Dhanbad: IIT ISM Dhanbad has entered into a strategic partnership with sentra.world, a sustainability-focused startup based in Bangalore, to lead a pioneering research initiative aimed at decarbonizing India’s iron and steel industry.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will explore the use of biochar—a sustainable alternative to coal—in steel production processes.
The research will focus on characterizing biomass from over 10 Indian states and developing efficient conversion methods to produce high-quality biochar suitable for various steel applications, including coke making, sintering, and sponge iron production. The project will also harness surplus agricultural and forest biomass waste—estimated at 720 million tons—including rice husks, bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, and invasive species like babool. By utilizing these resources, the initiative seeks to reduce stubble burning, a significant air pollution contributor, and offer additional income opportunities for farmers by monetizing agricultural waste.
With the Indian steel sector responsible for 8-12% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions, the adoption of biochar in steel production could reduce emissions by up to 40%. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly mitigate climate impact, generate rural livelihoods, and contribute to India’s sustainable development goals.
“This innovative industry collaboration is pivotal in advancing the nation’s sustainability agenda and helping us achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, as envisioned by our Prime Minister,” said Professor Shalini Gautam, Associate Professor, Department of Fuel Minerals & Metallurgical Engineering, IIT ISM Dhanbad.
Vikas Upadhyay, Co-Founder of sentra.world, highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “With over 50 customers actively seeking carbon footprint reduction solutions, this collaboration marks a significant step in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors in India.”
The research will be led by the Department of Fuel Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering at IIT ISM Dhanbad, which has been a leader in advancing technologies related to metallic, non-metallic, fuel, and energy processing since its establishment in 1976. The collaboration with sentra.world is aligned with the department’s commitment to sustainable innovations and its exploration of biochar’s potential to revolutionize the steel industry.
The outcomes of this research are expected to drive product standardization, improve sustainability, and set new global benchmarks for innovation in the steel industry.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Professor Sagar Pal, Dean of R&D; Professor Shalini Gautam, and Dr. Amrit Anand from IIT ISM Dhanbad, as well as Vikas Upadhyay and Aayush Raj Sinha from sentra.world.
