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Updated Mar 31, 2024 | 03:59 PM IST
Steel is one of the most common alloys we use in our daily lives, be it utensils, different tools, kitchen and electrical appliances, etc. Steel is used almost everywhere. However, did you know, CO2 emissions from steel manufactured are double the amount of steel created? Indian government has taken a good step towards cutting CO2 emissions in the steel industry.
Steel Industry to get a green boost (ANI/Shutterstock)
Steel is one of the most common alloys we use in our daily lives, be it utensils, different tools, kitchen and electrical appliances, etc. Steel is used almost everywhere. However, did you know, CO2 emissions from steel manufactured are double the amount of steel created?
In India, the steel industry contributes around 2% to the country’s GDP, where interestingly, domestic steel sector contributes to 12 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, characterized by an emission intensity of 2.55 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of crude steel, notably higher than the global average of 1.9 tonnes of CO2.
To mitigate carbon emissions in the steel industry, the Government of India has established a task force aimed at investigating the integration of biochar into steel production processes.
Biochar is black carbon which is produced from biomass sources like agricultural waste products, among others.
Earlier in 2023, Union Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia approved the establishment of 13 task forces tasked with delineating action plans for various facets of green steel production and the uptake of sustainable manufacturing methodologies.
According to a steel ministry document, the ministry constituted the 14th task force to further enhance carbon reduction practices in the domestic steel industry through biochar.
As per an ET report, the ministry highlighted that “Since biochar has been recognised as an important lever for the reduction of carbon emissions in the steel industry, the 14th Task Force on ‘Use of Biochar and Other Relevant Products in Steel Making’ was established on December 5, 2023,”
As per an ET report, former steel secretary Aruna Sharma stated that the future lies in biochar manufacturing, which utilizes stainless steel chambers, providing a non-corrosive and non-toxic sturdy material. Apart from its applications in agriculture, biochar can also be introduced as an input in an electric arc furnace.
According to a report from Ministry of Steel, energy consumption in most integrated steel plants in India tends to be notably higher, averaging between 6-6.5 Giga Calories per tonne of crude steel, compared to 4.5-5.0 in steel plants abroad. With the inclusion of biochar in steel making, steel production will likely accelerate, and carbon emissions will be reduced efficiently.