The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad has partnered with Sentra.world, a Bengaluru-based sustainability startup focused on decarbonizing industrial manufacturing, to conduct research aimed at reducing carbon emissions in India’s iron and steel sector.
The collaboration, outlined in a recent media statement, will explore the use of biochar—an eco-friendly alternative to coal—in the steel manufacturing process. The research will involve the characterization of biomass sourced from over 10 Indian states and the development of conversion methods to produce high-quality biochar for steel industry applications such as coke making, sintering, and sponge iron production.
The project targets utilizing around 720 tonnes of surplus biomass from sources including agricultural residues like rice husks, forest waste such as bamboo, agri-processing by-products like sugarcane bagasse, and invasive plant species such as babool. The initiative also aims to address the issue of stubble burning, a significant source of air pollution, while offering farmers an additional revenue stream by monetizing agricultural waste.
India’s steel sector is responsible for 8-12% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and the use of biochar in steel production could potentially cut these emissions by as much as 40%.
Professor Sagar Pal, Dean of R&D at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, commented, “This innovative industry collaboration is critical for advancing the country’s goals outlined by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, and for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.”
Vikas Upadhyay, Co-founder of Sentra.world, noted, “With over 50 customers actively seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint, this partnership is a significant step toward decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors in the country.”
The results of this research are expected to promote product standardization, enhance sustainability, and set a global benchmark for innovation in the steel industry.
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