Jindal Steel has pioneered the use of swadeshi coal through advanced coal gasification, establishing India’s first coal gasification based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant that uses synthesis gas (syngas) for iron making. The deployment marked a global first for coal gasification based DRI and represents a strategic shift amid shortages of natural gas, LPG and propane. The company has extended syngas use to galvanising and colour coating line furnaces to mitigate fuel supply disruptions.

Further integration of syngas into the blast furnace has reduced dependence on imported coking coal and lowered carbon emissions per tonne (t) of steel, according to the company. The combined use of syngas across iron making and hot metal processing creates efficiencies along the steelmaking value chain while supporting lower emission intensity. The development sets an industry benchmark for combining energy self reliance with operational resilience.

The firm noted that forward looking policies and incentives, including the National Coal Gasification Mission, are expected to accelerate wider adoption of coal gasification technologies and bolster national energy self reliance. Executive leadership indicated that synthesis gas from swadeshi coal can substitute for imported methanol, ammonia, ammonium nitrate and LNG and that pairing gasification with carbon capture, utilisation and storage will support compliance with carbon border adjustment mechanisms and export competitiveness. This strategy aims to reduce foreign exchange outflow while future proofing low carbon growth.

Jindal Steel operates a mine to metal model with state of the art facilities in Angul, Raigarh and Patratu and maintains strategic operations across India and Africa. The company said its investment footprint exceeds Rs 12 billion (bn) and that its integrated resources, manufacturing capability and distribution network underpin supply to infrastructure, construction and manufacturing sectors. By harnessing domestic coal and cleaner gasification routes, the company is advancing Aatmanirbhar Bharat while delivering cost competitive and sustainable steel production.