Deadline Date: February 22, 2026
The Greenovation Challenge on Green Steel invites innovators and researchers to develop and pilot solutions that can transform the steel industry’s carbon footprint.
The challenge focuses on Energy Efficiency with Process Optimisation, including process optimisation, waste heat recovery, and advanced digitalised furnaces to reduce costs and emissions; Renewable Energy Integration, aimed at transitioning steel production processes to renewable energy sources; Scrap Value Chain Improvements, covering scrap recycling, by-product utilisation, and waste minimisation strategies; Financial Mechanism, designed to de-risk early solutions and accelerate India’s transition to green steel; and Other Innovations for Decarbonization, such as hydrogen-based steel production, carbon capture, and other breakthrough technologies for emissions reduction.
Steel production contributes 7–9% of global CO₂ emissions, making decarbonisation urgent, and India aims to achieve net-zero by 2070 while targeting 300 million tons of steel production by 2030. The Ministry of Steel has pioneered a green steel taxonomy, positioning early adopters for alignment with evolving global standards. Green steel is poised to command a premium in international markets, with compliance to CBAM and ESG benchmarks becoming increasingly essential.
The challenge offers a pilot-to-scale pathway with live industrial testbeds across states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh, providing innovators the opportunity to de-risk and validate solutions before large-scale implementation. Participants can compete for non-dilutive cash prizes, including up to INR 12 lakhs in the Innovator Category, INR 3 lakhs in the Research and R&D Category, and an additional INR 10 lakhs for pilot project execution.
Beyond funding, the Greenovation Challenge provides mentorship, strategic guidance from industry leaders, communications and branding support, fundraising advice, and organisational management coaching. Capacity-building programs include energy efficiency workshops, renewable energy integration training, technology deployment strategies, and market readiness programs. Participants also gain networking opportunities with government agencies, industry partners, and investors, fostering collaborations to scale solutions.
The challenge is open to passionate innovators, technology providers, R&D institutions, and researchers focused on clean technologies that are scalable, industry-ready, and applicable to the Indian context. Eligible solutions range from prototypes and pilot-tested innovations to market-ready technologies, with a proven track record in clean technology adoption and readiness for industrial implementation.
For more information, visit EarthON Foundation.
