SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 21: IIT (ISM) Dhanbad has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bangalore-based startup Sentra World to research decarbonizing India’s iron and steel industry.
Collaboration for biochar production and net-zero emissions
The MoU was signed by Prof. Sagar Pal, Dean of R&D, Prof. Shalini Gautam, and Dr Amrit Anand from IIT ISM Dhanbad, along with Vikas Upadhyay and Aayush Raj Sinha from Sentra World.
The research will focus on characterizing biomass from over 10 Indian states and developing conversion processes to produce high-quality biochar for steel applications, including coke making, sintering, and sponge iron production.
Prof. Shalini Gautam, Associate Professor in the Department of Fuel Minerals & Metallurgical Engineering at IIT ISM Dhanbad, emphasised the importance of this collaboration, saying, “This innovative industry collaboration is pivotal for advancing towards Amrit Kaal as envisioned by the Prime Minister for achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.”
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Recycling agricultural waste for sustainability
The project will recycle approximately 720 million tons of surplus biomass waste, including agricultural residues like rice husk (Parali), forest residue such as bamboo, and sugarcane bagasse, and invasive species like babool.
The initiative also aims to prevent stubble burning, a significant contributor to air pollution, and to create additional revenue for farmers by monetizing agricultural waste.
Impact on carbon footprint and rural livelihoods
Vikas Upadhyay, Co-Founder of Sentra World, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “With over 50 customers actively seeking avenues for carbon footprint reduction, this partnership marks a significant milestone in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors in the country.”
The Indian steel sector accounts for 8-12% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and the adoption of biochar could reduce these emissions by as much as 40%.
This breakthrough has the potential to significantly mitigate the environmental impact, while simultaneously generating rural livelihoods, boosting farmer incomes, and supporting India’s broader sustainable development goals.
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Promoting sustainable development
The collaboration aligns with IIT ISM’s commitment to sustainable innovations, particularly in biochar research, which could revolutionize the steel industry and significantly mitigate climate impact.
This partnership is expected to improve product standardization, enhance sustainability, and set a global benchmark for innovation in the steel industry while contributing to India’s sustainable development goals.
