Understanding the Legal Use of Secondary Oily CRGO Materials in India’s Transformer Industry
- mukesh muke
- Oct 11
- 3 min read
In India’s transformer manufacturing and electrical sector, Cold Rolled Grain Oriented (CRGO) electrical steelremains essential for core construction and performance. However, with global supply limitations and rising import costs, the market has also seen the circulation of secondary oily CRGO materials — which are used strictly for non-commercial, educational, and research purposes in compliance with Indian regulations.
At S M Steels, we prioritize lawful, transparent, and ethical trading practices, ensuring each CRGO product we supply is clearly identified according to its permissible use and classification.
Classification by Length and Type
CRGO lamination sheets are categorized primarily by their length and application area:
Regular Length (300mm – 1000mm / 1500mm):Used for prototype design, training, or small-scale educational projects.
Medium Jumbo (1500mm – 2000mm):Often preferred for technical labs or R&D institutions conducting flux and core simulation studies.
Jumbo Length (2000mm – 4000mm):Typically supplied to testing facilities or non-commercial refurbishment units for structural evaluation.
Depending on their origin, these sheets may feature mitered, V-notched, or diamond-cut edges, suitable for learning, experimentation, or display cores.
Prime, Leftover, and Secondary Oily CRGO: Understanding the Difference
In India, prime CRGO mother coils and slit coils are the only grades approved for transformer manufacturing under Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) guidelines. These meet efficiency and safety standards under specifications such as IS 3024 and IS 649.
Prime leftover materials, derived from prime coil processing or excess stock, may also be used for approved manufacturing and export if they meet quality and testing norms.
By contrast, secondary oily CRGO materials come from dismantled or downgraded transformer cores. These are not permitted for use in manufacturing new transformers for sale or grid connection but may be used responsibly for:
Educational and vocational training purposes
R&D, testing, and design studies
Scrap recycling and metal recovery operations
Responsible Trade and Market Awareness
Although secondary oily CRGO materials are restricted for transformer manufacturing, they remain important for the circular economy — reducing wastage and promoting metal recycling. Educational institutions and technical workshops often use these materials to study lamination behavior, core assembly techniques, and magnetic circuit properties safely and legally.
At S M Steels, we uphold full transparency in our operations. Every shipment is classified as Prime, Prime Leftover, or Secondary Oily, and sold only for its approved application. This ensures our clients operate within Indian regulatory and ethical frameworks.
Commitment to Compliance and Energy Standards
India’s growing focus on energy-efficient transformers means compliance with BIS and BEE standards is mandatory for all manufacturers. Using non-approved or downgraded materials in commercial transformer production can lead to penalties, certification loss, and product disqualification.
S M Steels fully supports India’s regulatory mission. We encourage all manufacturers, suppliers, and buyers to source CRGO materials responsibly, prioritizing approved prime coils for commercial use.
Final Note
The secondary oily CRGO material market serves a legitimate purpose for testing, research, and recycling — but not for transformer manufacturing. As India continues to strengthen its power infrastructure, legal and transparent handling of all CRGO categories has become essential.
At S M Steels, we are proud to supply BIS-compliant prime CRGO coils, prime leftovers, and reusable lamination materials, with full clarity and integrity.
For compliant CRGO supplies and consultation,
contact:
📞 +91 8939461720
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