Agha Steel Industries is going to sell 100,000 metric tons of low-carbon billets worth approximately Rs 10.5 billion per annum to Horizon Steel, a press release said on Monday.
The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that ensures Agha Steel will reliably supply the intermediate steel product that the downstream steel industry uses as raw material.
“Thanks to product innovation and heavy investments in R&D, Agha Steel is able to manufacture for the first time in Pakistan refined low-carbon quality billets that are used in the wire rod industry. Until now, the downstream industry heavily relied on the expensive imported raw material. That’s going to result in huge import substitution and a big benefit for our national kitty,” said Suleman Lakhani, chief marketing officer of Agha Steel.
The company uses the latest European electric arc furnace technology supplied from Danieli to produce billets, a transitional steel product that can either be turned into steel bars used in construction or transformed into wire rods to manufacture many high-value engineering products.
“With the realization of this MoU, Agha Steel’s sales are going to grow by 68 percent from the current level within a year. We foresee many such contracts with companies operating in the downstream industry. The availability of good quality raw materials is going to enlarge this industry to its true potential” added the CMO of Agha Steel, which is going public next month to finance its expansion drive.
Unlike most local steel-makers that use the traditional induction furnace for melting scrap, Agha Steel has invested in a high-efficiency and environment-friendly electric arc furnace. It recently increased its billet-making capacity from 250,000 MT to 450,000 MT a year.
Speaking on the occasion, Horizon Steel CEO Shoaib Sultan said it was encouraging to witness that steel product can now be made end-to-end within Pakistan. “I expect the downstream industry will see tremendous growth in coming years and the future looks very bright,” he said.
Reader's Digest has closed its doors after 86 years amid 'financial pressures'. The first international…
Ayeza Khan added to the curiosity of Jaan-e-Jahan fans! as ARY Digital's hotly-anticipated drama serial…
The Israeli army, in the past 24 hours, killed 32 Palestinians and wounded 41 others…
Sadiq Khan won the historic third term as London mayor on Saturday. Labour Party’s Sadiq…
The last episode of the drama hit serial “Ishq Murshid” premiered in cinemas ahead of…
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari approved the appointments of new Governors of Punjab, KP…