Cement, Energy and Environment

Emission Norms for 502, NOx and Load Based Particulate Matter: In line with the discussions at the last Technical Committee Meeting, CMA has been making efforts to seek an audience with Hon'ble Minister, MOEF&CC. A request from President CMA was made as early as 20 1 h May 2015. However, the appointment could not materialize. While CMA is continuing its efforts to impress upon the authorities on the implications and the difficulties in meeting the notified Norms, MoEF & CC have meanwhile issued draft emission standards for Thermal Power Plants for comments. Co-Processing of Wastes as Alternate Fuel: CMA and representatives of its Member Companies (Lafarge, India Cements and Ultra Tech Cement) participated in a Meeting convened by Shri Shailendra Singh, Joint Secretary, DIPP on 3rd June 2015 to prepare a road map for co-processing of Hazardous and non-hazardous wastes of Cement Industry and understand the problems faced by the Cement Industry in this regard. In the Meeting, co-processing of Alternate Fuels and Raw Materials (AFRs) offering a very attractive solution that not only holds the promise of reducing industry's dependence on coal and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also provides an effective means of addressing some of the pressing local environmental issues being faced by India, was highlighted. Co-processing is an acceptable technology for effective utilization of wastes and an optimal option considering costs of other alternatives like landfi lls, incinerators, etc. As the process of trial is difficult, time consuming and different trials require different kinds of wastes, the need for quick Government clearances for co-process ing was emphas ized. CMA also apprised DIPP of the unique option provided by the Cement manufacturing process, to consume a variety of waste materials in an environment-friendly manner. At present the Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR) in Indian Cement Industry is only about 1% while in many European countries it is as high as 80%. As per the 1ih Five Year Plan Working Group Report, it has been projected to achieve a TSR of 5 % by 2017, while in the Recommendations of the 2nc International Conference on AFR an even more ambitious target of 8 % by 2018 has been set, both of which seem very unlikely to be achieved unless effective steps are taken to faci litate increasing TSR. After discussions, Joint Secretary was convinced that if a particular waste material is tested for Co-processing in a plant, there is no need for testing it at another plant where the faciliti es for Co– processing exist. Based on the outcome of the Meeting, CMA is taking necessary steps for the follow- up actions. Harmonization of Classification of Industries: MOEF & CC constituted a Working Group comprising of Chairmen of State Po llution Control Boards of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, West Bengal under the Chairmanship of Chairman, CPCB with Member Secretary, CPCB as its Member Secretary, vide its Office Memorandum No. B-29012/2015-16/ESS {WG) dated 23rdApril 2015, to review and classify industrial sectors into different categories based on criteria of respective pollution potential, and submit its Report by 31 51 May 2015. As a follow-up, CMA could succeed in apprising the Member Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board and the Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Contro l Committee in person of the specific issues, and requesting for giving due consideration for re-classification .of categories and also for considering the integrated cement plants and Captive Limestone Mines under the Orange cat egory, and the Grinding Units, Blending Units and bulk t erminal s under Green Category. Subsequently, a formal request on similar lines as above was also made to all the other concerned Members of the Working Group.