Aafrin Kidwai 
Screenshot of Czech Republic Pavilion at CII’s ongoing virtual exhibition
The Confederation of India Industry (CII) in association with Technology Development Board, GoI and supported by Swachh Bharat Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, GoI is organizing the International Conference and Exhibition on Waste to Worth from 30 October to 15 November. As official media partners, SolidWasteIndia has been bringing you detailed news and information from the event.
Concurrent to the conference and exhibition, a webinar was organized with the Ministry of Trade and industry of the Czech Republic and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi last Friday. Titled “Co-operation with Czech Republic on Waste Management: Green Technology Solutions & Best Practices,” the webinar sought to promote partnership between the Czech Republic and India in the waste sector. Here are some of the key messages from the panelists:
Ambassador of the Czech Republic H.E. Milan Hovork
The Ambassador emphasized how waste management is increasingly attracting global attention and that the Czech Republic is one of the frontrunners in waste management action by setting ambitious targets. “More importantly,” said Mr Hovork, “We are implementing these targets. Issues related to waste management are very high on the Czech Republic government’s agenda. We have a comprehensive and coordinated national framework focused on creating an ecosystem supporting and financing waste-related innovations and supporting all stakeholders.”
Highlighting the importance of the CII event as an excellent opportunity to meet and collaborate, Mr Hovork said, “One of the key objectives of this seminar is to promote new waste management related partnerships between both companies. After all, waste management is a dynamically growing business sector that offers tremendous opportunity. It is also interesting to see so much interest in the Czech Republic in terms of applying the principles of circular economy and reducing their carbon footprint, and boosting their capacity to innovate, produce and market their products. Changing mindsets is also of utmost importance. Be ready to do things differently and talking about waste management from an environmental perspective.”
Mr. Petr Kulovaný, Director General of the Department of Trade Policy with Africa, Asia and Australia, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic
“Today, India is one of our most important trade partners. Our goal is to create the most favourable conditions for Indian investors.” Outlining the Czech Republic’s efforts to promote sound waste management in their home country, Mr Kulovaný shared that in 2019 the Czech govt prepared a strategic document for a circular economy. “The document will be adopted in early 2021.”
Mr Ulhas Parlikar – Former Head, Geocycle & Global Consultant on Waste Management, Circular Economy, Policy Advocacy & Co-processing
Addressing the Czech participants in his special address, Mr Parlikar described the current waste management landscape in India. “The important thing to note is that the Indian SWM Rules 2016 are based on the principle of sustainability and circular economy rather than the principle of disposal which used to be the case earlier. The potential areas in which businesses from the Czech Republic and India can collaborate include municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste, plastic waste and biomedical waste management.” Mr Parlikar also described specific opportunities for collaboration in each waste management stream.
Ms Sona Jonasova, CEO, Institute of Circular Economy
Ms Jonasova described her Institute’s efforts to bring together Czech and Indian stakeholders on the same platform to promote knowledge exchange and business development. “We are happy to help bring forth important disruptive technologies in ecodesign and waste prevention by Czech companies to Indian investors and provide opportunities to discuss and implement solutions towards a circular economy.”
Showcasing Czech businesses
The second part of the webinar, titled ‘Industry Speak’ saw nearly a dozen Czech companies sharing information about their projects. Here is a brief overview:
The first speaker, Mr Cyril Klepek introduced his digital platform Cyrkl.cz, a global marketplace to trade waste recyclables. Mr Klepek was followed by Mr Jan Bareš, CEO of Ekopanely spoke about his company’s affordable housing solution, which uses biological waste (waste straw) for building houses, including multi-storeyed structures.
Mr Petr Marek, Director of Operations & Coordination Sales, ERC-TECH shared his company’s focus on circular technology by producing concrete and concrete products containing recycled aggregates from inert C&D waste. Mr Michael Rada, Founder of Industry 5.0, described his revolutionary concept of production, consumption and logistics methodologies leading to a wasteless world and outlined
Mr Radim Ždímal, Business Manager, H2O Group, detailed the services provided by his project management company which provides a full spectrum of safe landfilling solutions, including designing, building, degassing and biogas utilization, closure and reclamation and related services, as per EU standards.
Ms Lenka Novotná, Managing Director, Plastia, a family-owned plastic waste processing company that manufactures gardening products including pots and bird feeders as well as vermicomposting solutions. Ms Novotna also showcased home décor items and jewellery made from deadstock and expressed her interest in to collaborating with Indian design students and businesses to promote sustainable design. Mr Patrik Luxemburk, Chief Executive Officer, Stabilplastik, a manufacturer of transport pallets made from recycled plastics (mixed plastic PP and PE). Other speakers included Mr Karel Leškovský, Chairman, Pharma Invest & Development, and Mr Amir Latif, Global Business Director, Wero Energy who described his company’s waste-water management solutions.
