Tata Steel Develops India’s First Hydrogen-Transport Pipes
Tata Steel, one of India’s leading steel manufacturers, has announced a groundbreaking achievement in the country’s clean energy sector. The company claims to be the first Indian company to develop hydrogen-compliant pipes designed specifically for transporting hydrogen, a critical step in supporting India’s transition to clean energy. This innovation aligns with the global push for sustainable energy solutions and India’s ambitious National Hydrogen Mission.
The newly developed API X65 pipes, processed at Tata Steel’s Khopoli plant using steel produced at its Kalinganagar facility, meet all critical requirements for hydrogen transportation. This development underscores Tata Steel’s commitment to innovation and its role in building essential infrastructure for the energy sector.
Tata Steel handled the entire process of developing these specialized pipes, from designing and manufacturing the hot-rolled steel to producing the final pipes. This end-to-end capability highlights the company’s expertise in creating advanced steel products tailored to the needs of the energy sector. The pipes are designed to transport 100 per cent pure gaseous hydrogen under high pressure (100 bar), making them suitable for large-scale hydrogen distribution.
In 2024, Tata Steel achieved another milestone by becoming the first Indian steel company to manufacture hot-rolled steel specifically for gaseous hydrogen transportation. This achievement further solidifies Tata Steel’s position as a leader in the steel industry and its ability to innovate in response to emerging energy needs.
The development of hydrogen-compliant pipes is a significant contribution to India’s National Hydrogen Mission, which aims to establish the country as a global hub for green hydrogen production and export. The mission targets producing at least 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with the potential to scale up to 10 MMT to meet export demands. Achieving these goals will require substantial investments in hydrogen generation and transportation infrastructure.
The demand for hydrogen-compliant steel is expected to rise significantly from 2026-27, with a projected requirement of 350,000 tonnes of steel over the next five to seven years. Tata Steel’s innovation positions it to meet both domestic and global demand for specialized steel pipes used in hydrogen transportation. This capability is crucial for supporting the large-scale distribution of hydrogen, which is considered a key component of the global clean energy transition.
While multiple methods exist for transporting hydrogen, steel pipelines are recognized as one of the most cost-effective and efficient solutions for large-scale distribution. Hydrogen-compliant steel pipes, like those developed by Tata Steel, are designed to withstand the unique challenges of transporting hydrogen, including high pressure and corrosion resistance. These pipes ensure the safe and reliable delivery of hydrogen, which is essential for its adoption as a clean energy source.
The development of hydrogen-compliant pipes is a critical enabler for the widespread use of hydrogen in industries such as transportation, power generation, and manufacturing. By providing a reliable means of transporting hydrogen, Tata Steel’s innovation supports the integration of hydrogen into the global energy mix, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.
Tata Steel has a long history of developing advanced steel grades tailored to the needs of various industries. The successful testing of ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) pipes for hydrogen transportation is a testament to the company’s technical expertise and commitment to innovation. These pipes are designed to meet stringent safety and performance standards, ensuring their suitability for critical energy infrastructure projects.
Commenting on the achievement, Prabhat Kumar, Vice-President – Marketing & Sales (Flat Products) at Tata Steel, said, “Tata Steel has always been at the forefront of developing advanced steel grades. The successful testing of these ERW pipes highlights our ability to support the energy sector. We are proud to contribute to India’s National Hydrogen Mission, which is a key part of the country’s clean energy transition.” He added that Tata Steel is ready to meet both domestic and global demand for specialized steel pipes used in hydrogen transportation.
India’s National Hydrogen Mission is a cornerstone of the country’s strategy to achieve energy independence and carbon neutrality. The mission envisions the creation of a robust hydrogen economy, encompassing production, storage, transportation, and utilization of hydrogen as a clean energy source. Tata Steel’s development of hydrogen-compliant pipes is a significant step toward building the infrastructure needed to realize this vision.
To achieve the ambitious targets set under the National Hydrogen Mission, collaboration between the government, private sector, and research institutions will be essential. Significant investments in research and development, infrastructure development, and policy support will be required to scale up hydrogen production and distribution. Tata Steel’s innovation demonstrates the potential for Indian companies to lead the way in developing solutions for the global clean energy transition.
Category | Details |
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Why in News? | Tata Steel has become the first Indian company to develop hydrogen-compliant pipes for transporting 100% gaseous hydrogen, supporting India’s clean energy transition and the National Hydrogen Mission. |
Product Details | – API X65 pipes designed for high-pressure (100 bar) hydrogen transport. – Developed at Khopoli plant using steel from Kalinganagar facility. – Successfully tested ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) pipes for hydrogen transportation. |
Significance | – Supports India’s National Hydrogen Mission and aligns with global clean energy goals. – First Indian steel company to manufacture hot-rolled steel for hydrogen transport (2024). – Helps establish hydrogen transportation infrastructure for India’s future energy needs. |
Hydrogen Demand & Future Growth | – India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030, with potential to scale up to 10 MMT. – Demand for hydrogen-compliant steel is expected to rise from 2026-27, with a projected need of 350,000 tonnes of steel over the next 5-7 years. |
Advantages of Steel Pipelines for Hydrogen Transport | – Cost-effective and efficient for large-scale distribution. – Designed to handle high pressure and corrosion resistance. – Enables safe and reliable hydrogen transport for industries, power generation, and manufacturing. |
Tata Steel’s Commitment to Innovation | – Leader in developing advanced steel grades. – Contributing to India’s clean energy transition. – Ready to meet domestic and global demand for hydrogen-compliant pipes. |
Future of Hydrogen in India | – India is building a hydrogen economy with focus on production, storage, transportation, and utilization. – Requires collaboration between government, private sector, and research institutions. – Significant investments needed in R&D, infrastructure, and policy support to scale up hydrogen distribution. |
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