This week, John Cockerill India Limited’s 38th Annual General Meeting brought together its shareholders and investors to reflect on the past year’s achievements and share its exciting new offerings to support the Indian steel industry’s sustainable growth.

John Cockerill’s recent and ongoing product extensions into Iron & Steelmaking (Direct Reduced Iron, Electric Arc Furnace, Volteron®), energy efficiency, and the use of hydrogen in both, steel making and processing, combined with its game changing down stream innovations and technologies that are to replace standard steel strip galvanizing (JVD®) and produce tomorrow’s electrical steel to support the shift towards e-mobility (E-Si®), are only some of the outstanding technologies that will help Indian steelmakers to excel, and considerably curb their CO2 emissions.

These groundbreaking offerings tailored for a decarbonizing steel industry looking to achieve highest performance, combined with the sharing of the most important milestones of the past year in terms of project execution and financial performance, underscored John Cockerill India Limited’s commitment to transparency and shareholder value.

During this year’s Annual General Meeting, John Cockerill India Limited also bid farewell to its outgoing Chairman Sébastien Roussel who has recently been appointed COO of Rely, a unique provider of integrated hydrogen and Power-to-X solutions Rely is a joint venture between John Cockerill and Technip Energies. With the appointment of François-David Martino as its new Chairman, John Cockerill India Limited is excited to embark on a new chapter of its history and happily welcomes the wealth of experience and strategic insight that the Executive President of John Cockerill Industry will bring to the board.

John Cockerill India Limited is proud that its shareholders reaffirmed their confidence in the company’s vision, its desire to support sustainable and green steel production, and its potential to further grow in the evolving industrial landscape of India. John Cockerill thanks them for their continued trust and support, which help the company to aim higher and push boundaries.

With the iron and steel industry being one of the most energy-consuming industries, all major players are committed to address the pressing need for climate action and are to make strategic decisions to get on the decarbonization pathway. To support the decarbonizing steel industry, John Cockerill has been, and currently is, developing best-in-class technologies with the predominant objective to allow its steelmaking clients to address the three megatrends likely to play a crucial role in the steel sector’s transition pathway to reach net-zero emissions: green steel, widening the horizons of electrification, produce ever lighter steel grades.
Meeting these trends presents challenges for the iron and steel sector. To support the steel value chain as it seeks to plot a more sustainable pathway while competitive, John Cockerill Metals has created 3 distinct Business Segments to address todays and tomorrow’s challenges:

• Iron & Steelmaking
• Processing & Rolling
• Services & Energy Efficiency

While the Processing & Rolling segment is regrouping our historical downstream product portfolio, the newly created Iron & Steelmaking segment is focusing on John Cockerill Metals’ new upstream offering related to Volteron® (direct electrolysis), DRI (Direct Reduced Iron), EAF (Electric Arc Furnaces) technologies and the use of hydrogen in steelmaking.

Knowing that especially in old coal-based steel plants, emissions can be reduced by up to 90% using more efficient technologies, the Services & Energy Efficiency segment is yet another important element of John Cockerill’s strategic imperative to support sustainable and green steel production. As such, this newly created segment not only embraces all services and after-sales activities but will be strongly focusing on downstream furnace electrification (reheating and processing line furnaces), as well as hydrogen combustion, and the optimization of plant operations, including energy audits and the modernization of steel production equipment and installations.

With its extended product portfolio, John Cockerill Metals now offers its steelmaking clients an exceptional opportunity for curbing their CO2 emissions.

Decarbonizing steelmaking: a strategic imperative

With hydrogen sparking change for the future of green steelmaking, the large amounts of hydrogen produced by electrolyzers on site, coupled with electrification is currently the ultimate form of green steelmaking in a net zero economy.  It is expected that 64% of the total primary steel production projected for 2050 is associated with H2-DRI-EAF followed at 25% by DRI-EAF equipped with CCS (carbon capture & storage) technology. While the DRI-EAF route is using electricity to produce direct reduced iron (DRI), which is then processed in an electric arc furnace (EAF) to produce steel, the H2-DRI-EAF route involves the use of hydrogen (H2).

The unique combination of John Cockerill’s extensive knowledge of the steel value chain along with its high-performance alkaline electrolysers and integrated project execution solutions, are allowing steelmakers to produce green hydrogen meeting the characteristics necessary to serve as a reducing agent in the liquid phase of steelmaking all while cutting the end-to-end cost of its making.

Next to offering innovative technologies aiming at decarbonizing iron reduction and steel production via indirect electrification (DRI-EAF & H2-DRI-EAF), John Cockerill is also working on Volteron®. A first-of-a-kind iron reduction and steel processing route demonstrating the possibility of producing iron via direct electrolysis. Considered to be breakthrough in terms of low carbon steelmaking and expected to reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions significantly, this CO2 free steelmaking process, has been co-developed by our process experts along with the world’s biggest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal. The first Volteron® plant producing commercial steel through direct renewable electrification at an industrial scale is scheduled to be operational by 2027.

By proposing both possible paths for the liquid steelmaking phase: direct and indirect electrification powered by renewable energy sources, John Cockerill holds a unique position in the market.

Processing & Rolling: game changing downstream technologies

John Cockerill Metals’ iron and steelmaking portfolio is completed by its downstream processing technologies including the break-through Jet Vapor Deposition (JVD®) technology. A novel high-productivity vacuum coating technology with superior properties offering steelmakers previously unknown coating flexibility and possibilities, all while being cost effective. On the back of its numerous advantages, the JVD®technology is expected to replace today’s hot-dip or electro galvanizing processes  in the years to come.

Another important recent extension of John Cockerill Metals’ downstream processing portfolio of solutions is its E-Si® product range. With e-mobility and EV (electric vehicles) adoption on the rise, steelmakers will be forced to increase production capacity to face the projected drastically growing demand. The electrical steel of tomorrow is to be strong, lightweight, high permeability and meet precise metallurgical properties, including a higher silicon content making it harder, but also more difficult to process. John Cockerill Metals’ E-Si® equipment and processing lines are specifically designed to produce high-quality Non-Grain Oriented (NGO) steel in response to these developments and essential to support the shift towards green mobility.

Set to become one of the industry’s global leaders

With its thorough understanding of steelmaking rooted in the long history and cultural heritage of the John Cockerill Group founded in 1817, and its attested 100+ years leadership in furnace electrification backed by the acquisition of the former EFCO (Electric Furnace Company) in 2003, John Cockerill Metals has a unique know how to leverage to the benefit of its clients.

Firmly grounded in decades of steel processing know how, the unique combination of its historic and recently developed product portfolio, along with the ongoing product extensions in the field of iron and steelmaking and energy efficiency, are to make John Cockerill one of the industry’s most relevant providers of equipment for both the hot and cold phase of the steelmaking and processing industry by 2030.

In recent years, our Indian entity, John Cockerill India Limited has been actively organizing tree plantation drives as a regular activity under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plan. By the end of 2023, John Cockerill India Limited will have planted 3,000 trees. Additionally, these transformative initiatives are to support India’s national forest policy aiming for trees on 33% of the country’s area and restoring about 21 million hectares of forest by 2030.

In collaboration with its CSR partner, Green Yatra, this month’s tree planting event was organized close to our Group’s workshop in Taloja, symbolizing our dedication to environmental sustainability and supporting the local communities surrounding our company’s facilities. A tangible measure of solidarity, that, while it is far from offsetting our company’s GHG emissions, testifies to our Group’s common responsibility and commitment to sustainable development goals, working closely with its stakeholders.

Seeking to make a positive impact

Our tree plantation drivesoffer a unique opportunity for our employees to learn about environmental conservation, the importance of trees in mitigating climate change, and the significance of preserving biodiversity. This powerful activity provides valuable learning experiences for participants, all while fostering teamwork.

By organizing and participating in these drives, our Indian colleagues not only gain hands-on experience in planting and nurturing trees, understanding the specific requirements of different species, and learning about sustainable land management practices, they also demonstrate their commitment to addressing environmental challenges and contributing to the well-being of local communities.

A heartfelt acknowledgment to the several dozens of our employees who dedicated their time and energy and made this initiative a resounding success.

At John Cockerill we are convinced that symbolic initiatives like this help us raise awareness among our colleagues about one of our Group’s importantmissions: the need to reduce CO² emissions. It comes as a supplement to the recently launched exercise of measuring the carbon footprint of our Indian industrial sites and activities. An exercise that is conducted along with our Group’s environment experts for all of John Cockerill’s worldwide locations with the ultimategoal to help us reduce our own greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

John Cockerill’s Indian entity has secured a contract from the Tinplate Company of India (TCIL), a subsidiary of Tata Steel, to install a Continuous Annealing Line (CAL) at the client’s Jamshedpur plant in Jharkhand. It adds to TCIL’s existing Cold Rolling Mills (CRMs), Electrolytic Tinning Lines (ETLs) and world-class Printing & Lacquering Lines.

A high-performance continuous annealing line to support the growth of the tinplate market

This investment is to support India’s leading tinplate producer in their goal to consistently offer high-quality products to meet its clients’ requirements in domestic and international markets, and will enable TCIL to enhance its share of value-added tinplate products and grow its overall market share.

The high degree of quality, reliability, flexibility, and safety for operators, guaranteed by the new CAL, will allow TCIL to adapt to the latest market demands, while positively contributing to sustainability and a reduced environmental footprint.

Proud to support India on its pathway to sustainable growth

John Cockerill India is to provide the design, engineering, manufacturing and supply of the plant and the equipment for the installation of the new CAL and is also in charge of the supervision of the erection of the line. Upon completion, the new line will produce 330,000 tons/y of high-quality annealed tinplate sheet per annum. The start of operations is scheduled early 2026.

John Cockerill is proud to have been chosen by such a first-class steelmaker to supply our latest innovative technologies for the processing of tinplate strip and to humbly contribute to India’s pathway towards sustainable growth.

With the new CGL to be supplied to Indian steelmaker Jindal Steel & Power, John Cockerill Industry is set to become the supplier of choice of high-performance and sustainable Continuous Galvanizing Lines (CGL) in India.

After the recent contracts for two of the leading Indian steelmakers targeting the automotive & advanced high-strength steel market, this is a third order for the supply of a high-performance galvanizing line. This time, aiming at supporting the client with its expansion plans catering for a rapidly growing domestic construction market.

The advanced technology provided by this new line played a key role in choosing John Cockerill India for the supply of Jindal Steel Odisha’s (JSOL) new CGL. As such, the steel processing line will feature John Cockerill’s latest technologies & innovations that allow for increased energy efficiency, optimized zinc consumption and the highest level of corrosion resistance, leading to greater sustainability in the steel production process.

The value-adding features of this CGL range from the highly efficient multi-stage degreasing section to the high-performance non-oxidizing furnace with heat recovery system, and the ultra-rapid jet cooling Blowstab®. Additionally, the special sink roll arrangement allows to process a wide range of strip thicknesses, and the state-of-the-art dual lip type Air Knife, as well as John Cockerill’s latest vertical chemical coater technology, the 4 Hi Skin Pass Mill and 6 Hi Tension Leveler, contribute to highest possible strip quality.

The new line will be built at Jindal Steel’s integrated steel plant in Angul in the state of Odisha. It is to coat up to 400.000 tpa of steel strip ranging from 0.15 to 1.8mm thickness and 800 to 1680 mm width with an Al/Zn coating at a line speed of 200 mpm.

“We are proud of having been chosen by Jindal Steel & Power for the expansion of its steel production site in Angul, set to become the country’s largest capacity single-location steel plant. This new contract will not only enable us to contribute to building a self-reliant India, but also to the country’s journey towards sustainability. A target that is fully in line with our Group’s mission and values“, said Vivek BHIDE, Managing Director of John Cockerill India Ltd.

The received Final Acceptance Certificates reaffirm John Cockerill India’s strong leadership position and is a testimony of the entity’s proven mill and processing line design and in-house production capabilities.

The Final Acceptance Certificates (FAC) received by John Cockerill Industry’s Indian entity for the supply of a 6High Reversing Cold Rolling Mill (CRM) and a versatile continuous Color Coating Line (CCL), by one of the country’s renown cold strip producers, impressively illustrates our Group’s strong leadership position in Cold Rolling and Steel Strip Processing on the Indian Sub-continent.

Jindal (India) Ltd. has entrusted the full supply of both of its new steel production facilities to John Cockerill India, reiterating its trust in our Group’s technologies and Indian manufacturing. We are delighted to help the client in their quest to consistently tapping into new opportunities by increasing production capacity, diversifying investments, and venturing into new businesses.

The new CRM, designed for an annual capacity of 250,000 tons at a speed of 1400 mpm, comes with proven roll shifting technology and provides positive and negative work roll bending and flatness measurement on the entry and on the exit side, allowing the client to produce the desired strip qualities in widths ranging from 700 to 1,600 millimeters and minimum final gauges down to 0.15 millimeters.

Additionally, the new robust and operator-friendly mill design is to allow for fast work roll changes and increased productivity, while its multi-zone cooling system, as well as the automatic hydraulic strip gauge & flatness control (AGC & AFC) system will ensure high flexibility and quality.

The highly versatile Color Coating Line is to produce coils with a multitude of paint coatings at a process speed of 150mpm, for coils ranging from width of 700 to 1450mm and thicknesses of 0.12 to 1mm.

John Cockerill is proud of its Indian teams for having successfully finalized this important project and for having once again showcased our profound ability to put the needs of our clients at the center of our business strategy.