Govt. sets up 14th Task Force for biochar use in steel production

by Psu Connect
Date: 01-04-24

The government has set up a task force to explore the use of biochar in steel production as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the steel industry.

Govt. sets up 14th Task Force for biochar use in steel production

According to official data, the steel industry in India is responsible for 12% of the country's greenhouse gas emissions. The emission intensity is 2.55 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of crude steel, which is higher than the global average of 1.9 tonnes of CO2.

In March 2023, the steel ministry has approved the formation of 13 task forces. The purpose of these task forces is to identify action points for each area of green steel production and the adoption of sustainable manufacturing processes. These 13 task forces will focus on various aspects of green steel production, including raw materials, technology, and policy frameworks, said the minister earlier.

The 14th task force has been constituted to further assist in the carbon reduction practices for the domestic steel industry by the usage of biochar, as per a steel ministry document.

"Since biochar has also been identified as an important lever for the reduction of carbon emissions in the steel industry, the 14th Task Force on 'Use of Biochar and Other Relevant Products in Steel Making' was constituted on December 5, 2023," the ministry said.

Biochar production using stainless steel chambers is a promising technology for the future. The resulting material is non-corrosive, non-toxic, and sturdy. Biochar has numerous applications in agriculture, and it can also be used as a renewable energy source. It has the potential to be integrated into the iron and steel production system, helping to replace the use of fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.