Cement, Energy & Environment Jan-Mar 2002

INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR EMPHASISES ENERGY EFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY CEMENT TECHNOLOGIES The International Seminar on Energy and Environment in Cement Production and Sustainable Construction, held in New Delhi during 28-31January 2002, examined in detail issues related to energy conservation, productivity enhancement, process optimization, technological upgradation and environmental improvement in cement manufacture and sustainable construction. In Govt. of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, presided over the Seminar and mentioned the initiatives taken by the Government for the growth of the cement industry and economy, such as promotion of blended cements and concrete roads. More than 400 delegates including 40 from overseas countries participated in the seminar. Dr. Raman Singh releasing a Compact Disc (CD) comprisingCMA-NCBSpecial Publication and proceedings of the International Workshop on Petcoke. Under five technical sessions, 22 papers were presented and discussed. The presentations focussed on the special needs and requirements for the sustainable development of cement and cons truction industries, and the challenges to be faced during the twenty-first century, in terms of better production techniques, performance requirements with regard to quality of cement as well as environment friendly production technologies. addition, it covered utilization of industrial wastes, resource conservation, durable constructions and environment friendly and energy efficient housing. Inaugurating the Seminar, Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Dr. Raman Singh referred to the various developments taking place across the world in cement manufacture and emphasised that all new technologies should give due importance to energy conservation as well as environmental concerns. Shri S. Jagdeesan, Jt. Secretary to the 6 Highlights of the various Sessions are presented in the following paragraphs: u • Grinding technology leaders like FLS, Humboldt, Loesche, Pfeiffer, LV Technology presented a number of papers highlighting the latest advances. Plant designs in the twenty-first century would strive for simplicity in operation and maintenance, reduced wear rates and increased life of equipment. • In pyroprocessing, the spotlight was on