From 27 to 29 November 2024, METEC India will take place in Mumbai alongside wire India, Tube India, and INDIA ESSEN WELDING & CUTTING – the largest metal trade fair in India. More than 600 exhibitors from 22 countries will showcase the latest technologies and products for metal processing. As part of the trade fair, the METEC India Conference on November 29 will focus on key topics such as the decarbonization targets of the Indian steel industry by 2047.
India is increasingly positioning itself as a globally significant steel producer and growth driver, thanks in part to its ambitious economic policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at transforming the country into a fully developed nation by 2047. A core component of this vision is the steel industry, which has been steadily growing for years and currently contributes approximately 2% to the GDP. The increasing demand for steel in infrastructure, housing, and automobile production continues to fuel this growth. At the same time, the industry and the country face a significant challenge: reducing CO₂ emissions to meet long-term climate goals. Currently, the steel industry accounts for 10-12% of national CO₂ emissions, making it a prime target for comprehensive decarbonization efforts.
India has already made progress in expanding renewable energy, but achieving the ambitious net-zero target by 2070 will require making the industrial sector, especially steel production, less carbon-intensive. The government has adopted a clear decarbonization strategy, focusing on innovative technologies, the use of renewable energy, and increased recycling of materials. A recently published roadmap by the Indian government outlines specific pathways for reducing emissions in the steel sector through a 14-point plan. Key measures include transitioning coal-based direct reduced iron (DRI) production to gas-based methods as a stepping stone toward green hydrogen and increasing the use of biochar derived from renewable plants as a promising alternative to coal and coke.
Given India’s heavy dependence on coal, particular attention is being paid to technologies for CO₂ reduction directly at the blast furnace, as well as carbon capture, storage (CCS), and utilization (CCU) measures. From a practical perspective, the use of hydrogen as a coal substitute will likely play only a limited role in the long term, making blast furnace reduction technologies indispensable.
Major Indian steel producers such as Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and Jindal Steel & Power are already implementing diverse measures to reduce emissions. For example, Tata Steel is actively developing and utilizing hydrogen-based production technologies and testing the use of hydrogen as a replacement for coal. JSW Steel aims to drastically reduce its CO₂ emissions by 2030, focusing on renewable energy and recycling scrap. The company plans to significantly expand its domestic production capacity and increasingly utilize green technologies. Jindal Steel & Power is also committed to carbon capture and is working on integrating CO₂ circular economy practices into its production processes.
In addition to these established companies, the industrial conglomerate Adani Group is investing in the future of green steel and planning to build an integrated steel plant powered by renewable energy and green hydrogen. These extensive initiatives demonstrate India’s determination to modernize its steel sector and make it more climate-friendly. Despite the challenges posed by a heavy reliance on coal, the Indian steel industry is showing its resolve to pave the way for a more sustainable future through innovation and partnerships with international companies.
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For more in-depth information, please refer to the full report following this summary
