Tanya Ranjan
With the need for sustainable solutions on the rise, a quiet force is rising in Jamshedpur, where steel has been the backbone of development. It’s a revolution, packed with potential. For decades, steel production has depended on coal-fired blast furnaces, generating substantial carbon emissions. But today, there is a new path being forged: one where hydrogen gas replaces carbon as the primary reducing agent, and where water vapour, and not carbon dioxide, is the chief by-product of steelmaking. The shift to hydrogen in steelmaking is more than technological, it’s transformational. But such a transition doesn’t occur in isolation. It requires deep scientific research.
At the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Jamshedpur, Dr. Badiganti Chandra Mouli, a research scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is doing the rethinking. According to Dr. Mouli, “This work is relevant to steelmaking because it advances the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, enabling industries like steel production to integrate green hydrogen for low-carbon processes and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, supporting overall decarbonization efforts.” He further emphasizes the potential of this technology, “The potential for CO₂ reduction in hydrogen-based steelmaking is transformational, with the ability to reduce emissions by nearly 90% or more. Given that steel production is one of the largest industrial sources of greenhouse gases, adopting green hydrogen can play a crucial role in making the industry carbon-neutral and meeting global sustainability goals.” Dr. Mouli’s research is not a solitary effort. He acknowledges the guidance of his professors at NIT Jamshedpur, as well as collaborators and mentors, for their support. Dr. Mouli’s work ensures that the energy from clean fuels isn’t wasted, but stored and reused to drive production.
Academic innovations like Dr. Mouli’s are signs that there is a shift happening- a shift toward an industrial ecosystem powered by clean energy and smart design. With Tata Steel now committing to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045, transitioning to hydrogen-based processes can help the company meet these targets faster. With its world-first hydrogen injection trial at the Jamshedpur Works, Tata Steel has signaled to the global steel industry that large-scale decarbonization is possible today. This initiative demonstrates that a legacy company can lead the transition by adapting existing assets for cleaner production.
By proving hydrogen’s feasibility at scale, Tata Steel is creating a blueprint for green steel that other manufacturers can follow, influencing global standards and sparking a competitive race toward sustainability. By investing in green hydrogen production and renewable energy sources, Tata Steel can build a more resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem for its operations. Having always been a pioneer in establishing industrial benchmarks, Tata Steel can further shape national and international standards for green steel production. Hydrogen is not just a cleaner fuel, it’s an asset. For Tata Steel, embracing hydrogen-powered steelmaking offers a rare chance to transform its operations, reduce its climate impact, and lead India’s green industrial revolution. With the right partnerships, infrastructure, and commitment to innovation, Tata Steel can not only adapt to the future, it can shape it.
(Author is manager of content and communications. Views are personal.)
