Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian conglomerate Jindal group, is set to start operations soon at its giant steel reinforcing bar (rebar) mill in Oman, said a report.

The sultanate’s largest rebar mill, which boasts a 1.4-million-tonne per annum (mtpa) capacity, is the latest addition to the expanding integrated steel complex of Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel at Sohar Port, reported the Oman Observer.

Rebar is widely used with concrete in the construction of buildings and all kinds of civil structures. Along with cement and steel, rebar is a staple of the building and construction industry.  

Once the plant becomes operational, Jindal Shadeed will become a supplier of finished steels for the first time in its five-year-history with the imminent production of rebar, stated the report citing its top official.

"Our 1.4 mtpa capacity rebar mill is not only first of its kind in terms of capacity, but it’s also the most modern. From the planning stages through to the cold trial stage, we succeeded in crossing all the hurdles," remarked Naushad A Ansari, the company director and plant head.

The impending launch of the rebar mill is a highpoint for the company which, like steelmakers around the region, has been squeezed by a prolonged downturn that is hurting the global industry, he added.