Reducing emissions is a priority for the Company. Operational investments, such as the new H Blast Furnace in Jamshedpur, seek to employ state-of-the-art equipment, which improves efficiency and reduces pollution.
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Of the six Greenhouse gases, Carbon Dioxide is most relevant for the steel industry. Tata Steel has reduced the CO2 emission by 35% in the last 12 years.
Following specific measures to address Greenhouse gas emissions, there is a steady downward trend in CO2 emissions from the Steel Works. In 2007-08, CO2 emissions were reduced by 4.2% to 2.04t/tcs, equating to 2 t/tls. CO2 emissions calculations are based on GHG protocol guidelines.
Carbon Dioxide Emission ( t / tcs )
Tata Steel India
Water discharges, runoff and the receiving ecosystems:
The Company discharges its treated effluent from the works and treated domestic sewage from township to the rivers Subernarekha and Kharkai. Studies carried out by NEERI in the year 1993-95 and 2000 to assess impact on ecosystems/ habitats of rivers have found no significant impact on the aquatic eco-system. Noamundi and Joda Iron Ore Mines as well as West Bokaro and Jharia Collieries have all achieved zero discharge. The domestic effluent is discharged through the septic tank - soaking pit route at the mines and collieries. Sewage treatment plants have been provided for the entire township at Jamshedpur. 100% effluent water is treated before being discharged upstream.
Water Pollutant Discharge ( kg / tcs )
Tata Steel Europe
There has been a steady reduction in absolute emission to water since 2000. Most of the water used in the processes is for non-contact cooling and thus it is returned directly to the source with no tampering in quality at all. An advanced range of biological, chemical and physical effluent treatment technologies are employed at many of the plants to minimise the impact of process effluents, and to adhere to emission limits. Pollution causing materials that are used at TSE facilities are stored in contained systems and a large number of pollution control measures are also deployed.
NatSteel Holdings
The discharge from the various cooling towers is treated to reduce the concentration of oil and grease before they are discharged in the sewers. A certified laboratory is engaged annually to take samples of the discharge for analysis. The analysed results meet stringent criteria set forth in the Sewage and Drainage (Trade Effluent) Regulations 1999.
Tata Steel India
Waste Handling:
89.6% of solid waste generated from Steel Works is recycled or reused. 17% of the solid waste generated, amounting to approximately 6,12,300 tonnes in 2008-09 was used to fill low-lying areas and for peripheral road construction around Jamshedpur.
Effluent Management:
Wastewater from the steel making process is being treated with the best available physio-chemical methods and being recycled as well. Wastewater from the coke plant is treated biologically where organic pollutants are oxidised and decomposed by micro-organisms. The Company has reduced the levels of total pollutant discharge in wastewater streams from 0.211kg/tcs in 1999-2000 to 0.128 kg/tcs in 2008-09.
Solid Waste Management:
Tata Steel generates around 659 kg of various kinds of solid wastes (excluding fly ash) for every one tonne of crude steel produced. About 85% of these wastes are utilised either through recycling and reuse in own processes or sold as input materials to other industries. Remaining wastes are sent for safe land filling.
Solid Waste Utilisation (%)
Stack Emission - SPN ( kg/tcs )
Tata Steel Europe
In spite of having an efficient energy conversion mechanism in place, some waste generation in manufacturing processes is inevitable. The waste materials at Tata Steel Europe plants are reused, recycled or otherwise recovered for use in other sectors of industry. The objective of sustainable consumption is met in a symbiotic way in which secondary materials arising in other sectors of industry are used in TSE processes. Granulated slag from the blast furnaces is used as a clinker substitute in the concrete sector. Steel making slags are used in well-established civil engineering and agricultural applications, ferrous chloride solution is used in water treatment and tar and benzene are used within the chemicals sector.
NatSteel Holdings
To conserve resources, remnants from production process (cut ends) and rejected products (cobbles) are recycled by adding to the scrap for melting. EAF slag is collected by a third party to be treated and used for roads and aircraft runway paving.
A few initiatives taken by Nat Steel towards effective utilisation of wastes include:
- Seggregation of all waste in production centres under “General”, “Electrical”, “Waste Oil & Grease” & “Waste Chemicals” to facilitate waste control.
- Selling “Electrical”, “Waste Oil” & “Waste Chemicals” waste to licensed collectors for recycling.
- Sending “General” & “Waste Grease” via proper channel for proper disposal.
- Monitoring amount of waste generated.
- Reviewing processes and implementing measures to reduce the amount of waste generated.
- Use of Electric Arc Furnace slag as road stones to surface roads.
- Disposing toxic waste by licensed contractors as stipulated by Environmental Public Health (Toxic Industrial Waste) Regulation 1988.
