Climate Impact and Decarbonization Pathways of Indian Steel Manufacturing: A Comparative Case Study of Bokaro Steel Plant and Jindal Steel & Power

This study explores how steelmaking affects climate change and public health by comparing two major Indian manufacturing hubs: Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) and SAIL’s Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL). Making steel is energy-intensive and releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and particulate dust. Bokaro Steel Plant relies on traditional blast furnace technology, with current emissions releasing around 2.46 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of crude steel, causing severe local air pollution and public health burdens. In contrast, Jindal Steel utilizes direct reduced iron (DRI) and coal gasification, while actively testing carbon capture technology and green hydrogen integration to cut carbon intensity down to 2.0 tCO₂/tCS by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2047. The study demonstrates that while private plants are adopting low-carbon innovations, traditional public plants like Bokaro need urgent technological upgrades such as cleaner gas filters, top pressure recovery, and hydrogen power—to protect public health and help India meet its national climate goals.