India’s tea production is concentrated in the hilly districts of Assam, West Bengal, and the Western Ghats regions of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. As one of the world’s top tea-consuming countries, with 80% of its tea consumed domestically, India’s tea production in 2020 reached an impressive 1,257.52 million kg. The critical steps in tea production—such as withering, rolling, and drying tea leaves—demand high-temperature processing, traditionally powered by coal. However, the industry is actively seeking alternative power sources due to the recent surge in coal prices.
Traditional Dependency on Coal for Tea Production
About 450 tea factories in North Bengal rely entirely on coal, contributing to 30% of India’s total tea production. Historically, coal has been supplied to these regions from Raniganj, Asansol, and Indonesia. The cost of coal, once available at Rs 8,000 per metric tonne, has skyrocketed to over Rs 21,000 per tonne. To produce just one kilo of tea, around 1.125 kilos of coal is require, resulting in an enormous demand for 8.79 lakh tonnes of coal annually for tea production in Bengal and Assam.
The traditional tea manufacturing method is heavily coal-dependent, particularly in the withering and drying stages, accounting for 90% of the tea factory’s total heat consumption. Unfortunately, coal-fired systems are inefficient and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating global warming.
The Solution: Conversion of Coal-Fired Heaters to Biomass
Biomass fuel presents an excellent alternative to fossil fuels, especially from an environmental perspective. Biomass resources can be replenish relatively quickly, and thus the energy from biomass is renewable. By replacing fossil fuels with biomass, we can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Recognizing the need for a cleaner, more sustainable energy source, Steamax has developed an innovative biomass fuel blend called “Astillas.” This unique blend generates fewer emissions than other fuels, burns cleaner, and offers superior combustion characteristics.
How Is Astillas Different from Traditional Biomass Fuel?
- High Calorific Value: Astillas boast a calorific value exceeding 4200 Kcal/Kg, with low moisture content (<10%) and minimal ash content (<2%). It ensures that Astillas burns more efficiently than other fuels due to its lower bulk density and higher energy output.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Astillas are produce using low-cost, locally source biomass materials such as cashew shells, de-oiled cashew cake, sawdust, groundnut shells, and seasoned wood chips. This localized sourcing keeps costs down and ensures the fuel’s sustainability.
- Reusable Packaging: Astillas comes in reusable bags design for durability and ease of storage, ensuring the fuel can be handle with minimal environmental impact.
- Safe Composition: The oil content in Astillas is below 8%, which means the fuel blend is free of anacardic acid and phenol, making it safer for use in industrial applications.
Conclusion
At Steamax, our top priority is developing innovative, cost-effective biomass fuels that meet the needs of various industries. With the introduction of Astillas, we offer a sustainable alternative to coal that can help India’s tea industry reduce its carbon footprint and production costs. For more information about Astillas and how it can benefit your operations, feel free to contact us.
