Sajjan Jindal’s green bet

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Editor's note: At 62, Sajjan Jindal should have been sitting pretty.  Over the last 25 years, he built India’s biggest steel empire, which churns out 27 million tonnes of steel a year. From nowhere, his JSW Steel eclipsed Tata Steel, which had held the top slot unchallenged through the 20th century. Last year, Jindal was crowned chairman of the World Steel Association, which represents 85% of the world’s steel industry. He’s only the second Indian to get the honour after L.N. Mittal, chairman of ArcelorMittal.  Jindal’s influence outside the industry has grown. He is now among the richest men in India, is close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finds himself a seat on the front row, right next to the likes of Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, in any high-profile investor meet.  And the future of the JSW Group, which includes energy, cement and paints businesses, seems to be intact. Jindal’s son Parth has made a promising start and oversees the JSW Group’s paints and cement verticals. A transition of leadership at JSW Steel will not make investors nervous.  But what …