Coal is primarily associated with fuel generation and people tend to limit their knowledge to only this. However, this carbon rich fossil provides you with a myriad of applications that act as the basic necessity for multiple industries. It is an element that fuelled the growth of the Industrial Revolution back in the 15th and 16th centuries and it continues to do so till date.
Coal serves as the backbone for industries like cement, steel and even electricity. Even though we are now focussing on renewable sources of energy such as water, wind and solar, coal without a doubt, leads the way with its contribution in the industrial world. KCT Group, one of India’s oldest and largest coal logistics companies, led by Varun Thapar have contributed to the way coal is transported to different industries across the country. Let’s take a look at some of the industries that are supported by coal and its products.
Electricity Production: Electricity production is one of the most common use of coal. Popularly known as thermal coal or steam coal, it is used in almost all power stations across the country to produce electricity.
Steel Industry: This is the second largest coal using industry in India. Coal is one of the basic and most essential raw material for steel production. It is also used for the manufacturing of other metal products.
Paper and Aluminium Industry: Both paper and aluminium industries require a huge quantity of energy and fuel for their functioning and only coal can match this requirement. Coal is also the cheapest form of energy that makes it an essential part for the industries growth.
Cement Industry: Production of cement is a very high energy consuming industry. This is why coal is used for the source of energy in these production units. Powdered form of coal is burnt which produces fly ash that plays the role of concrete in the cement. Although the use of coal in cement is comparatively less, it makes for an essential component that most production units cannot function without.
Coal Gas or Liquid: These are the two things used as transportation fuel and almost all the modern day functions are dependent on these substances.
Pharma and Chemical Industry: There are a number of chemical products, such as coal tar, that are a by-product of coal and are used in manufacturing other coal related products. It is a common raw material in the pharma world as well given its acidic properties that produce salicylic acid, nitro phenol and picric acid. Some of the chemicals produced by coal are phenol, benzene and creosote oil.
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