A DRI plant in India and what PTI confirmed

A consortium led by CSIR-IMMT will develop India's first direct reduced iron plant running entirely on hydrogen: a 20-tonne-per-day pilot, budgeted at 207 crore rupees, with 113 crore in public support and completion expected by August 2029.

The announcement does not address the installed base. According to news agency PTI, on September 13, 2026, the same institute obtained approval for a second project, worth 20 crore rupees, to inject up to 30% hydrogen together with biochar into existing rotary kilns, presented as a transition route for plants that cannot switch over immediately.

Keeping both routes in operation protects the residual value of the existing fleet, because partial injection extends the life of assets that would otherwise be stranded early. The 100% pilot only adds up with hydrogen near 1 dollar per kilo, against around 5 dollars today, and with green steel's 200-dollar-per-tonne premium absorbed by someone.

Until that price arrives, partial injection is what turns the technology into extra service life for the plants already built.