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Concrete trends

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Gone are the days when concrete was considered being drab and dull. The new trends in concrete, has enabled the product look attractive and has reduced the number of days required for the projects. Narendra Patel, Chairperson, Indian Concrete Institute, Maharashtra, Mumbai Centre talks about the ongoing trends in the concrete industry, current situation and the challenges.

A country’s progress is measured by the cement used. In countries like China, cement used is 154 kg per person and India lies way behind utilising only 54 kg per person. So we can see how much more development in India is to come. And if the cement industry progresses it is quite obvious the concrete industry will rise. However, both cement and concrete industry have been growing rapidly.

Concrete as a product today has many types, which enables the engineers to reduce the number of days required for the project.

Latest trends in concrete industry Perforated concrete

It rains a little and the streets roads get water logged. For combating this situation, we use perforated concrete, which allows water to seep in so that the roads are not water logged. This concrete is also used for rain water harvesting since it absorbs water and gets drained off easily thus reducing risk of flooding. Many projects have been built using perforated concrete. Mostly this concrete is used in the buildings and new constructions today, due to utilisation for rain water harvesting. We had used perforated concrete in Gujarat for getting fresh water from the dams to the wells. By using this concrete one can save water and the problem of flooding also will be solved. This technology is used on the sports pitches.

Transparent/ translucent concrete: Another form of concrete which has become popular is transparent or translucent concrete. This concrete is used on the walls and one can see the shadows and movements beyond the wall. Translucent concrete is a combination of optical fibers and fine concrete. Thousands of fibers run side by side transmitting light between the two surfaces of each element. Because of their small size the fibers blend into concrete becoming a component of the material like small pieces of ballast. In this manner, the result is not only having the two materials mixed- glass in concrete- but a third, new material, which is homogeneous in its inner structure and on its main surfaces as well. The blocks are load-bearing and provide the same effect with both natural and artificial light. Glass fibers lead light by points between the wall-surfaces. Shadows on the lighter side will appear with sharp outlines on the darker one. Even the colours remain the same! Such a wall with glass fiber-pixels acts as if scanner and screen are united. This special effect creates the general impression that thickness and weight of this concrete wall disappear and concrete becomes live.

Precast concrete

Normally when we build any road or bridge, a lot of time is wasted and also causes traffic jams. Now when we use precast concrete, the beams and girders are and assembled in the factory itself and then are erected on the site after mid night and early morning hours to avoid traffic problem. Recently in Mumbai there were around 50 flyovers built but no one saw how they were built since precast technology was used. Using this concrete allows cost cutting, saves time, does not hamper traffic, accuracy and quality is maintained. Similar method was used when we made a guard stations and housing between the borders of India and Pakistan in Gujarat about 1000 km spread

Slip form

Slip form is normally used for shuttering. For e.g. if 200 ft chimney is to be built then you need to take the operations only up to four feet and the same process had to be repeated for 50 times. Each operation would take three to four days. Instead of this repetition we have now started using slip form of concrete wherein we install these sliding shutters which can be slide the very next day. Thus the project which would have taken 200 days to finish ends in around 30-35 days. Slip form of concrete is used in many other form of structures like silos, water towers etc.

Shot concrete

This form of concrete is used while repairing of the building. Whenever a structure has become weak, we provide force so that the concrete has original strength. Mostly it is used when the concrete is weak.

Dyed concrete

Dyed concrete is coloured concrete that looks very attractive due to an appealing appearance. The designs are made after the concrete is dried. this concrete is very useful in the factories since there are various pipelines for water, cables etc. If during construction the water pipe line needs to be worked on and the patch is coloured in blue, so only that part of the blue patch will be dug. This will prevent the other lines from getting disturbed. Or there are times that when we open other lines, the chances of damage are quiet high. So this concrete is very appealing and very useful.

Lightweight concrete

Lightweight concretes can either be lightweight aggregate concrete, foamed concrete or autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). Such lightweight concrete blocks are often used in house construction. This type of concrete is light and reduces the pressure on the foundation of the building. For e.g. if the builder wants to add a couple of floors on an eight storey building, then light weight concrete will be used. There is hardly a difference of 5-10 per cent and durability is ensured. Foamed concrete is a highly workable, low-density material which can incorporate up to 50 per cent entrained air. It is generally self-leveling, self-compacting and may be pumped. Foamed concrete is ideal for filling redundant voids such as disused fuel tanks, sewer systems, pipelines, and culverts – particularly where access is difficult. It is a recognised medium for the reinstatement of temporary road trenches. Good thermal insulation properties make foamed concrete also suitable for sub-screeds and filling under-floor voids.

Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC)

AAC was first commercially produced in 1923. Since then, AAC construction systems such as masonry units, reinforced floor/roof and wall panels and lintels have been used on all continents and every climatic condition and can also be sawn by hand, sculpted.

Challenges

The cement and concrete industry is growing rapidly, however we come across major challenges. One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of support from the government, since the implementation of policies has been slow. The moment the government speeds up the process of implementation the strategies, the progress of the industry will be doubled.

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Concrete

India Sets Up First Carbon Capture Testbeds for Cement Industry

Five CCU testbeds launched to decarbonise cement production

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The Department of Science and Technology (DST) recently unveiled a pioneering national initiative: five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector, forming a first-of-its-kind research and innovation cluster to combat industrial carbon emissions.
This is a significant step towards India’s Climate Action for fostering National Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets and to achieve net zero decarbonisation pathways for Industry Transition., towards the Government’s goal to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2070.
Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) holds significant importance in hard-to-abate sectors like Cement, Steel, Power, Oil &Natural Gas, Chemicals & Fertilizers in reducing emissions by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial processes and converting it to value add products such as synthetic fuels, Urea, Soda, Ash, chemicals, food grade CO2 or concrete aggregates. CCU provides a feasible pathway for these tough to decarbonise industries to lower their carbon footprint and move towards achieving Net Zero Goals while continuing their operations efficiently. DST has taken major strides in fostering R&D in the CCUS domain.
Concrete is vital for India’s economy and the Cement industry being one of the main hard-to-abate sectors, is committed to align with the national decarbonisation commitments. New technologies to decarbonise emission intensity of the cement sector would play a key role in achieving of national net zero targets.
Recognizing the critical need for decarbonising the Cement sector, the Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division of Department launched a unique call for mobilising Academia-Industry Consortia proposals for deployment of Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) in Cement Sector. This Special call envisaged to develop and deploy innovative CCU Test bed in Cement Sector with thrust on Developing CO2 capture + CO2 Utilisation integrated unit in an Industrial set up through an innovative Public Private Partnership (PPP) funding model.
As a unique initiative and one of its first kind in India, DST has approved setting up of five CCU testbeds for translational R&D, to be set up in Academia-Industry collaboration under this significant initiative of DST in PPP mode, engaging with premier research laboratories as knowledge partners and top Cement companies as the industry partner.
On the occasion of National Technology Day celebrations, on May 11, 2025 the 5 CCU Cement Test beds were announced and grants had been handed over to the Test bed teams by the Chief Guest, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh in the presence of Secretary DST Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
The five testbeds are not just academic experiments — they are collaborative industrial pilot projects bringing together India’s top research institutions and leading cement manufacturers under a unique Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Each testbed addresses a different facet of CCU, from cutting-edge catalysis to vacuum-based gas separation.
The outcomes of this innovative initiative will not only showcase the pathways of decarbonisation towards Net zero goals through CCU route in cement sector, but should also be a critical confidence building measure for potential stakeholders to uptake the deployed CCU technology for further scale up and commercialisation.
It is envisioned that through continuous research and innovation under these test beds in developing innovative catalysts, materials, electrolyser technology, reactors, and electronics, the cost of Green Cement via the deployed CCU technology in Cement Sector may considerably be made more sustainable.
Secretary DBT Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Dr Ajai Choudhary, Co-Founder HCL, Dr. Rajesh Pathak, Secretary, TDB, Dr Anita Gupta Head CEST, DST and Dr Neelima Alam, Associate Head, DST were also present at the programme organized at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

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Concrete

JK Lakshmi Adopts EVs to Cut Emissions in Logistics

Electric vehicles deployed between JK Puram and Kalol units

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JK Lakshmi Cement, a key player in the Indian cement industry, has announced the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in its logistics operations. This move, made in partnership with SwitchLabs Automobiles, will see EVs transporting goods between the JK Puram Plant in Sirohi, Rajasthan, and the Kalol Grinding Unit in Gujarat.
The announcement follows a successful pilot project that showcased measurable reductions in carbon emissions while maintaining efficiency. Building on this, the company is scaling up EV integration to enhance sustainability across its supply chain.
“Sustainability is integral to our vision at JK Lakshmi Cement. Our collaboration with SwitchLabs Automobiles reflects our continued focus on driving innovation in our logistics operations while taking responsibility for our environmental footprint. This initiative positions us as a leader in transforming the cement sector’s logistics landscape,” said Arun Shukla, President & Director, JK Lakshmi Cement.
This deployment marks a significant step in aligning with India’s push for greener transport infrastructure. By embracing clean mobility, JK Lakshmi Cement is setting an example for the industry, demonstrating that environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with operational efficiency.
The company continues to embed sustainability into its operations as part of a broader goal to reduce its carbon footprint. This initiative adds to its vision of building a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
JK Lakshmi Cement, part of the 135-year-old JK Organisation, began operations in 1982 and has grown to become a recognised name in Indian cement. With a presence across Northern, Western, and Eastern India, the company has a cement capacity of 16.5 MTPA, with a target to reach 30 MT by 2030. Its product range includes ready-mix concrete, gypsum plaster, wall putty, and autoclaved aerated fly ash blocks.

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Concrete

Holcim UK drives sustainable construction

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Holcim UK has released a report titled ‘Making Sustainable Construction a Reality,’ outlining its five-fold commitment to a greener future. The company aims to focus on decarbonisation, circular economy principles, smarter building methods, community engagement, and integrating nature. Based on a survey of 2,000 people, only 41 per cent felt urban spaces in the UK are sustainably built. A significant majority (82 per cent) advocated for more green spaces, 69 per cent called for government leadership in sustainability, and 54 per cent saw businesses as key players. Additionally, 80 per cent of respondents stressed the need for greater transparency from companies regarding their environmental practices.

Image source:holcim

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