The groundbreaking trial has the potential to replace up to 10-20 percent of the coke breeze with bamboo biochar, contributing to an estimated reduction of 15-20 percent in CO2 emissions per ton of crude steel produced.
Feb 28, 2025
The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has launched a groundbreaking industrial trial at its Durgapur Steel Plant, utilizing a greener solid fuel (bamboo biochar) to significantly reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and decrease CO2 emissions in the steel production process.
SAIL has become the first company in the Indian steel industry to use bamboo biochar as a partial replacement for coke breeze (a fossil fuel) in the sintering process.
Initiated in the Sinter Plant No. 2, the trial follows extensive laboratory and pilot-scale testing at SAIL’s R&D Centre in Ranchi, where various biochar types were tested and optimized. With a carefully designed plan and robust testing methodology, the industrial-scale trial will be conducted over 4-5 days in two phases.
This trial has the potential to replace up to 10-20 percent of the coke breeze with bamboo biochar, contributing to an estimated reduction of 15-20 percent in CO2 emissions per ton of crude steel produced.
Within the biospheric carbon cycle, bioenergy can be carbon neutral because the carbon that is released during combustion has previously been sequestered from the atmosphere and will be sequestered again as the plants regrow, i.e., if sustainably produced.
This initiative aligns with India’s as well as SAIL’s commitment to achieving a reduced carbon emission target. The bamboo biochar trial also exemplifies SAIL’s active engagement in the global effort to reduce the steel industry’s environmental footprint.
Also Read: Rourkela Steel Plant to Set Up 2 Million Tonnes per Annum Pellet Plant
The trial’s success could serve as a model in steelmaking, demonstrating the potential of alternative fuels in reducing reliance on fossil-based resources.
