Team News Riveting
Raipur, August 29
The two-day Indian Steel Conference on the theme ‘Significance and Role of Decarbonisation and Infrastructure Development’ was inaugurated, at Mahatma Gandhi Kala Mandir at Bhilai in Chhattisgarh on Thursday.
Chief Guest S S Mohanty, CMD (ESSAR Minmet Pvt Ltd) and former Director (Technical-SAIL) inaugurated the Indian Steel Conference by lighting ceremonial lamp in presence of Anirban Dasgupta, Director I/c (SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant), who also presided over the inaugural session, Anjani Kumar, Chairman (IIM, Bhilai Chapter) and ED (Works-BSP), Prof. Dr. Ram Kumar Kakani, Director (IIM, Raipur), Prof. Rajeev Prakash, Director (IIT, Bhilai), Dr M K Verma, Vice Chancellor (CSVTU), Dr N V Ramana Rao, Director, (NIT, Raipur), Santosh Mahanti, CMD (ISR Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.), Tapas Dasgupta, Vice-Chairman (IIM Bhilai Chapter), and CGM I/c (Iron-BSP), and Puneet Choubey, Chairman (IEI, BLC).
Technocrats, experts and delegates from iron and steel producers in public and private sector, research and technology institutions related to steel making in different parts of the country are taking part in the two-day conference being organised jointly by Iron & Steel Review Magazine-Kolkata, Indian Institute of Metals (IIM), Bhilai Chapter, and Institution of Engineers (India) Bhilai Centre in association with SAIL-Bhilai Steel Plant.
Mohanty, in his address, stated that the Decarbonisation of the Indian Steel Industry has been discussed since its very inception. The real question today is on what scale Decarbonisation has to be achieved, and the challenges on the way towards zero carbon emission in steel industry. We produce more than 70% of our steel through the Blast Furnaces route which is more energy-intensive and harmful to the environment. Steel production is going to reach the maximum by 2050, thereby increasing carbon emissions as well. Therefore we need to start with the assessment of our assets, make new investments for producing green steel and incorporate new technologies in our production processes along with innovation in our existing facilities for reducing carbon emissions, he said.
Dasgupta in his Welcome Address, stated that the topic of this conference was chosen by us after extensive deliberation. For the Indian Economy which is advancing at a rapid scale, the Steel Industry is an elementary part. Steel Industry generates a significant amount of carbon emissions. By making concrete and meaningful endeavours, and innovation, we must explore ways to produce high-quality sustainable steel with minimum emissions of Carbon Dioxide and other Greenhouse Gases. Shri Dasgupta said, I am happy that this conference has attracted excellent technical research papers from technocrats and research scholars from around the country, and the insights from such papers shall help us towards decarbonisation of the Indian Steel Industry. I welcome you all to Bhilai for two days of learning and introspection, said Shri. Anirban Dasgupta Director I/c (SAIL-BSP).
Santosh Mahanti, CMD (ISR Infomedia Pvt. Ltd.) stated that it is crucial to understand the present Indian Steel Scenario. Its ever-increasing and evolving infrastructure has an exponential presence for bringing about colossal changes to the economic aspects of nation-building. The coming years will be very vital for India. Through this conference, we have come together to discuss and implement strategies to drive the steel industry toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. Your participation is crucial in shaping a greener future, said Santosh Mahanti.
Dr. Ram Kumar Kakani, Director (IIM, Raipur) stated that in every sense the topic of this conference is a very apt one because the Iron and Steel Industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and decarbonising this sector is an essential for achieving net zero emission. We must work together to meet the goals set in the Paris Agreement to limit global warming, said Dr. Kakani.
The inaugural session was followed by a panel discussion on the importance and role of de-carbonization and infrastructure development. The Souvenir of the Conference was also released on this occasion by guests and dignitaries, followed by inauguration of an exhibition in which participating companies and suppliers have set up their stalls.
The inaugural function of Indian Steel Conference was compered by Smt. Bonya Mujherjee, GM (Envt. Mgmt.), and Himanshu Dave, AGM (Vigilance) while Taaps Dasgupta, CGM I/c (Iron) proposed the Vote of Thanks.
