Tata Steel collaborates with LeadIT for net-zero emissions in heavy industry

Tata Steel has partnered with the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), marking a major leap towards net-zero emissions in heavy industries.

LeadIT, established by the governments of Sweden and India during the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, and supported by the World Economic Forum, will allow Tata Steel to gain valuable insights into green technologies and sustainable practices in the steel industry.

Tata Steel’s collaboration with LeadIT is significant as it makes the company the first Indian steel company to join the initiative, thereby solidifying its position as a global leader for net-zero industry transformation.

The Indian steel giant has set a target to achieve net neutrality in carbon emissions by 2045. By joining LeadIT, Tata Steel secures a key platform for sharing best practices, policy influence, and enhancement of its own climate initiatives. The company aims to leverage this platform to address the challenges and opportunities within the burgeoning Indian steel market.

Tata Steel’s rich experience in the European and Indian steel sectors enables it to spearhead dialogue and advocacy for future policies around net-zero carbon emissions for steel and other heavy industries.

Dr Debashish Bhattacharjee — Tata Steel Vice President of Technology and Research & Development said: “Tata Steel’s membership in LeadIT presents a significant opportunity for us to amplify our endeavours towards carbon neutrality. We are wholeheartedly committed to taking decisive actions in this transformative journey, evident in our adoption and implementation of cutting-edge carbon negative technologies such as: Coal Bed Methane (CBM) injection, hydrogen injection in blast furnace and commissioning of carbon capture plant.

“Our dedication extends beyond internal measures, as we strive to curtail emissions from materials and offer climate-smart solutions that empower our customers to achieve their own environmental targets. By engaging with LeadIT, we gain access to a vital platform for sharing best practices, influencing policy, and enhancing our own climate initiatives. This collaboration not only strengthens our business but also reinforces our role as a catalyst for positive change on a global scale, contributing to the collective pursuit of sustainability.”

Tata Steel has recognized green technology as the driving force for industry’s sustainability initiatives, with Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies providing cost-effective solutions for large-scale carbon capture and utilization.

Earlier this year, the company achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting trials for the injection of hydrogen gas at record levels in Blast Furnace-E at its Jamshedpur plant. This exemplifies Tata Steel’s commitment to India’s industrial decarbonization journey. Alongside, the company has initiated measures to cut down freshwater consumption, develop sustainable supply chains, and integrate circular economy principles.

Joining LeadIT reaffirms Tata Steel’s industry-leading status and readiness to shape the future of complex sectors through innovation, collaboration, and strategic thought leadership.

LeadIT is one of the first global high-level initiatives aimed at achieving net-zero emissions from heavy industry. It was established during the Climate Action Summit in New York in 2019, and its vision is to strengthen the interconnections between industry commitments, public-private collaboration, and innovation to facilitate a net-zero industry transition.

India and Sweden, with the support of the World Economic Forum, founded the Leadership Group for Industry Transition. LeadIT provides a global platform where countries and industries can collaborate to develop evidence-based policy frameworks and mechanisms to expedite industry transition.

The group hosts an annual summit, typically at the COP, where ministers and CEOs from LeadIT member countries and companies participate. This initiative is especially beneficial for emerging and developing countries requiring assistance to accelerate their technological innovation.

Per Andersson — LeadIT Secretariat Head said: “Tata´s ambitious goal of attaining carbon neutrality by 2045 paves the way for low-carbon steel production. We at LeadIT, and the Secretariat, warmly welcome Tata to our group. Our joint efforts will significantly contribute to achieving net-zero targets for the global steel sector.”