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INSEE Ecocycle celebrates two decades of excellence in the journey to boost Sri Lanka’s transformation towards a circular economy  

March 30, 2023

This year, INSEE Ecocycle celebrates two decades in its mission to become Sri Lanka’s foremost sustainable waste management and environmental services provider, towards a cleaner and greener Sri Lanka. Since 2003, INSEE Ecocycle has sustainably managed over 1 million metric tons of industrial waste in collaboration with over 1,000 customers, including corporates, Government authorities at the central and local level, and recycling partners. 

INSEE Ecocycle, INSEE Cement’s waste management arm, is a one-stop shop for total waste management solutions, from collection and pre-processing to sustainable co-processing in full compliance with all regulatory requirements. The company was the first to offer co-processing to Sri Lanka and has paved the path for sustainable waste management through its circular economy-based solution of cement kiln co-processing and other resource recovery-based waste management solutions. 

“Co-processing in cement kilns is globally recognized as one of the preferred methods to safely dispose of a wide range of hazardous and non-hazardous materials. It also is a key driver of our sustainability ambition,” says Jan Kunigk, Chief Executive Officer of INSEE Cement Sri Lanka. “Through co-processing, we’ve reduced our dependency on virgin raw materials and lowered our carbon footprint by using mineral components from other industries, replacing 40% of fossil fuel generated energy in cement production. We are also helping significantly reduce the amount of waste ending up in Sri Lanka’s landfills.” 

Through co-processing, alternate fuel and resources derived from waste are channeled into the production process, which burns as fuel and provides mineral components. Very high temperatures in the cement kiln burner and the long residence time create ideal conditions to completely destroy these materials with no harmful residues. 

“A key achievement for Ecocyle over the years has been the expansion of our collaboration with local authorities to manage sorted non-recyclable and non-biodegradable municipal solid waste. We are working with over 100 municipal councils across Sri Lanka to collect, segregate, pre-process, and safely co-process municipal solid waste,” says Sujith Gunawardhana, General Manager of INSEE Ecocycle. “Each month, Ecocycle receives over 1,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste that would otherwise be in landfills, which is then channeled for co-processing in the INSEE Cement kilns.”

To mark the 20th anniversary of operations, INSEE Ecocycle partnered with the Marine Environment Protection Authority and Parley Sri Lanka to conduct a beach cleanup along the Dikkovita coastal area. Plastic and other non-degradable waste amounting to about half a ton were collected during the beach cleanup. The recyclable waste items were sent for recycling, whereas the sorted non-recyclable materials were channeled to co-processing through Ecocycle operations.

“The success of Ecocycle is a result of the hard work and commitment of every colleague that passed through our hallways over the last two decades. So, we were keen to mark our anniversary meaningfully, staying true to who we are. This beach cleanup embodies the commitments of our INSEE staff and our Build for Life ambition to work together as a team to do what is right in the best interest of the future,” added Sujith Gunawardhana, General Manager of INSEE Ecocycle. 

INSEE Ecocycle conducted beach a clean-up together the Marine Environment Protection Authority and Parley Sri Lanka to mark the company’s 20th anniversary. Plastic and other non-degradable waste collected during the beach clean-up were sent for recycling, whereas the sorted non-recyclable materials were channeled to co-processing through Ecocycle operations. © INSEESL/ 2023

A wide range of tests and equipment to assess fresh and hardened concrete properties

  • Specified Tests for Self-Compacting Concrete
    • Flow Table Test – BS EN 12350-5:2019
    • J-Ring Test – BS EN 12350-12:2010
    • V Funnel – BS EN 12350-09:2010
    • L Box – EN 12350
  • Slump test – BS EN 12350-2 and ASTM C143
  • Density of fresh concrete – ASTM C138
  • Air content in fresh concrete – ASTM 231
  • Concrete bleeding – ASTM 232
  • Concrete setting time – ASTM C403
  • Compressive Strength up to 180 MPa – Testing Machines (3000 & 4000KN) – Double the existing strength standards in Sri Lanka
  • NDT for Compressive Strength up to 130 MPa – Impact Rebound Hammers – Double the existing equipment capacity in Sri Lanka
  • Flexural Strength – ASTM C78 / BS EN 12390-5-2019
  • Splitting Resistance – ASTM C-496 / EN 12390-6 / EN 1338
  • Concrete Specimen Grinding Machine – BS EN 12390-2 2019/ ASTM D4543

A wide range of tests and equipment to assess and ensure your aggregate grade meets the demand and requirement of your concrete.

  • INSEE Measurement Tools
    • INSEE Blue™ – Assess clay content as key quality indicator for manufactured and natural pit sand
    • INSEE Shape™ – Assess the grain shape particles as key quality indicator for manufactured sand
  • Coarse and fine aggregate particles size distribution – ASTM C136 / C136M – 19 & BS EN 933-1
  • Relative Density and Absorption of Coarse Aggregates – ASTM C127-12
  • Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) – BS EN 1097-2:2010
  • Flakiness Index & Elongation Index – BS EN 933-3:2012
  • Soundness Test of Aggregates – SN EN 206-1
  • Aggregate Crushing Value (ACV)- BS EN 1097-2:2010
  • Los Angeles Abrasion Test – ASTM C 131-06

A range of tests to assess properties of fresh concrete that go beyond the traditional ‘slump test’, improving the quality and consistency of concrete.

  • INSEE Measurement Tools
    • INSEE Flow™
    • INSEE Heat™
    • INSEE Color™
    • INSEE ConTemp™
  • ICAR Rheometer for paste, mortar & concrete toassess pumpability, flow resistance, thickness, slump retention, admixtures compatibility
  • Grout for Pre-Stressing Tendons – BS EN 445 2007
  • Electrical Conductivity for paste & mortar
  • Cementometer™ latest microwave technology for the determination of fresh concrete water to cement w/c ratio

Advanced testing with durability indicators to optimize structural performance and extend the service life of concrete structures exposed to severe environments.

  • Rapid Chloride Permeability Test - ASTM C1202
  • Bulk Electrical Conductivity of Hardened Concrete - ASTM C1760-12
  • Specific Resistivity - RILEM TC154 - AASHTO T358
  • Concrete Carbonation - Swiss SIA 262-1/1 CEN/TS 12390-12
  • O2 Permeability - RILEM 116-PCD CEMBUREAU Method
  • Capillary Water Absorption/ Sorptivity - Swiss SIA 262/1:2013 ASTM C1585-04
  • Initial Surface Absorption (ISAT) - BS 1881 Part 5
  • Water Permeability - EN 12390-8:2000
  • Concrete Sulphate Resistance - SIA 262-1/A