Tata Steel Replaces Furnace Oil with Cleaner Fuel – A First in India’s Ferrochrome Industry

Bengaluru: Tata Steel is leading a new sustainability initiative by replacing furnace oil with Piped Natural Gas (PNG) at its Ferro Alloys Plant (FAP) in Jajpur, Odisha. This move marks a first in India’s ferrochrome industry and strengthens the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions while supporting India’s transition to greener industrial practices.

Cleaner Energy Transition at Tata Steel’s Ferro Alloys Plant

Tata Steel has installed a PNG facility at its Ferro Alloys Plant in Jajpur, operating under its Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD). The plant now uses this cleaner fuel to preheat chrome ore, an essential process in producing chrome ore briquettes. This shift allows the company to replace furnace oil completely, demonstrating its commitment to achieving more sustainable industrial operations.

Commitment to a Greener Future

During the inauguration of the PNG facility, Pankaj Satija, Executive-In-Charge, FAMD, emphasized the environmental benefits of switching to natural gas:

Natural gas burns cleaner than furnace oil, reducing harmful emissions, particularly due to the high sulphur content in furnace oil. By replacing furnace oil with PNG, we aim to contribute to the nation’s efforts in mitigating global warming and promoting lower-carbon solutions. We remain committed to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

Partnership with BPCL for Long-Term PNG Supply

Tata Steel secured a long-term supply of natural gas through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a leading public sector oil and gas company. BPCL has agreed to deliver natural gas through its established pipeline network, supporting Tata Steel’s transition toward cleaner energy sources.

This transition is expected to significantly reduce the plant’s carbon footprint and lower greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing Tata Steel’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Inauguration Event at Jajpur Plant

The inauguration event at FAP Jajpur was attended by several senior officials, including:

• BD Nanda, Chief-Operations (FAP Jajpur, FAP Gopalpur, FAP Athagarh)
• Alok Kumar Panda, Head, FAP Jajpur
• Ganesh Mishra, Head (Human Resource Business Partner), FAMD
• Ravneet Singh, Territory Manager (GAS), BPCL
• Rajesh Nayak, Associate Engineer, BPCL
• Asman Samal, Executive, BPCL

These key stakeholders underscored the importance of the initiative in setting new standards for sustainability in the ferrochrome industry.