The Institution of Engineers (India), Bhilai Local Centre, along with the Chhattisgarh Chapter of the Indian Institution of Plant Engineers (IIPE), held a Round Table panel discussion on April 27, at Engineers Bhawan, Civic Centre Bhilai. The theme was "Solid Waste Management in Metallurgical Industries – Issues and Challenges." Several industry experts, including Rajiv Verma, Anoop Kumar Dutta, Subhas Ganguly, Abhishek Dubey, Manju Haridas, AN Singh, and Puneet Choubey participated as panelists. In the welcome address, Basant Sahu emphasized the importance of solid waste management due to the concentration of iron, bauxite, and copper industries across central and eastern India. He noted the environmental and economic value of waste management in steel and aluminium sectors.

 

Rajiv Verma pointed out challenges with BOF and EAF slag disposal in the steel industry and said that adopting green hydrogen could reduce solid waste. Anoop Kumar Dutta recalled earlier challenges of slag disposal and highlighted the use of slag in cement and sand production as a major step forward. He also mentioned that biochar is being tested as a substitute for coke breeze in sinter plants.

 

Dr. Subhas Ganguly stressed the need to distinguish between hazardous and non-hazardous waste and the importance of aiming for zero solid discharge. He encouraged collaboration between industries, academia, and research institutions to develop low-waste technologies. Abhishek Dubey highlighted the challenges of red mud in alumina refineries. He shared that Vedanta introduced red mud filtration in India, producing dry waste now used in cement and construction, thus reducing environmental impact. Moderator Manju Haridas posed relevant questions to the experts, and attendees actively engaged with the panel. AN Singh and Puneet Choubey also shared their views on recycling and reuse of solid waste in the industry. A vote of thanks was given by PK Neogi, and the program was conducted by Shrishti Anand. The event was attended by government officials, industry members, and students from Bhilai-Durg.