Australia–India Research Trial Advances Low-Carbon Steelmaking

Australia and India have moved closer to developing low-carbon steel production through a joint research trial that uses agricultural waste as an alternative input in steelmaking processes. The initiative forms part of broader cooperation between the two countries to accelerate industrial decarbonisation and support the transition to cleaner manufacturing technologies.

The trial tested the use of rice husk biomass pellets as a partial substitute for coal in steel production. Agricultural residues such as rice husks are widely available in both countries, and researchers are exploring their potential to reduce emissions in one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries.

The project brings together researchers and government-supported institutions from both countries to examine how biomass-based inputs can be integrated into existing steelmaking systems. Early results suggest that blending agricultural waste with conventional fuel sources could significantly lower the sector’s carbon footprint while also providing a productive use for farm residues.

Green steel technologies are gaining global attention as governments and industries look for ways to decarbonise heavy manufacturing. The Australia–India collaboration highlights the role of international research partnerships in developing scalable solutions for reducing emissions from industrial sectors.

Rice-husk biomass pellet substitution in steelmaking addresses one of the harder-to-abate industrial sectors. Steel accounts for approximately 7-8 percent of global CO2 emissions; even partial fuel substitution at scale delivers meaningful emissions reduction. Both Australia and India have substantial rice-husk availability from agricultural residue streams that would otherwise be burned or landfilled.

The dual-benefit framing (industrial decarbonisation + agricultural waste valorisation) captures the systems-thinking that advances multi-sector sustainability. Well-designed biomass programmes create rural income opportunities while reducing steel-sector emissions - the same principles apply to other industrial sectors evaluating biomass-and-waste substitution.

For steel producers, agricultural aggregators, biomass processors and financial institutions supporting industrial decarbonisation investment, Cognitud's climate action, supply chain and operations and impact assessment teams help clients evaluate biomass-substitution investment opportunities, structure supplier partnerships across agricultural value chains, and prepare disclosures aligned with SBTi, ISSB and jurisdictional industrial-decarbonisation frameworks.