WCA March 2019

India Insight

Indian industry calls for greener cables Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has requested the ministry of power to consider banning the use of lead-based high voltage and extra-high voltage cables for underground power transmission lines, and to adopt “green” alternatives. A CII representation addressed to AK Bhalla, the power secretary, argues that India has been slow in adopting greener alternatives to lead sheaths, despite the global acknowledgement of lead toxicity and low- and middle- income countries bearing the greatest burden of this problem. “Green alternatives, such as aluminium sheaths, are just as efficient as lead sheaths, if not more, and cost 30 to 40 per cent less,” the letter states, adding that lead-based metallic sheathing, used for earthing and anti-corrosion purposes, contributes to 35 to 48 per cent of the weight of cables with voltage levels between 66kV and 220kV. “This translates almost to the extent that a single kilometre of cable…has lead content of almost eight tonnes,” it notes, adding that underground power cables have an average life span of 25-30 years and, once laid, are never dismantled. “As a result, a huge amount of lead is lying buried underground and probably seeping into the soil, the water-tables, and the ecosystem, undetected,” the letter added. Few manufacturers in India currently manufacture HV and EHV power cables, and those are mainly through joint ventures with European or Japanese majors. Companies include Universal Cables, CCI, KEI Industries, Finolex, RPG Cables and Sterlite Power. Confederation of Indian Industry – India Website : www.cii.in Call for duties A recent report from analysts AlCircle, titled “Worldwide market analysis of aluminiumwire rod, cables and conductors – industry forecasts to 2025”, shows China to be the world’s major producer of aluminium wire rod, followed by India, together supplying around 67 per cent of global aluminium wire rod usage. India’s share of the global wire rod market is expected to increase from 18 per cent in 2017 to 23 per cent in 2025, while China’s usage is expected to see flat growth. The predicted booming market calls for extra focus on the expansion of wire rod capacities by Indian aluminium producers. However, as a result of the US-China trade conflict, India has seen an increase in aluminium imports including wire rods. Overall imports rose 32 per cent between July and September. In addition to scrap, imports of fake semis from China and wire rods from Southeast Asia have increased concern among domestic producers.

According to Hindalco managing director Satish Pai, higher import of value-added products from the ASEAN region and China is impacting on aluminium producers, resulting in subdued sales despite a healthy domestic demand. “This is a big concern as imports are eating away domestic demands. While industry aluminium demand grew by 12 per cent during the quarter, sales grew by just about two per cent. We would like the government to provide some relief to the industry by raising the duties,” Mr Pai said. Currently, import duties on secondary value-added aluminium products stand at 7.5 per cent. AICircle – India Website : www.alcircle.com Cables in store Indian cable manufacturer Finolex Cables Ltd is planning to establish 50 brand retail stores. The first “Finolex House” outlet was formally inaugurated by the company’s executive chairman, Deepak Chhabria, in November 2018. Finolex House stores will serve as a one- stop shop for consumers, offering end-to-end electrical solutions. “Our goal is to provide complete electrical solutions to our customers across India. We are happy to launch the first Finolex House in Chennai,” Mr Chhabria said. A company statement explained that Finolex plans to launch 50 Finolex Houses, with exclusive stores in key cities. Experts will be available at the stores to help customers find the appropriate products for safe and secure homes. Finolex Cables has 3,500 channel partners and 40,000 dealers across the country, with manufacturing facilities in Pune, Goa and in Uttarakhand. Finolex Cables Ltd – India Website : www.finolex.com Integrated plant plans Indian manufacturer JSW Steel plans to integrate the Aferpi rolling plant, in Italy, with its Indian businesses, including its recently purchased Monnet Ispat and Energy. JSWpurchased the Aferpi plant in May 2018. The managing director of JSW Steel, Seshagiri Rao, said the company will send billet, smelted at Salem and Monnet Ispat plants in India, to Italy. Currently, Aferpi operates a rolling mill with a capacity of 1.3 million tons per year, which the company utilises to produce rails. JSW has plans to use the rolling mills for the production of up to 700 tonnes of rebar and wire rod per year. Timings for a planned furnace at the site have yet to be decided. JSW Steel – India Website : www.jws.in

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