Researchers from CSIRO and the Indian Institute of Science conducted a commercial scale trial at Jindal Steel in Odisha using rice husk pellets, demonstrating that biomass can partially replace coal in steelmaking processes.
Efforts to reduce emissions from the steel industry have taken a significant step forward with a trial in India demonstrating that agricultural waste can partially replace coal in steelmaking processes. The initiative offers a potential pathway for reducing emissions in one of the most carbon intensive industrial sectors.
Researchers from Australia’s national science agency CSIRO and the Indian Institute of Science conducted the world’s first commercial scale trial to test the use of biomass derived fuel for iron ore reduction. The trial was carried out in partnership with steel innovator RESCONS Solutions Pvt. Ltd., which operates within the Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development at IISc.
The project tested the use of rice husk pellets to generate biomass derived syngas that can be used in ironmaking processes. The team validated sustained syngas production during the trial at a large scale steelworks operated by Jindal Steel in Odisha.
During the trial, rice husk pellets were blended at energy ratios of five per cent and ten per cent within the gasifiers used for steel production. The results showed stable syngas generation without any loss of operational performance, indicating that agricultural waste can be integrated into existing steelmaking systems.
The development is particularly significant for India’s steel industry, which is currently the fastest growing globally. The country plans to expand its steel production capacity to 300 million tonnes by 2030 and further to 500 million tonnes by 2047.
However, this growth presents environmental challenges. Steel production in India emits an average of 2.55 tonnes of carbon dioxide for every tonne of steel produced, which is higher than the global average. The sector accounts for around 12 per cent of India’s total emissions, largely due to coal based processes and the widespread use of small scale rotary kiln direct reduced iron production.
India’s Ministry of Steel has outlined a national roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. The strategy includes increasing the use of electric arc furnaces, expanding scrap recycling, exploring carbon capture technologies, developing green hydrogen based steelmaking and increasing the use of biomass as a substitute for coal.
India’s large supply of agricultural waste offers an opportunity to support this transition. By converting crop residues such as rice husks into biomass pellets for industrial use, steel producers could reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
The trial was supported by funding from the Australian Government through the India Australia Green Steel Research Partnership. If adopted widely across India’s steel industry, biomass substitution could reduce emissions by up to 50 per cent, equivalent to approximately 357 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
To support future adoption, the CSIRO and RESCONS team has also developed an interactive digital map that overlays India’s steel production infrastructure with regional biomass availability. The tool allows stakeholders to identify steel plants and assess potential biomass supply sources for industrial use.
At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.
