The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mulls to revise the Indian standards for ferrous scrap to better align them with the ISRI codes. India aims to increase scrap-based steelmaking and improve the domestic supply scrap through a detailed and more rational categorisation of ferrous scrap. The revision to the standards intends to remove ambiguity and discrepancy between individual interpretation of various scrap grade and the terminology used in the steel industry.
In line with the institute of steel recycling industries (ISRI) standards BIS has expanded the scope of standards to all types of ferrous scrap and is broadly divided into three segments, home scrap, prompt scrap and obsolete scrap. Home scrap consumed internally by steel manufacturing units are, however, excluded from these standards. The new standards focus on contamination, cleanliness, safety and non-conformity.
The categorization is also based on sizes, forms and shapes which enable differentiation of re-melting scrap, re-rolling scrap and re-manufacturing scrap. Re-melting scrap is also further categorised as shredders and bundles. Shredded is classified into four more classes, while bundled into eight classes. Ferrous Turning and Boring scrap are also differentiated in the new standards which also include provision for coated scrap.
Light melting scrap (LMS), terne plate bundle, steel can bundle, incinerator bundle and additional variety of turnings and borings and foundry scrap also find mention in the revised standards along with end-of-life automotive scraps, tyre bead wires and railroad scraps. Dimensions of the standard are aligned with ISRI standard to keep compatibility between domestic and imported ferrous scraps.
Remanufacturing scraps, which includes home, prompt and obsolete scraps which can directly be converted into finished product is also detailed in the new standard.