Bhubaneswar, Oct 14: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd’s (IMFA) greenfield ferro chrome project at Kalinganagar, marking a significant expansion of the company’s production capacity. With the new facility, IMFA has become India’s largest producer of value-added ferro chrome, with an annual capacity exceeding 5 lakh tonnes.
Established in 1961, IMFA began construction of the Kalinganagar project, identified as KNR 1, on May 22, 2025. The Chief Minister had attended its groundbreaking ceremony in the presence of other dignitaries. The first furnace achieved output on August 25, 2026, just 458 days after construction commenced.
According to the company, the project generated approximately 4.5 lakh man-days of employment during the construction phase. It is also expected to create around 1,500 direct and indirect jobs, contributing to employment generation and industrial development in Odisha.
Commenting on the inauguration, IMFA Managing Director Subhrakant Panda described the project as a major milestone in the company’s growth journey, strengthening its position in India and the global ferro chrome industry.
Panda thanked the Odisha Government and its agencies for their support in completing the project and achieving the first tapping of hot metal within 15 months. He also appreciated the project team for its dedication and commitment.
Highlighting the facility’s environmental features, Panda said the plant uses state-of-the-art closed furnaces designed for operational efficiency. Off-gas-based power generation, combined with hybrid renewable energy, is expected to help reduce the project’s carbon footprint.
He added that ferro chrome would play an important role in supporting India’s manufacturing ambitions and enhancing the country’s economic resilience and competitiveness.
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