A new report has revealed that industrial boilers in India emit a staggering 182 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) annually—accounting for 7% of the country’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and over 25% of all industrial emissions. Released at the National Conclave on Greening Industrial Boilers in India, the study underscores the urgent need to address pollution from this overlooked sector.
More Polluting Than Vehicles
The report, published by environment think tank iFOREST in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Uttar Pradesh Labour Department, states that industrial boilers emit more particulate matter (PM) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) than the entire transport sector in India. Weak emission standards and outdated equipment are largely to blame.
Widespread Industrial Dependence on Steam
Industries such as food processing, chemicals, and textiles rely heavily on process boilers to produce steam. India houses around 45,200 process and co-generation boilers, generating an estimated 1.26 billion tons of steam annually, according to Chandra Bhushan, CEO of iFOREST.
Aging Infrastructure Raises Efficiency and Safety Concerns
The report highlights that the average boiler age is 18 years, with 20% older than 25 years, raising red flags about safety and performance. Notably, eight states account for two-thirds of all boilers, with Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh topping the list.
Air Pollution Footprint
The boilers are responsible for 9% of industrial PM, 8% of SO₂, and 17% of nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions. PM emissions alone from boilers reach 5.2 million tonnes annually, exceeding those from the transportation sector. Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh rank as the top three polluting states.
Heavy Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Approximately 40% of boiler capacity runs on fossil fuels like coal, gas, and oil, which make up 37% of all operational boilers. Smaller boilers (up to two tons per hour) are predominantly coal-fired. Though biomass fuels such as bagasse are often considered carbon-neutral, they still contribute to air pollution when combusted inefficiently.
Call for a ‘Green Boiler Mission’
As reported by business-standard.com, to address these challenges, iFOREST has proposed launching a ‘Green Boiler Mission’ aimed at promoting cleaner energy technologies in industrial steam generation. “The decarbonisation of boilers is essential—not just for climate action, but as an economic opportunity to build a green economy and generate green jobs,” Bhushan stressed.
