Meramandali Blast Furnace Initiative Aimed At Cutting CO2 Emissions
Key Points:
- Tata Steel starts first-of-its-kind COG injection at Meramandali plant
- Project supports company’s target of net zero emissions by 2045
- Initiative developed with technology partners Paul Wurth-SMS, Kobelco
MUMBAI – Tata Steel has commissioned a coke oven gas injection project at Blast Furnace 1 in its Meramandali plant, marking what the company describes as the first initiative of its kind in the Indian steel industry. The project is aimed at reducing fossil fuel consumption and cutting carbon dioxide emissions from the blast furnace process.
The company said the initiative underlines its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2045 and reflects its leadership in adopting advanced technologies for low-carbon iron and steel production.
Subodh Pandey, vice-president for technology, R&D, NMB and graphene at Tata Steel, said the effort to make greater use of process gases in place of external fossil fuel strengthens the company’s leadership in sustainable manufacturing. He added that the company continues to focus on demonstrating and scaling up low-carbon technologies to accelerate its journey toward net zero by 2045.
Sudhir Kumar Mehta, vice-president of operations at Tata Steel Meramandali, said the project reflects how the company’s teams are continuously working to improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. He said effective use of coke oven gas in the blast furnace process was making operations more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
In an integrated steel plant, coke oven gas, a by-product rich in hydrogen and hydrocarbons, is typically used for power generation, heating, or simply flared off. Working with technology partner Paul Wurth-SMS and equipment supplier Kobelco, Tata Steel has successfully implemented coke oven gas injection through the blast furnace’s tuyeres.
The process uses coke oven gas as a reductant in place of fossil fuel, helping to lower the plant’s environmental footprint. Besides cutting fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions, the project allows the blast furnace to operate on a three-fuel system, adding flexibility and efficiency to operations.
The company said the initiative, backed by safe and stable operation of advanced injection technology, further strengthens its position in green steel production. Tata Steel has previously demonstrated coal bed methane, hydrogen and biochar injection in blast furnaces as part of its low-carbon technology push.
The Meramandali project adds to a series of sustainability and operational milestones for the Tata group in recent weeks, including Tata Power Renewables crossing 7 GW of operational capacity after commissioning a solar project in Tamil Nadu. It also follows recent organisational changes at Tata Steel’s corporate services division and continued attention on the company’s annual bonus negotiations for employees.
