Interview of Mr John Molero

May 29, 2026

In this edition, we had the opportunity to speak with Mr John Molero from Primetals Technologies, a seasoned leader who has spent over four decades in the global manufacturing and metals industry, including more than 36 years in steel, stainless steel, and aluminium. Having worked with some of the world’s leading metals technology companies, he has witnessed the industry’s transformation across technology, scale, and global markets.

A valued partner to Jindal Stainless for over two decades, Mr Molero has observed our growth journey firsthand. As he prepares to embark on his retirement, he reflects on the evolution of global steelmaking, India’s growing prominence in the stainless steel ecosystem, and the enduring partnerships that have shaped the industry’s progress.

Insightful, candid, and backed by decades of international experience, Mr Molero offers a unique perspective on the past, present, and future of the metals industry. Read this engaging conversation between Abreshmina Quadri from Corporate Communications and Mr. John Molero.

Mr Molero, you spent decades in the metals and manufacturing industry. Looking back now, what do you think pulls you into the industry and over the years, what has kept you so passionate about it?

I think steel has got a very foundational role to play in shaping economies and shaping societies. Steel is the backbone of our infrastructure, mobility, industrial development. It quite literally builds our world around us. I was very much captivated by the scale of the operations, the engineering precision that is required. I am a mechanical engineer by training the many diverse processes that we find in the industry and also the global interconnectedness of the sector.

What sustain my passion, is the industry’s constant evolution, despite being a let’s call it a mature sector, it has to reinvent itself to survive, whether through new technologies, sustainable imperatives, shifting global demand. These patterns mean you have to be flexible and change with the times and the ability to work at the intersection of innovation, heavy industry, economic development has kept the journey both challenging and deeply rewarding.

Over the course of your career, you’ve obviously seen the steel and stainless steel industry evolve across multiple technological and economic cycles. What in your view, has been the biggest transformation in steel making, say, over the last couple of decades?

I see the most significant transformation is the shift towards digitalisation and process optimisation, combined with the growing need for sustainability steelmaking has moved from a largely, labour intensive, energy intensive to increasingly data driven and automated technologies. Technologies such as advanced process control systems, AI driven analytics smart manufacturing. they’ve dramatically improved productivity in the last ten years. The quality has gone up and the efficiency has gone up particularly in the ever competing, market scenario. Also, there’s a fundamental transition towards the lower carbon generation, we need to produce less carbon dioxide. And we’ve gone into areas like electric arc furnaces, hydrogen-based steelmaking and circular resources as well. So, this dual transformation, a combination of digital and environmental, I think has redefined how we see steel and how it’s produced and valued.

In terms of automation, digitalisation, sustainability, resource efficiency. The stainless-steel industry is also seeing evolution on these lines. In your view, which one of these changes will play the biggest role in this transformation over the next decade?

It’s difficult to identify one particular one. Whilst automation robotics process, will continue to advance, decarbonisation will be defining force shaping the next phase of global steel manufacturing. Perhaps in an internal market that decarbonisation is not so strong. Certainly, an export market might be a barrier to entry if you don’t address that. So, the pressure to reduce carbon emissions on a global scale is reshaping a lot of the investment decisions. Exploring greener technologies, using renewable energies and possibly also alternative new raw materials. At the same time, resource efficiency, particularly recycling and scrap utilisation will become critical in the circular industry. I think the companies that succeed will be those that can balance the sustainability, the competitiveness, leveraging the digital tools to optimise their operations and in essence, the future of steelmaking will be making it greener, make it smarter, make it circular. Primetals has state of the art technology in all these areas for digitalisation, smart factory and green technologies and we are offering those technologies to your management. And, they’re very conscious. So, this is also important to the success of Jindal Stainless in the future.

Mr Molero, you have seen India also evolve as one of the leading, you know, manufacturing markets, in global manufacturing industry as well. How do you see India’s role evolving in the global stainless-steel ecosystem, say, over the next decade or so?

I first came to India in 1983, I’ve seen a massive transformation in India. It is a force to reckon with. I believe India is poised to become one of the most influential players in the global stainless-steel landscape by far. You’ve got strong domestic demand. You know what you have to satisfy. But you know, driven by the infrastructure, urbanisation, transportation, manufacturing growth. So, in India, you’ve got both scale and long-term market potential. That’s a springboard to then go into international markets. And we spoke about decarbonisation as allowing you to get through some of the barriers that other countries are putting up also to protect their industry. Beyond the demand is India is also strengthening very much in its capabilities in production, innovation and value-added products. As global supply chains diversify, India’s increasingly see it as a reliable and competitive manufacturing centre. We at Primetals ourselves have invested in three, factories in India. We make in India also and India have got the possibility to leapfrog into more sustainable production. These practices adopting new or cleaner technologies from the outset. Our technologies that we offer already come with the latest state-of-the-art green and digitalisation technologies. Over time, I think India will not just be, a huge major consumer, but also, in time, a key exporter and an innovation driver in the stainless steel ecosystem. I’m absolutely convinced of that.

You’ve all obviously been associated with Jindal Stainless for so long, almost two decades now. What would you say were your early impression of the company and how have you seen it evolve over these many years that you’ve worked with?

You know, it’s been a real privilege to serve Jindal Stainless. My early impressions of Jindal Stainless was it’s a company with strong entrepreneurial spirit. You feel that from the promoters, from the management, you know, technical capabilities Well, you’ve got excellent teams. They know their business, their process, and their products. They’ve got a clear ambition

to lead. They’re not satisfied with being second or third best. They have a very clear target to be number one. I think what also stood out was the willingness to invest in capacity, technology and people. Even in a really highly competitive and cyclical industry that, we live in, and you only have to see how, Jindal Stainless has been able to retain so many of its people, and see them come through the ranks and stay with this company, in this culture. Over the years, I’ve seen it evolve into a more integrated, globally competitive organisation. It strengthened its operational excellence. You are producing some of the best quality, grades and products where you can go to any market globally and compete as well as the local, such as sustainability and digitalisation. You’re on that path already and you’re not just recognised as a leading domestic supplier, but you’ve also put your stamp across the globe. We’ve been honoured really and privileged to be part of that journey. You may know that we’ve supplied some very key equipment at the heart of Jindal Stainless operation. AOD Converters, slab casters, ladle furnaces, your huge Hot Strip Mill at Jajpur. We’ve also done some work at the acquired Chromeni plant and of course, at Hisar, which was the first plant. So, I would also like to thank the Jindal Stainless management, for giving me the opportunity to be part of your journey.

And thank you for your business and your trust in Primetals Technologies.

It’s been a real pleasure.

Finally, what message or advice, would you give to all the young professionals who are entering the metals and manufacturing industry today?

Well, for young professionals and we need young professionals to come into this industry. And we need young talent. It’s key to our future. I would say embrace continuous learning. Keep learning the industry is changing rapidly. You’ve got to stay relevant. That requires constant upskilling. Especially in processes and digital technologies and sustainability. So, embrace that learn, develop. Think globally, not just locally. Act responsibly. Take ownership. It’s also important. Metals and manufacturing are deeply global. But they carry an environmental and social responsibility with it. And I would say, you know, be resilient. And curious, you know, this is a cyclical industry. Its own challenges are there, you know, but it offers immense opportunities for those who are adaptable and willing to improve. You know, most importantly, remember, we’re working for an industry that quite literally shapes the future. Whether it’s through infrastructure, energy transition and, development, you know, this sense of purpose, that you have a part to play.

I think together with the enormous variety of disciplines and skill sets that are needed to be successful, I think that should be a powerful motivator throughout your career.

Watch the interview here: