T.V. Narendran calls for enhanced utilization of hydrogen in steel making

Bhubaneswar: In the midst of global efforts to meet climate targets, a prominent industry leader emphasized on Saturday that the increased utilization of hydrogen in steel production could substantially diminish the carbon footprint.

Mr. T.V. Narendran, the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel, highlighted the pivotal role of hydrogen in facilitating the steel industry’s transition to a more environmentally friendly future, playing a crucial part in emission reduction throughout the steelmaking process.

Stating that the steel industry contributes approximately 8 percent to the worldwide carbon footprint, Mr. Narendran affirmed Tata Steel’s commitment to a sustainable and eco-friendly future. He expressed these views as the chief guest during the inauguration of the three-day annual convention of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) at the Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA) in Bhubaneswar.

During the inaugural session chaired by INAE President Dr. Indranil Manna, Mr. Narendran highlighted the challenge of transitioning to green technology in India. He underscored the importance of this shift to meet climate targets, with the transition from coal to hydrogen being viewed as the future of steel production.

Tata Steel has initiated a pilot project at its Jamshedpur plant to assess the feasibility of using hydrogen as a reducing agent in steelmaking. The company aims to blend hydrogen with carbon, offering a more sustainable alternative to the conventional carbon-heavy steel production process.

Mr. Narendran also pointed out that India, the second-largest steel producer globally after China, faces challenges in the eastern part of the country, where most capacity additions in steel production are occurring. Tata Steel, with plants in Jamshedpur and Kalinga Nagar in Odisha, is actively addressing operational and technical challenges to adopt greener practices.

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Highlighting the potential for growth in steel industry recycling, Mr. Narendran suggested that recycling might surpass mining in the coming decades.

In his presidential address, Prof. Manna, the Vice-Chancellor of Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, provided insights into INAE’s significant presence, comprising 919 fellows in India and 99 foreign fellows. He announced the induction of 48 more Fellows during the convention.

The occasion also witnessed the release of a book titled ‘Diverse Space Applications’ by Dr. B.N. Suresh, former President of INAE and Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram. Lt. Col. Sobhit Rai, Member Secretary of INAE, delivered the vote of thanks.