The Philippine Induction Smelting Industry Association defended the advantages of using the Induction Furnace Smelting Technology, or IFST, in the manufacture of steel bars.
The local steel smelting group is composed of Melters Steel Corp., Real Steel Corp., Wan Chiong Steel Corp., Metrodragon Steel Corp. and Davao Mighty Steel Corp.
Former Senator Nikki Coseteng, who has backed up the group, said earlier “there appears to be a lack of appreciation in terms of this new technology, which is the Induction Furnace Smelting Technology, or IFST.”
“As you see, this is the more advanced technology, which in fact, minimizes air pollution and in fact, even lowers electricity cost. This technology was developed over a decade ago in Germany and Italy, (and) is also being used by steel smelters in the Asean region, India, Middle East, Africa, China, Japan, Taiwan and some European countries,” she said.
"This is in fact, a direct contrast to the obsolete Electric Arc Furnace, developed some 150 years ago, which causes heavy pollution, and higher electric consumption, and is still being used by many local smelters," Coseteng said.
“PISIA is also confident that the Induction Furnace Smelting Technology is the better technology in the Philippines, and in the world. Today, the process is consuming less energy and generates very little pollution. Many of the members are also ISO-9001 certified by DTI and the Philippine Standard PS-Mark, proving that their products are at par, with internationally acceptable standards, and manufactured in an environmentally friendly setting," she said.
India, which is a well-known powerhouse in steel production, has an estimated 1,000 steel manufacturers, which use the IFST technology. These players partially attributed the growth of the steel market due to IFST, stating that “steel making through induction furnace has emerged as one of the key drivers for the growth of the steel production sector.”
In a paper that was published in India by Dr. Dinesh Kumar Lekhi, entitled “Special Steels Through Induction Melting Furnaces: Vision 2020”, it explained the economic benefits of IFST such as the lower manufacturing cost entailed when it is used, along with its lower electricity requirement, unlike the obsolete Electric Arc Furnace. This leads to cheaper prices of the finished products such as steel bars, benefiting end consumers, and developers.
Induction smelting technology is the technology used in the manufacture of aluminium, brass, cast iron, and stainless steel.
“This is what we are lobbying for,” said PISIA. “It should be all about the consumers. With reduced steel bar prices due to IFST’s technology, we can create a ripple effect, and contribute to the reduced construction cost of houses and buildings; such as condominiums, even government infrastructures. The Department of Trade and Industry DTI should take a look at the economic benefits of IFST, as the winners at the end of the day, would be the Filipino people, and this is what it’s all about.”