Researchers are trying to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the manufacture of cement by finding alternatives to limestone

AS THE cement industry reels under high raw materials cost and reduced coal linkages, companies are exploring for alternative options such as rubber tyres and rice husk as substitutes for main inputs.

In first phase, nine sectors identified to improve efficiency.

Towards efficiency

On the lines of emissions trading, the new scheme aims at maximising energy savings nationally in the most cost-effective manner.

Those managing to better their targets will be allowed to sell energy saving credits to those failing to achieve the required cuts.

Anil Sasi

New Delhi, May 2

Shortfall Of Key Inputs, Hike In Diesel Prices Could Negate Effects Of Oversupply
Mithun Roy MUMBAI

CEMENT prices could rise again this month-end, the second hike on the trot in less than a month presaging many more this year as a dearth of key inputs and transportation woes threaten to negate the odds of an oversupply in the next quarter.

East Africa should tap its large cogeneration potential, burning waste from its sugar and tea output to cut reliance on hydro power, which is increasingly hit by drought, an energy analyst said on Wednesday.

Much maligned for causing pollution, cement plants in the state will soon generate environment-friendly power from waste heat which will not only enable them to earn carbon credits, but also reduce emissions.

The first such power plant is being set up by the ACC Cement manufacturing unit at Barmana which produces 45 lakh tonnes of cement and clinker annually.

The government is fully committed to replace the mercury based technology into environment friendly technology to avert its harmful impact, Minister for Environment, Hamidullah Jan Afridi said on Thursday.

Fifty miles east of Los Angeles, a small and inconspicuous facility is using something most of us would rather not think about -- household sewage -- to create a resource we can't live without -- fuel.