Understanding the waste management scenario and exploring the scope of co-processing in cement kilns in Karnataka
Student name: Ms Nikita Magan and Ms Pramila Dagar
Guide: Dr Nandini Kumar
Year of completion: 2011
Host Organisation: ACC Limited
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Ms Shamistha Nandi
Abstract: Disposal of waste today is one of the major concerns for any developing country, as it also
causes degradation of environment and health. There is an urgent need to improve waste
management and one effective solution for industrial waste management is co-processing which
refers to the use of waste materials in energy intensive industrial processes, such as cement, steel
production, power stations. This waste could be used as a source of alternate fuel or raw
material. This study aims at exploring and assessing the business potential, environmental,
economic and social benefits of co-processing industrial waste in the cement sector. Industrial
waste has been mapped in the state of Karnataka. Data was collected from 52 industries and
analyzed to assess the feasibility of co-processing the waste in cement kilns. In each region,
potential companies were identified based on the size of their production capacity and waste
generation capacity so as to assess the characteristics of waste generated. Also another analysis
was done to study the mindset of the waste generators in each study area.
The results reflected that there was an enormous potential for co-processing in this state and
also that co-processing till now is the best and safest industrial waste disposal option.
Key points: Co-processing, industrial waste, alternate fuels and raw materials,
cement sector, Karnataka.
