Jindal Steel Limited has received the CII National Award for Environmental Best Practices 2026 in the Technological Advancement category for its initiative to integrate low-carbon hydrogen into direct reduced iron (DRI) production at its integrated steel complex in Angul, Odisha. The project involves blending green hydrogen into the coal-gasification-based Midrex MxCol DRI process, partially replacing coal-based synthesis gas while maintaining furnace stability and continuous operations. The initiative is being implemented in two phases and is aimed at reducing carbon emissions from steelmaking.
Phase I has been operational since May 2026. It uses a 5 MW alkaline electrolyser to supply green hydrogen at a rate of 1,000 normal cubic metres per hour to the DRI shaft furnace. Phase II, planned for July 2027, proposes a 30 MW electrolyser with a hydrogen injection capacity of 6,000 normal cubic metres per hour. According to the project assessment submitted for the award, Phase I is expected to reduce emissions by approximately 9 kg of carbon dioxide per tonne of DRI. Phase II is projected to deliver reductions of around 55 kg of CO₂ per tonne of DRI, equivalent to approximately 264 tonnes of CO₂ per day under the stated operating assumptions.
A key feature of the project is its application to a coal-gasification-based DRI process rather than a natural-gas-based system. The technology blends hydrogen into processed synthesis gas and recycled furnace top gas without requiring a fundamental change to the core reactor. This approach could offer an alternative for steel plants in coal-rich regions where natural gas availability is limited.
The project incorporates targeted oxygen injection, hydrogen-compatible pipeline materials, automated process controls and emergency isolation systems. Engineering design work was undertaken by Fichtner, while the detailed project report was validated by IIT Kharagpur.
The phased implementation allows Jindal Steel to build operational experience and assess the controls required for higher hydrogen injection rates. The model could also be evaluated for use at other suitable DRI installations, subject to plant-specific technical and operating conditions.
The award recognises the company’s efforts to apply technology to reduce the environmental impact of steel production. Integrating hydrogen into existing processes provides a potential route to lowering emissions while continuing to use established industrial infrastructure.
Jindal Steel has set a net-zero ambition for 2047. The hydrogen integration project forms part of its broader efforts to reduce emissions from its operations and improve the environmental performance of its steelmaking processes. The planned expansion under Phase II is expected to increase hydrogen use and deliver further emissions reductions as the company advances the project at Angul.
