NGHE AN PLANS TO DEVELOP “GREEN MATERIALS” IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
The construction materials development strategy in Nghe An province has a primary objective of eliminating outdated production technologies that consume excessive resources and cause environmental pollution. According to the strategy for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision towards 2050, Nghe An province emphasizes the use of advanced technologies and equipment suitable for the scale and diversity of mineral resources. It is crucial to closely connect mineral exploitation with processing to create economically efficient products. Priority is given to distribution within industrial zones and clusters within the province.
Nghe An province has made significant efforts in recent years to improve policy mechanisms and mobilize resources for economic development towards industrialization and modernization. The province aims to become a key industrial center in the North Central region, particularly in the Central Coastal area. To achieve this goal, Nghe An province has invested resources, particularly in its existing mineral resources. This investment aims to meet material supply needs effectively and contribute to infrastructure development, including electricity, roads, schools, industrial clusters, and the modernization of local small and medium-sized production facilities.
However, these efforts have also led to some challenges and unforeseen consequences. Pollution, environmental destruction, negative effects on people’s lives, excessive consumption of the state’s mineral resources, and the potential impact on worker health and safety have become prevalent issues in several factories and construction material production facilities in Nghe An province.
Nghe An province is committed to encouraging and facilitating the transition of construction materials production facilities using outdated, economically inefficient, and environmentally polluting technologies to modern and advanced technologies. This will be achieved through investments in advanced and modern equipment.
It is important to note that the People’s Committee of Nghe An province recently issued Decision No. 215/QD-XPHC, which sanctions administrative violations against Chau Tien Co., Ltd. This enterprise specializes in producing and processing stone powder and is located at Lot A3-A4, Nam Cam Industrial Park, Nghi Long commune, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An province.
Chau Tien Co., Ltd. has exhibited several shortcomings and has become an environmental “hot spot” due to various issues. Many workers at the stone powder processing factory have contracted pneumoconiosis, resulting in four deaths. The province has imposed administrative fines on Chau Tien Co., Ltd., amounting to a total of 116 million VND.
Apart from the health concerns of workers, the enterprise has also violated environmental laws. According to the conclusion of the provincial interdisciplinary inspection team, the stone powder processing factory has failed to prepare an environmental license report for submission to the competent authority for appraisal and licensing. Furthermore collection and storage of hazardous waste do not comply with regulations. There is no contract with a unit responsible for transporting and treating common industrial waste. The storage warehouses for normal industrial waste, domestic waste, and the internal drainage network of industrial yards do not meet the required standards.
It is worth mentioning that chemicals such as Oxalic Acid, NaOH, Chrome Oxide Green, Boric Acid, which are used in production activities, are not stored separately but together in the factory. This leads to the spread of acid vapors, which have a detrimental effect on the health of workers. Additionally, the process of impregnating and bleaching silica stone is carried out without a proper acid collection method, using rudimentary technology, which also affects worker health. The silica stone crushing line lacks dust collection measures, as it is conducted using outdoor “field” technology.
Moreover, the conveyor belt used for transporting from the gas dryer to the fine grinding stage is an open conveyor, resulting in the generation of dust during operation. The company has not installed a system to handle the dust generated from gas dryers and the acid vapors produced during the drying process after soaking and bleaching. In the fine grinding area, a significant amount of fine silica dust spreads, affecting the working environment and workers’ health.
The People’s Committee of Nghe An province has recently demonstrated its determination to change by implementing specific strategies and goals aimed at promoting the production and use of environmentally friendly “green” materials, specifically unburnt construction materials (VLXKN). This approach helps conserve mineral resources, reduce waste treatment costs, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and combat environmental pollution while promoting overall economic efficiency for society as a whole.
According to Mr. Le Hong Vinh, Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee, the local perspective for the future is to diversify investment forms and encourage all economic sectors to invest in and develop the construction materials industry in the province. There will be a particular focus on attracting investment projects that utilize modern technology from foreign investors. The emphasis will be on developing a variety of high-quality construction materials with significant economic value.
Specifically, in the next two years, the locality will concentrate on investing in the production of non-woven materials as a substitute for fired clay bricks, aiming to achieve a production output rate exceeding 40%. By 2030, the target is to surpass a rate of 45%. Additionally, there will be an emphasis on ensuring compliance with regulations regarding the use of non-woven materials in construction projects. The total capacity of industrial-scale building materials production facilities in the area is expected to exceed 500 million pellets per year.
In order to enhance the efficiency of socio-economic development and uphold the principle of prioritizing the environment over the economy, Nghe An province will actively screen and attract investment projects that prioritize environmental friendliness. This commitment is exemplified in the pursuit of large-scale construction materials, structures, wall panels, and lightweight materials that utilize industrial waste as raw materials. Industrial waste sources include ash, coal slag, metallurgical slag, etc. The use of these materials aims to reduce construction time, lower construction costs, and minimize emissions during the construction process, all while meeting the requirements for local industrialization and modernization.
Regarding resource exploitation and utilization, Nghe An will conduct research and develop projects that employ production technology utilizing industrial waste from thermal power plants and steel production plants operating within the province.
For instance, the utilization rate of thermal power ash and slag to replace cement and aggregates in the production of construction materials is being explored. For aggregate concrete bricks, it is recommended to replace 20-30% of the cement content with fly ash. In the case of foam concrete, 350 tons of fly ash can replace sand for the production of 1 million foam concrete bricks. Autoclaved aerated concrete bricks can utilize over 6,500 tons of fly ash to replace sand for every 1 million bricks produced.
Nghe An province is currently focused on accelerating urban development towards industrialization and modernization. With guidelines and policies that promote the development and trade of “green” materials, the province firmly believes that it will significantly contribute to improving the environment, reducing electricity consumption, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
Source: diendandoanhnghiep
