Chabahar Port deal: An advantage for the Indian Steel Market.

          It is for the first time that India has such keen interest in developing an international port, all owing to its strategic location and the trade routes it opens up for International trade.

          

          The development of the Chabahar Port is estimated to be a breakthrough for opening up new trade routes for trade and establish a healthy network and market in West Asia. 

          These new route would facilitate new trade markets which would cater to the complete region. Also, considering the fact that the Nations in these regions are still developing and going through an industrial phase, the demand of steel from the international market would see a visible surge for construction and developing the infrastructure.

    

          As the new port will directly cater to Iran, India expects to see an increase in trade from this region as it will have direct access and connect it to other major ports.

        

         The Chabahar Port will be a game changer for India because it will provide connectivity to Afghanistan, Iran and Eurasia, strategically outflanking an intransigent Islamabad. It is also a counter to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj’s interest in connecting Iran’s Mashhad, near the Caspian Sea, with Zahedan, next to the Afghanistan border, via an India-built 900-km rail line with the Chabahar Port will unlock a new gateway to Central Asia and Europe, bypassing the Pakistan-China arc.

      For both, developing the port and constructing the railway line, the projects would demand for a lot of steel imports from the international steel market from these region.

      The bilateral agreement to develop the Chabahar port and related infrastructure, and availability of about $500m from India for this purpose, is an important milestone. This major effort would boost economic growth in the region and accelerate the rate of development for the neighbouring countries.

10 Ways to Get the Best Offer for Finished Steel

     With global market becoming less fragmented, and the reach of the customer across the globe, it is crucial to be able to ask for right quotes in the market. Steel market being no exception, its crucial for the stock holder or the company you are interested in dealing with, to understand your demand and request and send you offer in time.

    Since there is no set procedure to request a quote, we at VKICL draft out a few pointers for you to get better quotes promptly.

   An RFQ, or Request for Quotation is drafted by the customer towards the stock holder or steel company he is interested in. The following points should be kept in mind while drafting a sharp RFQ for better results.

1.      Grades and Specification - Mention the required grade or specification in the steel sheets you’re looking out for. Certain grades require different treatment and cost more.
 

2.      Country of Origin/Mill – Various projects require steel from specific countries or mills depending on which countries and mills are approved for the project. Hence, it is very important to specify make or mill required in the RFQ for the best and appropriate offer.

 
 
3.      Syntax – Follow the industry standard for your specific inquiries. For Sheets/Plates mention the size in the following format:
Thickness (mm) x Width (mm) x Length (mm) – No. of Pcs
It’ll be easier to calculate per unit cost for your order as well. You can also use our weight calculator for the same - http://vkicl.com/Steel-Theoretical.html

 
4.      Delivery Timeline – Mention the delivery timeline in the RFQ, this way the company will be able to gauge its delivery dispatch time in advance and availability of the product as well. Sometimes, this can help in reducing the cost if make to order with lead times is acceptable.

 

5.      Dimensions – Most plates and sheets are available in standard sizes. To avoid wastage, if you specify your required dimensions, the company will provide you with the best suitable options. Moreover, you can also inform the designer about the standard sizes so as to reduce cost of the project.

 
6.      Equivalent Grade – Moreover, state clearly if equivalent grades in different standards are acceptable. This helps in getting an offer if the required grade is not available.

 
7.      Thickness – Because of the standard dimensions, standard thickness are available with companies. And based on your demand, they’ll provide with the best alternative. You must always specify if you’re okay with higher or lower thickness of sheets as well.

 
8.      Other Special Requirement: Different types of projects required different types of steel. Sometime additional tests are required in a particular grade. For example UT testing as per EN standard or Z-test. The same should be stated clearly in the RFQ for appropriate offer. Each additional requirement costs extra and not all plates pass for the same.

 
9.      Bid Closing Period – Always specify when is the RFQ or Bid closing date, it’ll help the companies to keep a track for sending quotes and knowing the results.

 

10.   Visit our website http://vkicl.com/  to know about more steel products and inquire about your demand.

 
Usually each company has its own standard format for RFQ’s, so that they can quickly and easily filter the required information. However, the same is not apt for getting offer. Thus, you can always customize your form based upon your request and try the following points during your next procurement period.
 
 

Impossible Things without Steel

       Steel with its durable yet flexible nature has effortlessly blended itself in the modern society as a dependable raw material for projects across various industries. 

      Steel has shaped and acted as a catalyst in the modern society with its implications for complex projects.

      VKICL has listed down a few things, which would be impossible to imagine without our beloved steel. 

     1.  Razor Blade – Ask any modern day man, how a clean shave boosts his confidence at workplace and how important it is to find a comfortable razor for the same. The blades in razor blades are made up of stainless steel and provide a sharp edge for a clean shave, and its anti-rust property makes its safe for cosmetic use. 

     2.  Steel Chains - A simple design break through make steel chains more durable and strong rather than regular ropes. The moulds on the each bracket increase the overall breaking threshold of the rope or chain making it ideal for high strength projects. 

   

     3.  Steel Ropes in Bridges – Traditional lever bridges have high tensile steel used in them for support. This steel provided the much required strength it requires from the steel cables. 

     4.   Steel Beams in Construction – Modern day sky scrapers and buildings use steel rods for construction which gives them the required strength to hold on for decades. 

     5.  Brake Discs – The brake discs in almost all modes of transport have steel plates as brakes. Owing to the high melting point, it acts as a great friction surface for vehicles to get their speed lower. 

     6.  Storage Cells / Containers –  Most mega F&B factories which use liquid for storage or raw material use huge stainless steel containers for the purpose. Since its not reactive with most of the liquids and food products, it doesn’t chemically react with the product stored. Milk in dairy factories is stored in such cells. 

     7.  Safety Pin – A small yet old invention which has helped the mankind since ages, safety pin, is made up of stainless steel. It makes it flexible, strong and long lasting. Even in small sizes the steel used retains its properties. 

     8.  Steel Wheels – Modern day train wheels are made up of steel which makes them durable for long journeys with heavy loads. 

     9.  Steel Safes – A durable companion for keeping your valuables safe. Since over a century now, steel safes are still famous and trust worthy to keep precious belongings safe. 

 10.  Arresting Cables - Arresting cables on modern day aircraft carriers enable fighter aircrafts land in an extremely short landing distance surface. A hook from the aircraft is lowered just before the landing which gets caught in one of the arresting cables lying on the ground. The ropes or cables have to bear with tremendous pressure, landing after landing. 

Steel and its Modern Implications

       Steel has changed and shaped the world we live in like no other material. It has pre dominantly made its mark and established its vital importance in our lives.  Steel in this modern world is the work horse of the long race. From shipping containers, to cranes, from shipping vessels, to skeletons of sky scrappers, our mighty old steel has guided us towards development like no other material.'

      And with technological advancements steel too has moulded itself to fill in the modern day requirements.  It has successfully proved as an efficient raw material in many complex projects of the 21^st century. Listed below are few complex implications of steel where it has proved its ground and industries where steel acted as a catalyst to fasten up the project and propelled mankind towards success. 

 1.    Medicine – Many cutting edge surgical equipments, which need to be sturdy and precise, are now made up of steel for its fine quality of being steady, flexible, sharp and long lasting at the same time. Also, steel equipments can be easily sterilized.

             

              

      

         2. Nano Technology -  New age nano technology uses steel material as it retains its properties of being flexible even at micro measurements which is a pre requisite in the industry. It helps achieve complex goals with an ease of use.

   

         

       3. Robotics – The future of technology, robotics, relies heavily on modern steel for its functionality and usage. The intricate mother boards, wiring, majority of hardware, and parts are made up of steel as its light yet durable for such projects.

       

  

       4. Space Technology – Through the decades, steel and aluminium have been dominating the field, but with advancements and our space exploration expanding its boundaries, scientist have been relying on steel as an efficient material for building space rockets. It provides as a durable companion in building multi-stage aircrafts carrying heavy payloads and satellites which orbit our planet.  With space exploration reaching new heights, steel remains a dependable companion in the journey for man.

       5. Transport – Majority of transport vehicles, ships, trains, cars, bikes, use steel as a primary raw material in them since ages. But even the new and modern transport system have successfully incorporated steel in them. The bullet train and maglev (magnetic train) use steel  in tracks for its properties of being durable and magnetic. The new age EV’s or Electric Vehicles use steel in their body, guiding systems and mapping mechanisms.

       
      6. Construction – Sky scrappers and buildings for residential and commercial complexes are now using steel as their primary structural material for building as its durable and long lasting. Also, the recyclable properties of steel make it the choice of the future generation as well.

        

      
      7.Communication – Many electronic gadgets and electronics use steel in them. Modern mobile phones and laptops have alloys of steel in them, which are easily retracted from them during recycling and can be used over again.

   Scientist are now looking forward to harness more potential and power from steel trying to make it more durable and long lasting. At VK Steel its our primary objective to keep the vision of the future in mind and provide to our customers the best in the world market. 

Benefits of structural steel

Structural steel has become the first choice in construction. The framing system out of steel has its own unique specialty. Let’s go through 5 benefits of structural steel:

1)    Creative freedom:

Today, we witness complex steel materials stand with an aura of class & beauty. The structural steel has allowed using innovative blending technology & creating wonderful shapes out of it. From simple structures to complex but beautiful designs created by architectures, structure steel executes it very well & exact.

  

2)    Modifiable:

It is always possible to modify steel structures as per the changing requirements such as vertical expansions, new applications, loading conditions, etc. The existing steel building can be modified with changing needs & that too with little disruption to the framing system.

3)    Efficiency:

A steel column occupies 75% less floor space than a concrete column. Also, structural steel allows longer span that eliminates the intermediate columns. This increases the efficiency of office buildings & helps them get a perfect office layout.

4)    Aesthetic sense:

Colour coatings, freedom to explore creative strengths of architectures & natural lighting expose the elegance in the simplicity of buildings. It is possible to bend steel sections & rolled to create non-linear elements that enhance the look of the structure.

5)    Construction pace:

3 D interoperability and Building Information Modelling are the two advanced technologies which help designers & steel specialty contractors to interact & co-operate well. Thus, it saves a lot of times & speeds up the construction using structural steel.

These are some of the plus points & reasons why is structural steel, a most preferred material in construction. Along with these, low cost, easy availability, high strength, etc also makes structural steel the perfect material for the ever changing world. Steel Industry is now majorly known for its flexible structure materials & readiness to mould steel into any shape or design.

  

Next Big Change: Steel Buildings over Concrete

             Steel structures, steel manufactured buildings & other steel products have a great contribution reducing carbon from the environment. Along with this, steel constructions are even prepared to fight with any natural disaster. Thus, its qualities, protect nature & also shelter us & minimizes the impact disasters. It is the major component which indirectly plays a significant role in balancing cycle of the environment.

           Rapid industrialization, population growth & increased standard of living is costing an imbalance in the ecosystem.  The waste material created out of millions of houses & industries is hazardous for health & also, very poisonous of all living creatures other than human beings. Steel is quite helpful in this case. Scraps steel or waste steel can be recycled & reused. Also, there is no any harm caused to nature in this process. In fact, the by-products and waste of recycling are a valuable source of energy.

          Steel infrastructures have led in reducing the greenhouse gas effect to a larger extent. Thus, there must be efforts in finding out sustainable ways to use steel globally. With the use of advanced technology, it has reduced effects of carbon footprints & greenhouse gasses to a commendable proportion. This component should be used in a maximum way to benefit environment & balance ecosystem. 

       Moreover, steel buildings increase space available by almost 10%, increasing the profit of the builders!

            It is said that steel has reduced energy consumption by 60 % per tonne in last 50 years. It is huge & this makes it a worthy material to have sustainable future plans globally. Observing the present scenario, carbon capture, utilization & storage technologies are yet not fully developed. These technologies need to be developed so that sustainability of steel could be maintained & thus, the environment will be benefited.

        

   The steel industry has put maximum efforts to protect the environment & climatic conditions. The World should note its benefits & develop innovative ideas to sustain it. 

Five Fun Facts about Steel

Steel is the most commonly used & promising element across the world. Let’s go through some very interesting steel facts.

1.    Single recycled steel saves enough energy to light a 60-watt bulb.

Isn’t it interesting? This is why we need to work on the sustainable development of steel industry to lighten up the world & conserve energy at the same time.

2.    One household contains 65% of steel materials.

It means that a maximum number of things that you are surrounded is made up of steel. Steel is everywhere; in fact, steel has its presence in almost every material that we use.

3.    A computer is made up of about 25% of steel.

The tech savvy & computerized world that we all live in has its 25% of a base made out of steel. Yes! Steel is even a part of all the tech equipment. When computer become scrap material after a few years the 25 % amount steel can be recycled & used again. That’s one of the benefits of using steel components.

4.    Steel was first used as a major component in railroad tracks

Steel Industry offer a huge variety and endless applications of steel. But, initially, it was used in the construction of rail tracks. Thus, it also plays a crucial part in connecting the world together by rail routes.

                                                                                                                            

5.Steel when recycled never loses its quality.

This is one of a most amazing feature of steel. Even after recycling, steel can still be mould into different shapes & sizes without losing its original shine. Not only small things but steel waste out of huge structures, bridges & buildings can be recycled easily without causing harm to nature.

These are some interesting facts about steel. Steel is everywhere and making efforts to build up the society. Few smart & intelligent innovations in steel industry can invent a lot more environment-friendly applications & uses.