Kolkata, 14th December 2022: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) organised 5th Cementing India Conference to discuss decarbonisation of the cement sector and transitioning into low carbon economy. The session witnessed valuable insights from Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon'ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, Mr. Manoj K Rustagi, Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer, JSW Cement, Mr. Vedant Agarwal, Director, Purbanchal Cement Ltd, Mr. Anil Banchhor, Managing Director & CEO, RDC Concrete (India) Pvt Ltd, Mr. Yaswant Mishra, President (Corporate) and Chief Financial Officer, Mangalam Cement, Mr. Nilotpol Kar, Managing Director MBCC India, Mr. Madhusudan Rasiraju, Country Head, IKN Engineering India Pvt Ltd and Mr. Sanjay Bhalla, CEO, MAPEI India.
Commenting on the ongoing trends in sustainable research, Chief Guest, Hon'ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises, Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal, Dr. Shashi Panja, said“ The Research and Development industry is witnessing a surge, so innovation in technology should be our prime concern. Cement is the second most used resource by us after water. We now know the importance of electric scooters, electric cars and battery trucks which have a lot of room to contribute to our environment. According to reports, China is leading the industry in the cement sector but the Indian government is taking initiatives to reduce the consumption. Industrial research will help us to understand solutions for carbon emission, carbon storage, and waste management.”
Speaking on the sustainable aspects of concrete, Chief Sustainability & Innovation Officer, JSW Cement, Mr. Manoj K Rustagi, said,”Concrete is the most used material across the world, as it is a sustainable construction material. Challenges that we are facing in India on infrastructural consumption are going high. Firstly, it is very important to understand manufacturing with raw materials like calcium carbonate. We should reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, tyre and other resources and alternatively use raw material which has calcium oxide. Through this method we will be able to grow sustainably. The best example of this is the use of clinkers which best substitutes cement and helps in ecological development.”
Commenting on the sector, Director, Purbanchal Cement Ltd, Mr. Vedant Agarwal, said, “ Cement as a commodity has brought a brighter future for industrial development. There will be constant innovation and eventually we would shift to the green cement supply. The concerns today are coal shortage, raw material price and increase in fossil fuel emission. Therefore our company is the first to concentrate on improvement in technology to change the ratio of getting better results, which has already started in the north-eastern states.”
Speaking on the upcoming opportunities in the sector, Managing Director & CEO, RDC Concrete (India) Pvt Ltd, Mr. Anil Banchhor, said, “There are a lot of opportunities due to the government's focus on infrastructure and innovation. Decarbonization in the concrete industry because of sustainable production and reduction of carbon footprints. Use of pure OPC, PBC and GGBS cement leads to 50 percent reduction of carbon footprints. CNG, bigger size trucks and battery trucks are the most effective methods for contributing to the reduction. West Bengal has a huge market in the cement industry.”
Commenting at the event, President (Corporate) and Chief Financial Officer, Mangalam Cement, Mr. Yaswant Mishra, said, “We mostly focus on man-made materials but unfortunately they are harmful to us and our environment. COP is concentrating on clinker as a prime alternative. Firstly, we should educate the people of our country about the type of resources used in building infrastructure. Since 2020, it has come to notice that there is a need to improve the research and development industry.“
Speaking about Clinkers, CEO, MAPEI India, Mr. Sanjay Bhalla, said, "It has always been our responsibility to look into what is best for our environment. So we have come up with products with zero carbon emission. We must always focus on making a better future through less carbon footprint and recycling the waste emitted from the cement industry. Therefore, Clinkers is the best solution to this industry as a great substitute to cement, which is also contributing to environmental development."
Commenting on recent developments, Managing Director MBCC India, Mr Nilotpol Kar, said, " When you burn fuel, there is a waste pile of bottom ash. If It can be utilised then it will be a great achievement for all of us. Sustainability is durability and with less repair, low carbon economy, lifecycle management, and eco efficiency, we can attain it. So, if we make use of more concrete, the manufacturing sector is going to last longer. "
Focusing on company initiatives to reduce carbon footprint, Country Head, IKN Engineering India Pvt Ltd, Mr Madhusudan Rasiraju, said, "In our organization, we focus on reduction in power consumption, cooler heaters, metallic parts, etc. In the current condition, we are implementing the Konda effect and Pendulum support system, due to which we have reduced carbon emission by 124 million tonnes. We are saving about 23.5 MW of power and decreasing coal consumption."
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