In a significant advancement towards reducing carbon emissions in steel production, SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) in collaboration with SAIL, RDCIS has successfully initiated the use of Biochar in Blast Furnace #1 of RSP. Mr. Atanu Bhowmick, Director In-Charge, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) inaugurated the system and charged the first biochar during the historic trial of biochar injection on 24th August 2024. Present on the occasion were S R Suryawanshi, ED (Works), Tarun Misra, ED (HR) with additional charge of ED (Projects), Sandip Kumar Kar, ED (RDCIS), Alok Verma, ED (Mines), A K Behuria, ED (F&A), Sumeet Kumar, CGM (BFs), A K Mistry, CGM (Iron) and Bishnu Kumar Das, GM (BF) apart from Blast Furnace collective and other senior officials of RSP. The above teamwork led the first time Bio-Char injection in any of the SAIL plants.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhowmick said, "We are proud to be at the forefront of this transformative initiative in the entire SAIL. By integrating Biochar into our operations, we are taking a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our commitment to sustainable development”. He also exhorted the Blast Furnace collective to follow all safety norms in the workplace. Mr. Suryawanshi highlighted the importance of this initiative in achieving the goal of carbon neutrality by the steel plant. Sandip Kar briefly explained the working and benefits of Biochar injection in Blast Furnaces.

It is noteworthy that to cut down the CO2 emissions, SAIL is exploring innovative solutions such as the use of biochar, a stable form of carbon derived from biomass through a process known as pyrolysis. This process thermally decomposes biomass—originating from plants and animals—in the absence of oxygen, producing biochar, which can be utilized to partially replace traditional Pulverized Coal Injection (PCI) coal in blast furnaces. Laboratory studies and trials conducted by RDCIS have identified babool and bamboo-based biochar as suitable replacements for PCI coal. These materials, derived from fast-growing, CO2-absorbing trees and plants, are considered carbon neutral and are abundant in various regions of India.