India's Steel Industry: Driving growth and pioneering sustainability
by David Fleschen

India’s steel industry is at a pivotal juncture as it seeks to balance rapid economic growth with the urgent need for sustainability. Highlighting this transition, Tata Steel’s Kalinganagar plant recently became the first Indian steel facility to join the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network for its advanced Industry 4.0 technologies.
From November 27–29, 2024, Mumbai will host METEC India, the country’s largest metalworking trade fair, in conjunction with wire India, Tube India, and INDIA ESSEN WELDING & CUTTING. With over 600 exhibitors from 22 countries, the event will showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions for the metal industry. On November 29, the METEC India Conference will focus on key topics such as the decarbonization goals for India’s steel sector by 2047.
India’s Steel Industry: A Global Powerhouse
India has emerged as a major global player in steel production, bolstered by the country’s ambitious economic policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government aims to position India as a fully developed nation by 2047, with the steel sector playing a crucial role in this transformation. Contributing approximately 2% to the national GDP, the industry has seen steady growth fueled by rising demand in infrastructure, housing, and automobile manufacturing.
However, this growth comes with environmental challenges. Steel production currently accounts for 10–12% of India’s carbon emissions. To meet long-term climate goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, the industry must implement significant decarbonization measures.
Decarbonization: Challenges and Innovations
India has made notable strides in expanding renewable energy, yet achieving sustainability in heavy industries like steel remains complex. The government has outlined a detailed roadmap to reduce emissions in the steel sector, emphasizing:
- Transitioning from coal-based direct reduced iron (DRI) to gas-based processes.
- Increasing the use of biochar, derived from renewable plant sources, as a substitute for coal and coke.
- Exploring carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies.
- Preparing for a gradual shift towards green hydrogen as a long-term solution.
While green hydrogen is a promising alternative, experts caution that it will likely play a limited role in the near term due to cost and infrastructure constraints. Therefore, optimizing existing blast furnace technologies for carbon reduction remains critical.
Industry Leaders Paving the Way
Leading Indian steelmakers such as Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and Jindal Steel & Power are actively adopting measures to lower emissions:
- Tata Steel is pioneering hydrogen-based production technologies and exploring hydrogen as a coal replacement.
- JSW Steel aims to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions by 2030 through renewable energy and increased recycling of scrap.
- Jindal Steel & Power is advancing carbon capture initiatives and integrating circular carbon economy practices into its operations.
New entrants like the Adani Group are also investing in green steel production, including plans to build an integrated facility powered by renewable energy and green hydrogen.
A Collaborative Effort Towards Sustainability
Despite its heavy reliance on coal, India’s steel industry is demonstrating a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability. By leveraging advanced technologies and fostering international partnerships, the sector is charting a path toward a greener future. Initiatives like METEC India 2024 reflect the growing focus on uniting industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to address the challenges of decarbonization and drive progress toward a sustainable steel industry.
Source and Photo: ThermProcess