Desmukh for research on commercial production of green steel

BHUBANESWAR: Voicing concern over limited raw material for steel in the country, Union Science and Technology Minister Vilasrao Desmukh today asked scientists to intensify research for commercial production of carbon free green steel.

"Some work has been done for making carbon free green steel, but greater attention needs to be given on how to commercialise it," Desmukh said during a visit to the Institute of Mineral and Materials Technology (IMMT) here.

Stating that iron ore reserve in the country was limited, he said all the raw materials would be exhausted in about 20 years if proper research was not carried out in order to find alternative resources for steel making.

Observing that a large number of companies are attracted to invest in steel sector in Orissa and elsewhere in the country, the minister lamented that there was no adequate research work to ensure a strong steel sector.

Scientists must gear up for intensive research in order to bring new technologies and make areas like carbon free green steel a viable commercial activity, Desmukh said.

The minister also visited the Kalilnga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) here where the 99th Indian Science Congress is scheduled to be held in January and launched national level essay and quiz competitions.

He also addressed the students of KIIT & Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and expressed happiness over the preparedness of KIIT to hold the Science Congress to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.