Engineering

The Government of Malawi sets forth an Integrated Trade and Industry Policy that will support and encourage the development of the private sector in the country. The policy embraces the interests and needs of enterprises at all levels which include small, medium and large scale so that they can become more competitive in their operations.

The research was aimed at producing low cost durable cement extenders from ash residues of agricultural co-products to enhance sustainable utilization of natural resources. Agricultural residues such as rice husks, wheat straw, maize stalks and industrial wastes such as sawdust and ashes present disposal problems to authorities. Cement is the main constituent material in the construction industry. However, the production of cement contributes up to 10% of the global CO2 emissions. Furthermore it is an expensive commodity to a majority of low income earners in emerging economies.