IIT Kanpur Signs MoU With SAIL Ltd To Drive Innovation In Steel Industry
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to enhance collaboration in research, development, and consultancy studies. This MoU aims to advance joint efforts towards key technological challenges within the steel industry.
The MoU was signed between Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, R&D, IIT Kanpur; and Mr. Sandip Kumar Kar, Executive Director, R&D Center for Iron & Steel (RDCIS), SAIL in the presence of Shri. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Govt of India; Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur; Mr. Amarendu Prakash, Chairman of SAIL; Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director of IITK; Prof. Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IITK; Prof. Kantesh Balani, Head of Materials Science and Engineering, IITK; and Prof. Jayant K Singh, Head of Chemical Engineering, IITK.
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During the ceremony, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur, said that this initiative marks a significant step towards advancing IIT Kanpur’s engagement with the industry. It also strengthens the institutional commitment to R&D for technological innovation in the steel industry via section 8 company with the Ministry of Steel’s support. This will leverage institutional strength in digital technology to address critical challenges faced by the country in the steel sector.
Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Govt of India, said that IIT Kanpur and SAIL collaborative effort will facilitate to address technological challenges related to steel decarbonization, hydrogen use in DRI production, waste utilization, mineral beneficiation of lean ore, and bulk materials movement and more. This MoU also represents solving the future manpower requirements of the steel industry, he said.
Amarendu Prakash, Chairman of SAIL, said that IIT Kanpur will play a crucial role in guiding the industry in selecting future technologies. SAIL will be the first customer of the products developed by start-ups incubated at IIT Kanpur. This will be a win-win condition for both IIT Kanpur and SAIL.
Mr. Sandip Kumar Kar, Executive Director of the R&D Center for Iron & Steel (RDCIS) at SAIL highlighted the importance of initiating specific projects and invited IIT Kanpur professors to visit RDCIS and SAIL plants to gain a deeper understanding of the plant operations and manufacturing environment.
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Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean of R&D at IIT Kanpur, said that plant problems are inherently interdisciplinary and require expertise from various fields. He further noted that IIT Kanpur is well-equipped with cutting-edge research facilities and a diverse team of experts to effectively address these technological challenges.
This partnership sets the stage for significant advancements in steel industry technologies through collaborative research and innovation.
