AM/NS India Enters Premium League with Optigal Launch

In a strategic move that could reshape India's steel value chain, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India unveiled two high-performance colour-coated steel products, Optigal Prime and Optigal Pinnacle, under its new premium segment, Optigal. The announcement was made on Friday, signaling the company’s ambition to cater to India’s high-end infrastructure needs and differentiate itself in a competitive market.

Speaking at the product launch, Ranjan Dhar, Director and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AM/NS India, emphasized the pioneering nature of the initiative. “We are proud to bring to India a European-standard, C4 grade colour-coated steel, previously unavailable here. This represents a transformational moment in Indian steel manufacturing,” he said.

Addressing India's Infrastructure Evolution

India’s infrastructure sector is undergoing rapid transformation, fueled by government investments in airports, metro projects, smart cities, industrial corridors, and green buildings. Colour-coated steel is a preferred material in these projects for its durability, aesthetic finish, and resistance to corrosion and extreme weather. Traditional applications include wall cladding, roofing, structural facades, and even in appliances and furniture.

With Optigal Prime and Optigal Pinnacle, AM/NS India targets premium-use cases such as international airports, modern railway stations, highway toll plazas, coastal infrastructure, and high-end commercial buildings, areas where performance, appearance, and longevity are equally crucial.

Colour-Coated Steel: An Evolving Market

India’s colour-coated steel segment is currently estimated at around 3.4 million metric tons and growing at a consistent 10% annually. This growth is driven by increasing demand from both private and public sector construction projects. Major players like JSW Steel, Tata Steel, and Essar Steel have a strong presence, but the segment remains fragmented and underpenetrated in the premium category.

Dhar noted that AM/NS India aims to secure a 25% market share in this segment within the next 2–3 years. “We see huge potential, especially in the high-quality steel space. Our Optigal range fills a gap in domestic supply and positions us as leaders in performance-based steel solutions,” he said.

What Makes Optigal Unique?

The Optigal range introduces C4 grade steel, referring to a high level of corrosion resistance typically found in European and Japanese markets. Optigal Prime is optimized for urban and semi-corrosive environments, offering a robust 15-year warranty. It is available in finishes like Silicon Modified Polyester, Super Durable Polyester, and Polyvinylidene fluoride, which enhance flexibility, gloss retention, and surface hardness.

Optigal Pinnacle, on the other hand, is tailored for the most extreme conditions, including industrial zones and coastal areas. With a 25-year warranty, it features Polyurethane/Polyamide coatings known for resisting ultraviolet radiation, salt spray, moisture, and high temperatures. These coatings are particularly effective for buildings exposed to harsh sunlight, humidity, and airborne chemicals.

Tailored Variants for Specific Industry Needs

One of the defining strengths of the Optigal portfolio is its six specialized coating variants:

• High Gloss: Offers vibrant finish and visual appeal

• Anti-Dust: Reduces accumulation of airborne particles

• Anti-Graffiti: Enables easy cleaning of paint or ink markings

• Anti-Static: Prevents dust attraction in electronic zones

• Anti-Microbial: Ideal for hospitals and food storage facilities

• Cool Roof: Reflects sunlight, reducing internal temperatures and energy use

These variants cater to different industry needs ranging from real estate and retail to healthcare and warehousing. All finishes are based on advanced ZAM, zinc-aluminium-magnesium, technology, which extends durability by up to three times over standard galvanized steel.

Production, Capacity, & Sustainability Focus

The Optigal products are manufactured at AM/NS India’s state-of-the-art facility in Pune, Maharashtra. The plant currently has a production capacity of 700,000 metric tons of colour-coated steel annually, with plans underway to expand to 1 million metric tons to meet growing demand.

Sustainability is a key focus in the product design. Optigal steel sheets are free of heavy metals and hexavalent chromium, feature low VOC, Volatile Organic Compound, emissions, and are 100% recyclable. “These products align with India’s push for greener construction under the Make in India and Smart Cities missions,” Dhar noted.

The steel is also LEED-compliant, making it suitable for projects seeking green certification. Its recyclability reduces long-term environmental impact, which is increasingly important for developers aiming to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance standards.

Key Takeaways

• AM/NS India is now the only Indian producer of European-standard C4 grade colour-coated steel, with 15- and 25-year warranties.

• The Optigal range includes six specialized variants with advanced zinc-aluminium-magnesium coatings for high corrosion and weather resistance.

• Products are sustainably produced in Pune, with low VOC emissions, no heavy metals, and full recyclability, targeting both domestic and potential West Asian markets.