AM/NS India Launches Zagnelis® Protect, India’s First Premium Zinc–Aluminium–Magnesium Coated Automotive Steel

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) today announced the launch of Zagnelis® Protect, a premium Zinc–Aluminium–Magnesium coated steel brand designed for high-performance automotive applications.

Proven across European markets, ArcelorMittal’s patented Zagnelis® Protect coatings mark a first‑of‑its-kind manufacturing capability in India, which is the world’s third‑largest automotive producer. Until now, steel products of comparable technological capability and quality were entirely imported. With this launch from Chennai in the presence of a group of key customers, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India has become the first company to introduce a high-quality, premium Zinc–Aluminium–Magnesium coated steel brand for automotive applications, strengthening its technology leadership.

With automotive manufacturers increasingly focused on durability, performance, safety, and manufacturing consistency to become more competitive in both domestic and global markets, the world‑class, high‑performance automotive steel brand Zagnelis® Protect will enable them benefit from shorter lead times, consistent quality, and improved supply assurance.

The initial application of Zagnelis® Protect will be in motor cups – critical enclosures for direct-current motors used in windows, mirrors, wipers, and seats. With each car deploying 20 – 30 such motors, this product delivers immediate value through improved performance.

Currently, an estimated 8–10% of critical automotive steel grades used in India are imported, largely due to coating and metallurgical complexity. With India producing over 30 million vehicles annually across segments and automotive demand shifting towards higher-quality, corrosion-resistant and lightweight materials, the localisation of advanced coated steels will play a critical role in the sector’s next phase of growth.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ranjan Dhar, Director & Vice President – Sales & Marketing, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), said, “The launch of Zagnelis® Protect reflects our commitment to advancing the nation’s automotive manufacturing capabilities through high-quality and high-performance steel solutions. This marks a significant step towards supporting a globally competitive automotive ecosystem. We are expanding our portfolio of value-added steel solutions in line with our brand promise, ‘Smarter Steels, Brighter Futures’. As India focuses on technology-led automotive manufacturing, access to advanced steel becomes critical. Supported by the unparalleled technology and expertise of our parent companies, ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, we are making this world-class, import-substitute product available domestically. This will enable automotive companies to meet global standards while contributing meaningfully to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.”

Globally, Zagnelis® Protect coatings are recognised for delivering significantly higher corrosion resistance than conventional galvanised (GI) coatings, particularly at cut edges, hem flanges, and formed areas, where automotive components typically corrode first. The new brand offers exceptional corrosion resistance, self-healing protection, outstanding drawability, and reliable weldability. Domestic production will improve supply chain efficiency and quality consistency, helping customers strengthen both operational performance and competitive advantage.

While the launch began with an initial focus on motor cups, Zagnelis® Protect is engineered for a broad spectrum of automotive applications as well, including chassis parts, door inner panels, hood/bonnet inner panels, and decklid/tailgate inner panels.

The unveiling of the patented product brand comes at a time when India’s automotive industry has reached a historic scale, with passenger vehicle sales exceeding about 4.7 million units in FY2025–26, making India one of the world’s largest automotive markets and a growing export hub.

The launch builds on ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India’s strategy of indigenising advanced steel solutions, following the introduction of ArcelorMittal’s two patented products – Magnelis® for renewable energy and infrastructure; and Optigal®, a high‑quality colour‑coated steel for roofing, cladding, pre‑engineered buildings, and architectural applications.

These indigenisation efforts are part of AM/NS India’s broader ₹60,000-crore expansion project at Hazira, which includes the development of upstream, downstream, and enabling infrastructure to support next-generation automotive and value-added steel manufacturing in India.

AM/NS India Achieves World First with ABS‑Certified Ultra‑High Strength Welded Pipes

• Certified by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), confirming compliance with stringent international standards for offshore applications, including strength parameters
• Company demonstrates world-class manufacturing capabilities in high-performance, critical steel applications. 
• Contributes to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision by enabling indigenous production and reducing imports

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has demonstrated its world-class manufacturing capabilities by becoming the first steel company in the world to produce the highest strength welded pipes (EQ70 grade) used in marine engineering projects, with certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The ABS is a leading maritime classification society that provides independent validation of compliance, including strength parameters, with globally recognised standards.

While setting a new benchmark in offshore engineering, this endeavour by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India strongly supports the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiatives by enabling the domestic availability of indigenously produced highest strength welded pipes, replacing seamless pipes currently imported from Europe for critical applications such as oil & gas platforms, offshore wind structures, and deepwater pipelines. With high performance welded pipes, customers from India’s offshore and engineering sectors will benefit with enhanced supply security, shorter lead times, and lower costs, as well as improved competitiveness both domestically and internationally.

The company’s latest advancement further reinforces its commitment to steelmaking innovation, supported by the strong technological expertise, R&D capabilities, and global best practices of its parent companies ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel. Aligned with its brand promise – ‘Smarter Steels, Brighter Futures’, this milestone underscores ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India’s role in building a resilient domestic steel ecosystem while catering to highly specialised and regulated global applications.

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India has already supplied a substantial quantity of welded pipes to a leading oil and gas producer in the country.

Equivalent to the American Petroleum Institute (API) 5L X100Q, EQ70 grade is a high-strength low-alloy steel grade with a minimum yield strength of 690 megapascals (MPa) and exceptional toughness. EQ70 grade welded pipes meet the demanding requirements of offshore applications such as leg bracing in jack-up rigs and deepwater pipelines. Their superior strength allows for thinner, lighter pipes without compromising structural integrity, while their advanced weldability and corrosion resistance ensure reliability in harsh marine environments.

The successful fabrication of welded pipes from ABS EQ70 grade plates using Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) at the company’s flagship plant in Hazira, Gujarat, sets new industry standards for safety, sustainability, and cost-effective production for critical offshore projects. Producing ultra-high strength welded pipes is technically challenging, as it requires maintaining uniform strength and toughness across both the base metal and the welded seam, while ensuring structural integrity under extreme offshore conditions. This innovation advances India’s manufacturing capabilities further up the value chain.

The ABS certification has provided an independent validation that the welded pipes met globally recognised standards for safety, strength, structural integrity, and performance in marine environments. The certification is widely regarded as a key requirement for participation in offshore and marine projects, enabling the product to be considered for regulated international applications.