India, Norway explore green technologies to manage industrial waste

India and Norway are exploring joint research initiatives and technology solutions to convert industrial and construction waste into valuable resources, with a focus on promoting circular economy practices and sustainable construction, according to agency reports.
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’ at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on Tuesday.The dialogue brought together representatives from CSIR institutes, Norwegian research organisations, regulatory authorities and the cement and construction industries to explore collaborative research opportunities and develop practical solutions for waste management and resource recovery.
The initiative is part of the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Norway, established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway in May 2026. The partnership focuses on strengthening cooperation in circular economy practices, clean technology and scientific research.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.
Discussions focused on developing joint technology-oriented research proposals involving CSIR institutes, SINTEF and industry partners to translate scientific research into practical and scalable solutions.
Highlighting the need to transition from a linear to a circular economy, Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar emphasised the importance of converting construction and industrial waste into useful resources.Participants explored potential applications of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, steel slag, fly ash, red mud and other industrial residues in construction materials. They also discussed challenges related to processing technologies, standardisation, economic viability and market acceptance.
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 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 an inventory of legacy POPs.
SINTEF shared international experience on the use of cement kilns to destroy hazardous organic contaminants under controlled high-temperature conditions while replacing conventional fossil fuels with waste-derived alternative fuels.Participants also emphasised the need for appropriate technical protocols, controlled industrial trials, emission monitoring and regulatory compliance to ensure safe waste treatment.Research initiatives from CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI) highlighted opportunities to utilise 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.

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 highlighted the potential applications of slags and other industrial by-products in construction materials, underlining the importance of their sustainable utilisation.
The dialogue identified several priority areas for future India–Norway cooperation, including the development of two to three joint research proposals, pilot-scale demonstration projects for hazardous waste treatment, technical guidelines for disposing of DDT- and PCB-contaminated waste, and research into waste-derived construction materials.The discussions also emphasised strengthening industry–academia partnerships to accelerate the adoption of innovative waste management technologies. The programme 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.