New Delhi, Nov 27 (IANS): Steel producer Essar Steel Thursday commissioned a six million tonnes per annum (mtpa) integrated pellet complex in Odisha.

"It is a matter of pride that Indian engineers have delivered this challenging project keeping the balance between growth and sustainability," said Chairman of Essar Steel Shashi Ruia.

According to the company, integrated pellet complex comprises of iron ore beneficiation facility at Dabuna (Keonjhar), pellet plant at Paradeep and a 253 kms long slurry pipe line with 12 MTPA carrying capacity.

Essar said that it has invested around Rs.6,000 crore in setting up of this integrated complex which is designed to use low grade iron ore fines.

With the commissioning of the integrated complex, Essar has become the largest pellet producer in the country with an annual production capacity of 14 MTPA including eight MTPA at Vizag complex and six MTPA at Odisha complex.

A further six MTPA pellet plant at Paradeep is scheduled to be commissioned shortly.
The company's Odisha complex is backed by an infrastructure that includes a 120 MW power plant and a captive berth at Paradeep port.

With the upcoming developments Essar is set to become one of the largest companies producing Pellets with capacity of 27 MTPA.

Apart from its new plant at Paradeep, the company also has a target of completing a seven MTPA plant in Minnesota state of USA which is expected to be become operational by the second half of next year.