Tata Steel has successfully introduced biochar (biomass-based charcoal) at its Jamshedpur plant, advancing its sustainability efforts and moving closer to its Net Zero target by 2045. Since January 2023, the company has replaced around 30,000 tons of fossil fuel with biochar, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 50,000 tons annually and improving energy efficiency by partially substituting pulverised coal injection.
This method, which injects pulverised biochar into blast furnaces, was first tested in India in blast furnaces exceeding 3000 m3 volume. Following successful trials in one furnace, the process was expanded to three others at the Jamshedpur plant. Tata Steel plans to extend biochar usage to other sites.
Earlier this year, Tata Steel also conducted a biomass trial in ferrochrome production at its plant in Athagarh, Odisha, marking the first such trial in India as part of its sustainable carbon alternatives. As part of its broader carbon-neutral strategy, Tata Steel has also embraced alternative energy sources like solar power and biofuel for shipping.
Tata Steel’s commitment to sustainability has earned it recognition as a Steel Sustainability Champion 2024 by World Steel Association for the seventh consecutive year. Its Jamshedpur plant is India’s first ResponsibleSteel certified site, and over 90pct of Tata Steel’s production in India now comes from ResponsibleSteel certified sites. Tata Steel Group ranks among the world’s leading steel producers, with an annual crude steel capacity of 35 mln tons.
