AI-Led Startups and Metal Indusry

Dhananjay Goel

The author is Director, Enlight Metals

It’s time we stop waiting for legacy players to modernize and start backing the ones already fixing what’s broken.

India’s metal industry has long been the engine behind infrastructure, construction and manufacturing. Yet behind the heavy machinery and scale lies an ecosystem that’s still burdened by outdated methods – manual tracking, phone-based coordination, poor data visibility and a supply chain stitched together by habit, not efficiency.

This is no longer sustainable.

Today’s market is moving faster than ever. Lead times are shorter, pricing more volatile and customer expectations unforgiving. Yet, many players in the metal ecosystem continue to rely on fragmented systems and legacy practices that are, frankly, unfit for purpose.

Instead of waiting however, for established giants to reform themselves – a promise that’s been made for years – it’s the startups quietly driving the real change. They’re not disrupting for the sake of disruption. They’re solving problems we’ve all accepted for far too long.

Let’s be clear; this isn’t about shiny dashboards or buzzwords like “Industry 4.0.” It’s about applying artificial intelligence in places where it can actually move the needle. We’re talking about AI that predicts demand more accurately, prevents overstocking, ensures timely procurement and streamlines coordination between suppliers, recyclers and buyers.

What’s truly refreshing is how grounded these AI-led solutions are. Startups are walking the factory floors, speaking to procurement managers, listening to the pain points of recyclers, and building tools that simplify – not complicate – the job. These aren’t tech experiments; they’re field-tested fixes.

One of the most overlooked breakthroughs is visibility. AI is enabling real-time tracking across the value chain – from raw materials to scrap. That means fewer last-minute surprises, better pricing intelligence and quicker responses to market shifts. In an industry where timing can make or break profits, this kind of visibility is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline.

More importantly, AI is not replacing people; it’s amplifying them. By automating repetitive tasks like inventory logging or supplier follow-ups, teams can focus on what really matters: strategy, quality, relationships, and long-term planning. We don’t need more spreadsheets. We need sharper decisions – and that only happens when humans are freed from routine grunt work.

Sustainability is another area where AI is pushing the envelope. Metal recycling, often riddled with inefficiencies and wastage, is becoming smarter. Startups are building systems that can track scrap from source to reuse, optimize sorting, and ensure that more material stays in circulation. This isn’t just good for business—it’s vital for our environmental future.

So why isn’t this story being told more widely?

Because the industry is still stuck in a narrative that only values scale and legacy. But scale without adaptability is a liability. And legacy, without relevance, is just inertia. If India’s metal industry is to remain globally competitive, we need to stop glorifying the old guard and start actively supporting the startups building smarter, leaner systems.

Let’s not underestimate the stakes here. The global metals landscape is shifting fast. If we continue operating with yesterday’s tools, we’ll be priced out, timed out and eventually left out. But if we double down on AI-powered innovation – especially the kind being built by startups that understand the ground reality – we stand a real chance of building an industry that’s not just productive but resilient. In short, the future of India’s metal ecosystem won’t be shaped in boardrooms. It’ll be shaped in startup garages, inside small offices above scrapyards, and through platforms that make the invisible visible. These are the places where transformation is already happening. We just need to pay attention; and invest accordingly.