Tata Steel develops technology to use waste material from iron ore in steel making
29 Mar 2011
Tata Steel is working on a pilot project that would allow it to use waste material in iron ore.
The project which is at the laboratory stage is presently with the steel ministry, according to Tata Steel chief technology officer, T Venugopalan. He added the technology would allow for production of sponge iron making use of lean materials with a higher alumina content.
The technology, is similar to Kobe Steel's ITmK3 used for the production of iron ore nuggets, and has undergone testing at Tatas' research and development centre.
''We want the technology to be available with all firms in India. This is why we sought help of the central government to build a plant on a pilot basis before going for commercial production,'' Venugopalan said after launching a post-graduate diploma course on iron and steelmaking yesterday.
The technology would put to use waste material generated in the process of beneficiation of iron ore.
The alumina rich waste is currently being dumped by Tata Steel, in a vast storage pond. However, the company may soon run out of storage space.
