[ News ]Quality control mandatory for all producers: Indian Stainless Steel Development Association

KOLKATA: Indian Stainless SteelDevelopment Association (ISSDA), an apex body representing the stainless steel industry has said the recent government decision to introduce a Stainless Steel Quality Control Order (QCO), 2016 is mandatory for the stainless steel manufacturer --be it a domestic or foreign producer --rather than the end user. ISSDA has also pointed out that the order will have a minimum impact on the stainless steel utensils market since it does not cover stainless steel containing less than 1% of nickel. 

"Manufacturers would henceforth have to go in for BIS marking on the relevant grades. This provision will be applicable to all stainless steel products falling under the above mentioned standards, whether it is manufactured in India or is being imported into India. Although the QCO refers to the HS Codes, these are only indicative in nature. The QCO is applicable on the product form mentioned in the three standards and the 25 grades covered under it," N C Mathur, President, ISSDA said. 

"The QCO does not cover raw material (stainless steel) containing less than 1% nickel, while stainless steel containing less than 1% nickel is majorly used for kitchen utensils. Moreover, this QCO is not restrictive as the end user is free to use other grades of stainless steel which is not covered in the QCO. The onus to supply ISI marked stainless steel therefore, rests exclusively on the stainless steel manufacturer rather than the end user," Mathur added. 

In the recent past, the government has been issuing steel quality control orders to rein in poor quality and defective steel products being imported into the country. It has also taken a series of measures like imposition of a minimum import price, anti-dumping and safeguard duty on various steel products to check imports from countries such as China, South Korea and Japan. 

The latest QCO is applicable to some 25 grades of stainless steel which are covered under its ambit. Incidentally, the QCO mainly covers three Indian Standards (BIS) including IS 5522, IS 15997 and IS 6911. Grades covered by these three standards are: IS 5522 - 304, 302 & 430; IS 15997 - N1 (Min 1% Nickel), N2 (Min 1.5% Nickel) & N3 (Min 4% Nickel); IS 6911 - 405, 430, 410, 420S1, 420S2, 420S3, 431, 440, 201, 201A, 202, 301, 302, 304S1, 304S2, 309, 310, 316, 316L, 316Ti, 321 & 347. The grades are defined under three BIS standards (pertaining to stainless steel flat products) mentioned in the Schedule namely: IS 5522: Stainless steel sheets and strips for utensils; IS 15997: Low Nickel austenitic stainless steel sheet and strip for utensils and kitchen appliances and IS 6911: Stainless steel plate, sheet and strip -specifications.

[ Wiki ] Steel in Buildings and infrastructure

Construction is one of the most important steel-using industries, accounting for more than 50% of world steel production. Buildings - from houses to car-parks to schools and skyscrapers - rely on steel for their strength. Steel is also used on roofs and as cladding for exterior walls.

According to the UN's latest forecast dating July 2015, world population will reach 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 20501..This will be accompanied by rapid urbanisation. As the need for buildings and infrastructure continues to grow worldwide, reducing consumption of natural resources and associated emissions is crucial for future sustainability.

Steelmakers around the world are increasingly providing construction solutions that enable energy-efficient and low-carbon-neutral buildings. These solutions reduce the environmental impact over the structures’ life cycle and help to extend their life span through design for disassembly and reuse.

Steel can provide the solutions to infrastructure and construction needs in developing countries and in climate resilient cities through enabling protective coastal and wind-resistant designs. While buildings currently account for about 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, they also present many opportunities for reducing emissions and mitigating climate change.2,3

Not only is steel affordable, readily available and safer, its intrinsic properties, such as strength, versatility, durability and 100% recyclability allow for improved environmental performance across the entire life cycle of buildings. 

The advanced high-strength steels used in steel-plate applications also find uses in a number of related industries. Offshore oil rigs, bridges, civil engineering and construction machines, rail carriages, tanks and pressure vessels, nuclear, thermal and hydroelectric plants – all these applications benefit from the attributes of modern steels.

How steel is used in buildings and infrastructure

The possibilities for using steel in buildings and infrastructure are limitless. The most common applications are listed below4.

For buildings

• Structural sections: these provide a strong, stiff frame for the building and make up 25% of the steel use in buildings.
• Reinforcing bars: these add tensile strength and stiffness to concrete and make up 44% of steel use in buildings. Steel is used because it binds well to concrete, has a similar thermal expansion coefficient and is strong and relatively cost-effective. Reinforced concrete is also used to provide deep foundations and basements and is currently the world’s primary building material.
• Sheet products: 31% is in sheet products such as roofing, purlins, internal walls, ceilings, cladding, and insulating panels for exterior walls.
• Non-structural steel: steel is also found in many non-structural applications in buildings, such as heating and cooling equipment and interior ducting.
• Internal fixtures and fittings such as rails, shelving and stairs are also made of steel. 

For infrastructure