 2017: -25.36
Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd.
Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. began operations in 1973 as a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Defense. The company manufactures different categories of superalloys, special steels, and various related materials for the defense, aeronautical, and space research requirements. Govt departments like the DRDO, SRO, HAL, etc. make up for more than 70% of the customers of Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. over the years, the company has invested heavily in research and development and enhanced the production processes to facilitate the manufacturing of higher quality products.
Market Cap (Rs Cr.): 3,996.90
Book Value (Rs): 51.16
Face Value (RS): 10.00
Profit and loss (in Rs. Cr.):
- March 2020: 159.73
- March 2019: 130.56
- March 2018: 131.26
- March 2017: 126.31
List of Top 15 Steel Companies in India
| No. | Company | Establishment | Head office | Employees | Website |
| 1 | JSW Steel Ltd. | 1982 | Mumbai | 12,599 | https://www.jsw.in |
| 2 | Tata Steel Ltd. | 1907 | Mumbai | 32,984 | https://www.tatasteel.com/ |
| 3 | Steel Authority of India Ltd. | 1954 | New Delhi | 68,742 | https://www.sail.co.in/ |
| 4 | Prakash Industries Ltd. | 1980 | Raipur | 1001-5000 | https://prakash.com/ |
| 5 | Godawari Power & Ispat Ltd. | 1999 | Raipur | 1,001-5,000 | http://godawaripowerispat.com/ |
| 6 | Sarda Energy and Minerals Ltd. | 1973 | Raipur | – | http://www.seml.co.in/ |
| 7 | Usha Martin Ltd. | 1960 | Kolkata | – | http://www.ushamartin.com/en/ |
| 8 | Vardhman Special Steels Ltd. | 1973 | Ludhiana | 1106 | https://www.vardhmansteel.com/ |
| 9 | Kamdhenu Ltd. | 1994 | Alwar | 201-500 | https://www.kamdhenulimited.com/ |
| 10 | Orissa Minerals Development Company Ltd. | 1918 | Kolkata | – | http://www.birdgroup.co.in/ |
| 11 | JTL Infra Ltd. | 1991 | Chandigarh | – | https://www.jtlinfra.com/ |
| 12 | ISMT Ltd. | 1977 | Pune | 1001-5000 | http://www.ismt.co.in/ |
| 13 | Electrotherm (India) Ltd. | 1983 | Ahmedabad | 2001 to 5000 | https://www.electrotherm.com/ |
| 14 | Mukand Ltd. | 1937 | Mumbai | 2,400 | https://www.mukand.com/ |
| 15 | Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. | 1973 | Hyderabad | 791 | https://midhani-india.in/ |
