Amarendu Prakash noted that steel inherently contains carbon, it is fundamentally an alloy of iron and carbon, meaning some carbon is always present. Therefore, in order to forge a green future while driving net-zero transformation in the steel sector
Outlook Planet C3: SAIL Chairman Defines Green Steel As India Move Towards Net-Zero Transformation
India is putting significant efforts to drastically reduce the carbon emissions within the steel industry. Amarendu Prakash, Chairman, SAIL while discussing India’s vision of forging a Green Future, highlighted that there is no universally accepted definition of green steel worldwide. His remarks came on Monday while having a discussion at the Outlook Planet C3 summit where he talked about the Indian government’s taxonomy for green steel, establishing clear definitions.
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Prakash noted that steel inherently contains carbon, it is fundamentally an alloy of iron and carbon, meaning some carbon is always present. Therefore, in order to forge a green future while driving net-zero transformation in the steel sector.
According to the Indian government, steel with emissions below 1.6 tons per ton of steel production qualifies as five-star green steel. Emissions between 1.6 and 2.0 tons qualify as four-star green steel, while emissions between 2.0 and 2.2 tons qualify as three-star green steel. Any steel with emissions exceeding 2.2 tons per ton is not considered green steel.
Net-zero transformation in the steel sector can only be done by adopting new technologies and practices, aimed at achieving net-zero emissions in steel production, which is crucial for combating climate change and creating a sustainable future. Key strategies include utilizing green hydrogen as a reducing agent, increasing scrap recycling, implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS), and optimizing production processes to minimize waste and energy consumption.
Outlook Planet is hosting the first edition of C3—Climate Circularity Community—a flagship sustainability event designed to help MSMEs in their sustainable business journey. The event is a one of a kind sustainability gathering organised exclusively to support MSMEs adopt sustainable practices and thrive in the green economy.
India has nearly 6 crore registered micro, small and medium-enterprises (MSMEs) accounting for nearly 30% of the country’s GDP. Consuming approximately 25% of the industrial sector’s energy, these enterprises are expected to contribute over 72 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. MSMEs, as the backbone of the Indian economy, are significant energy consumers and contributors to the nation’s carbon footprint.