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Tata Steel becomes the first Indian steel maker to introduce biochar to lower carbon emissions

Mumbai, November 21, 2024

~ Beginning as a trial in January 2023, the Company has replaced ~30,000 tonnes of fossil fuel through biochar injection to date ~

~ Has the potential to reduce more than 50,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually ~

Tata Steel has successfully pioneered the usage of biochar (biomass-based charcoal) in its Jamshedpur plant. This move strongly reinforces the Company’s commitment to sustainability, nudging the steel maker closer to its Net Zero target of 2045.

Beginning as a trial in January 2023, the Company has replaced approximately 30,000 tonnes of fossil fuel with biochar, to date. This approach has the potential to reduce more than 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. It also improves energy efficiency by partially replacing pulverised coal injection, underscoring Tata Steel's dedication to environmental responsibility and sustainable industrial practices. The successful application in blast furnaces exceeding both 3000 m³ and 9000 tonnes per day (tpd) production represents a significant global advancement too.

Rajiv Mangal, Vice President, Safety, Health & Sustainability, Tata Steel, said: “The introduction of biochar as a partial replacement for carbon-intensive fossil fuel like coal is a big step not just for Tata Steel but for the entire Indian steel industry. This opens doors for greater reliance on alternative fuels in the steelmaking process and reiterates our commitment to producing steel in the most responsible way possible. This pioneering success also gives us the confidence value in building a more sustainable steel sector that can serve as a benchmark for other steel producers in India.

This innovative approach involves injecting pulverised biochar into blast furnaces via tuyeres, a method successfully implemented for the first time in India in blast furnaces exceeding 3000 m³ volume. Following successful trials in one blast furnace, the process was expanded to three others at the Jamshedpur plant. Further, Tata Steel has a plan to extend this biochar usage to other steelmaking sites.

Earlier this year, Tata Steel had successfully conducted a trial of biomass usage in ferrochrome making at its Ferrochrome Plant in Athagarh in Odisha’s Cuttack district. The plant, operating under the Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD) of the Company, had become the first in India to have performed the trial run as part of its sustainable alternative to traditional carbon sources.

On its road to becoming a carbon-neutral steel maker, Tata Steel has taken several initiatives including the use of alternative energy sources like solar in its production facilities to the use of biofuel in shipping raw materials and finished products. Tata Steel had also become the first Indian steel company to undertake a full-laden leg voyage from East Coast Australia to India, powered by a B24 biofuel blend with VLSFO (Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil).

Tata Steel has been recognised as a Steel Sustainability Champion 2024 by worldsteel for the seventh consecutive year for its commitment and actions to enable sustainable development and adherence to world-class standards. The Company’s Jamshedpur Plant is also India’s first site to receive the ResponsibleSteelTM certification. Subsequently, the Kalinganagar and Meramandali plants have also received the certification. In India, Tata Steel now has more than 90% of its steel production from ResponsibleSteelTM certified sites.

Disclaimer

Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/ supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidental factors.

For queries and information

Sarvesh Kumar,
Chief Corporate Communications, Tata Steel,
E-mail : sarvesh.kumar@tatasteel.com

About Tata Steel

  • Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum.
  • It is one of the world's most geographically diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world.
  • The group recorded a consolidated turnover of around US$27.7 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
  • A Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM organisation, Tata Steel Limited, together with its subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures, is spread across five continents with an employee base of over 78,000.
  • Tata Steel has announced its major sustainability objectives including Net Zero by 2045.
  • The Company has been on a multi-year digital-enabled business transformation journey intending to be the leader in ‘Digital Steel making’. The Company has received the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse recognition for its Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar, and IJmuiden Plants. Tata Steel has also been recognised with the ‘Digital Enterprise of India – Steel’ Award 2024 by Economic Times CIO.
  • Tata Steel aspires to have a 20% diverse workforce by 2025. The Company has been recognised with the World Economic Forum’s Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion Lighthouse 2023.
  • The Company has been a part of the DJSI Emerging Markets Index since 2012 and has been consistently ranked among the top 10 steel companies in the DJSI Corporate Sustainability Assessment since 2016.
  • Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur Plant is India’s first site to receive ResponsibleSteelTM Certification. Subsequently, its Kalinganagar and Meramandali plants have also received the certification. In India, Tata Steel now has more than 90% of its steel production from ResponsibleSteelTM certified sites.
  • Received Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2016-17, 2024 Steel Sustainability Champion recognition from worldsteel for seven years in a row, 2023 Climate Change Leadership Award by CDP, Top performer in Iron and Steel sector in Dun & Bradstreet's India's top 500 companies 2022, Ranked as the 2024 most valuable Mining and Metals brand in India by Brand Finance, ‘Most Ethical Company’ award 2021 from Ethisphere Institute, and ‘Best Corporate for Promotion of Sports’ recognition at the Sportstar Aces Awards 2024.
  • Received the 2023 Global ERM (Enterprise Risk Management) Award of Distinction at the RIMS ERM Conference 2023, ‘Masters of Risk’ - Metals & Mining Sector recognition at The India Risk Management Awards for the eighth consecutive year, and ICSI Business Responsibility and Sustainability Award 2023 for its first Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR), Excellence in Financial Reporting FY20 from ICAI, among several others.

 

Photographs: Management and Plant facilities

Logos: Files and usage guidelines 

Website: www.tatasteel.com and www.wealsomaketomorrow.com

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