With an investment of ₹680 crore and an initial capacity of up to 34,000 tons annually, the new facility aims to localize amorphous electrical steel production for India’s transformer industry.
India’s power sector has taken a structural step toward improving grid efficiency and supply chain resilience with the commissioning of Metglas India Private Limited in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. The joint venture between Proterial Ltd. and Shirdi Sai Electricals Limited establishes the country’s first domestic manufacturing facility for amorphous electrical steel, a high performance material used in distribution transformers.
The launch comes as electricity demand continues to rise, driven by urbanization, industrial growth, electrification, and expanding digital infrastructure. Since distribution transformers form a critical link in the grid, improving their efficiency plays a direct role in reducing technical losses.
Amorphous electrical steel offers a clear performance advantage. Compared to conventional grain oriented electrical steel, it can reduce transformer core losses by up to 70 percent. Given the scale at which distribution transformers operate across India, such improvements can translate into meaningful energy savings over time.
Until now, Indian manufacturers largely relied on imports for amorphous metal. Domestic production is expected to improve supply stability and shorten procurement cycles. The first phase involves an investment of approximately ₹680 crore and will have an annual production capacity of 30,000 to 34,000 tons, with commercial operations expected by November. Industry estimates place domestic demand at over 60,000 tons annually, leaving room for phased expansion.
The plant introduces advanced rapid solidification technology into India’s electrical materials ecosystem. By rapidly cooling molten alloy to prevent crystalline formation, the process creates a non crystalline structure that lowers magnetic resistance and core losses. Engineers are undergoing specialized technical training to support operations, adding advanced manufacturing capability to the domestic power equipment sector.
In an interaction with EFY journalists,
Sean M. Stack, Chairman, President and CEO of Proterial Ltd., said, “India is at an important stage of economic growth and electrification. Improving efficiency across the grid is essential. In the right distribution transformer applications, amorphous metal can improve efficiency by roughly 30 percent compared to conventional materials.”
N. Vishveshwara Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Shirdi Sai Electricals Limited, added, “This is the first amorphous electrical steel manufacturing facility in India. Localizing this material strengthens the domestic electrical manufacturing ecosystem and supports the country’s growing transformer requirements.”
