There is a need for granting renewable energy status for co-generation of power through waste-heat recovery by cement plants, according to N.A. Vishwanathan, Secretary-General, Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA).
In his special address at the ninth edition of Green Cementech 2013 here on Thursday, the CMA functionary said Indian cements plants are trend-setters in energy conservation measures.
India is the second largest producer of cement in the world after China with 248 million tonnes produce in 2011-12, he said.
G. Jayaraman, Chairman of the conference and Executive President of Birla Corporation Ltd, said that the cement industry is a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (total value of goods and services produced in a country in a given year).
The two-day conference is being organised by the CII-Green Business Centre and CMA. It has about 80 presentations from industry experts.