SSAB's Docol Opens Door to Safer Cars in India

SSAB’s, a swedish steel manufacturer of high-strength wear and structural steel, a Metal-Expo regular exhibitor, entire hot and cold rolled range of Docol® automotive steel has been approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards. For Indian OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, this means an easy access to important steel grades that are needed for creating lighter and safer cars. For SSAB, the result is an even stronger position in a booming market. The SSAB manufacturing facilities in Borlänge underwent an extensive audit by BIS inspectors and a number of tests were conducted to verify the composition, quality and consistency of both hot and cold rolled grades of Docol® steel. Upon completion, SSAB was awarded with a BIS certification for the entire Docol® steel product portfolio for the Borlänge production facility. With the new BNVSAP vehicle safety standards in India coming in, there was an ever-growing demand for Docol® automotive steel.

Mr Subhabrata Mukherjee, Sales Manager at SSAB India, explains how BIS certification gives SSAB a distinct advantage said that “Docol® is one of the very few advanced high strength steel grades that were awarded the BIS certification in the country. This was critical because it lets our customers know that we are here for the long run. When it comes to business, if a company does not have the BIS license, the material will not be cleared by the customs at India port. With non-approved material, import duties are also at risk of being raised to higher percentage.”

An increasing number of vehicles are being manufactured in India for Indian consumers who rank safety as one of the most important factors when purchasing a new car. Therefore, the use of Docol® steel is on the rise as OEMs aim to meet this demand. He aded that “Currently, SSAB is ahead of our competitors in India, in terms of our advanced high strength steel offering. The BIS certification allows us to provide an added benefit to customers here in India, so that OEMs can be confident that there are no last-minute surprises when deciding to use Docol® steel."

SSAB welcomes all steel industry professionals to visit its stand at Metal-Expo'2019, the 25th Jubilee International Exhibition, November 12-15, Hall 75, VDNHa, Moscow, Russia. Stand N 1A15.

The total of more than 530 companies from 34 world countries will attend Metal-Expo’2019, while more than 30k steel industry professionals from all over the world are expected to visit the event.