Editorial

It is very commonly known that welding activity has a direct correlation with the quantum of steel consumption. According to some recent data, all the steel consuming industries of India are on a fast track of growth. Out of the major steel user industries, the fabrication sector, which is generally considered to be the major consumer of welding products has been going through a year by year average growth of 6.8% for the past 5-6 years. Other steel consuming sectors like Construction, Automobiles, Tubes and Wire Drawing etc. using welding to a lesser extent, have also grown consistently at rates varying between 4.8% to 8.3% . However, Oil Piping alone has seen a growth of as high as 41% and welding is very vital for this sector. The total projected demand of Steel even at a minimum GDP growth of 5% would be anywhere around 56 mtpa in the year 2010.