TARA, New Delhi holds event to share progress of LC3

KATHMANDU: TARA (Technology and Action for Rural Advancement), New Delhi on behalf of LC³ Project Team, organised Information Day event in Kathmandu, on November 24. The event was organised with support from Nepal Cement Manufacturers' Association (NCMA), Ministry of Energy and Water Resources,  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 of officials of Department of Mines and Geology, Department of Industry, Nepal Bureau of Standards and Meteorology, cement companies, and other multi-laterals organisations, the event shared the progress of LC3 in India and other countries. Chief Guest, Toya Narayan Gyawali, Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, said, “The benefits of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC³) are supportive and instrumental for the Nepal Cement Industry and there is fare interest of Government of Nepal in taking this forward.” Silvana Hogg, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland, Nepal, addressed the audience and shared the role of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in supporting the research and dissemination of the technology. In the event, Karen Scrivener, EPFL, gave the keynote address and provided details about the technology. Dhruba Thapa, President, NCMA said, “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 performance of LC3 in concretes. Elaborating on the need for sustainable construction materials (LC³), Soumen Maity (TARA, New Delhi) shared the Techno-economic feasibility of LC³ and possible resource availability in Nepal. To showcase experience in cement industry, SK Saxena, Vice President (Works) at JK Lakshmi Cements Ltd, Sirohi, Rajasthan joined the event virtually. The event ended with fair motivation towards the adoption of technology by government and cement industries and initiating the feasibility studies for the raw materials in Nepal.