Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. (MSL) has pioneered in Seamless pipes manufacturing in India. Then, in 2000, the company forayed into manufacturing of ERW. Now MSL plans to set-up its own steel billets mill to meet captive consumption, informs Saket Jindal, Managing Director of the company.
Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. (MSL), the flagship of the D.P. Jindal Group, is one of the largest manufacturers of Seamless pipes and tubes in India. The turnover of the company for the year ended March 31, 2013 was approximately ` 1,722 crore. Since its inception in 1988, in its continuous endeavor to excel, MSL has upgraded itself by adding latest facilities and technologies and in the process set number of milestones.
Over the years MSL has been meeting the requirements in important sectors like oil and gas, hydrocarbon process, power, and automotive etc. in domestic and overseas markets. Today, MSL is a well-known brand in India and abroad.
Product rangeERW: 21.3 mm – 508 mm ODSeamless: 10 mm – 508 mm OD.
ApplicationsERW: Oil and gas, water and sewage, power, structural Seamless: Oil and gas, refinery, power, automotive, bearing, mechanical, structural.
Demand-supply scenarioExplaining the demand and growth drivers of ERW and Seamless pipes, Saket Jindal, Managing Director, Maharashtra Seamless Ltd. said, “Both ERW and Seamless pipes caters to the basic growth sectors. There is a perpetual growth in demand of power, fuel, water, transport, and construction sectors all over the world so also the demand for ERW and Seamless pipes.”
Seamless gives better revenueAccording to Mr Jindal, “ERW has less CAPEX and less manufacturing cost in comparison to Seamless. So competition in ERW is more than Seamless. Hence, the revenue from Seamless is better than ERW.”
However, he observes, with increase in competition and cheaper sources from China; the revenue from Seamless pipes has gone down in recent years.   
Diversified focusApart from getting expertise in ERW and Seamless pipes, MSL has ventured in to speciality products like coated pipes. Commenting on this development, Mr Jindal said, “Pipelines require coating for protection from corrosion and damage and extend life. So launching coated pipes is a natural extension of our product-line.”    Advantages SeamlessSeamless pipe does not have a seam or weld like ERW pipe. Therefore it offers better strength to withstand higher pressure, temperature, load, and vibration. 
Talking on the unique advantages of MSL ERW and Seamless pipes, Mr Jindal said, “We have a very strict quality assurance and control system and we don’t compromise on quality. Our products are of superior quality and international standard.” 
Production facilities and capacitiesMSL has one ERW and three Seamless mills in Raigad, Maharshtra with capacity of producing 2,00,000 tonnes ERW and 5,50,000 tonnes of Seamless every year.
The manufacturing technology and major machineries at MSL are sourced from Mannessman. For ERW, the company has high frequency welder and for Seamless, it has CPE (Cross Piercing Elongation), Plug Mill and MPI (Mandrel Pipe Mill) suitable for different sizes and grades.
Expansion plansFor captive consumption, MSL plans to set-up its own steel billets mill which is the raw-material for Seamless pipes.
 Major milestones

MSL is the first and only manufacturer in India of Seamless pipes up to 20’’ OD
MSL is the first manufacturer in India of ERW pipes up to 20’’ OD 
 MSL has the only Seamless plant in India with a coating mill of 1’’ – 48’’ OD 
 MSL has set up a 7 MW wind power project in Satara, Maharashtra.