Vizag Steel’s brand image threatened by sale of suspected duplicate products in A.P.

A few small-sized steel production companies and re-rolling mills in neighbouring States are cashing in on production bottlenecks at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant by flooding local markets with a counterfeit product, Vizag 550D TMT, suspected to be produced in external rolling mills based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

The product closely resembles the genuine Vizag TMT 550D manufactured by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL).

While the Raipur origin remains a strong suspicion among industry circles, no official investigation or enforcement action has established the source. The sale of the counterfeit product has raised public safety concerns and prompted trade unions to seek action.

RINL has been alerted about the issue as traders allegedly use deceptive packaging and false branding to market the steel. According to sources, the matter came up at an internal meeting held on July 18, when labour representatives brought it to the attention of the management. “Yes, we have brought it to the notice of the management earlier in July,” a union leader said.

Sources said recent industrial disruptions and gas shortages at the plant had created a temporary shortage of the product. They alleged that those behind the counterfeit trade used the supply gap to route suspected Raipur-made re-rolled steel into local markets under the Vizag Steel brand.

“One concern is the circulation of fake 8 mm rebars. Samples and photographs have already been confidentially secured from select local traders,” said another source.

Experts said the duplicate bars may not meet the technical specifications of genuine Visakhapatnam Steel products. They said the counterfeit rebars may lack the tensile strength and elongation properties associated with authentic Vizag TMT.

Using such steel could compromise the load-bearing capacity, durability and structural integrity of residential buildings, commercial complexes and major infrastructure projects, said a Vizag Steel marketing official.

Steel plant unions said the counterfeit trade was eroding the brand built over decades by the workforce and affecting the company’s reputation.

CITU steel plant unit general secretary J. Ayodhya Ramu demanded immediate penal action. “We are requesting that the management must crack down on the counterfeit network without delay. If RINL authorities fail to file formal criminal complaints against the culprits immediately, we will step forward to initiate legal action,” Ayodhya Ramu told The Hindu.

With counterfeit steel being sold through retail networks in Visakhapatnam and neighbouring districts, Vizag Steel management and industry experts urged builders, contractors and individual homebuilders to exercise caution.

“Yes, we are seriously working on it. Consumers are strongly advised to verify permanent mill-rolled brand embossing, demand authentic Mill Test Certificates (MTC), and procure materials exclusively through authorised RINL branch sales offices and verified dealers,” a Vizag Steel spokesperson said.