Guwahati: In a remarkable step toward sustainability, Guwahati is set to benefit from an innovative, eco-friendly solution curated from steel waste that promises to repair potholes in 15 to 30 minutes. This sustainable method, aimed at protecting the environment and public infrastructure, aligns with global efforts to reduce waste and promote greener practices.
In an exclusive conversation with Business North East (BNE), Managing Director of Ramuka Global, Deepak Ramuka, highlighted the critical issue of slag disposal. "Steel companies often dump slag on vast tracts of land without a sustainable plan for processing. Over time, this can lead to hazardous groundwater pollution due to iron seepage," he said, revealing that Ramuka Global is coming up with a 'Pothole mix,' which will be launched in Guwahati soon.
The company faces this challenge head-on by championing a circular economy and the government's 'waste to wealth' initiative. Operating a state-of-the-art, fully certified plant in Surat, Gujarat, the company processes over 1 million metric tonnes of steel slag annually. Moreover, it is on track to become the first Indian company to receive authorization and certification from CSIR-CRRI for its groundbreaking work in processing steel slag into usable products.
"Our efforts focus on replacing natural aggregates in road construction with steel slag products," Deepak Ramuka told BNE, adding that using natural aggregates depletes finite resources, increases carbon footprints and disrupts ecological balance.
"By transforming waste into wealth, we aim to create sustainable solutions that are environmentally friendly." he further added.
Understanding Natural Aggregates
Natural aggregates are a crucial raw material used in construction projects like streets, highways, railroads, bridges, and buildings. They are directly extracted from the earth. Ranking as the second most consumed resource by humans after water, their extraction can be invasive, causing significant ecological disruptions and exhausting limited resources.
What is Steel Slag?
Steel slag is produced during the separation of the molten steel from impurities in steel-making furnaces. The slag occurs as a molten liquid melts and is a complex solution of silicates and oxides that solidify upon cooling. Its by-products are as follows -
Meanwhile, with its innovative approach and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Ramuka Global is setting an inspiring example of how industrial waste can be transformed into valuable resources, paving the way for a greener and more resilient future.
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