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Katarina Malaga
Chef Strategisk forskning och affärsutveckling
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Indian cement industry transforms with Swedish innovations
India is the world's second largest producer of cement – which means high greenhouse gas emissions. In a bilateral collaboration, Swedish companies are now developing new solutions to help the Indian industry make the transition. The bridge between Swedish innovators and the Indian cement industry are experts from RISE.
India's cement and concrete industry faces significant challenges. The country produced around 390 million tonnes of cement in 2023, the second highest in the world – which also means that India was responsible for the world's second highest carbon emissions from cement production, around 177 million tonnes.
Now new regulations on carbon emissions are coming. At the same time, the country needs to significantly increase its cement production by 2050.
This dilemma also presents a great opportunity to reduce the country's climate impact through innovation: If emissions from India's cement production were reduced by around 25%, this would be equivalent to Sweden's total carbon dioxide emissions.
"It doesn't take much to make a big difference," says cement expert Katarina Malaga, Professor of Sustainable Construction and Vice President Business Development Sustainable Construction at RISE.
Sweden important in reducing climate impact
In fact, Sweden is playing an important role in reducing the climate impact of cement production in India. At COP 28 in Dubai in 2023, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson agreed to take action to transform the industry and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
As part of the bilateral cooperation, the Swedish Energy Agency is running a project on the transition of the Indian cement and concrete industry, where Swedish companies can apply for support for feasibility studies on various solutions that could be commercialised.
"The Swedish Energy Agency's mission is to create partnerships and increase the pace of transition. At the same time, India is one of the fastest growing countries in the world, so there is also a business agenda to take innovations from Sweden and create companies with Swedish involvement in India," says Katarina Malaga.
RISE plays an expert role in the project, with Katarina Malaga, one of Sweden's leading experts in cement and concrete, playing a key role.
"I am acting as an expert and liaising with both the Indian and Swedish companies to help them assess what is really needed in the market and the scientific issues: Could this work?," she says.
If emissions from India's cement production were reduced by around 25%, this would be equivalent to Sweden's total carbon dioxide emissions.
Expertise needed as a buffer
The Swedish companies supported are working on energy efficiency and statistical processing, among other things. The next step is for Ms Malaga to take the companies to India to explore the market.
"They are not cement companies, so I am needed as a facilitator to filter certain questions and answer things like how the composition of cement is affected by their solutions," she says.
The aim, of course, is for one or more of the companies to eventually set up in India and help reduce the climate impact of the cement industry. Katarina Malaga sees great opportunities, but expects that it will take time and that it will not be easy. There are big differences in both regulations and culture, which means that Indian partners will be needed.
She says the project is challenging and different from other work she has done for RISE.
"We are faced with completely new questions, it is a challenge, but a very interesting challenge for us researchers, and it is also interdisciplinary," says Katarina Malaga.
The project may also help to establish Sweden as an innovation-oriented knowledge country in India and lead to further collaborations.
"We have already established a partnership with the Indian equivalent of RISE, which can help address these specific issues. Through research, I believe they will be able to change a lot," says Katarina Malaga.
Cement and the climate
Cement production causes carbon dioxide emissions, both from the release of carbon dioxide from the burnt limestone and from the fuel used to heat the stone.
The production of one tonne of cement can release 700-800 kg of carbon dioxide.
Worldwide, approximately 4.5 billion tonnes of cement are produced each year, resulting in CO2 emissions of 2.7 billion tonnes, or 8% of global emissions.
RISE international strategy
RISE works to strengthen Swedish society and the economy through research and innovation. Success requires a strong international commitment.
"Our mission is twofold: to help Swedish innovations reach international markets and to attract knowledge and investment to Sweden," says Eilert Johansson, Head of Business Development at RISE. "But it's also about global challenges, such as climate change. When we have solutions that can make a difference, we want to share them to make the world a better place."
One example is our cooperation with India, where Swedish companies are contributing innovations to reduce emissions in the cement industry. But there are many other examples of international cooperation, including in wood technology and goods handling. RISE also participates in a large number of research projects within the EU's Horizon Europe framework programme.
Global companies have also turned to RISE for access to Swedish expertise. Apple, for example, has worked with RISE to develop a fibre-based material that can replace plastic in packaging.
"The expertise we have can act as a door-opener, showing international players that Sweden is the right place to invest," says Eilert Johansson.
