John Cockerill Industry’s President and Chairman of the Board of John Cockerill India in an interview and on the cover of the “Steelworld” Magazine: Sébastien Roussel talks sustainability, growth strategy and technological evolution.

​​​​​​​“John Cockerill is well set up to support a fast-growing Indian market and help Indian steelmakers on their path towards sustainable and responsible steelmaking.” In an interview with the Indian magazine Steelworld, John Cockerill Industry’s Executive President and Chairman of John Cockerill India‘s Board of Directors, Sébastien Roussel explains:

• Why investing into its Indian footprint for the past 15 years has proved to be the right strategy for John Cockerill, and why ambitions remain high.
• How the unique technologies & professional services provided by this sector of activity are heading the way to a more eco-friendly and cost-effective future for steel processing, both in India and globally.
• How John Cockerill Industry is further strengthening its Indian presence to support the country’s economic growth story.
• Why R&D is key to achieve profitable growth and how the investment in emerging technologies is to conquer climate change.
• And why investing into its new “Industrial Project Services” (IPS) business, oriented towards a more carbon-efficient and cleaner future, is so important for John Cockerill.

​​​​​​Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. is aiming at reducing the environmental footprint of its Odisha (India) steel plant with two of John Cockerill Industry’s green technology Fluidized Bed Acid Regeneration Plants (FB ARP).

As part of this leading steelmaker’s investment plan into what is to become the largest and greenest steel plant in India, the 2 ARPs with a capacity of 3,600 lph each, will allow to achieve extremely low dust and acid mist emissions, as well as the recycling of close to 100% of the spent pickling liquor generated in the client’s steel manufacturing process.

In combination with the perfectly matched tank farm, guaranteeing the efficient management of all consumables, the new installation will be lowering or even eliminating other waste streams, including waste water and solid hazardous waste, all while providing highest possible process security, throughput and plant availability.

Features that are leading, next to eco-friendliness, to considerably improved operating cost.

An investment reflecting Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.’s desire to invest into circular economy and an eco-friendlier future, and one more installation supplied by John Cockerill showcasing how we are assisting our steelmaking clients in their transition towards efficient, low carbon, smart and responsible steelmaking.

The first shipment for one of India’s leading steelmaker’s new Continuous Galvanizing Line (CGL) and flexible steel processing line, combining continuous galvanizing and annealing (CGAL), left our workshop close to 2 months ahead of schedule. What a great recognition for all members of our passionate project team who helped us hit this important milestone.

With the completion of the Basic Design at the end of August 2022, the first project milestone was already reached within the agreed time schedule. The first dispatch to the client’s site in the state of Gujarat, is the second important milestone of John Cockerill Industry’s biggest order ever and the first of many more to come in the months ahead. Upon its completion, the overall volume of the equipment deliveries will amount to around 20,000 tons.

John Cockerill is proud to accompany its steelmaking client in the production of sustainable high-performance steel.

After having carefully prepared his succession, João Felix da Silva will reach retirement age at the end of July. He will be replaced by Sébastien Roussel, who joined the Group nearly 16 years ago and is currently in charge of the Shared Execution Resources & Methodology (SERM). Sébastien Roussel will take over the presidency of the Industry Sector as of June 1, 2022. João Felix da Silva will continue to carry out certain missions in which his extensive experience will be very useful.

John Cockerill recently launched two new initiatives in India, each contributing to decarbonizing the country’s economy and fighting against climate change.

The Group signed a contract with its customer ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India to deliver two new steel processing lines featuring the most advanced technologies in terms of energy efficiency, zinc consumption optimization and corrosion resistance.

John Cockerill has also formalized a partnership with the Indian renewable energy leader Greenko to develop a hydrogen industry in the country, which will be based on a gigafactory of alkaline electrolysers.

• The Press Release related to the contract with ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India.
• The Press Release related to the partnership between Greenko and John Cockerill.

All-hands-on-deck: our Indian John Cockerill Industry team organized, a tree plantation campaign. A unique initiative, in line with two of our Group’s core values: environmental sustainability and social responsibility. This campaign is part of John Cockerill India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program under which over 20,000 horticulture plants & trees were planted by 32 farmers in Jawhar, a small rural village of the Palghar district, in the state of Maharashtra.

The plantation drive, that was organized in association with the Rotary Club of Bombay, Powai and the implementation partner, Global Parli, is demonstrating the value of care for the environment, while aiming to raise the income of the local farmers, helping them offset the adverse effects of the pandemic and multiple lockdowns that have heightened the poverty in many Indian villages.

The plants and trees were carefully selected based on local conditions, including Jasmine, Banana, Lemon, Drumstick, Mango and Custard Apple. Additionally, due diligence and feasibility studies were conducted. To further sustain this effort, the necessary training for the farmers has been provided.

And to ensure that the work that has been done does not go in vain, the implementation partner will monitor the growth at regular intervals and help the farmers to expand their reach. According to John Cockerill India’s Managing Director Vivek Bhide, F.IOD, who visited the site along with a small team to participate and oversee the work, “Much like the business, this drive aims at sowing a seed of prosperity and ensures the well-being of farmers for years to come!”

John Cockerill is a socially responsible company, committed to building a better world. John Cockerill India is involved in several social development projects to achieve sustainable development by initiating activities that not only give back to the society but focus on economic responsibility as well.