Concrete

Modular Concrete Curing: A green alternative to curing process

Published

11 years ago

July 31, 2014

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The traditional process of curing concrete is cumbersome, requires extensive labour work and leads to significant quantities of water loss. Ambuja has introduced a waterless curing technique in India that is economical and environment friendly.

Any cement concrete product or structure has to go through a curing process when the product or structure gains strength. The process of curing is done mainly with water. The chemical action between cement and water helps in hardening of concrete.

Curing must be done for a certain period of time so that concrete achieves its potential strength. It is very important to do curing properly as it crucial for the strength and durability of the concrete product or structure. The amount of time curing is to be done depends on the purpose of the concrete product or structure, temperature and humidity of the atmosphere.

Traditional curing process

Traditionally, curing is done by pouring or spraying water on concrete or mortar surfaces for an adequate period of time. Water has to be continuously replenished as and when it evaporates due to high temperature and low humidity. If the water dries out the strength of the concrete structure or surface will be impacted.

On flat surfaces such as pavements, roads, sidewalks and floor slabs curing is done by ponding water on the exposed top surface. This is done by making small bunds a few hours after the concrete work is over.

Typically, masons and labourers build bunds with cement and sand on flat concrete surfaces. Water is then poured on the surface and retained for a few days. On surfaces that cannot hold water, labourers spray water several times during the day for several days.

History and description of the technology

Ambuja Cements has come up with an alternative to combat difficulties in managing the traditional method of curing, the Ambuja Modular Curing Solution (AMCS). AMCS entails the use of a plastic sheet to prevent water losses due to evaporation, protects against strong winds, low humidity and high ambient temperatures.

How it can be used/ installed

Surfaces, which are concreted or cemented, are covered by plastic sheets primarily to prevent loss of humidity. All that the contractor has to do is to inform the service providers at Ambuja. The site engineer from Ambuja visits the premises where concrete is being poured and makes necessary arrangement at the site to cover the laid concrete. Once concrete is poured the cover is laid on top. The polymer covering comes in standard sizes that can be joined end to end to make a larger sheet. The joint is strong and water tight and does not let water or moisture to seep out. It is a quick and hassle free process.

Advantages for the construction industry

The biggest benefit is saving of water. About 12,000 litres of water required for curing 100 square metres of slab surface could be saved on an average. In India, many places are extremely hot and arid. Water availability is a serious issue. Under these circumstances curing process is not always done well. Also, labourers are required to build bunds on cemented surface or spray water several times during the day. Many a times the slab may have dry patches due to inappropriate/insufficient water application on the surface. AMCS is a service that helps reduce water usage and lower labour and other costs.

Its availability in India

At present AMCS is a service and is being expanded through its channel partners. The response to AMCS has been quite encouraging as curing is done effectively without hassles, water or labour. For Ambuja Cements, AMCS is yet another initiative towards sustainability.

Concrete

NBCC Wins Rs 550m IOB Office Project In Raipur

PMC Contract Covers Design, Execution And Handover

Published

4 days ago

January 20, 2026

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State-owned construction major NBCC India Ltd has secured a new domestic work order worth around Rs 550.2 million from Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) in the normal course of business, according to a regulatory filing.

The project involves planning, designing, execution and handover of IOB’s new Regional Office building at Raipur. The contract has been awarded under NBCC’s project management consultancy (PMC) operations and excludes GST.

NBCC said the order further strengthens its construction and infrastructure portfolio. The company clarified that the contract is not a related party transaction and that neither its promoter nor promoter group has any interest in the awarding entity.

The development has been duly disclosed to the stock exchanges as part of NBCC’s standard compliance requirements.

Concrete

Nuvoco Q3 EBITDA Jumps As Cement Sales Hit Record

Premium products and cost control lift profitability

Published

5 days ago

January 19, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd reported a strong financial performance for the quarter ended 31 December 2025 (Q3 FY26), driven by record cement sales, higher premium product volumes and improved operational efficiencies.

The company achieved its highest-ever third-quarter consolidated cement sales volume of 5 million tonnes, registering growth of 7 per cent year-on-year. Consolidated revenue from operations rose 12 per cent to Rs 27.01 billion during the quarter. EBITDA increased sharply by 50 per cent YoY to Rs 3.86 billion, supported by improved pricing and cost management.

Premium products continued to be a key growth driver, sustaining a historic high contribution of 44 per cent for the second consecutive quarter. The strong momentum reflects rising brand traction for the Nuvoco Concreto and Nuvoco Duraguard ranges, which are increasingly recognised as trusted choices in building materials.

In the ready-mix concrete segment, Nuvoco witnessed healthy demand traction across its Concreto product portfolio. The company launched Concreto Tri Shield, a specialised offering delivering three-layer durability and a 50 per cent increase in structural lifespan. In the modern building materials category, the firm introduced Nuvoco Zero M Unnati App, a digital loyalty platform aimed at improving influencer engagement, transparency and channel growth.

Despite heavy rainfall affecting parts of the quarter, the company maintained improved performance supported by strong premiumisation and operational discipline. Capacity expansion projects in the East, along with ongoing execution at the Vadraj Cement facilities, remain on track. The operationalisation of the clinker unit and grinding capacity, planned in phases starting Q3 FY27, is expected to lift total cement capacity to around 35 million tonnes per annum, reinforcing Nuvoco’s position as India’s fifth-largest cement group.

Commenting on the results, Managing Director Mr Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said Q3 marked strong recovery and momentum despite economic challenges. He highlighted double-digit volume growth, premium-led expansion and a 50 per cent rise in EBITDA. The company also recorded its lowest blended fuel cost in 17 quarters at Rs 1.41 per Mcal. Refurbishment and project execution at the Vadraj Cement Plant are progressing steadily, which, along with strategic capacity additions and cost efficiencies, is expected to strengthen Nuvoco’s long-term competitive advantage.

Concrete

Cement Industry Backs Co-Processing to Tackle Global Waste

Industry bodies recently urged policy support for cement co-processing as waste solution

Published

1 week ago

January 15, 2026

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Leading industry bodies, including the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), European Composites Industry Association, International Solid Waste Association – Africa, Mission Possible Partnership and the Global Waste-to-Energy Research and Technology Council, have issued a joint statement highlighting the cement industry’s potential role in addressing the growing global challenge of non-recyclable and non-reusable waste. The organisations have called for stronger policy support to unlock the full potential of cement industry co-processing as a safe, effective and sustainable waste management solution.

Co-processing enables both energy recovery and material recycling by using suitable waste to replace fossil fuels in cement kilns, while simultaneously recycling residual ash into the cement itself. This integrated approach delivers a zero-waste solution, reduces landfill dependence and complements conventional recycling by addressing waste streams that cannot be recycled or are contaminated.

Already recognised across regions including Europe, India, Latin America and North America, co-processing operates under strict regulatory and technical frameworks to ensure high standards of safety, emissions control and transparency.

Commenting on the initiative, Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, said co-processing offers a circular, community-friendly waste solution but requires effective regulatory frameworks and supportive public policy to scale further. He noted that while some cement kilns already substitute over 90 per cent of their fuel with waste, many regions still lack established practices.

The joint statement urges governments and institutions to formally recognise co-processing within waste policy frameworks, support waste collection and pre-treatment, streamline permitting, count recycled material towards national recycling targets, and provide fiscal incentives that reflect environmental benefits. It also calls for stronger public–private partnerships and international knowledge sharing.

With global waste generation estimated at over 11 billion tonnes annually and uncontrolled municipal waste projected to rise sharply by 2050, the signatories believe co-processing represents a practical and scalable response. With appropriate policy backing, it can help divert waste from landfills, reduce fossil fuel use in cement manufacturing and transform waste into a valuable societal resource.