UditVani, Mumbai: Tata Steel has set a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first Indian steel manufacturer to adopt biochar—a biomass-based charcoal—in its steelmaking process. This innovation highlights the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and its journey toward achieving its Net Zero target by 2045.
From Trial to Success: Biochar in Action
The journey began in January 2023 as a trial, where Tata Steel introduced pulverised biochar in one of its blast furnaces at the Jamshedpur plant. To date, the company has successfully replaced approximately 30,000 tonnes of fossil fuels with biochar. This shift has the potential to reduce over 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually while enhancing energy efficiency by partially substituting pulverised coal injection.
Following the trial’s success, the method was extended to three more blast furnaces in the Jamshedpur plant, marking a significant leap for the steel industry globally. This innovative application of biochar in furnaces exceeding 3000 m³ and 9000 tonnes per day production capacity has set new benchmarks.
A Pioneer for India’s Steel Industry
Rajiv Mangal, Vice President of Safety, Health & Sustainability at Tata Steel, expressed pride in this achievement. He stated, “Using biochar as a partial replacement for coal is a transformative step, not only for Tata Steel but for India’s steel sector as a whole. It reinforces our dedication to sustainable practices and encourages the industry to explore alternative, greener solutions.”
This achievement aligns with Tata Steel’s broader vision to integrate sustainable industrial practices across its operations.
Expanding Biochar and Biomass Innovations
Tata Steel’s efforts are not limited to Jamshedpur. Earlier this year, the company conducted a successful trial of biomass usage in ferrochrome production at its Athagarh plant in Odisha. This made the plant the first in India to adopt biomass as an alternative carbon source for ferrochrome making.
The company plans to expand the use of biochar across its other steelmaking sites, advancing the sustainability agenda for the industry at large.
Beyond Biochar: Other Green Initiatives
Tata Steel has implemented several initiatives on its path to carbon neutrality:
- The use of solar energy across production facilities.
- Adoption of biofuels for shipping raw materials and finished goods.
- The first Indian steel company to conduct a biofuel-powered voyage from East Coast Australia to India using a B24 biofuel blend.
Recognitions and Certifications
Tata Steel’s commitment to sustainability has earned it recognition as a Steel Sustainability Champion 2024 by worldsteel for the seventh consecutive year. It also holds the distinction of being India’s first steelmaker with ResponsibleSteelTM certification, covering over 90% of its steel production across its Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar, and Meramandali plants.
Could Tata Steel’s innovations reshape the future of green steelmaking in India and beyond?
This groundbreaking shift demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can coexist, paving the way for a more responsible steel industry.
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