Economy & Market

Dalmia Cement has played a major role in infrastructure development

Published

14 years ago

May 31, 2012

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V P Sharma, COO, Dalmia Bharat Group

As the Chief Operating Officer for the cement business of Dalmia Bharat Group, what measures have you implemented to increase productivity and plant efficiency?In Dalmia cement, I have been instrumental in stabilising the operations of our new plants at Ariyalur and Kadappa of 2.5 million tonnes capacity. Some of the operational improvement measures are improved run factor, emphasis on condition monitoring and preventive maintenance, focus on quality of products, systems and procedures, proactive energy management in thermal as well electrical, develop individual skills and team culture and bring out the culture of safe working and environmentHow many plants Dalmia Cement is operating presently? What are the technological advancements you have recently observed in the cement business?
We are having three cement plants in South India with the total cement capacity of 9 million tonnes. Some of the major technological advancements in the cement industry are robotic quality controller, energy saving equipment like VFD for LT, HT equipments, higher efficiency, low pressure pre-heater cyclones and CCTV at all operating equipments.What environmental protection measures have been adopted to reduce air and water pollution from your cement plants? What are the ‘green’ initiatives taken by Dalmia in the cement production process?As a company, we are very much committed for the upcoming of the environment. All our plants are of state of the art technologies, which operate at the benchmarking parameters. We have continuous air ambient monitoring station in all of our plants and the periodical reports are getting submitted to the statutory bodies. Some of the major systems in place to control air pollution are bag house for raw mill, kiln, cement mills and stacks, localised cyclone dust collector at all transfer points, environment-friendly covered storage systems for all bulk materials, we have robust water management system in place. To conserve the precious water, we have initiated the following activities at our plants, captive power plant rejected water is being used for cement manufacturing process by which we are able to recycle significant quantity of water in the system, roof water harvesting system installed in all the buildings to conserve water, sewage treatment system at all our locations to recycle the water which is getting used for plantation purposes and mine pit water harvesting for plant operations. Some of the other major green initiatives undertaken by the company are extensive program taken on alternate fuel like MSW, hazardous and non hazardous material to replace fossil fuels, manufacturing blended cement by using fly ash.To support the global action on climate change and exemplifying our commitment to sustainable development; DCBL filed membership application to cement sustainability initiative (CSI). DCBL is the third Indian cement company to enroll for this prestigious membership.Dalmia Cement claims to be pioneer in super speciality cement manufacturing. What role does the super speciality cement play in infrastructure development?Dalmia Cement has played a major role in infrastructure development over the years in terms of manufacturing special cement for special applications like oil wells, airports, dams, bridges, railway sleepers, etc.Oil well Cement (OWC): We are one of the largest producers of Oil well cement and supplies to the major oil companies in India. It is used for cementing the walls of ‘on-shore’ and ‘off-shore’ oil wells. Also, Dalmia Cement was the first in India to get API Class ‘G’ certification (1984) for OWC.Railway Sleeper cement: This special cement has been produced as per the specifications of Indian railways for manufacturing concrete sleeper and this is a replacement for the wooden railway sleepers for Hi-Speed trains.Airstrip cement: The Company developed this special cement which helps in designing high impact and abrasion resistant concrete necessary for modern air strips.Sulphur resistant cement: This cement is being used in projects that are exposed to high amount of sulphates. This cement also finds application in constructions that are in direct contact with clay soil, which contains a large amount of sulphate salt, such as foundations and pillars.What kind of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities your company has undertaken?Dalmia Bharat Group Foundation: Dalmia Bharat Group Foundation (DBGF) is a registered not-for-profit organization set up under the Income Tax Act 1961. It is promoted by Dalmia Bharat Group comprising Dalmia Bharat Enterprises Ltd. (DBEL) and Dalmia Bharat Sugar and Industries Ltd. (DBSIL).Dalmia Higher Secondary School (DHSS) at Lalgudi was set up in 1950 to educate the children from the local population as well as Dalmia Bharat employees. DHSS is the first school to be accredited with five -star status by the Bharathidasan University. About 1,850 students benefit from good standard of education. . The school has consistently delivered results at an average of 99% in 10th and 96% results in 12th standards respectively for the past five years.Vivekananda Matriculation School (VMS), with a strength of 540 students, provides quality education to the children of company employees and local population with a nominal fee since 1989.123 people have been provided with basic education in computers in order to bridge the digital divide. We have supported renovation in two schools benefitting approximately 1000 children.Ramakrishna Dalmia Industrial Training Institute, set up in 1992, teaches basic technical skills to meet the requirements of the industry and increase employment opportunities for the rural youth. At least 60 students are given vocational training.Dalmia Institute of Construction established in 2008, at Thillainagar in Trichy, trains students in all essential civil construction methods and cement applications.We have scheduled health camps covering free medicines, seasonal and opportunistic diseases, reaching more than 1600 people, out of which more than 50% were of 50 years or above in age.The in-house hospital catered to more than 5000 people from 20 villages around our plants, providing full range of services in diagnosis, investigations and treatments. Nearly 100% children from our 6 target villages are immunized regularly, while 283 mothers are supported for anti natal and post natal care.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2026

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Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

Published

5 days ago

October 8, 2026

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With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA,
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

Published

5 days ago

October 7, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.