[ TECHNOLOGY ]
Sustainable steel production – challenges and mitigation
By Anupam Roy , Senior General Manager , Tata Consulting Engineers Limited
Introduction
Steel is one of the oldest industrial sectors and has been vital to a nation ’ s infrastructure and economic progress . It plays a role in nearly every aspect of modern life — from construction and automobiles to defense and everyday consumer goods . According to the World Steel Association , global crude steel production reached 1.9 billion tons in 2022 , with India contributing 6.65 % of the total , making it the second-largest producer of crude steel . China , on the other hand , leads the world with a massive 53.98 % share of global production .
While steel is highly valued for its reliability , formability , and durability , it also has significant downsides . The entire steel industry , from mining to production , is responsible for a formidable carbon emissions footprint , accounting for about 8 % of global carbon emissions . In India , the steel sector contributes around 12 % of the country ’ s carbon dioxide ( CO 2
) emissions , pushing the emission intensity to 2.55 tons of CO 2 per ton of crude steel
( tCO 2
/ tcs ), compared to the global average of 1.85 tCO 2
/ tcs . Because steel production is both energy and carbon
28 Green Steel World | Issue 15 | November 2024