Holcim generates power from garbage material

Cassandra Abeynaike

For the first time agriculture waste is being used to generate power in the cement manufacturing processes by Holcim Lanka Limited.

Chairman Holcim, Manilal Fernando speaking to Daily News Business at the launch of Holcim Lanka Ltd's new product, Holcim Extra at Water's Edge last Friday said that they are using, rice husks, straw, agri waste and other garbage material to generate power. 'This initiative has helped the company to reduce production cost by almost 30%,' he said.

Fernando said that they are also currently doing research to save more energy by way of using building material waste to generate energy.

Asked why this benefit cannot be given to the customer he said that even though they like to do that they have various other overheads which results in an annual loss Rs. 850 million to the company. 'However due to energy saving we have been able to keep the prices stable,' he added.