Technology

Co-processing is environmentally and ecologically a more sustainable technology for managing waste

Published

11 years ago

August 31, 2014

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R Nand Kumar Vice-President, Corporate Communications, ACC

ACC is presently implementing an expansion project in Eastern India which will add a capacity of 5 million tonnes in a phased manner, at a cost of Rs 3300 crore. This will increase its capacity from 30 to 35 million tonnes per annum. The first phase, which is the clinkering line at Jamul, is expected in the middle of 2015. The growing capacity will create higher energy demand too. ACC, with some of the most energy efficient and environment conscious plants, has lot to share when it comes to captive power generation. In an interaction with ICR, R Nand Kumar, elaborates upon a few points. Excerpts from the interview.

What steps were taken by ACC to control its power costs?
ACC?s Power and Fuel consumption cost was Rs 2,382.34 crore in the year 2013. Overall power and fuel cost was maintained at the previous year level with the improvement in efficiency and better fuel mix. ACC maximised the use of petcoke and alternative fuel. Overall petcoke consumption in current year has increased. This helped in lowering the use of imported coal. The power consumption was 85 kwh/t as compared to 88.13 kwh/t in the previous year.

Please elaborate on ACC?s Renewable Energy portfolio.
ACC?s Renewable Energy portfolio consists of 19 MW in the form of wind farms across three states, viz., 9 MW in Tamil Nadu, 7.5 MW in Rajasthan and 2.5 MW in Maharashtra. Cumulatively, a total of 23.53 million units of wind power have been generated. These units helped ACC meet its non-solar renewable purchase obligation for Madukkarai and Lakheri Plants.

ACC also generates power by processing waste heat. The Waste Heat Recovery System at Gagal is expected to reduce 44,180 tonnes of CO2 per annum. This is an important milestone in the ACC?s sustainable development journey. Waste Heat Recovery Systems offer a reliable supplement to captive power generation in an energy-intensive industry like cement, particularly in an energy-deficient country such as India. ACC Limited recently launched its first Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) system at the Gagal cement plant in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The WHR system harnesses waste heat discharged in the cement manufacturing process as exhaust gases, channelling them into a boiler that runs a steam turbine and converts it into useful electrical energy. The new WHR project generates electricity at a cost that is significantly lower than that of a captive power plant and only a fraction of the cost of grid power. ACC sees the project as an important step in energy conservation and is exploring the possibility of installing similar systems at a few of its other cement plants.

What is the major challenge faced by the industry in captive power generation?
Cement production is an energy-intensive process that requires large quantities of coal to meet its kiln and captive power generation requirements; hence, consistent supply of this fuel at reasonable and stable prices is a major concern for the ACC. Erratic supplies of coal due to domestic production constraints and price fluctuations adversely impact cement production.

How is ACC safeguarding itself from such fluctuations?
Under Holcim?s Geocycle banner, ACC?s initiatives in utilising Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR) in the cement manufacturing process is gaining momentum in an effort to mitigate the rising cost of conventional fossil fuels and raw materials. Forty six co-processing trials of different waste materials have so far been carried out after obtaining necessary clearances from the concerned authorities at the State and Centre levels. These trials have demonstrated that co-processing is environmentally and ecologically a more sustainable technology for managing waste than other technologies that are in practice today, such as landfill and incineration. Our waste management services through cement kiln co-processing are gaining wider acceptance. Based on the demonstrated success of the suitability of co-processing technology for waste streams, ACC has received clearances for co-processing 127 different waste streams generated by diverse industry segments such as automobiles, chemicals, engineering, power, steel, refineries and petrochemicals. During 2013, we have conducted seven co-processing trials of different waste materials. 23 new industries accepted the co-processing services offered by ACC as a result of which 32 new streams for co-processing have been added in various plants. Currently, different types of waste streams are being co-processed from industrial, agricultural and municipal sources as AFR.

During the year 2013, a quantum leap was achieved in the usage of AFR, thereby enabling a Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR) of 4.36% against a target of 4.12%. The focus on AFR enabled our company to reduce fuel consumption in kilns, captive power plants and in dryers.

ACC is also engaged in co-processing, segregating non-recyclable plastic waste from municipal solid waste, thereby assisting the society with the disposal of plastic waste. We are in an active engagement with municipalities and local bodies in this regard. To increase the AFR utilisation substantially, three pre-processing platforms are being set up at our plants which will prepare AFR material of uniform quality from various kinds of wastes that have different types of physical and chemical characteristics. Two of these facilities are expected to be ready during the course of this year.

Technology

ARAPL Reports 175% EBITDA Growth, Expands Global Robotics Footprint

Affordable Robotic & Automation posts strong Q2 and H1 FY26 results driven by innovation and overseas orders

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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Affordable Robotic & Automation Limited (ARAPL), India’s first listed robotics firm and a pioneer in industrial automation and smart robotic solutions, has reported robust financial results for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2025.
The company achieved a 175 per cent year-on-year rise in standalone EBITDA and strong revenue growth across its automation and robotics segments. The Board of Directors approved the unaudited financial results on October 10, 2025.

Key Highlights – Q2 FY2026
• Strong momentum across core automation and robotics divisions
• Secured the first order for the Atlas AC2000, an autonomous truck loading and unloading forklift, from a leading US logistics player
• Rebranded its RaaS product line as Humro (Human + Robot), symbolising collaborative automation between people and machines
• Expanded its Humro range in global warehouse automation markets
• Continued investment in deep-tech innovations, including AI-based route optimisation, autonomy kits, vehicle controllers, and digital twins
Global Milestone: First Atlas AC2000 Order in the US

ARAPL’s US-based subsidiary, ARAPL RaaS (Humro), received its first order for the next-generation Atlas AC2000 autonomous forklift from a leading logistics company. Following successful prototype trials, the client placed an order for two robots valued at Rs 36 million under a three-year lease. The project opens opportunities for scaling up to 15–16 robots per site across 15 US warehouses within two years.
The product addresses an untapped market of 10 million loading docks across 21,000 warehouses in the US, positioning ARAPL for exponential growth.

Financial Performance – Q2 FY2026 (Standalone)
Net Revenue: Rs 25.7587 million, up 37 per cent quarter-on-quarter
EBITDA: Rs 5.9632 million, up 396 per cent QoQ
Profit Before Tax: Rs 4.3808 million, compared to a Rs 360.46 lakh loss in Q1
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.1854 lakh, representing 216 per cent QoQ growth
On a half-year basis, ARAPL reported a 175 per cent rise in EBITDA and returned to profitability with Rs 58.08 lakh PAT, highlighting strong operational efficiency and improved contribution from core businesses.
Consolidated Performance – Q2 FY2026
Net Revenue: Rs 29.566 million, up 57% QoQ
EBITDA: Rs 6.2608 million, up 418 per cent QoQ
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.5672 million, marking a 224 per cent QoQ improvement

Milind Padole, Managing Director, ARAPL said, “Our Q2 results reflect the success of our innovation-led growth strategy and the growing global confidence in ARAPL’s technology. The Atlas AC2000 order marks a defining milestone that validates our engineering strength and accelerates our global expansion. With a healthy order book and continued investment in AI and autonomous systems, ARAPL is positioned to lead the next phase of intelligent industrial transformation.”
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Pune, Affordable Robotic & Automation Ltd (ARAPL) delivers turnkey robotic and automation solutions across automotive, general manufacturing, and government sectors. Its offerings include robotic welding, automated inspection, assembly automation, automated parking systems, and autonomous driverless forklifts.
ARAPL operates five advanced plants in Pune spanning 350,000 sq ft, supported by over 400 engineers in India and seven team members in the US. The company also maintains facilities in North Carolina and California, and service centres in Faridabad, Mumbai, and San Francisco.

Technology

M.E. Energy Bags Rs 490 Mn Order for Waste Heat Recovery Project

Second major EPC contract from Ferro Alloys sector strengthens company’s growth

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kilburn Engineering Ltd and a leading Indian engineering company specialising in energy recovery and cost reduction, has secured its second consecutive major order worth Rs 490 million in the Ferro Alloys sector. The order covers the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of a 12 MW Waste Heat Recovery Based Power Plant (WHRPP).

This repeat order underscores the Ferro Alloys industry’s confidence in M.E. Energy’s expertise in delivering efficient and sustainable energy solutions for high-temperature process industries. The project aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by converting waste heat into clean power.

“Securing another project in the Ferro Alloys segment reinforces our strong technical credibility. It’s a proud moment as we continue helping our clients achieve sustainability and cost efficiency through innovative waste heat recovery systems,” said K. Vijaysanker Kartha, Managing Director, M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd.

“M.E. Energy’s expansion into sectors such as cement and ferro alloys is yielding solid results. We remain confident of sustained success as we deepen our presence in steel and carbon black industries. These achievements reaffirm our focus on innovation, technology, and energy efficiency,” added Amritanshu Khaitan, Director, Kilburn Engineering Ltd

With this latest order, M.E. Energy has already surpassed its total external order bookings from the previous financial year, recording Rs 138 crore so far in FY26. The company anticipates further growth in the second half, supported by a robust project pipeline and the rising adoption of waste heat recovery technologies across industries.

The development marks continued momentum towards FY27, strengthening M.E. Energy’s position as a leading player in industrial energy optimisation.

Technology

NTPC Green Energy Partners with Japan’s ENEOS for Green Fuel Exports

NGEL signs MoU with ENEOS to supply green methanol and hydrogen derivatives

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s ENEOS Corporation to explore a potential agreement for the supply of green methanol and hydrogen derivative products.

The MoU was exchanged on 10 October 2025 during the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. It marks a major step towards global collaboration in clean energy and decarbonisation.
The partnership centres on NGEL’s upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh. Spread across 1,200 acres, the integrated facility is being developed for large-scale green chemical production and exports.

By aligning ENEOS’s demand for hydrogen derivatives with NGEL’s renewable energy initiatives, the collaboration aims to accelerate low-carbon energy transitions. It also supports NGEL’s target of achieving a 60 GW renewable energy portfolio by 2032, reinforcing its commitment to India’s green energy ambitions and the global net-zero agenda.