Tata Steel has completed a successful trial consisting of utilising biomass fuel in its Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD) at Athagarh, Odisha in India.
The trial involved substitution of conventional fossil fuels with biomass, to mark a significant step towards sustainable ferrochrome production and reducing its carbon footprint.
The process will help replace conventional reductants with carbon-neutral biomass, which is made by low temperature burning of wood in oxygen-starved atmosphere.
The carbon released during the burning of charcoal in the Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF) will be balanced by the carbon absorbed by the trees from which it is made.
It is expected to lower CO2 emission by 0.08/t of Ferrochrome (with 5% use of biomass), which is around 6% of total CO2 emission from Ferrochrome plant.
The FAMD is the first in India to have performed the trial run as part of its sustainable alternative to traditional carbon sources.
Executive in charge, FAMD, Pankaj Satija, said: "This trial is part of our commitments towards sustainability and our relentless pursuit of reducing our carbon emissions. By leveraging biomass, we aim to create a cleaner, more sustainable production process, contributing to a greener future.”
“The transition to biomass is an important milestone in our sustainability journey. We will continue to explore and implement innovative solutions that drive environmental performance and operational excellence,” Satija added.
Tata Steel completes biomass trial for ferrochrome production
