AM/NS India Unveils Ambitious Plan for 20% Emissions Intensity Reduction by 2030

Surat: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, has released its inaugural Climate Action Report, outlining a comprehensive strategy to decarbonize India’s steel production and cut emissions intensity by 20% by 2030.

Immediate Actions for a Greener Future

AM/NS India’s Climate Action Report presents a strategic roadmap focusing on key initiatives across the entire steel production value chain. The ambitious plan includes:

Renewable Energy Boost:

Commitment to meet 100% of grid electricity needs through renewable sources.

Investment of US$0.7 billion in solar and wind farms integrated with pumped hydro storage facilities.

Recycling Revolution:

Aim to increase the recycling of scrap steel over twofold through new sourcing and processing facilities.

Plans to establish steel scrap processing centers across the country, promoting a circular economy.

Operational Efficiencies:

Implementation of new technology improvements to drive operational efficiencies.

Incorporation of advanced digitalization technologies for enhanced fuel and material efficiency.

Strategic Investments and Partnerships

AM/NS India acknowledges the necessity of breakthrough technologies for net-zero steel production and outlines strategic investments and collaborations:

Green Hydrogen Initiatives:

Pursuing pilot programs for utilizing low-carbon gases in production processes.

Forging long-term collaborations with leading energy companies to assess hydrogen deployment and secure low carbon gas supply.

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS):

Collaboration with IIT Bombay to research CCUS potential in India’s geological environment.

Exploring partnerships in the Hazira industrial belt to create local clusters for efficient CCUS deployment.

Supporting Innovation:

Support for the ‘XCarb India Accelerator Programme’ to foster clean technology innovation.

Collaboration with IIT Madras to identify and assist early-stage companies in advancing their technologies.

Addressing Policy Interventions

Recognizing the importance of policy support, AM/NS India’s report recommends key policy interventions to accelerate progress, including:

Clear Procurement Standards:

Improving demand signals through clear procurement standards.

Infrastructure Development:

Supporting the development of infrastructure for a low-carbon economy.

Tax Incentives for Green Manufacturing:

Advocating for tax incentives to encourage and boost green manufacturing.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Signals:

Increasing FDI with clear policy signals on low-carbon steel.

Research and Development (R&D) in Hydrogen:

Encouraging increased R&D in hydrogen and efforts to reduce the cost of hydrogen.

Promoting Scrap Usage:

Advocating for measures to increase the availability of scrap.

Aditya Mittal, Chairman of AM/NS India, emphasizes the commitment to address the challenge of decoupling development from emissions. Dilip Oommen, CEO of AM/NS India, stresses the pivotal moment for the Indian steel sector and articulates a clear pathway for near-term decarbonization.