Indian steelmaker JSW Steel has joined Responsible Steel, the only global multi-stakeholder standard and certification initiative for responsibly sourced and produced steel.

JSW is part of the US$22 billion JSW Group and is claimed to be expanding across markets with innovation, digitalization and sustainability as 'key anchors', according to Responsible Steel, and is executing its strategic growth plan in line with growing steel demand.

"The wide spectrum of innovation, robust ESG commitments, and a drive to be #BetterEveryday, enable JSW to consistently create responsible value, for everyone," says Responsible Steel.

"The wide spectrum of innovation, robust ESG commitments, and a drive to be #BetterEveryday, enable JSW to consistently create responsible value, for everyone,"

Responsible Steel.

Annie Heaton, CEO of Responsible Steel, commented: "We are delighted that JSW has joined Responsible Steel as a member and very much welcome the commitment to sustainability standards this represents."

Heaton said it was another great example of leadership in the steel industry. "By joining us, JSW is committing to achieving certification against the ResponsibleSteel International standard, which in the world of decarbonization and ESG has no equal," she added.

According to Heaton, 'certification of a steelmaking site requires hard work across the board to integrate not only decarbonization plans into the site's strategy but all material environmental and social improvements, which means investment and technological know-how plus a strong commitment from the company's management and its employees'.

JSW Steel has set ambitious targets, says Responsible Steel, for reducing its specific CO2 emissions by 42% by 2030 (from 2005). The Indian steelmaker is aligning its target with the Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS) of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and India's Nationally Determined Contributions.

Seshagiri Rao, JMD and group CFO, commented: "The move to join ResponsibleSteel is to collaborate and work with other businesses in creating values, tools and policies, to accelerate the growth of the steel industry in a sustainable manner."

"The move to join ResponsibleSteel is to collaborate and work with other businesses in creating values, tools and policies, to accelerate the growth of the steel industry in a sustainable manner."

Seshagiri Rao, JMD and group CFO of JSW Steel.

Rao said that the plan was to enhance sustainability within the company's supply chain so that customers can feel confident that the steel they are using has been sourced and produced responsibly at every stage. "At JSW we understand our responsibility towards making our planet better and are happy to join ResponsibleSteel to demonstrate our commitment through participating in the international certification programme."

Heaton commented: "We look forward to working with JSW as they move forward on their journey of decarbonization and sustainable development."

The January/February 2023 edition, of Steel Times International, which is out next week, carries a nine-page 'long read' examining the work of ResponsibleSteel.