Exciting news has recently arrived. POSCO has signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with JSW Steel, India’s leading steelmaker, to construct an integrated steel mill. Grounded in a robust partnership, this collaboration aims to target high-profit markets in India and further strengthen the global steel supply chain. How did POSCO and JSW Steel come to join hands? Here is the behind-the-scenes story of this monumental partnership.

POSCO Signs Joint Venture Agreement with India’s Leading Steelmaker, JSW Steel

▲ POSCO signed a Joint Venture Agreement with JSW Steel, India’s No. 1 steelmaker, on the 20th to build an integrated steel mill. (From right) Chang In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS; Lee Hee-guen, President of POSCO; Jayant Acharya, CEO of JSW Steel; and Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group.

POSCO has officially embarked on constructing an integrated steel mill in India—a high-growth market with a population of 1.46 billion—by signing a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA)* with JSW Steel, the nation’s top steelmaker. The joint venture will be established on an equal partnership basis, with both companies holding a 50% stake each.

The new blast furnace-based integrated steel mill** will feature a comprehensive production system covering both upstream and downstream processes—including ironmaking, steelmaking, hot rolling, and cold rolling/galvanizing—capable of producing high-value-added premium steel. With an annual crude steel capacity of 6 million tons, the plant will be located in the state of Odisha,
securing a site adjacent to iron ore mines with excellent logistics, power, and infrastructure. Construction is projected to take 48 months from groundbreaking, with completion targeted for 2031.

* Joint Venture Agreement (JVA): A form of direct investment where a company partners with local capital to jointly operate and manage a business.
* Integrated Steel Mill: A steel plant equipped with all production stages, including ironmaking (producing molten iron), steelmaking (removing impurities), and rolling (manufacturing finished steel products).

A Perfect Match: How POSCO and JSW Group Share a Common DNA

In India, JSW Group enjoys a level of public recognition and influence comparable to POSCO in Korea, operating across a diverse range of business sectors. Just as POSCO runs professional football clubs like the Pohang Steelers and Jeonnam Dragons, JSW Group boasts immense financial power and cultural influence, even owning the Delhi Capitals, a team in India’s highly popular professional cricket league.

Notably, a special bond forged during a time of crisis connects the two companies. In 2022, Typhoon Hinnamnor caused severe flooding at Pohang Works, submerging key facilities. At that critical juncture, JSW Group generously offered POSCO a set of equipment they had ordered for their own hot rolling mill. This noble gesture significantly expedited the restoration of Pohang’s No. 2 Hot Rolling Mill, serving as a cornerstone for deep mutual trust between the two groups.

▲ (From left) POSCO Founder Park Tae-joon, JSW Group Founder O.P. Jindal (Photo credit: POSCO Group Newsroom DB, Wikimedia)

Beyond a mere business partnership, POSCO and JSW Group share deep-rooted commonalities in their founding spirits and management philosophies. JSW Group’s founder, Om Prakash Jindal (O.P. Jindal), dedicated his life to India’s industrialization. This closely mirrors the philosophy of Jecheol-boguk (제철보국, “Patriotism through Steelmaking”) championed by POSCO’s late founder and Honorary Chairman, Park Tae-joon, which emphasizes serving the nation by producing high-quality steel. O.P. Jindal’s famous vision, “Where others saw walls, he saw doors,” strongly resonates with POSCO’s indomitable “Woo-hyang-woo” (Right-turn) spirit*, which overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles through sheer determination.

* “Woo-hyang-woo” (Right-turn) Spirit: An indomitable spirit of challenge demonstrated by Honorary Chairman Park Tae-joon during the construction of Pohang Works. He motivated his team by saying, “If we fail to build this steelworks, which is funded by claims-settlement funds from Japan, we must all turn right (‘woo-hyang-woo’) and drown ourselves in the waters of Yeongil Bay,” burning all bridges to ensure success.

Sajjan Jindal, the current Chairman of JSW Group, was deeply inspired during his past visits to POSCO’s Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works, harboring a dream to “build a world-class steelworks like this in India.” In fact, JSW’s flagship Vijayanagar Steelworks was constructed with a layout and neighboring residential complexes remarkably similar to those of POSCO’s works.
Through years of accumulated trust and mutual respect, POSCO and JSW Group have finally joined hands as true partners to pioneer the future of the Indian steel market.

Why India? A High-Growth Market Driven by a Young Population

Why did POSCO choose the Indian market? While there are various reasons—such as a landmass 33 times larger than South Korea and a population exceeding 1.4 billion—the primary driver is the projected surge in steel demand. Growing at a rapid pace of nearly 6% to 7% annually, India is currently recognized as the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

Having surpassed China in population two years ago, India boasts a massive market scale. Notably, the median age of India’s population is exceptionally young at 28. This youthful demographic is a key driver that injects vitality into the consumer market and heightens its future growth potential.

The rising purchasing power of India’s younger generation is driving development across various industries. The automotive sector, in particular, is expanding rapidly. Currently ranking fourth globally in vehicle production, India’s automotive industry is growing so fast that it is expected to climb to third place in the near future. Additionally, the home appliance market—where Korean giants like Samsung and LG have a strong presence—is seeing increased demand due to rising income levels. In the construction sector, active development of new smart cities is also driving a steady increase in steel consumption.

Specifically, India’s steel demand, which stood at 90 million tons in 2015, has surged to 150 million tons in 2024, and is projected to reach 260 million tons by 2035. Today, India stands as the world’s largest steel market, second only to China.

Supporting this explosive demand is India’s abundance of natural resources. India ranks seventh globally in iron ore reserves (approximately 35 billion tons) and possesses rich reserves of coking coal, offering a significant advantage in raw material procurement. This resource wealth serves as a powerful springboard for India to achieve complete self-sufficiency in the steel industry and sustain long-term growth.

To Go Far, Go Together: Why POSCO and JSW Steel Joined Forces

Why did POSCO choose to enter India through a Joint Venture (JV)? Since 2004, POSCO had explored entering India’s upstream steelmaking sector on four separate occasions. However, these attempts faced hurdles, such as finding the right partner and securing land. The Indian market proved highly challenging for foreign enterprises to navigate independently. Drawing from these experiences, POSCO concluded that partnering with a strong local player was the most viable path forward.

In this regard, JSW Steel, India’s top steelmaker, was the perfect partner. JSW Steel has demonstrated remarkable growth in a short span, scaling its crude steel production from 2.2 million tons in 2005 to over 30 million tons today.

The foundation of any joint venture is trust. Reflecting this, the joint venture is structured as an equal partnership with a 50:50 shareholding split. This structure embodies a shared commitment to building the world’s finest steel mill by combining POSCO’s world-class technology with JSW Steel’s market leadership and local execution capabilities.

Amid rising global protectionism, the Indian government has also tightened measures to protect its domestic market. To safeguard its local steel industry, India has strengthened regulations on domestic production and mandated standard certifications for imported steel. Under these circumstances, the decision to form a joint venture with JSW Steel represents a proactive, strategic move to successfully navigate and establish a strong foothold in the Indian market.

There is an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” In line with this wisdom, POSCO plans to combine its innovative steelmaking technology with JSW Group’s formidable local competitiveness, paving the way to make substantial contributions to the industrial development and economic growth of both nations.

Construction of an integrated steel mill in Odisha with an annual crude steel capacity of 6 million tons… Aiming for completion by 2031

A representative case of POSCO Group’s “Complete Localization Strategy” to preoccupy the high-growth Indian steel market

Establishing a “Virtuous Cycle Growth Model” where global profits fund domestic decarbonization transition investments

POSCO (President: Lee, Hee-geun) is embarking on a significant expansion of its global steel business by commencing the construction of an integrated steel mill* in India, a high-growth market with a population of 1.46 billion.

*Integrated Steel Mill: A steel plant equipped with the full range of processes, including ironmaking (producing molten iron), steelmaking (removing impurities), and rolling (producing finished steel products)

On the 20th (local time), POSCO signed a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with JSW Steel, India’s leading steelmaker, to build an integrated steel mill in India. This collaboration, built on a strong partnership between the two companies, aims to target high-profit markets within India and further strengthen the global steel supply chain.

The signing ceremony was attended by top executives from both groups, including Chang, In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS, Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group, Lee, Hee-guen, President of POSCO, and Jayant Acharya, CEO of JSW Steel.

Following a direct meeting and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CEO Chang, In Hwa and Chairman Sajjan Jindal in October 2024, the two companies solidified their cooperation through a HOA* in July 2025. With this final contract, the joint venture now enters the full-scale construction and execution phase. The joint venture is structured as an equal partnership, with each company holding a 50% stake.

*HOA: Non-Binding Heads of Agreement.

The new integrated steel mill will be blast-furnace-based, featuring a complete production system—from ironmaking, steelmaking, and hot rolling to cold rolling/galvanizing—capable of producing high-value-added premium steel. The facility will have an integrated production capacity of 6 million tons of crude steel. A site has been secured in Odisha, offering proximity to iron ore mines and efficient access to logistics, power, and infrastructure. The project aims for completion by 2031, following a 48-month construction period after groundbreaking.

Both companies are reviewing plans to combine POSCO’s low-carbon operational technology and Smart Factory capabilities with JSW’s renewable energy infrastructure to supply a portion of the plant’s power with renewable energy. Through this, they intend to establish a low-carbon production system that aligns with the “Green Steel Taxonomy” established by the Indian government in December 2024, the first of its kind in the world.

President Lee, stated, “Through this joint venture, we will combine POSCO’s innovative steelmaking technology with JSW Group’s strong local competitiveness. We are committed to creating future value and making a substantial contribution to the industrial development and economic growth of both nations.”

CEO Jayant Acharya commented, “This partnership with POSCO will serve as an opportunity to unite the vision and determination of both companies. We expect this to be a significant step in strengthening the Indian steel ecosystem and solidifying the national industrial value chain.”

The Indian steel mill construction project, a long-held ambition for POSCO, has finally come to fruition as the “Complete Localization Strategy” achieved tangible results following the inauguration of CEO Chang.

Since 2004, POSCO has explored entering the upstream sector in India on four separate occasions but faced challenges such as finding the right joint venture partner and securing land. However, the company successfully carried out downstream investments, including electrical steel and automotive steel sheet plants, and has accumulated extensive business experience in India by strengthening its partnership with the JSW Group, which owns India’s leading steelmaker.

A representative example of this robust partnership occurred in 2022 when the Pohang Steelworks was flooded due to Typhoon Hinnamnor. At that time, JSW Group readily provided POSCO with equipment originally being manufactured for its own hot rolling mill, significantly accelerating the recovery of POSCO’s No. 2 Hot Rolling Mill.

Driven by GDP growth, urbanization, population increases, and manufacturing expansion, India is a high-growth market where steel consumption has grown by over 10% annually in recent years. In particular, demand for high-value-added steel is expected to rise as the premium market for automotive and home appliances expands due to increasing incomes and a shift toward premium consumption patterns.

POSCO Group plans to directly overcome the crisis of global protectionism through its “Complete Localization Strategy,” which includes building the integrated steel mill in India, investing in the steel plant in Louisiana, U.S., and collaborating with Cleveland-Cliffs. Meanwhile, in Korea, the company is focusing on high-value-added products, transitioning to Intelligent Factories through the integration of AI and robotics, and developing Korean-style hydrogen reduction steelmaking to secure future growth drivers.

Notably, as CEO Chang mentioned in his 2026 New Year’s address, this investment is highly significant as it establishes a crucial bridgehead for a virtuous cycle: utilizing profits generated in global markets to fund decarbonization transition investments back in Korea.

▲ POSCO signed a Joint Venture Agreement with JSW Steel, India’s No. 1 steelmaker, on the 20th to build an integrated steel mill. (From right) Chang, In Hwa, CEO of POSCO HOLDINGS; Lee, Hee-guen, President of POSCO; Jayant Acharya, CEO of JSW Steel; and Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group.

Aligned with India’s self-reliance and export goals

Odisha being considered as a potential site

Final terms subject to feasibility and approvals

POSCO Group, South Korea’s global leader in steel production, and India’s leading steelmaker JSW Steel have signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) to jointly explore setting up a 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant in India. The agreement marks a significant step toward deepening strategic collaboration between two of the world’s most respected steel companies.

This HoA builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties in October 2024 and outlines the broad framework for the proposed 50:50 joint venture. The HoA was signed in Mumbai in the presence of Mr. Lee Ju-tae, Representative Director and President, POSCO Holdings, and Mr. Jayant Acharya, Joint Managing Director & CEO, JSW Steel.

As part of the next steps, POSCO and JSW will undertake a detailed feasibility study to finalize the plant’s location, investment terms, resource availability, and other critical factors. Given its natural resource base and logistical advantages, Odisha is among the key locations being considered.

Mr. Lee Ju-tae, Representative Director and President, POSCO Holdings, said,

“India is central to the future of global steel demand. Our collaboration with JSW is based on mutual trust and a shared long-term vision. This initiative represents our commitment to supporting India’s industrial growth while creating long-term value for both organizations.”

Mr. Jayant Acharya, Joint Managing Director & CEO, JSW Steel, said,

“This partnership brings together POSCO’s technological leadership in steelmaking and JSW’s proven execution capabilities and strong domestic footprint. The proposed venture aligns with India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and will help create a globally competitive manufacturing hub to serve both domestic and export markets.”

▲ POSCO Group and JSW Group sign a Heads of Agreement (HoA) for business collaboration. From left: Arun Maheshwari, Director, JSW Group; Jayant Acharya, Joint Managing Director & CEO, JSW Steel; Lee Ju-tae, President, POSCO Holdings; and Shin Sung-won, Head of Corporate Strategy Division, POSCO.