Q. Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India?

  1. Oxides of Sulphur
  2. Oxides of Nitrogen
  3. Carbon Monoxide
  4. Carbon Dioxide

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  • 1, 3 and 4 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 1 and 4 only
  • 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Notes:

  • The main pollutants are particulate matter, oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, and carbon monoxide along with high emissions of carbon dioxide.
  • Coke (mostly carbon), reacts with the blast air to produce carbon monoxide, which, in turn, reacts with the iron oxide to produce carbon dioxide and metallic iron.
National Steel Policy 2017
  • The National Steel Policy which was released in 2017 aims to attain a steel production capacity in India of 300 MT by 2030.
  • It has a long-term vision to enhance domestic consumption, produce high-quality steel and make the sector globally competitive.
  • The policy’s mission is to create an environment that enables:
    1. Self-sufficiency in the production of steel by giving policy
    2. support and guidance to MSME producers of steel, the private sector, central public sector enterprises and boost sufficient capacity additions.
    3. Development of internationally competitive manufacturing capabilities.
    4. Increase in the domestic demand for steel.
    5. Cost-efficient production and domestic availability of iron ore, coking coal and natural gas.
    6. Investment in overseas asset acquisitions of raw materials.
Green Steel
  • Green Steel is the manufacturing of steel without the use of fossil fuels.
    • This can be done by using low-carbon energy sources such as hydrogen, coal gasification, or electricity instead of the traditional carbon-intensive manufacturing route of coal-fired plants.
  • It eventually lowers greenhouse gas emissions, cuts costs and improves the quality of steel.
  • Low-carbon hydrogen (blue hydrogen and green hydrogen) can help reduce the steel industry’s carbon footprint.
    • National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM) capitalizes on hydrogen for a cleaner alternative fuel option.
  • Ways of Production:
    • Substituting the Primary Production Processes with Cleaner Alternatives:
      • Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)
      • Replacing conventional sources of energy with low-carbon hydrogen
      • Direct electrification through electrolysis of iron ore
  • Significance:
    • The steel industry is the largest industrial sector in terms of intensive energy and resource use. It is one of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide (CO2).
    • In view of commitments made at the Conference of the Parties (COP26) climate change conference, the Indian steel industry needs to reduce its emissions substantially by 2030 and hit net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
  • Challenge:
    • At present, the country’s iron and steel sector is financially weak. However, Green Steel manufacturing is an expensive process involving high cost.