Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The Indian government aims to raise the share of scrap in steel production to 50% by 2047.
What is Scrap Steel?
Scrap steel refers to recycled steel derived from discarded or unused metal products, industrial waste, or end-of-life vehicles. It is processed and reused in steel production, contributing to sustainability by reducing the need for raw materials and minimizing environmental impact. Currently, scrap contributes around 30-35% of India’s overall steel production
Using scrap in steel production is considered less polluting, and it is expected to contribute to environmental sustainability. India’s steel sector accounts for 12% of India’s CO2 emissions. India currently ranks as the World’s 2nd Largest Producer of Crude Steel
Other initiatives for Scrap Steel:
National Steel Policy, 2017 aims for 300MT steel capacity by 2030, with 35-40% from the EAF route, utilizing mostly recycled scrap. EAF (Electric Arc Furnaces) and BFBOF (Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace) are steelmaking methods. Steel Scrap Recycling Policy, 2019 aims to enhance domestic scrap availability to reduce coal consumption in steel production.
