Holcim to purchase fly ash from local power plant

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Holcim Lanka has agreed with the authorities of Kerawalapitiya power plant to purchase fly ash when the power plant becomes fully operational next year.

Holcim Lanka Chief Executive Officer Stefan Huber said that fly ash is a very expensive material that Sri Lanka does not produce at present and it is too costly to import.

But it will be a disposing item for the power plant and Holcim Lanka can purchase them adding value to their products.

"It is not possible to predict at present how much fly ash the plant will generate and when the project becomes fully operational. Holcim Lanka will discuss this matter with the authorities by the end of this year.

Huber said that Holcim Lanka is on a strong footing to promote sustainability construction in Sri Lanka with the primary objective of non-commercial promotion and development of sustainable construction at national level and invited Sri Lankan engineers, architects and planners, to adopt sustainable parameters for all of their building projects.

Holcim Foundation's General Manager Edward Schwarz announcing the third cycle of Holcim Awards by the Holcim Foundation said that the industry is moving fast towards sustainable construction in some parts of the world.

He said Sri Lanka can be better in participating at the competition to be seen by international communities.

Prof Ashok Lal from India spoke about the concepts of sustainable construction with examples from around the world and J.P. Desai on sustainable material in construction. He focused on special cements produced using mineral components that help reduce Co2 thereby reducing the impact on climate change.

The Holcim Foundation released its latest publication titled "Clothing factory in Sri Lanka" written on the MAS Intimates Thurulie Iconic Green manufacturing plant.