By Sudhindra Hathwar, Business Development Manager, Alleima India
The shift to renewable energy from fossil fuels requires new technologies and solutions for energy production, system enablers, and infrastructure. From renewable fuel production to hydrogen, wind, and carbon capture and storage, materials need to be lighter, stronger, and able to withstand higher temperatures and more corrosive atmospheres.
Renewable fuel production
Renewable fuel will drive the energy transition. Clean, high-performing renewable fuels are gaining favor for cars, trucks, and aviation. Based on renewable feedstock, such as vegetable oil, used cooking oil (UCO), and animal fats, they can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75–95% compared to fossil-based fuels.
Choosing the right materials for safe and cost-effective renewable fuel production can be critical. Whether it’s hydrogen, renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
The challenges facing the future of renewable fuel were among the key themes discussed at the recent India Energy Week 2025 (IEW) exhibition and conference held in New Delhi.
Pushing the possibilities for renewable fuel
The push toward the greater adoption of compressed biogas (CBG), hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was a key feature, reflecting the interest from the Indian government and investors in renewable energy.
Accelerating the processes of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis and solid oxide methods were highlighted as important advances for the future development of the hydrogen industry.
However, hydrogen development provides pressure and corrosion challenges, such as embrittlement. That means the materials used in the hydrogen industry must be strong and durable, able to withstand production and distribution.
Our materials make the difference. Our expertise makes it work
IEW 2025 was an opportunity to showcase our portfolio of high-quality tubular products specifically engineered for biofuel, hydrogen, and other renewable industries across production, storage, and transportation. Our advanced solutions for renewable fuel production include:
- Corrosion-resistant steel and nickel alloy tubes for hydraulic and instrumentation systems and their use in hydrogen and biofuel applications even at high temperatures and pressures.
- Heat exchanger tubes for corrosive environments such as seawater coolers, condensers, evaporators, heaters, and reheaters in the transfer of heat between two fluids, including hot geothermal water
- Sanicro® 35, our super-austenitic stainless steel built for extreme localized corrosion resistance in harsh environments, such as acids and seawater. Sanicro®35 is ideal for handling the corrosion and pressure challenges of SAF production and is an economical alternative for heat exchanger applications, compared to higher nickel alloys like C276 and alloy 625.
- Alleima® 3R60 is used for a wide range of industrial applications where grades of type ASTM 304 and 304L have insufficient corrosion resistance. Typical examples are: instrumentation lines, analyzers, pneumatic lines, and heating coils in the oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, refineries and other allied industries. Its high corrosion resistance means it’s an excellent solution for hydrogen embrittlement.
Through our manufacturing facilities at our Mehsana mill in Gujarat, western India, we empower our renewable energy customers to be at their best by manufacturing industry-leading advanced steels and special alloys that move them forward.
Engineering as a force for sustainable good
Approximately 80% of the steel in our products is recycled, and we plan to increase this to 90% by 2030. Our global electricity use is more than 96% fossil-fuel-free.
By using engineering as a force for sustainable good, we serve our customers as sustainably as possible. It’s how we work together to accelerate renewable energy in India and beyond.