From coal to iron ore and everything in between, the bounty of mother earth is the very life of our steel operations. Naturally, balancing the scale in favour of sustainability and environment is a responsibility we wear as a badge of honour.

At JSW Steel, all our business operations are guided by one overarching philosophy – minimising environmental footprint and creating natural capital.

For years, we have sown the seeds of a greener future. Within the company, they have flowered in the form of an exhaustive environment policy ably supported by energy-compliant systems, processes and practices. Outside, they continue to build a better world every day in the form of environment-responsible initiatives.

Stalling climate change

India is a key global player that has pledged to turn around climate change for better. As 6-7% of total Greenhouse Gas(GHG) emissions by industry in India originate from integrated iron and steel manufacturing, we have devised a strategy to help reduce emissions in accordance with the norms.

This involves:

• progressively leveraging raw material quality improvements,
• enhancing energy efficiency, 
• increasing steel-making via EAF process, and
• exploring possibilities in carbon capture and storage/utilisation

Already, our Dolvi Works has the lowest GHG emissions amongst steel plants.

Innovating for a greener everyday

The implementation of a comprehensive Energy Management System across our entire value chain has enabled us to reduce energy consumption by 3.05 million GJ in 2017-18. Additionally, 17.74 million m3 of water was reused, 3.30 million tonnes of material was recycled, and 113% of generated slag was sold off to cement and road-making companies.

In fact, we have developed a low-cost, accelerated weathering technology for steel slag to dispose it off better. Introduction of low-cost alternate coals and semi-soft coal in coal blend is another measure towards creating a green benchmark for the steel manufacturing industry.

Innovations continue to play a key role in our environment protection initiatives as well:

• 71 dust analysers, 8 gas monitors on stacks, 6 AAQMS, 22 CCTVs, and 6 effluent monitors across steel complexes
• CO2 injection system to save 1000 m3 water daily
• Water sprinkler/wind net, dry and wet fog system in raw material handling areas at Salem to reduce fugitive emissions
• Composting equipment across all sites and townships for reducing bio-waste

Sowing the seeds of change

The responsibility of making the nation better every day more often than not leads us to consciously solving issues faced by India’s bio-diversity and natural resources today.

At Dolvi, our mangrove restoration project has covered an area of 5000 ha across 5 villages wherein we planted over 1 lakh nursery plants with the help of 34 Mangroves Working Self Help Groups. Dolvi, today, stands well protected from the impact of climate-related coastal hazards.

At water-scarce Salem and Vijayanagar units, we have bolstered water conservation and security by introducing dry steel-making technology, enhancing water utilisation efficiency, and recovering good quality water via reverse osmosis. Additionally, we are building a 30 million m3 reservoir at Vijayanagar, and have installed a Zero Liquid Discharge facility at Salem on top of rainwater harvesting efforts in Dolvi.

Thus, where there is a will of steel, there is always a way. The seeds of change for sustainability continue to be sown. And at JSW Steel, we shall not stop till the future is rightfully green.