What made Wootz steel, once India’s pride in metallurgy, vanish from mainstream use? Known for its strength and sharpness, it lost ground to modern BIS-certified steels that deliver scale and compliance. Today, Wootz survives in artisan tools and heritage exports, while green steel is reshaping the future with sustainability. For MSMEs, the real opportunity lies in balancing heritage value, mainstream contracts, and greener alternatives to stay competitive.