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This technology for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) making, although currently expensive,
holds promise for a sustainable future if developed and adopted collectively,
Sinha said at a workshop on Forging Sustainability in the Steel Sector.
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Addressing
the challenge of rising carbon emissions amid growing demand, Sinha pointed out
that India's per ton crude steel emission is 25 percent higher than the global
average and is attributed, inter alia, to factors such as lack of natural gas,
the quality of available iron ore, which requires beneficiation for use in
Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) processes and the limited availability of scrap, with
domestic scrap generation standing at only 20-25 million tonnes.
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To address
these challenges, Sinha mentioned the ongoing efforts of a task force
comprising the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change which is focused on encouraging the beneficiation of low-grade iron ore
to improve its suitability for steelmaking.
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He also
discussed historical factors affecting scrap availability and noted that the
policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for the auto sector
proposed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aimed at
increasing vehicle scrap availability, through the industrial and construction
sectors will continue to have higher steel consumption.
He also
pointed out that 90 percent of emissions in steelmaking come from within the
factory gates, with the remaining emissions from electricity generation and
upstream processes.
Therefore,
the industry has substantial control over its emissions and must take proactive
steps towards sustainability.
While the
ministry will continue to provide guidance and nudge, it is imperative that the
steel industry itself takes up the mantle as trustees of the Earth to work
towards reducing emissions and promoting sustainability, Sinha said.
He said
that 14 task forces have been formed by the Ministry of Steel to tackle various
aspects of sustainability in the steel industry such as enhancing energy
efficiency through the adoption of the best available technology, utilising
renewable energy sources, and preparing inputs to reduce emissions.
The
ministry is also exploring the use of green hydrogen and carbon capture,
utilisation, and storage technologies.
Water
consumption in steelmaking was identified as another critical area for improvement.
Sinha noted that India's water consumption levels are higher compared to other
countries, with efforts underway to reduce this.
He also
lauded the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (SEBI) introduction of the
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting Format and urged companies
to take it seriously.
Leena
Nandan, Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated
that India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2030
reflect the ambition whereby 50 per cent of energy will be sourced from non
fossil fuels.
We aim to
reduce the emission intensity of our economy by 45 percent, she said.
She called
for transforming ideas into actionable collaborations, stressing that the steel
industry's sustainability efforts must stem from a deep seated sense of
responsibility.