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High ambitions,
big challenges
‘ T h i s i s t h e c e n t u r y o f I n d i a ’
Optimism about India’s recycling future dominated the latest conference organ-
ised the sector’s national body MRAI. India is witnessing more car shredders,
increased collections and the establishment of dedicated recycling zones across
the country. At the same time, major challenges remain to be tackled.
‘This is the century of India, we’ll show
the world what the best practices of a
circular economy look like,’ a proud
Indian delegate told the 10th
International Material Recycling
Conference in Kochi in the deep south
of the country.
Attended by recyclers and scrap trad-
ers from all over the world, with the
majority from India and the Gulf
region, the conference and trade
show is gaining authority every year.
What’s more, with ‘circularity’ in this
part of the world now becoming a
popular buzz word, India’s recycling
sector is witnessing growing support
at the highest levels of government.
TARGET: 50% SCRAP USE
Ministers are pressing primary steel
producers to ramp up the use of scrap
in their processes to contribute
towards a circular economy. By 2047,
steel production should be 50% scrap-
based, up from the current 15%,
India’s steel minister Jyotiraditya
Scindia told the conference. India
aims to cut CO2 emissions in steel
production by half by 2030 and
Scindia believes the country’s recy-
cling sector can play a crucial role.
‘Scrap is an extremely important
source,’ he said. ‘The scrap percent-
age for steel production should go up
to 50% with the other 50% dependent
on iron ore.’
His commitment was welcomed by the
2 000-plus delegates including MRAI
president Sanjay Mehta. ‘We are
extremely happy with the minister’s
support,’ he told Recycling
International on the sidelines of the
event. ‘The fact that the government
is represented here in Kochi by the
person most responsible proves its
A U T H O R / P H O T O S Martijn Reintjes
Waiting for the Kochi-Trivandrum train to pass at a railroad crossing in the south of India. India’s economy is expected to grow by 7% this year.
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