Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the public sector steelmaker operating the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), has achieved a historic milestone by recording the highest-ever hot metal production in a single day since its inception.
As per details obtained RINL produced 21,012 metric tonnes of hot metal on 14 December 2025, exceeding 100 per cent of its rated daily capacity and marking a significant operational breakthrough for the company.
Demonstrating sustained improvement, RINL’s average hot metal production during December 2025 stands at approximately 19,450 MT per day, which is close to 92 per cent of full capacity.
The consistent ramp-up reflects enhanced operational stability, improved availability of raw materials and renewed production discipline across the plant.
The achievement was publicly acknowledged by Mr Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of India, through a post on social media platform X, where he congratulated the RINL team for achieving the highest-ever daily output and expressed confidence that the company would soon reach 100 per cent average production on a sustained basis.
Background: Strategic Importance of RINL
RINL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel and operates the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, India’s first shore-based integrated steel plant.
With an installed capacity of 7.3 million tonnes of liquid steel per annum, the plant is a critical supplier of value-added steel products to sectors such as infrastructure, construction, railways, shipbuilding and defence.
RINL is also one of the largest industrial employers in Andhra Pradesh and plays a pivotal role in the economic ecosystem of the Visakhapatnam region.
Over the past few years, RINL faced acute financial stress arising from high input costs, volatility in steel prices, legacy debt and working capital constraints.
These challenges affected production levels and placed pressure on the company’s operations despite the underlying technical strength of the plant and the skill base of its workforce.
Capital Infusion and Revival Efforts
Recognising RINL’s strategic importance to the national steel sector and regional economy, the Government of India approved a comprehensive revival and financial restructuring package, centred on capital infusion and balance sheet strengthening.
The package included substantial equity support from the Union Government along with conversion of certain outstanding loans into preference share capital, significantly reducing interest burden and improving liquidity.
The capital infusion was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted operations, restoring optimal functioning of blast furnaces, securing raw material supplies and enabling RINL to progressively ramp up production towards full capacity.
These measures have materially strengthened RINL’s financial position, eased working capital pressures and restored confidence among lenders, suppliers and employees.
In parallel, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has extended consistent institutional and policy support, engaging closely with the Ministry of Steel and RINL management to facilitate operational recovery.
The state government has repeatedly underscored the importance of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant as a strategic industrial asset and a cornerstone of Andhra Pradesh’s industrial growth and employment.
Operational Turnaround and Path Ahead
The record production achieved in December 2025 is a direct outcome of this coordinated effort between the Central and State Governments, the Ministry of Steel, RINL management and its workforce, said a release from the state government.
Improved financial stability, better operational planning and renewed morale among employees have together enabled higher capacity utilisation and improved productivity.
With production levels nearing full capacity and financial restructuring measures taking effect, RINL is now firmly positioned on a path of recovery and growth, added the release.
The company aims to sustain operational performance, further optimise costs and strengthen its role as a key contributor to India’s steel production targets and to the industrial development of Andhra Pradesh.
