State-run steel major SAIL today said its production increased by 2 per cent to 9.25 million tonne (MT) during the April-December period of the current fiscal, over the same period in 2011-12.

The company said the rate of growth in the saleable steel production in the first nine months of 2012-13, was at par with the growth recorded in hot metal production.

During April-December, SAIL's hot metal production stood at 10.7 MT and crude steel production was at 10.09 MT.

"On the techno-economic parameters of production, SAIL's performance was marked with an improvement in energy consumption, blast furnace productivity and power generation by three per cent, three per cent and five per cent respectively," the SAIL statement said.

On the development of new products during the period, the company said it's Bhilai Plant has supplied special soft iron magnetic plates for the Neutrino Observatory (INO) project of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

"SAIL plants at Bokaro and Salem started production of IS 2062 E450 and E350 HR Coils tailor-made for Indian Railways," it added.