Circular Economy

Climate Action

Biodiversity & Nature

Resilient Business & Society

Circular Economy

Steel

1. 71% of the iron-bearing material (IBM) required
to make crude steel comes from iron ore,
suggesting the potential for increasing
scrap-use in the value chain. For instance, a 15%
increase in overall steel production with
increased EAF (Electric Arc Furnace) and IF
(Induction Furnace) outputs will increase scrap
consumption by 13.4% and lead to savings of 0.8
million tons of iron ore. This reduced extraction
of virgin ore will lead to benefits in terms of
reduced GHG emissions and improvements in
air quality by the avoided processes throughout
the life cycle, from extraction to end-of-life.

2. The study recommends a transition towards
hydrogen-based DRI (H-DRI) technology. A
complete transition to it would translate to
savings of 17 to 19 MT of coal.

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Paper

1.In the pulp and paper industry, the scope for
increasing efficiency in mills using recovered
paper as the fiber source is significant. The
paper industry depends heavily on imported
waste paper: estimates from this study suggest
that 32% of recovered paper demand is met
by importing recovered paper.

2. The study recommends ensuring the
standardization of the quality of the imported paper. It
is estimated that it could cut the requirement by
0.86 MT (a reduction of 20% from current levels).

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About intervention

Recognizing the importance of data-backed policymaking, the Centre has recently completed a study on Resource Efficiency in the Steel and Paper Sectors: Evaluating the potential for Circular Economy. The objective of this is to assess the prospects of RE/CE and its benefit to Climate Change mitigation.
A systems-based Material Flow Analysis (MFA) tool was used to identify the scope for Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy in the steel and paper sector. The project used a combination of first-hand data collection from manufacturing units, secondary data collection, and interaction with relevant industry stakeholders (from the two sectors). A paper based on the Report’s findings was presented by the Centre at the World Resources Forum conference held in Geneva on 23-24 October 2019.

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Publications

Greenhouse gas mitigation across the cement value chain

Resource Efficiency and Climate Change

Studies commissioned by the G20 nations, carried out by the International Resource Panel, in 2017, show that there is substantial scope reducing for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through material efficiency strategies. 

Such strategies result in reductions above and beyond those attainable through decarbonization, improved energy efficiency, and so on. Strategies of material efficient design, yield improvements both in manufacturing and recovery; methods to intensify use, extend lifespan, repair,  can be effective in reducing life-cycle GHG emissions.

In India, where growth is occurring rapidly, in all sectors of the economy, such strategies when applied through the product's life cycle, can help meet the NDCs, increase employment, reduce resource consumption, and adverse environmental impacts. 

Before examining/quantifying the potential for application of such strategies in India, a scoping study was carried out to identify sectors of the economy to focus on. This report summarises the results of the scoping study. 

Circular Economy

The concept of the circular economy focuses on closed-loop cycles of materials and energy and growth within the regenerative capacity of the environment. Given the environmental, resource related and geopolitical challenges companies face, the circular economy has evolved as a new path to competitiveness—an alternative for our current business models. Therefore, adopting a circular economy is crucial to a company’s survival. The CII-ITC CESD has put together to have this CEO’s Guide on Circular Economy and Competitiveness.

Resource Efficiency in the Steel and Paper Sectors

Increased global population, urbanization, and industrial productivity have led to increased material consumption. The Indian economy grew at a rate of 7.11% (in the period 2003 to 2017): rising populations and urbanization will cause the already high extractive pressure on natural resources to increase and reach unsustainable levels. There is a need for India to move away from the linear economic model of take-make-dispose, towards a circular economy (CE), a system that is restorative by intention and design. Resource efficiency (RE) and closing of loops (through re-use, re-manufacture, recycle, etc.) form the bedrock of a circular economy.

Greenhouse gas mitigation across the cement value chain

Resource Efficiency and Climate Change

Studies commissioned by the G20 nations, carried out by the International Resource Panel, in 2017, show that there is substantial scope reducing for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through material efficiency strategies. 

Such strategies result in reductions above and beyond those attainable through decarbonization, improved energy efficiency, and so on. Strategies of material efficient design, yield improvements both in manufacturing and recovery; methods to intensify use, extend lifespan, repair,  can be effective in reducing life-cycle GHG emissions.

In India, where growth is occurring rapidly, in all sectors of the economy, such strategies when applied through the product's life cycle, can help meet the NDCs, increase employment, reduce resource consumption, and adverse environmental impacts. 

Before examining/quantifying the potential for application of such strategies in India, a scoping study was carried out to identify sectors of the economy to focus on. This report summarises the results of the scoping study. 

Circular Economy

The concept of the circular economy focuses on closed-loop cycles of materials and energy and growth within the regenerative capacity of the environment. Given the environmental, resource related and geopolitical challenges companies face, the circular economy has evolved as a new path to competitiveness—an alternative for our current business models. Therefore, adopting a circular economy is crucial to a company’s survival. The CII-ITC CESD has put together to have this CEO’s Guide on Circular Economy and Competitiveness.

Resource Efficiency in the Steel and Paper Sectors

Increased global population, urbanization, and industrial productivity have led to increased material consumption. The Indian economy grew at a rate of 7.11% (in the period 2003 to 2017): rising populations and urbanization will cause the already high extractive pressure on natural resources to increase and reach unsustainable levels. There is a need for India to move away from the linear economic model of take-make-dispose, towards a circular economy (CE), a system that is restorative by intention and design. Resource efficiency (RE) and closing of loops (through re-use, re-manufacture, recycle, etc.) form the bedrock of a circular economy.