Steel enterprises taking the smart manufacturing plunge

Growing awareness propelling SOEs, private companies to transform, upgrade

China's steel industry is veering toward smart manufacturing, thanks to the growing awareness about high-quality development at State-owned and private enterprises, said experts, adding that major breakthroughs could be expected in the sector in the next five to six years.

"Smart manufacturing is a realistic way for the steel industry to transform and upgrade, and is also important for the high-quality development of the sector," said Li Xinchuang, president of the China Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute.