Stainless steel innovation is driving progress across many industries. New techniques are making the material stronger, more versatile and more environmentally-friendly. At the Global Stainless Steel Expo (GSSE) 2025, the conversation around India’s growing prominence in the global stainless steel industry was impossible to miss. Among the many international participants, Surface Engineering, a company based in Milan, Italy stood out for its technological innovation and confidence in India’s potential.

Representing the company at the event was Massimo Sartorio, Sales Manager at Surface Engineering, who spoke about how India’s rapidly developing stainless steel ecosystem is attracting global attention and why his company is here to stay.

When it comes to the Indian market, Sartorio sees it not just as an emerging market, but as a dynamic force driving global growth in stainless steel production and innovation. “India is a market that attracts everybody abroad because it is growing constantly. Many new projects are running in the market to increase stainless steel production and capacity, both in flat and long products,” he says.

India’s stainless steel sector has become one of the most active globally, boosted by infrastructure expansion, urbanisation, and a strong manufacturing base. The country’s push for sustainable development and value-added production has opened the door for advanced technology providers like Surface Engineering.

“India is evolving quickly. Manufacturers are looking for new ways to enhance quality and efficiency, and that’s where our technology can make a difference,” Sartorio adds.

The 2025 edition of the GSSE was Surface Engineering’s first participation and it left a strong impression. “This is our first time participating in this exhibition. The exhibition was interesting. There was movement all around. A few key people visited our booth and we are optimistic about our success after the exhibition,” Sartorio explained.

Beyond the footfall, Sartorio highlights the quality of engagement. “I was pleasantly surprised. The quality of participants is high, with many leading players in the industry present. We have also seen company owners themselves attending. The visitor footfall have been attractive to us in terms of their requirements, capabilities and interest.”

The event, he says, served as the perfect platform for dialogue and collaboration between global innovators and India’s rapidly advancing manufacturers. Strengthening roots in India, Surface Engineering’s growing presence in the country is not limited to exhibitions. The company has already taken concrete steps to strengthen its local footprint.

Sartorio added, “This is not my first time in India. I have been visiting India more frequently in recent years. A couple of years ago, we established a small business unit in India to follow the market closely. The country has become our leading export destination in 2023-2024, and we expect it to remain so in 2025 as well.”

This on-ground presence allows the company to provide faster service and tailor its technology to the specific needs of Indian manufacturers, a move that Sartorio says is already paying dividends. Advancements in processing and surface finishing technologies are making stainless steel materials more durable, efficient, and sustainable.

Surface Engineering has carved a niche for itself in stainless steel surface finishing, a crucial step that enhances the appearance, strength, and durability of the material. Materials like sleek tubes, structural profiles, and the company’s finishing solutions support industries ranging from construction, automotive, food processing, and architecture.

“We specialise in manufacturing machines and equipment for the surface finishing of long products, with stainless steel being our main application,” says Sartorio. “We work with tubes, both seamless and welded, as well as bars, profiles and related products.  Our company is located in Milan, Italy. We have a team of 45 people. We manage the full process in-house, from design to production, and export around 90 per cent of what we manufacture to customers worldwide.”

With 90 per cent of its machinery already exported to global markets, Surface Engineering’s focus on India marks an important expansion into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

With India emerging as one of the leading markets, the country is drawing global attention and investment from leading global players. India’s stainless steel sector is growing in its role as a key contributor to the global value chain, driving collaboration, technology exchange, and future-ready manufacturing. As the industry looks forward, it’s clear that India’s rise is not just a regional success story, but a global one in which global companies are eager to play their part.