Tata Steel has successfully tested the use of biomass in ferrochrome production at its Athagarh plant in Odisha, marking a first for India. The plant, part of Tata Steel’s Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD), aims to replace traditional carbon sources with biomass to reduce carbon emissions.
The trial, conducted on Saturday, represents a significant move towards sustainable production. By using biomass, a renewable energy source from organic materials, Tata Steel expects to cut CO2 emissions by 0.08 tonnes per tonne of ferrochrome, or about 6% of the plant’s total CO2 emissions.
“This trial reflects our commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. Using biomass helps us create a cleaner, more sustainable production process,” said Pankaj Satija, Executive-In-Charge of FAMD at Tata Steel.
The initiative replaces conventional carbon sources with carbon-neutral biomass, made by low-temperature burning of wood in an oxygen-starved environment. The carbon released during this process is balanced by the carbon absorbed by the trees used to produce the biomass.
“The shift to biomass is a key milestone in our sustainability efforts. We will continue to seek and implement innovative solutions to improve our environmental performance,” added Satija. FAMD is also working with FluxGen Sustainable Technologies to digitize water consumption at its ferrochrome units and mines, reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship.
