Business
INSEE Ecocycle celebrates two decades of excellence in journey
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 ma`naged 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.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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