ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India has taken legal action against the Indian government over import restrictions on metallurgical coke, arguing that retroactive enforcement is harming its operations.

The dispute began in January when India imposed country-specific quotas on low-ash metallurgical coke imports to support domestic suppliers. The company, a joint venture between Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal and Japan’s Nippon Steel, claimed that the restrictions jeopardize its production due to concerns over local coke quality. It filed a lawsuit in the Delhi High Court on March 5 after authorities rejected its pre-approved import orders from Indonesia and Poland.

The Indian government argues that sufficient domestic met coke is available, but the company warns of potential production cuts, financial losses, and contractual breaches. Another major steel producer, JSW Steel, has also challenged similar import restrictions.