MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 Opens in Goa with a Strong Call for Green Transition in India’s Steel Sector

Goa, November 9, 2025:
The MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 (MSSC 2025), organised by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), opened on sunday at ITC Grand Goa, Arossim, marking the state’s first major ferrous-focused steel and recycling conference. Supported by the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, and the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST), the two-day event has drawn over 300 delegates including steelmakers, recyclers, policymakers, and sustainability experts from across India.

The conference, themed around “Green Steel and Sustainable Growth,” aims to accelerate India’s transition toward low-carbon steelmaking, aligning with the government’s roadmap for 300 million tonnes of sustainable steel production by 2030.

The inaugural ceremony began with the traditional lamp lighting, followed by a welcome address by Mr. Zain Nathani, Vice President, MRAI, who said,

“What this conference will put in spotlight over these two days is going to shape the next decade for India’s steel industry — whether it is BIS standards, green steel, or decarbonisation. The dialogue that begins here will define the direction of sustainability and innovation for years to come.”

Delivering the welcome address, Mr. Keyur Shah, Managing Director, Mono Steel (India) Ltd. and MRAI Board Director, said,

“MSSC 2025 marks Goa’s first ferrous conference organised by MRAI. Steel is the backbone of national infrastructure. By embracing recycling and green technologies, we ensure the strength of the industry and the responsibility toward the planet advance together.”

Mr. Shah highlighted MRAI’s growth from 45 members to over 1,800 associations, integrating recyclers from ferrous, non-ferrous, e-waste, plastics, batteries, and used oil sectors into a unified ecosystem. He noted policy achievements such as zero import duty on ferrous scrap, simplified PCI procedures, and the vehicle scrappage policy under NITI Aayog, while announcing plans for green circular recycling parks and skill development initiatives across India.

Speaking on the green steel mission, Mr. Yogesh Mandhani, President, All India Induction Furnace Association (AIIFA), said,

“India is moving toward 300 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity. Seventeen companies have already received NISST’s Green Steel Certificates. The path to affordable and sustainable steel depends on close collaboration between the industry and the government.”

MRAI President Mr. Sanjay Mehta lauded the Ministry of Steel for its proactive engagement:

“The continuous support from the Ministry of Steel, especially from Shri V. K. Tripathi, has strengthened India’s recycling ecosystem. Today, MRAI operates across 11 recycling verticals in close collaboration with NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Environment. Through such summits, we exchange ideas, understand global and domestic trends, and drive India’s sustainability vision.”

Mr. Mehta also announced MRAI’s plans to host vertical-specific conferences in the coming months, beginning with ferrous, followed by non-ferrous and other sectors, and encouraged delegates to stay connected through MRAI’s industry publications.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Parmjeet Singh, Director, NISST, elaborated on the institute’s role in India’s green transition.

“India’s Green Steel Taxonomy, notified in December 2024, defines the framework for low-carbon steel classification. NISST has already issued multiple certifications, and more will be presented during this conference. Nearly 47% of India’s 200 million tonnes of steel capacity comes from the secondary sector, and about 38% of this steel is produced using ferrous scrap — a critical sustainability driver,” he said.

Participating virtually, Shri V. K. Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, said,

“India is now the world’s second-largest steel producer with 152 million tonnes of crude steel output. The focus must now shift to producing steel sustainably. Our short-term focus is on energy efficiency, the medium-term on green hydrogen and carbon capture, and our long-term goal is achieving net-zero emission steelmaking by 2070.”

Highlighting innovation, Mr. Nathani added,

“Mono Steel has become the first secondary steel company to register a hydrogen pilot project supported by the Ministry of Steel. The government has allocated ₹450 crore toward reducing coal consumption and promoting hydrogen-based steelmaking.”

The inaugural day also featured two technical sessions on standards, policies, and the evolving green steel market.

In the technical session on BIS standards, moderated by Mr. Amar Singh, Secretary General, MRAI, Shri Dwaipayan Bhadra, Director and Head, Civil Engineering Department, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), underlined the inclusive approach of BIS in formulating standards.

“BIS is not a regulator but a collaborative body. Our standards evolve through engagement with stakeholders, ensuring balance between industry needs and sustainability. They are dynamic and research-driven,” he said, noting BIS’s 40 offices and over 3,000 expert contributors.

In the second session, “Green Steel Market, Procurement and Policy Initiatives,” moderated by Mr. Abhijit Kulkarni, Partner, EY–Parthenon India, panellists discussed market frameworks, financing mechanisms, and adoption strategies for green steel.

“There can be no green steel without supportive policy and financial incentives,” said Mr. Kulkarni. “While large-scale adoption may pick up after 2030, the foundation for investment and innovation must be laid today through carbon pricing, technology development, and stronger collaboration across the ecosystem.”

Panellists included Mr. Thiyagarajan (CII), Mr. Tarun Garg (RMI India Foundation), Mr. Deepak B.H. (Toyota Kirloskar Motor), and Mr. Rajat Kaushik (Metalogic PMS), who discussed how green procurement and concessional financing could empower MSMEs to participate in India’s low-carbon transformation.

The first day concluded with an evening networking dinner that brought together government officials, industry leaders, and sustainability experts for informal exchanges against Goa’s coastal backdrop — highlighting the state’s growing importance as a national venue for green industry dialogue.

The MRAI Sustainable Steel Conference 2025 continues on November 10, with sessions on carbon credit frameworks, recycling technology, and the evolving policy roadmap for sustainable industrial growth.