The steel industry being a deregulated sector, the decisions regarding modernization and technological advancement are taken by the companies themselves based on commercial consideration and market dynamics. The steel companies are adopting the Best Available Technologies (BAT), globally, in their modernization & technological advancement programmes.

The policies in place to ensure environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions in the steel manufacturing sector are as under:-

• The R&D Scheme of Ministry of Steel viz. “Promotion of Research & Development in Iron & Steel Sector”, provides financial support to its stakeholders inter-alia for promoting environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission for green hydrogen production and usage in the various end use sector including the steel sector. Under this Mission, MNRE has also notified the scheme viz. “Implementation of Pilot projects for use of Hydrogen in the Steel Sector”, in consultation of Ministry of Steel.
• Steel being 100% recyclable is one of the most environmentally sustainable materials. The Steel Scrap Recycling Policy, 2019 notified by Ministry of Steel enhances the availability of domestically generated scrap to reduce the consumption of coal in steel making and reduction in emission.
• Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicles Scrapping Facility) Rules September, 2021, envisages to increase availability of scrap in the steel sector.
• National Solar Mission launched by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy in January, 2010 promotes the use of solar energy and also helps to reduce the emission of steel industry by using renewal energy in place of fossil fuel based energy.
• Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, under National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, incentivizes steel industry to reduce energy consumption.

The Government has taken various steps to increase supply of minerals which include, inter-alia, Mining and Mineral Policy reforms to ensure enhanced production, early auction & operationalization of mines with expired leases, ease of doing business, seamless transfer of all valid rights & approvals, incentivizing for starting of mining operation & dispatch, transferring of mining leases, allowing captive mines to sell up to 50% of the minerals produced, enhancing the exploration activities etc. The steel industry being a deregulated sector, there are no schemes for financing for small and medium-sized producers in their operations.

Research & Development in iron & steel sector in India’s is carried out mainly by the iron & steel companies themselves, National Research Laboratories, Academic Institutions etc. Ministry of Steel is providing financial assistance to the steel industry, CSIR laboratories & academia for carrying out research in the iron & steel sector, under the scheme viz. “Promotion of Research & Development in Iron & Steel Sector”. The thrust areas covered under the scheme include research to address common issues faced by the steel sector such as utilization of wastes, improving efficiency & productivities, reducing energy consumption & emissions, improving quality of the steel products etc. 

This information was given by the Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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MG/PD/SK