AMNS India to get exemption for met coke import
Previously, JSW Steel, Sunflag Iron and Steel and Trafigura India Pvt Ltd had moved court seeking relief against import restrictions on met coke.
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BY ARRANGEMENT
India has granted specific exemption on import of low ash met-coke to ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AMNS India) following changes in sourcing of resource, those in the know said.
AMNS India is a 60:40 joint venture between Arcelor Mittal and Japan’s Nippon Steel.
In fact, AMNS India had moved court in March pointing out that the import curbs on met coke impacted steel-making. It sought exemptions for shipments which were in transit before curbs were in place.
However, the petition was subsequently withdrawn on April 8. The Delhi High Court order read: “Learned senior counsel for the petitioner seeks to withdraw the present petition. The same is, accordingly, dismissed as withdrawn.”
Starting January, India has imposed curbs on low-ash metallurgical coke or met coke importto be in place till June 30. Country-specific quotas were announced to help domestic suppliers.
Apparently AMNS India will now be sourcing the met coke from Poland, sources in the know said.
The company did not respond to queries from businessline.
Met coke serves as both a reducing agent and a source of energy. As it reacts with iron ore and reduces the iron oxides. This reduction process is vital to obtain crude iron, which later undergoes further refining to produce steel.
Previously, JSW Steel, Sunflag Iron and Steel and Trafigura India Pvt Ltd had moved court seeking relief against import restrictions on met coke. The case by JSW Steel was also withdrawn.
Referring to the withdrawal of the case by JSW, the Delhi High Court on March 6 said: “Whilst this Court does not appreciate the shifting / ambivalent stand of the petitioner, in the aftermath of judgement being reserved in the matter, in the interest of justice, the petitioner is permitted to withdraw the present application.”
Disposing other writ petitions, the Delhi High court on March 28 said, that the government (Union of India and Directorate General of Foreign Trade) should handle defending or explaining their actions.
Published on April 14, 2025
