The Indian Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) is likely to exempt the cement industry from the partial petcoke ban for industrial use, according to a report in The Hindustan Times.

The government has moved forward a proposal as Solicitor General A Nadkarni informed the Supreme Court that the use of petcoke in the cement industry was minimal and for non-fuel purposes, according to the report. “It is used as a de-sulphuring agency. Therefore, the ministry has decided to have a relook into its decision and allow the cement units to use it,” he said.

However, the exemption would only be granted for a year while the cement industry is given time to switch to a cleaner fuel.