Coal is primarily used as a fuel to generate electricity in thermal power plants, accounting for a significant percentage of global and national energy production[4][8]. When combusted, coal produces steam that drives turbines to generate electric power[1].
Coking coal is essential in the production of steel, where it is converted to coke and used as a reducing agent in smelting iron ore[1][3]. Steel, a critical material for infrastructure and transportation, relies heavily on this process.
Coal is also vital for cement manufacturing, providing about 90% of the energy consumed by cement plants worldwide. It takes between 200-450 kg of coal to produce one ton of cement, making coal indispensable to the global construction industry[1][3].
Various chemical and pharmaceutical products are derived from coal by-products. Refined coal tar is processed into chemicals such as creosote oil, naphthalene, phenol, and benzene, while ammonia gas recovered from coke ovens is used to manufacture fertilizers and nitric acid[1][7].
Coal has significant applications in the production of aluminum, paper, and glass, serving as both an energy source and a raw material for key industrial processes[5][7]. For example, over 60% of energy used for aluminum comes from coal.
Coal can be converted into synthetic gases or liquids through gasification and liquefaction, which can then be used as alternative fuels or processed into chemicals such as methanol and hydrogen[1][2]. Additionally, coal-derived fuels and electricity support the growth of the transportation sector, notably by enabling rail and infrastructure projects[7].
Other notable uses include the production of activated carbon (used in filtration and purification), silicon metals (for lubricants and resins), and even pharmaceuticals, soaps, dyes, plastics, fibers, and building materials[7][8]. Gypsum, a coal combustion byproduct, is utilized in wallboard production, and coal-based research aims to develop advanced carbon materials, such as synthetic graphite and carbon fibers[8].
While coal remains integral to many industries, its environmental impact has led to efforts in developing cleaner technologies and alternative uses, such as high-efficiency low emission power generation and carbon capture and storage[1].