New Delhi : Coal India Limited (CIL) and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Private Limited (AMNS India) have signed a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities for the utilization of syngas generated from a proposed coal gasification facility at or adjacent to the AMNS Paradip Pellet Plant in Odisha.
The proposed initiative will also examine the integration of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology, with the objective of developing a cleaner and more sustainable pathway for the utilization of coal-based resources.
Exploring Syngas Utilization
Under the proposed collaboration, Coal India and AMNS India will jointly explore the potential utilization of syngas produced from a proposed coal gasification facility. Syngas, or synthesis gas, is a mixture primarily consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and can be used as an industrial feedstock or for energy-related applications.
The proposed gasification facility is envisaged to be located at or adjacent to the AMNS Paradip Pellet Plant, creating the possibility of integrating coal gasification with existing industrial operations.
The project will additionally assess the potential deployment of CCUS technology, which is designed to capture carbon dioxide emissions and either utilize the captured carbon dioxide for productive applications or store it securely to prevent its release into the atmosphere.
Initial Focus of the Partnership
As part of the initial phase of the collaboration, CIL and AMNS India will undertake a detailed assessment of the proposed project. The key areas of evaluation will include:
- Technical feasibility of the proposed coal gasification and syngas utilization system.
- Commercial viability and potential economic benefits of the project.
- Implementation requirements, including infrastructure and operational considerations.
- Assessment of the potential integration of CCUS technology.
- Preparation of a Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) to evaluate the overall viability of the proposed project.
The Preliminary Feasibility Report will help the two companies assess various technical, commercial and implementation parameters before considering further development of the project.
Promoting Cleaner Coal-Based Technologies
The MoU represents an effort by Coal India and AMNS India to explore advanced technologies that can improve the utilization of coal while addressing carbon emissions.
Coal gasification can convert coal into syngas, which can subsequently be used for a range of industrial applications. When combined with carbon capture technologies, gasification-based projects have the potential to reduce the carbon intensity associated with conventional coal utilization, depending on the technology, energy efficiency and carbon-management arrangements adopted.
The proposed collaboration therefore brings together Coal India’s expertise in the coal sector and AMNS India’s industrial presence and operations at Paradip to examine the feasibility of an integrated coal gasification and CCUS project.
MoU Marks Initial Stage of Collaboration
The MoU signed between CIL and AMNS India is non-binding and primarily provides a framework for the two companies to jointly examine the feasibility of the proposed initiative.
The initial studies and Preliminary Feasibility Report will determine the project’s technical and commercial prospects. Further decisions regarding implementation would depend on the outcome of these assessments and other necessary approvals and evaluations.
The proposed project is expected to contribute to the broader exploration of cleaner coal technologies, carbon management and industrial decarbonization, while supporting the development of more sustainable solutions for coal-based industrial applications.
The collaboration marks another step toward exploring how coal gasification and CCUS technologies can be integrated into large-scale industrial operations and potentially support India’s transition toward more efficient and lower-emission industrial processes.
