Top-notch credentials, cutting-edge capabilities, an unwavering commitment to quality & environment and high ethical standards — these are the key characteristics that have enabled Tata Sponge to create a niche among DRI units in India.

Tata Sponge, which has its manufacturing facility at Bilaipada (in Joda Block of Keonjhar District in Orissa), was initially set up as a joint venture company between Tata Steel and the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa Limited (IPICOL). It has moved on since, becoming an associate company of Tata Steel following the former’s acquisition of IPICOL’s stake in 1991.

The origins of Tata Sponge can be traced to a groundbreaking effort by Tata Steel to industrialise a backward area of Orissa. Tata Steel proposed to do this by introducing an innovative technology for making sponge iron - Tisco Direct Reduction (TDR), developed by its Research and Development Division.

In order to streamline the entire process of management system certification and reduce paperwork primarily through duplication, eliminate conflicting responsibility & relationships and harmonise & optimise practices, progressive companies have been adopting the concept of Integrated Management System (IMS) which is a merged system standard comprising ISO 9000, ISO 14000 & OHSAS 18000 specification in order.  Tata Sponge has also taken a step towards implementing IMS which is in steady progress and the certification is expected to be recommended shortly.  From the company's side, Mr.S.Shankar is the Management Representative & Top Management Appointee for ISO9001, ISO14001 & OHSAS-18001 system.