By Abhay Ray 
Introduction
The Tata Group, one of India’s largest industrial conglomerates, has made a significant shift in its business approach, marking the end of a decades-old tradition. Months after the passing of former chairman Ratan Tata, the group has decided to overhaul its financial management practices. Tata Steel has become the first Indian steel company to produce Pipes for Hydrogen transportation, a key development in India’s ongoing hydrogen mission.
About Tata Steel
Tata Steel Limited is an Indian multinational steel -making company, is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, with its primary operations based in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. It is a part of the Tata Group.
- Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum.It is one of the world’s most geographically diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world.
- The group recorded a consolidated turnover of around US$27.7 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2024. Tata Steel has announced its major sustainability objectives including Net Zero by 2045.
- A Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM organisation, Tata Steel Limited, together with its subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures, is spread across five continents with an employee base of over 78,000.
- The Company has been on a multi-year digital-enabled business transformation journey intending to be the leader in ‘Digital Steel making’. The Company has received the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse recognition for its Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar, and IJmuiden Plants. Tata Steel has also been recognised with the ‘Digital Enterprise of India – Steel’ Award 2024 by Economic Times CIO.
- The Company has been recognised with the World Economic Forum’s Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion Lighthouse 2023.
- The Company has been a part of the DJSI Emerging Markets Index since 2012 and has been consistently ranked among the top 10 steel companies in the DJSI Corporate Sustainability Assessment since 2016.
- Received Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2016-17, 2024 Steel Sustainability Champion recognition from worldsteel for seven years in a row, 2023 Climate Change Leadership Award by CDP, Top performer in Iron and Steel sector in Dun & Bradstreet’s India’s top 500 companies 2022, Ranked as the 2024 most valuable Mining and Metals brand in India by Brand Finance, ‘Most Ethical Company’ award 2021 from Ethisphere Institute, and ‘Best Corporate for Promotion of Sports’ recognition at the Sportstar Aces Awards 2024.And Received the 2023 Global ERM (Enterprise Risk Management) Award of Distinction at the RIMS ERM Conference 2023.
Hydrogen Qualification and International Testing
The API X65 ERW pipes processed at Tata Steel’s Khopoli plant, using the steel manufactured at the Company’s Kalinganagar plant, successfully achieved all the critical properties required for hydrogen transportation. The hydrogen qualification tests were carried out at RINA-CSM S.p.A, Italy, a leading approving agency for hydrogen-related testing and characterization. The new hydrogen-compliant API X65 grade pipes can be used for the transportation of 100% pure gaseous hydrogen under high pressure (100 bar).
Prabhat Kumar, Vice President – Marketing and Sales (Flat Products), Tata Steel, said: “Tata Steel has always been at the forefront of developing technologies for manufacturing critical steel grades. The successful testing of the new ERW pipes demonstrates our capabilities to deliver critical physical infrastructure for the energy sector, domestically. We are proud to contribute to India’s National Hydrogen Mission, which by itself is a key component of the country’s ongoing clean energy transition. Tata Steel is proud to be the first Indian steel company to successfully take on this challenge and deliver products to cater to the emerging domestic and global demand for these special grade steel pipes.”
Supporting India’s Hydrogen Mission with Innovative Technology
The company’s initiative aligns with India’s national strategy to embrace hydrogen as a sustainable energy source, showcasing Tata Steel’s commitment to driving green energy solutions
The National Hydrogen Mission will enable India to build capabilities to produce at least 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Green Hydrogen per annum by 2030, with the potential to reach 10 MMT per annum with additional demand for exports which would require substantial investments in generation and transportation, it added. The demand for steel compliant with hydrogen transportation is expected to start from 2026-27, with the total steel requirement of 350KT spanning over the next 5 to 7 years. While various mechanisms of hydrogen transportation are available, steel pipelines are considered economically more viable for mass transportation.
Legacy of Ratan Tata
This achievement comes just months after the passing of Ratan Tata, the visionary leader who played an instrumental role in the company’s growth and global expansion. His leadership not only shaped Tata Steel but also set the foundation for its future success. Tata Steel’s continued success is a testament to Ratan Tata’s legacy, and the company’s ability to stay ahead of the curve in innovation, sustainability, and market leadership.
Conclusion
Tata Steel’s historic achievement represents a significant step forward for both the company and India’s industrial sector as a whole. The company’s relentless pursuit of excellence in innovation, sustainability, and international expansion has earned it a well-deserved place in the global spotlight. The production of hydrogen transportation pipes represents a key step in India’s transition to a low-carbon economy, as hydrogen is increasingly seen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
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