Co-generation of power through waste-heat recovery process in cement plants should be given renewable energy status, according to N. A. Vishwanathan, Secretary-General, Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA). The two-day conference has about 80 presentations from industry experts.
Speaking at inaugural session of Green Cementech 2013 here on Thursday, he said Indian cements plants were trendsetters in energy conservation measures.
India is the second largest producer of cement in the world after China with 248 million tonnes produced in 2011-12, he said, adding, “A proactive regulatory mechanism is the need of the hour.”
G. Jayaraman, Chairman of the conference and Executive President of Birla Corporation Ltd, said the waste-heat recovery mechanism had potential to generate about 600 MW of power. However, present capacity utilisation is only about 100 MW.
“There is (still) a long way to go,” he noted.
Referring to the green company ratings given by the Confederation of Indian Industry for eco-friendly measures, Jarayaman noted that Vasavadatta Cement is the first cement company to obtain this rating for its plants in Sedam.
He added that the cement industry is critical as it is a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product.
“If GDP has to grow at about 7.5 per cent, the cement industry’s growth should be between 12 and 15 per cent”