The Fact Maker

Tata Steel and ABB India will jointly explore technologies to help reduce carbon footprint of steel production

•      Tata Steel Ltd and ABB India sign MoU for a project which will target improvements in energy efficiency, decarbonization and circularity in plants and production facilities

•      Tata Steel is pursuing carbon neutrality by 2045 as one of its major sustainability goals

Tata Steel Ltd and global technology leader ABB India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and will work together to co-create innovative models and technologies to help reduce the carbon footprint of steel production. ABB will bring global experience in automation, electrification and digitalization for the mining and metals industries.

Tata Steel is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 35 million tons per annum and is committed to major sustainability targets including achievement of carbon neutrality by 2045. In line with its aspirations, the steelmaker has a medium-term target to reduce carbon emissions to less than two tons of CO₂ per ton of crude steel in its Indian operations by 2025.

The two companies will focus on system-level assessments of Tata Steel’s manufacturing plants and production facilities for evaluation and co-development of short and long-term options for energy efficiency, decarbonization and circularity.

ABB and Tata Steel will explore energy optimization via hydrogen as an alternative fuel for upstream processes and energy reduction as well as substitution through fully integrated electrification and digital systems such as ABB Ability™ eMine and e-Mobility solutions and energy efficient motors.

“Steel companies know there are opportunities to improve their processes, and Tata Steel is one of the leaders in this movement towards energy efficiency and reduction of carbon footprint,” said Vipul Gautam, Group Vice President, Global Account Executive for Tata Group, ABB. “World Economic Forum figures anticipate the energy transition will require as much as three billion tons of metals over the medium term; six times more mineral inputs by 2040 to reach net-zero emissions globally by 2050. ABB is confident in working with our customers and partners to evolve how steelmaking is powered to help reach production and environmental targets.”

“Tata Steel and ABB have had a long-standing relationship through last decades. With this MoU, ABB will support Tata Steel to achieve their carbon neutrality goals through energy optimization. As a leading provider of high-quality steel, it is important to maintain an efficient production line to meet increasing demands. ABB has cutting-edge solutions and a leading technology portfolio that aligns well with Tata Steel’s goals to make plants and production lines become more sustainable and energy efficient, making way for greener steel processing,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Country Head and Managing Director, ABB India.