Mumbai:JSW Steel Ltd, India’s third-largest producer, is sending the first shipment of steel slabs in 18 months to its US pipe and plate making unit. JSW will ship 40,000 tonnes this month to Texas Works, potentially doubling the plant’s operating rate to 40%, chief financial officer Seshagiri Rao said. “Orders have started coming in, although we have a long way to go,” Rao said. “We expect demand to recover in the medium term.”