The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to enhance collaboration in research, development, and consultancy studies.
This MoU aims to advance their joint efforts in addressing key technological challenges within the steel industry.
The MoU was signed between Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, R&D, IIT Kanpur; and Mr. Sandip Kumar Kar, Executive Director, R&D Center for Iron & Steel (RDCIS), SAIL in the presence of Shri. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Govt of India; Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur; Mr. Amarendu Prakash, Chairman of SAIL; Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director of IITK; Prof. Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IITK; Prof. Kantesh Balani, Head of Materials Science and Engineering, IITK; and Prof. Jayant K Singh, Head of Chemical Engineering, IITK.
IIT Kanpur director Prof Manindra Agrawal said the collaboration marks a significant step in advancing the Institute’s engagement with industry.
“This will leverage our inherent strengths in digital technologies, including modeling and simulation, to address critical challenges faced by the country in the steel sector,” he added.
Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Govt of India, said, IIT Kanpur and SAIL entered into a collaborative effort to address technological challenges related to steel decarbonization, hydrogen use in DRI production, waste utilization, mineral beneficiation of lean ore, and bulk materials movement and more.
“This MoU also represents a step towards solving the future manpower requirements of the steel industry,” he said.
Amarendu Prakash, SAIL Chairman, said, “SAIL will be the first customer for products developed by start-ups incubated at IIT Kanpur, and I am confident this collaboration will be a win-win for both IIT Kanpur and SAIL. It is essential that we focus on projects that deliver early results in a short timeframe.”