With steel demand set to touch 210 million tonnes by 2030, Build Connect 2026 will bring industry stakeholders together to strengthen trade-led distribution and market readiness.
New Delhi | January 15, 2026
India’s steel and construction materials industry is gearing up for a period of accelerated growth, driven by expanding production capacity and steady domestic demand across infrastructure and housing. Industry data indicates that India’s steel output has crossed 160 million tonnes in calendar year 2025, while installed capacity is projected to move closer to 300 million tonnes by the end of the decade. Cement capacity is also rising in tandem, reflecting continued investment in core sectors of the economy.
As the industry scales up, attention is increasingly shifting from manufacturing alone to the efficiency and strength of distribution channels that connect producers with markets. Trade-led distribution—handled by dealers, distributors, stockists, and yards—has emerged as a key pillar in this transition.
According to industry estimates, India’s finished steel consumption in FY26 stood at nearly 162 million tonnes, with around 50 million tonnes supplied through trade-based channels, largely operated by MSMEs. By 2030, overall steel demand is expected to grow to nearly 210 million tonnes, while volumes distributed through trade networks could rise to approximately 70 million tonnes annually. This growth is expected to be fuelled by deeper outreach in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, a higher share of value-added steel products, and gradual modernisation of dealer and distributor infrastructure.
These developments were discussed at a curtain raiser press conference held at the Press Club of India, New Delhi, where industry leaders officially announced Build Connect 2026. The national expo-cum-conference aims to strengthen India’s dealer–distributor ecosystem within the steel and construction materials sector.
Speakers at the event underlined that as volumes expand and product offerings become more specialised, distribution efficiency, regional coverage, and operational preparedness will play a decisive role in sustaining industry growth. Trade-led channels are estimated to handle steel and construction material sales worth nearly ₹3.5 lakh crore annually, highlighting the need for improved access to organised finance, better liquidity management, and smarter inventory systems.
Build Connect 2026 has been positioned as a first-of-its-kind national platform that will bring together dealers and distributors, manufacturers and mills, EPC companies, architects, financial institutions, and technology providers. The event will focus on pan-India networking, capacity building, and knowledge sharing, while also showcasing value-added products, digital solutions, and structured financing models aligned with evolving market needs.
The two-day event is expected to attract over 300 distributors and more than 3,000 MSME-level dealers from across the country, reflecting the scale and diversity of India’s trade-driven distribution landscape.
Addressing the gathering, Kamal Goel, Chairman of Amba Shakti Group, said that with expanding steel capacities and a growing focus on value-added offerings, a strong and future-ready distribution network is essential for effective market adoption across regions.
Sumit Agrawal, CMO of BigMint and organiser of Build Connect 2026, noted that India’s expanding production base presents a timely opportunity for the industry to modernise and reinforce its distribution backbone alongside capacity growth.
Amit Gupta, President of Akhil Bhartiya Loha Vyapar Sangh, added that a national platform such as Build Connect 2026 can help MSME dealers and distributors gain visibility, learn from peers across regions, and prepare for the next phase of industry expansion.
Build Connect 2026 will be held on February 19–20, 2026, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
