India-Norway Dialogue on Waste to Resource Solutions in Cement and Construction Sector
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, together with SINTEF and Research Council of Norway organized the India–Norway Dialogue on "Waste to Resource Solutions in the Cement and Construction Sector" on 10 November 2026 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The event brought together representatives from CSIR Institutes, SINTEF, regulatory authorities, and the cement and construction industries to explore collaborative approaches for sustainable waste management and resource recovery.
The dialogue was conducted in alignment with the India-Norway Green Strategic Partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Norway in May, which focuses on circular economy, clean technology, and research cooperation. The inaugural session featured addresses by Dr. Rama Swami Bansal (Head, ISTAD, CSIR Headquarters), Dr. Arvinn Gadgil (Royal Norwegian Embassy), Dr. Kåre Helge Karstensen (Chief Scientist, SINTEF), and Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar (Director, CSIR-CBRI).
Technical discussions focused on the transition from linear to circular economy and transforming construction and industrial waste into valuable resources. Specific waste streams discussed included construction and demolition (C&D) waste, steel slag, fly ash, red mud, and other industrial residues. Challenges identified included processing technologies, standardization, economic viability, and market acceptance.
A dedicated session on "Safe destruction of POPs and hazardous waste" explored cement kiln co-processing for environmentally sound treatment of hazardous wastes including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), DDT, and PCB-contaminated materials. CSIR-NEERI presented India's National Implementation Plan under Stockholm Convention commitments, the 2025 CDW Rules, and legacy POPs inventory. SINTEF highlighted international experiences demonstrating cement kilns' potential to destroy hazardous organic contaminants under controlled high-temperature conditions while substituting conventional fossil fuels with waste-derived alternative fuels.
Research initiatives from CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-AMPRI showcased opportunities for utilizing fly ash, copper slag, red mud, plastic waste, steel grit, and other industrial by-products in road construction, geopolymer concrete, specialized aggregates, and value-added construction products. Dr. Christian John Engelsen of SINTEF highlighted international best practices in C&D waste recycling, including recycled aggregate-based construction products, mobile recycling units, and improved processing techniques for removing impurities.
The dialogue identified several priority areas for future collaboration, including development of two to three joint India–Norway research proposals, pilot-scale demonstration projects for hazardous waste treatment, technical guidelines for DDT and PCB-contaminated waste disposal, advancement of waste-derived construction materials, and strengthening industry–academia partnerships. The program concluded with emphasis on strengthening bilateral research cooperation, promoting circular construction practices, and accelerating transition toward sustainable, resource-efficient cement and construction sectors.