India's Green Steel Revolution: Challenges and Opportunities in the Transition to Low-Carbon Production
Key Ideas
  • India, as a major steel producer, faces pressure to transition to low-carbon production methods due to global commitments to sustainability.
  • The demand for green steel is rising, particularly in industries like automotive, but cost-sensitive sectors like construction are slower to adopt due to the 'green premium'.
  • Strategic actions like offtake agreements and the use of green hydrogen are essential for the industry's transition to green steel production.
  • While US trade policies may create disruptions in the global market, India's government initiatives and focus on decarbonisation present opportunities for the steel industry to lead in sustainable production.
India, the second largest producer of steel globally, is under increasing pressure to transition to low-carbon production methods due to global commitments to sustainability. The article highlights the surge in demand for green steel, driven by industries like automotive and heavy manufacturing, but notes the challenges faced by cost-sensitive sectors like construction due to the 'green premium'. Strategic actions such as offtake agreements and the use of green hydrogen, particularly hydrogen-based direct reduction (H-DR), are identified as crucial for the transition to green steel production. The article also discusses the impact of US trade policies on the global steel market, which could indirectly affect Indian steel producers through increased competition from redirected global exports. However, India's proactive measures, including government initiatives focusing on energy efficiency, hydrogen adoption, and carbon capture technologies, present opportunities for the industry to innovate and establish itself as a leader in sustainable steel production. The article also introduces the World Steel Chain-of-Custody Guidelines, providing a framework for assigning greenhouse gas emissions reductions to specific steel products. Lastly, it discusses ERM's expertise in steel decarbonisation, offering services like carbon management, life cycle assessments, investment support, and regulatory advisory to support steel companies in achieving low-carbon production.
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