The collaboration will explore strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the use of alternate reductants such as hydrogen and biochar in SAIL’s blast furnaces. It will also build local research and development capacity to support the transition of the Indian steel industry towards reduced carbon emissions, aligning with global climate goals.

Oct 18, 2024

The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has joined forces with BHP, leading global resources company, to promote lower carbon steelmaking technology pathways for the blast furnace route in India. 

As per the MoU, the two parties would explore workstreams supporting the potential decarbonization at SAIL’s integrated steel plants which operate blast furnaces with an initial study to assess various strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These workstreams would consider the role of alternate reductants for BF such as hydrogen and biochar use, with a view to also building local research and development capability to support the decarbonization transition. 

As per a statement issued by SAIL, the deployment of technology and abatements on the blast furnace was critical to progress in decarbonizing India’s and the global steel industry, in the mid & long term, and partnerships were vital in the approach.

SAIL Chairman Mr. Amarendu Prakash said, “SAIL is looking forward to this collaboration with BHP in taking a step forward towards engaging in developing sustainable ways to produce steel. The emergent need to align the steel sector with climate commitments is non-negotiable. SAIL is committed to contributing towards tackling the issue of climate change through fostering an innovative future for the steel industry in India.”

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BHP’s Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Rag Udd said, “BHP has a long-established relationship with SAIL, and we are pleased to be extending and strengthening this relationship to explore decarbonisation opportunities for the blast furnace route. We recognise that decarbonising this industry is a challenge that we cannot meet alone, and we must come together to leverage shared expertise and resources, to support the development of technologies and capability that could have the potential to create a real change in carbon emissions both now and in the longer term.”