BACKGROUND:

In order to bridge the gap between research and development and large-scale application of new building material technologies, High Tech Consulting, had established the CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CLEANER PRODUCTION in July 2003. The Centre strives to package proven innovative technologies for the benefit of entrepreneurs interested in setting up manufacturing units in tiny, small, medium and large-scale sectors. There has been a demand for setting up such an apex institution in order to provide an inter-disciplinary platform to various agencies under Central and State Governments and the private sector for scaling up proven technologies to enhance their wide-spread use and for assisting commercial production as well as systematic dissemination of appropriate technology for the benefit of the construction of appropriate technology for the benefit of the construction agencies and different sections of the population. The Centre is structured to undertake the task of the extension and application of technologies and materials developed by research institutions on the ground with the backing of financial institutions and enabling regulatory environment. Composition The Board of Management of the Centre has representations from the concerned stakeholders. Finance, Industrial Development, Rural Affairs and Employment, Department of Power, Science and Technology, Small Scale Industries, Environment, Scientific and Industrial Research and Planning Commission. The State Governments, Housing Finance and Industrial Development and Promotion Agencies. To draw upon the experience and expertise in the area of building materials technology, eminent technologists, professionals of the public sector construction agencies, the corporate sector, R & D and standardisation organisations are also associated with the Board of Management.

OBJECTIVES

1. Promote development, production, standardisation and large scale application of cost effective, innovative building materials and construction technologies in housing and building sector; 2. Undertake such activities as are required for promoting the manufacture of new waste-based materials and components, encourage entrepreneurs to set up production units in different urban and rural regions, and arrange technical support, fiscal incentives and other facilities; 3. Provide support services to professionals, construction agencies and entrepreneurs in selection, evaluation, up-scaling, design engineering, skill up- gradation and marketing for technology transfer from laboratory to land in areas of building materials and construction; and 4. Develop and promote methodologies and technologies for natural disaster mitigation, vulnerability and risk reduction and retrofitting/reconstruction of buildings and disaster resistant planning of human settlements.

THRUST AREAS

· Improving the policy environment for sustained growth of cost-effective building materials, production and availability and promoting economy in construction projects. · Promotion of production units of building materials/components based on Fly ash, Red mud, Phosphogypsum, agricultural residues and other wastes and by-products. · Modernisation of small scale and village level building materials production units · Wider dissemination of disaster resistant construction technologies and promotion of methodologies for vulnerability and risk reduction. · Formulation of standards for local building materials. · Up scaling of technologies, know-how acquisition, absorption and dissemination. · Global technology search and encouraging joint ventures in building materials and construction sector.

HTC-CEESCP Activities

Interact, assist and collaborate with R&D, standardisation and academic institutions and industries in Australia and abroad to ensure continuous development and promotion of alternate and cost efficient building materials and construction technologies. Identify and develop technologies and building materials based on agricultural and industrial wastes and promote proven technologies for rural and urban housing construction. Sponsor and assist financially and in other appropriate ways building material industries and related activities in urban and rural areas. Promote waste utilisation, wood substitution and plastics and polymers in building material and construction industry and encourage pilot plants and demonstration units/projects. Promote and assist building materials industries in production of construction components/systems and make recommendations to Government on matters of equity participation, venture capital support. Taking note of special needs of each region in the areas of building materials and construction technologies, undertake studies for forecasting technological requirement, social and environmental implications of various technologies and support further research and development. Persuade Central & State Government agencies, housing development and construction agencies and organisations in Private and Community Sectors for application of proven cost and energy efficient building materials and construction technologies. Advise entrepreneurs in technology selection, prototype development, commercial production and marketing and external appropriate support for development of processes/technologies and procuring equipment etc. Identify, evaluate and undertake feasibility studies on innovative energy-efficient building materials/products and construction systems for extension of grass-root level through linkages with public, professionals, voluntary agencies and individuals. Review the various laws, fiscal provisions and pricing of building materials and advise Government in consultation with concerned Ministries/Departments on fiscal co cessions, policy on subsidy, excise duty, tax concessions for promotion of appropriate building materials and technologies. Promote appropriate institutions in different parts to improve production and application of relevant building materials, skills and manpower development through Building Centres, Building Material Estates, Housing Guidance Centres and Artisans/Management Training Centres. ACT as clearing house of technology transfer from lab to land, through production and application and act as repository of information on all types of building materials including conventional and newly developed, under development in Australia and abroad.