In order to reduce carbon footprint in its operations, Tata Steel Mining Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GAIL (India) Limited for supply of natural gas to its Ferro Alloys Plant at Athgarh in Odisha's Cuttack district.

According to the MoU, GAIL will supply the agreed quantity of natural gas through its pipeline from Gujarat to Athgarh.

Signing the MoU, Tata Steel Mining MD Pankaj Satija said, “As a responsible mining company, we are committed to protect the environment by using cleaner fuels and signing of the MoU with GAIL (India) Limited will further help us in this direction.”

Natural gas emits less carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur oxides than furnace oil. Natural gas emits 27% less CO2 and has lower levels of other pollutants, according to the company.

According to the project, it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 968 tonnes.

Tata Steel, formerly known as Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited (TISCO), is one of the world's largest steel producers, with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes. It is one of the most geographically diverse steel producers in the world, with operations and commercial presence all over the world. In the fiscal year ending 31 March 2020, the group (excluding SEA operations) had a consolidated turnover of US$19.7 billion. After Steel Authority of India Ltd, it is India's second-largest steel company in terms of domestic production, with an annual capacity of 13 million tonnes (SAIL). TATA Steel, SAIL, and Jindal Steel and Power are the only three Indian steel companies with captive iron-ore mines, giving the three edge on pricing.