India and Norway Hold Joint Dialogue on Industrial Waste Management

India, Norway Brainstorm in New Delhi on Producing Construction Materials from Industrial Waste

An India-Norway dialogue was held in New Delhi to convert waste into resources in the cement and construction sectors. CSIR and Norwegian experts discussed joint technologies.

By TOR News Desk · News Desk, Jaipur

Published: 11 November 2026 at 4:03 pm · Updated: 11 November 2026 at 5:11 pm · 2 min read

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India and Norway have deliberated on joint technologies to transform industrial waste into valuable resources in the cement and construction sectors. According to an official press release, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), along with SINTEF and the Research Council of Norway, organised the dialogue at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

Representatives from various CSIR laboratories, SINTEF, regulatory authorities, and the construction industry participated in the dialogue held on the theme 'Waste to Resource Solutions in the Cement and Construction Sectors'. Its primary objective was to explore a shared vision for sustainable waste management and resource recovery.

Circular Economy and Utilisation of Industrial Residues

Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, Director of CSIR-CBRI, emphasised transitioning from a linear economy to a circular economy. During the session, detailed deliberations were held on the potential uses of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, steel slag, fly ash, red mud, and other industrial residues.

Experts also highlighted challenges related to processing technologies, standardisation, economic feasibility, and their market acceptability. CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-AMPRI demonstrated through their research how fly ash, copper slag, plastic waste, and steel grit can be utilised in road construction, geopolymer concrete, and the production of specialised aggregates.

Safe Disposal of Hazardous Waste

The technical session discussed the safe treatment of hazardous waste contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs), DDT, and PCBs. Dr. Kåre Helge Karstensen, Chief Scientist at SINTEF, and Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Chief Scientist at CSIR-NEERI, shared the potential of co-processing in cement kilns.

International experiences presented by SINTEF highlighted that hazardous pollutants can be destroyed at controlled high temperatures. Additionally, alternative fuels derived from waste can be used in cement kilns instead of conventional fossil fuels.

Future Roadmap

According to the press release, several priority areas were identified for cooperation between the two countries at the conclusion of the dialogue:

Preparing two to three joint research proposals between India and Norway.
Launching pilot-scale demonstration projects for the treatment of hazardous waste.
Formulating technical guidelines for the safe disposal of waste contaminated with DDT and PCBs.
Promoting the development of construction materials derived from waste and strengthening industry-academia partnerships.

Questions readers ask

Where and by which organisations was the India-Norway dialogue held?

The event was jointly organised at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi by CSIR, Norway's SINTEF, and the Research Council of Norway.

What was the primary objective of this dialogue?

To explore ways to convert industrial waste into valuable construction materials and alternative fuels in the cement and construction sectors under a circular economy.

What key decisions were taken for future cooperation?

An agreement was reached to prepare two to three joint research proposals, launch pilot projects for hazardous waste treatment, and formulate technical guidelines.