Market research to study the scope of waste co-processing in cement kilns as an environment-friendly option for waste management
Student name: Ms Vinita Maindola
Guide: Dr Arun Kansal
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: Ambuja Cements Limited, New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Sandeep Kapoor
Abstract: In today’s context, development is termed synonymous with industrialization. With increasing
industrialization there is a consequential increase in the waste generation and hence there arises a
need for proper waste management. For a developing country like India, meeting the energy
requirements of the country is a priority. With the increasing population and poverty of the country,
development and in turn the usage of resources of the country cannot be ruled out. Hence what is
required is the judicial use of the resources and to look for other viable options. At this point, the use
of alternate fuels and raw material (AFR) comes to the rescue. Cement production which is seen as
one of the most energy intensive processes, serves as a good example for this. The waste from other
industries can be used as AFR thus reducing the usage of non renewable resources that would
otherwise have been consumed. This process of using AFR in the cement kilns at high temperatures
and long residence time is called as "co-processing". Ambuja Cements Ltd. under the aegis of Holcim
(world’s largest cement manufacturer) has incorporated the said process as a business development
model and as part of the sustainability initiative.
Waste market research was done for Rajasthan and different industries in areas namely Jaipur,
Bhiwadi and Jhotwara were visited. The nature of waste produced by the industries, their quantum
generation, waste management practice, and their willingness to adopt co-processing as a means of
waste disposal was found. It was seen that awareness about co-processing in Rajasthan is low and
the willingness to pay for the service is also less. The study helped in developing a potential market
for the implementation of co-processing as a sustainable waste management practice in Rajasthan.
Keywords: Co-processing, alternate fuel and raw material, Holcim, Rajasthan, waste management
