India and Norway are strengthening research cooperation to transform industrial and construction waste into useful resources. The initiative aims to promote circular economy practices, improve waste management and develop sustainable construction materials through joint technological solutions.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), along with Norway’s SINTEF and the Research Council of Norway, organised the India–Norway Dialogue on “Waste to Resource Solutions in the Cement and Construction Sector” at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
The dialogue was organised under the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Norway, established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway in May 2026.
Representatives from CSIR institutes, Norwegian research organisations, regulatory authorities and the cement and construction industries participated in the discussions.
The main objective was to develop joint research proposals and practical solutions that can convert scientific findings into scalable industrial applications.
Participants explored the potential of cement kiln co-processing to safely treat suitable hazardous waste, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and materials contaminated with DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
CSIR-NEERI presented India’s National Implementation Plan under the Stockholm Convention, along with the 2025 Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules and information on legacy POPs.
SINTEF shared international experience on using cement kilns under controlled high-temperature conditions to destroy hazardous organic contaminants while replacing conventional fossil fuels with waste-derived alternative fuels.
Discussions also highlighted the need for technical protocols, industrial trials, emission monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Research teams from CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-AMPRI presented opportunities to use industrial by-products such as fly ash, copper slag, red mud, plastic waste and steel grit in road construction, geopolymer concrete, specialised aggregates and other construction products.
Another session examined construction and demolition waste recycling, including recycled aggregate-based products, mobile recycling units and improved processing methods to remove impurities.
These technologies could help reduce the disposal of industrial residues while supporting the development of resource-efficient construction materials.
The dialogue identified several priority areas for future cooperation, including:
- Developing two to three joint research proposals.
- Conducting pilot-scale demonstrations for hazardous waste treatment.
- Preparing technical guidelines for DDT- and PCB-contaminated waste.
- Developing waste-derived construction materials.
- Strengthening partnerships between industry and research institutions.
