Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) recorded its best-ever production of hot metal, crude steel and finished steel in the first half of FY27, with finished steel output reaching 8.39 million tonnes (MT) during April-September 2026.
Hot metal production increased 2% year-on-year to 10.2 MT, while crude steel production rose 1% to 9.6 MT during the six-month period. Finished steel production also grew 1% compared with the corresponding period last year.
The share of finished steel in SAIL’s total saleable steel production improved to 89.2% during the first half, compared with 86.8% in April-September 2025. The company also reported higher supplies to Indian Railways, with dispatches of long rails increasing 7% and wheels and axles rising 3% year-on-year.
SAIL’s iron ore operations also registered record performance during the first half of the financial year. Iron ore production increased 13%, while sales surged 190% to 2.671 MT.
September added further to the company’s performance, with SAIL recording its best-ever saleable steel sales for the month at 1.69 MT, representing a 4% increase over September 2025.
The company also achieved stronger operational efficiency during the month. The fuel rate improved to 551 kg/thm, its best-ever September performance, marking a 1% improvement over the corresponding period last year.
Iron ore production in September increased 8% year-on-year, while iron ore sales reached 0.492 MT, registering a 134% increase and the company’s highest-ever September sales.
SAIL also reduced inventory by around 0.192 MT during September and brought down borrowings by approximately ₹208 crore. For the first half of FY27, inventory reduction stood at about 0.145 MT, while borrowings declined by approximately ₹1,080 crore.
The company’s specific energy consumption improved to 6.17 G.Cal/tcs during H1 FY27, representing a 0.5% improvement and its best-ever first-half performance on this parameter.
SAIL’s production performance comes against a broader increase in domestic steel demand. India’s finished steel consumption rose 7.4% year-on-year to 70.5 MT during April-August 2026, supported by activity in infrastructure, construction and manufacturing.
The company has also been focusing on increasing its production of high-end steel. The latest performance reflects efforts to improve operational efficiency, product mix and capacity utilisation across its integrated steel plants.
SAIL Chairman and Managing Director A K Panda said the record achievements in the first half and September reflected the collective efforts of the company’s workforce towards efficiency, innovation and sustainable growth. He added that the company’s production strength and increased focus on high-end steel would support its contribution to India’s industrial growth.
