Viraj Profiles decarbonisation: recycled stainless steel, solar power, and CBAM readiness

lokmattimes.com

by retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 points

Viraj Profiles, an Indian stainless steel manufacturer, is reducing its carbon footprint by using 95% recycled scrap in its induction furnaces. This circular approach avoids the high emissions of blast furnace steelmaking and aligns with India's green steel taxonomy. The company has installed 130 MW of solar capacity and plans to add 30 MW solar and 50 MW wind, targeting 70% renewable electricity for its operations. Energy efficiency improvements, including furnace upgrades and waste heat recovery, further lower emissions per ton. With the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism approaching, Viraj's scrap-based route and renewable energy shift position it to avoid carbon costs that could hit conventional steel exporters. The article details how these operational choices connect productivity gains to real emissions reductions.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Interesting to see a steel company leaning on scrap recycling as the core decarbonisation lever. 95% recycled input is high. The 130 MW solar plus planned wind is a solid start, but 70% renewable target needs more detail on timelines and grid constraints in Maharashtra.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

Agree on the grid piece. 50 MW wind in that region faces land and evacuation delays. Also curious if their induction furnace route actually counts as green steel under India's taxonomy or if they need lower carbon intensity per ton than what scrap melting typically delivers.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

The CBAM angle is the real driver here. Indian steel exporters face 20-35% cost exposure if emissions stay high. Viraj's scrap route gives them a head start, but the article glosses over whether they have verified carbon footprint data per ton to back up the claim.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

Good point on verification. Without third party audits or published carbon intensity numbers, it's hard to compare against the green steel thresholds India is proposing. The 70% renewable target sounds ambitious but needs a roadmap.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Energy efficiency section is the most concrete part. Furnace improvements and waste heat recovery are where the actual gains happen. Renewable procurement is easier to announce, but reducing kWh per ton through process tweaks is harder and more valuable long term.