India and Norway are exploring joint research and technology solutions to convert industrial and construction waste into valuable resources, with a focus on promoting circular economy practices and sustainable construction.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration 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” on Tuesday, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The event brought together representatives from CSIR institutes, Norwegian research organisations, regulatory authorities and the cement and construction industries.
The dialogue was held in the context of the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Norway, established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway in May 2026. The partnership places emphasis on circular economy, clean technology and research cooperation.
The inaugural session was addressed by Dr. Rama Swami Bansal, Head of ISTAD at CSIR Headquarters; Dr. Arvinn Gadgil of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi; Dr. Kåre Helge Karstensen, Chief Scientist at SINTEF, Norway; and Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, Director of CSIR-CBRI, among other dignitaries.
The discussions focused on developing joint technology-oriented research proposals involving CSIR institutes, SINTEF and industry partners, with the objective of translating scientific research into practical and scalable solutions.
Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar highlighted the need to move from a linear to a circular economy by transforming construction and industrial waste into useful resources. Participants discussed the potential applications of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, steel slag, fly ash, red mud and other industrial residues. They also examined challenges involving processing technologies, standardisation, economic viability and market acceptance.
Focus on Safe Treatment of Hazardous Waste
A technical session on the safe destruction of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and hazardous waste was led by Dr. Kåre Helge Karstensen of SINTEF and Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Chief Scientist at CSIR-NEERI.
The session examined the potential of cement kiln co-processing for the environmentally sound treatment of suitable hazardous waste, including POPs and materials contaminated with DDT and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
CSIR-NEERI presented India’s National Implementation Plan under its commitments to the Stockholm Convention, along with the 2025 Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules and related regulations and the inventory of legacy POPs.
SINTEF shared international experience demonstrating how cement kilns can destroy hazardous organic contaminants under controlled high-temperature conditions while replacing conventional fossil fuels with waste-derived alternative fuels.
Participants stressed the importance of appropriate technical protocols, controlled industrial trials, emission monitoring and compliance with regulatory requirements to ensure safe waste treatment.
Industrial By-products for Roads and Construction Materials
Research initiatives from CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI) highlighted opportunities to use fly ash, copper slag, red mud, plastic waste, steel grit and other industrial by-products in road construction, geopolymer concrete, specialised aggregates and value-added construction products.
CSIR-NEERI and industry representatives also discussed the technological requirements and challenges associated with the safe management and disposal of hazardous waste.
Another session, led by Dr. Christian John Engelsen of SINTEF, focused on C&D waste recycling and international best practices. Discussions covered recycled aggregate-based construction products, mobile recycling units and improved processing techniques to remove impurities from waste materials.
Prof. S. K. Singh of CSIR-CBRI presented the potential applications of slags and other industrial by-products in construction materials, underlining the importance of their sustainable utilisation.
Joint Research and Pilot Projects Identified
The dialogue identified several priority areas for future India–Norway cooperation. These include developing two to three joint research proposals, undertaking pilot-scale demonstration projects for hazardous waste treatment, preparing technical guidelines for the disposal of DDT- and PCB-contaminated waste, advancing waste-derived construction materials and strengthening industry–academia partnerships.
The programme concluded with a shared commitment to deepen bilateral research and technological cooperation, promote circular construction practices and accelerate the transition towards sustainable and resource-efficient cement and construction sectors.