In an exclusive interaction with Tube & Pipe India, Mr. Shiv Kumar Singhal, President (Commercial), Maharashtra Seamless Limited (MSL), talks about the company’s ambitious growth roadmap backed by an INR 852 crore capex plan spread over 2024-2029. Key investments include expanding cold drawn and finishing facilities, capacity expansions, solar power infrastructure, and technology upgrades. Mr. Singhal also highlights MSL’s strong domestic and global footprint, its leadership in seamless and ERW pipe manufacturing, and growing alignment with sectors like oil & gas, infrastructure, and renewables. The interview underscores MSL’s focus on innovation with- CPE Technology, Plug Mill Technology, MPM Technology and Fine Quality Mill Technology to ensure quality products.
Tube & Pipe India: Maharashtra Seamless had announced in 2024 Capex of INR 852 crore. Could you shed light on how you plan to utilize this sum and how this investment will contribute to the growth and development of your company?
Shiv Kumar Singhal: Capex of INR 852 crore has been earmarked for investment during 2024–2029 to establish various new facilities at our existing units. This strategic investment is expected to significantly contribute to the company’s growth and development.
Of this, about INR 60 crore will be invested between 2025 and 2027 to set up an additional cold drawn unit at our Mangaon Plant, allowing for greater value addition in our product portfolio and enhancing our market share.
We are also allocating around INR 150 crore towards enhancing utilisation of capacity at our Narketpally, Telangana unit from 1,00,000 MT to 2,00,000 MT per annum during 2026-27. This will include establishing a heat treatment plant, finishing, and threading facility, enabling the plant to operate independently of our Raigad unit. This will cut down logistics expenses and allow direct supply of finished products to customers.
An additional INR 50 crore will be spent to install a finishing/testing line in the existing facility, helping to shorten delivery timelines and reduce lead time between WIP and finished goods. This in turn will lower inventory carrying costs and improve cash flow cycles.
INR 80 crore will be invested in solar power infrastructure for captive consumption, which will help reduce our energy bills. The remaining INR 500 crore will go towards capacity building, R&D, and technological advancements over the next 2-4 years to meet rising demand.
TPI: Can you provide a brief overview of the company, highlighting its journey and key milestones achieved?
SKS: Maharashtra Seamless Limited (MSL), a part of the D.P. Jindal Group, is India’s largest producer of steel pipes and tubes across both seamless and ERW categories. Since the early 1990s, MSL has played a pioneering role in the development of India’s pipe and tube industry. Our brand, Jindal Star, is synonymous with quality steel pipes and tubes.
Established in 1988, the company has achieved several milestones: launching its IPO in 1991, setting up a seamless plant in 1992, obtaining API License, IBR Certification, ISO Certification, and commencing ERW pipe production up to 20” diameter. We acquired a 7 MW wind power plant, installed a high-diameter seamless plant (upgraded to 20”), established a coating plant, and acquired a 200,000 TPA seamless plant from Romania. Other highlights include receiving a 30 MW solar PV plant allotment in Rajasthan from NTPC under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, 38 MW in Maharashtra for captive consumption and the merger with USTPL seamless mill in Telangana via NCLT. MSL has also received multiple awards such as the “Most Trusted Brand in India”. MSL also received the “Gaurav Samman Award” from Government E-Marketplace (GeM) and best exporter award from EEPC (FY 22-23).
TPI: Tell us about your product portfolios and their applications.
SKS: We manufacture both seamless and ERW pipes. Our seamless product range includes hot finished pipes and tubes, cold drawn tubes, boiler tubes, API line pipes, galvanized seamless pipes, OCTG casing & tubings, sub-sea pipes and OCTG drill pipes. Our ERW offerings include MS and galvanized and welded high grade APIx 7.0 pipes. We also provide a variety of coated products including 3LPE, 3LPP, FBE, and internal coated pipes.
These products are widely used across several industries including oil and gas, power, hydrocarbon processing, sub-sea pipelines, bearings, automotive, gas and hydraulic cylinders, boilers, heat exchangers, super heaters, plumbing and firefighting systems, structural engineering, general engineering, railways, water wells, and sewage systems.
We are committed to energy-efficient processes and reducing waste generation. We emphasize producing low-carbon steel products and have replaced FO with gas in our furnaces to lower emissions and improve efficiency.
TPI: Can you tell us about your market footprint and key clientele?
SKS: MSL has the largest market share in India and caters to a diverse range of industries both domestically and internationally. We export to regions such as the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Latin America. Our major domestic clients are in the oil and gas sector, including ONGC, OIL, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, GAIL, MGL, MNGL, IGL, NRL, L&T, Reliance, Hal Offshore, Essar Oil, and CAIRN.
Beyond oil and gas, we serve a wide array of sectors like boilers, heat exchangers, super heaters and condensers, gas and hydraulic cylinders, power plants, water wells, water and sewage, infrastructure, and mechanical engineering. Prominent clients in these sectors include Thermax, Thyssen, ISGEC, BHEL, NTPC, NALCO, MSPGCL, Adani, Birla, Megha Engineering, TATA, JSPL, and JSW.
TPI: What technologies are adopted by your company to ensure quality products for your clients?
SKS: We utilize the world’s most advanced and proven technologies to ensure high-quality output. These include CPE Technology, which minimizes longitudinal and transverse defects and produces flawless seamless pipes; Plug Mill Technology, which improves wall thickness circumferentially with close tolerance; and MPM Technology for uniform wall thickness and superior mechanical properties.
We also use Fine Quality Mill Technology, which is currently the best in producing high-quality seamless pipes. For ERW pipe production, we employ High-Frequency Induction Welding Technology, which enables us to produce welded pipes up to 20 inches in diameter.
TPI: Sustainability plays a key role in India’s manufacturing sector. How do you plan to incorporate green manufacturing into your operations?
SKS: Sustainability is vital for steel pipe manufacturing due to both environmental and economic considerations. We are committed to energy-efficient processes and reducing waste generation. We emphasize producing low-carbon steel products and have replaced FO with gas in our furnaces to lower emissions and improve efficiency.
Our corrosion-resistant coatings extend the lifespan of steel pipes, reducing the need for frequent replacements and conserving resources. The durability of our pipes makes them a sustainable choice for various demanding applications.
We also use Fine Quality Mill Technology, which is currently the best in producing high-quality seamless pipes.
TPI: Can you tell us about the recent trends and developments in the steel tube and pipe sector?
SKS: The industry is witnessing robust growth driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and infrastructure expansion. Government initiatives like Smart Cities, Metro Projects, Bharatmala, and PMAY are major demand drivers. The expansion of oil & gas projects is also boosting demand. Additionally, the Make in India initiative is promoting domestic production and capacity enhancement, while technological advancements are improving product quality and operational efficiency. Manufacturers are now focusing on expanding product portfolios and developing value-added products.
TPI: How has the revised DMI&SP Policy impacted the growth of the domestic steel industry?
SKS: The revised DMI&SP Policy has strengthened the domestic steel pipe industry by reducing reliance on imports. It mandates that steel used in government projects must be entirely produced in India. This policy has significantly encouraged domestic manufacturing, increased demand, and contributed to job creation and long-term economic growth.
Also Read: Goel Pipes Sets Sights on 500,000 MTPA Capacity with Green Growth Strategy
TPI: How do you foresee the future of the steel tube and pipe market in India? What are your future plans for the next 5–10 years?
SKS: We foresee significant growth in the steel pipe market over the next decade, driven by continued industrialization, urban development, and infrastructure expansion. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% in terms of revenue. The Indian government has approved 10 x 700 MW PHWR nuclear power projects worth INR 1 lakh crore, scheduled for completion by 2031-32, which will boost demand for steel pipes and tubes.
In the renewable energy sector, developments in solar, wind, hydro, and green hydrogen projects will also drive demand. We are expanding our capacity to produce CNG cylinder pipes and value-added products, including higher-grade alloy steel pipes such as P-5, P-9, P-91, and 13Cr. We anticipate steady demand across all major sectors and are fully prepared to meet these requirements through strategic capacity building and product innovation.
The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% in terms of revenue. The Indian government has approved 10 x 700 MW PHWR nuclear power projects worth INR 1 lakh crore, scheduled for completion by 2031-32, which will boost demand for steel pipes and tubes.
