New Delhi-based TARA organises Information Day event in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 27:  On behalf of the LC3 Project Team, TARA (Technology and Action for Rural Advancement), New Delhi recently organised an Information Day event in Kathmandu, with strong support from Nepal Cement Manufacturers Association (NCMA), MinErgy and Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS).

The objective of the workshop was to communicate the technical, environmental, operational, and financial advantages of an innovative ternary cement made with a combination of clinker, calcined clays, and limestone (LC3). With the participation from officials of the Department of Mines and Geology, Department of Industry, Nepal Bureau of Standards and Meteorology, Cement companies, and other multi-laterals organizations, the event shared the progress of LC3 in India and other countries.

Chief Guest, Dr. Toya Narayan Gyawali, Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Govt. of Nepal, said, “The benefits of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) are supportive and instrumental for the Nepal Cement Industry and there is a fair interest of the Nepali governent in taking this forward”. Ms. Silvana Hogg, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland, Nepal, addressed the audience and shared the role of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in supporting the research and dissemination of the technology. Prof. Karen Scrivener, EPFL, gave the keynote address and provided details about the technology.

Shri. Dhruba Thapa, President, NCMA added, “LC3 is a perfect example of how international collaboration can rapidly bring sustainable technologies from the laboratory to the market. The cement companies in Nepal are very much interested to adopt the technology and knowing the feasibility of kaolinitic clays”.

The event witnessed great interest from the audience during the technical session, wherein Prof. Shashank Bishnoi, IITD shared the technical relevance of LC3. Prof. Radhakrishna Pillai from IITM shared the details on the performance of LC3 in concretes. Elaborating on the need for sustainable construction materials (LC3), Dr. Soumen Maity (TARA, New Delhi) shared the Techno-economic feasibility of LC3 and possible resource availability in the Nepal region

. To showcase their experiences in the cement industry, Dr. S.K.Saxena, Sr.Vice President (Works) at JK Lakshmi Cements Ltd., Sirohi, Rajasthan joined the event virtually. The event ended with fair motivation towards the adoption of the technology by the government and cement industries and initiating the feasibility studies for the raw materials in Nepal.