[RPEL and TRL Krosaki Form Odisha JV for 350,000-tpa Silica Ramming Mass Plant]

Odisha's High-Level Clearance Authority has approved two major steel-sector projects in Sundargarh involving combined investment of ₹14,000 crore. Rungta Mines will invest ₹9,000 crore to expand its existing integrated steel plant, with the state estimating employment potential of 12,000. Shakambhari Ispat & Power will invest ₹5,000 crore in an integrated steel plant together with a cement plant and captive power plant, with potential employment of 5,000. The approvals form part of 27 industrial projects cleared by Odisha on September 23. The state release did not specify the incremental steelmaking capacity or commissioning schedules for the two projects.

Spanish steelmakers have begun temporarily halting output during peak electricity price hours as sharply higher energy costs hit the sector, industry association UNESID said. UNESID estimates extra energy costs of about 749 million USD (658 million EUR) between March and December 2026, of which some 514 million USD (452 million EUR) falls in September-December, versus 206 million EUR accumulated through August. Electricity accounts for about 459 million USD (403 million EUR) and gas for some 290 million USD (255 million EUR). Adjustment services add around 23 USD/MWh (20 EUR/MWh), pushing mills to halt production in the costliest hours; curtailments may grow if prices persist. Q4 electricity is forecast at about 163 USD/MWh (143 EUR/MWh) and gas at 86 USD/MWh (76 EUR/MWh). UNESID urges immediate government measures, including higher compensation for indirect carbon costs and continued grid-charge relief for energy-intensive industries. About 70% of Spanish steel output is exported, two-thirds to other EU markets.

The federal and South Australian governments last year committed 1.6 billion USD (2.4 billion AUD), since raised to about 1.9 billion USD (2.9 billion AUD), to rescue the Whyalla steelworks and fund a green steel future. Last week's confirmation that the blast furnace cannot be saved, though painful for the 500 current employees, shifts focus to that future. Whyalla is among Australia's last integrated iron and steel operations; losing the furnace removes domestic ironmaking capacity and deepens reliance on imported semi-finished steel. The bet rests on hydrogen-based direct reduced iron and electric arc furnace capacity, backed by public funding, renewable power and magnetite ore. Supporters argue the transition is worth the cost; critics doubt green steel can compete on cost.