SAIL and BHP Partner to Explore Lower-Carbon Steelmaking Technologies

The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a steel producer in India partnered with BHP, an Australian mining company to support decarbonisation in steelmaking. 

The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore lower-carbon steelmaking technologies for India's blast furnace (BF) route. 

The partnership's primary goal will be to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at SAIL's integrated steel facilities that employ conventional blast furnaces. 

Initial research is being done to assess different approaches to potentially reducing steel manufacturing's carbon footprint, such as employing alternative reductants like hydrogen and biochar. 

Shri Amarendu Prakash, the chairman of SAIL said, “SAIL is looking forward to this collaboration with BHP in taking a step forward towards engaging in developing sustainable ways to produce steel.  

He added, “The emergent need to align the steel sector with climate commitments is non-negotiable. SAIL is committed to contributing towards tackling the issue of climate change through fostering an innovative future for the steel industry in India.”  

This partnership aims to address decarbonisation in the short term and build local research and development skills to support India’s shift to sustainable steelmaking.   

The long-term decarbonisation of the Indian and global steel industry depends on developing and applying advanced blast furnace technologies.