RESCONS Solutions, an IISc-incubated startup, has successfully tested rice husk biomass pellets as a partial replacement for coal in steel production. Trials at a Jindal Steel and Power facility in Odisha showed that substituting 5-10% of coal with biomass did not reduce gasifier efficiency. This approach could lower carbon emissions and reduce India's reliance on imported coal. The company is now working to scale the technology for rotary kiln-based industries and is also collaborating with Adani Enterprises on extracting rare earth elements from ore. Widespread adoption will likely depend on supportive government policies and financial incentives for cleaner industrial processes.
