India’s Steel Expansion, CBAM and the Future of Coke Making Technologies

India’s steel industry is entering a defining growth phase. With production projected to rise toward 300 million tonnes per annum by 2030, the implications for coke making technology, carbon intensity, and global competitiveness are significant.

Ahead of Eurocoke Summit 2026, we spoke with G.S. Venkata Subramanian of Bhilai Steel Plant about how India’s rapid steel expansion, evolving carbon regulations, and decarbonisation pressures are reshaping investment in coke making technologies.

Efficiency, self-reliance and sustainability are now driving investment decisions

India’s position as one of the fastest-growing steel markets globally is reshaping how producers think about coke making—not just in terms of capacity, but capability.

According to Subramanian, the industry is undergoing a clear shift away from traditional, energy-intensive production models toward more efficient and adaptable systems.

“To meet growing demand, the industry is investing in advanced technologies to process lower-quality domestic coal, reduce dependence on imports, and integrate greener practices,” he explains.

Key areas of investment include:

• Stamp-charging technology, enabling the use of weaker, non-coking coal blends and reducing reliance on imported coking coal
• Expansion of coking coal washeries, improving domestic coal quality for metallurgical use
• Waste heat recovery systems, converting by-product heat into usable energy and improving overall plant efficiency
• Digitalisation and automation, including AI-driven coal blending and monitoring systems
• Brownfield and greenfield coke oven expansions by major producers such as SAIL, Tata Steel and JSW
• Early-stage green hydrogen and low-carbon pilot projects, aligned with India’s net-zero 2070 pathway

Subramanian highlights that these developments are not isolated upgrades, but part of a wider structural transformation.

The shift is from traditional production toward more automated, efficient and environmentally conscious coke making technologies aimed at securing long-term sustainability for India’s steel growth.

CBAM: A new pressure point for emerging steel exporters

The discussion also turns to one of the most significant external pressures facing India’s steel sector: the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which begins full implementation from 2026.

While designed to reduce carbon leakage, CBAM presents a major competitiveness challenge for high-emission producers.

Subramanian explains that the financial implications are substantial.

“CBAM could increase prices for Indian steel exports by around €200–€225 per tonne in the early years, significantly impacting margins and competitiveness.”

India’s relatively high carbon intensity—around 2.6 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of steel compared to the global average of 1.85—further amplifies this challenge.

Key concerns include:

• Reduced export competitiveness into EU markets
• Greater pressure on smaller and mid-sized producers with limited decarbonisation capacity
• Potential diversion of exports to non-EU markets
• Risk of higher liabilities if emissions data is incomplete or inaccurate

However, Subramanian also notes that CBAM is not purely restrictive in its impact.

“While challenging in the short term, CBAM acts as a catalyst for modernisation and adoption of greener production pathways, strengthening long-term competitiveness.”

Regulations are accelerating innovation in coke making

Rather than slowing progress, tightening carbon regulations are actively accelerating technological change across the sector.

“Yes—carbon regulations are unequivocally driving innovation in coke making technologies,” Subramanian states.

He points to a wave of emerging solutions transforming the industry:

• Next-generation coke technologies, such as Japan’s SCOPE 21 process, improving flexibility and efficiency
• Growth in heat recovery and non-recovery coke ovens, reducing emissions and improving energy recovery
• Expansion of coke dry quenching (CDQ), lowering emissions and recovering valuable waste heat
• Increased use of alternative carbon sources, including biomass and waste plastics in coal blends
• Rapid adoption of AI, IoT and predictive analytics for process optimisation and emissions reduction
• Long-term investment in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies

These developments signal a broader shift in the industry.

Coke making is evolving from a traditional by-product process into a more automated, efficient and sustainable production system.

A sector in transition

India’s steel growth story is no longer just about volume—it is increasingly about how that growth is achieved.

Between rising domestic demand, global trade pressures like CBAM, and accelerating decarbonisation requirements, coke making technology is becoming a central focus of innovation and investment.

As Subramanian’s insights highlight, the next decade will be defined by a dual challenge: scaling production while fundamentally reducing carbon intensity across the value chain.