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EPC concept could be the future when it comes to retrofit projects

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Manoj Thakur Head – Mechanical, Penta India Cement and Minerals.

We at Penta would like to participate in the growth of our clients in cement plants by picking the right and most effective solutions for them, assures Manoj Thakur, Head – Mechanical, Penta India Cement and Minerals. Excerpts from the interview…

How important is predictive maintenance?
In the past few years, capacity utilisation of cement plants have been low in the range of 60-70 per cent. As a result, the machinery was not stressed to its maximum potential and plants also got more time to take care of breakdowns. It is expected that with the Government of India providing enough scope in infrastructure development, there will be a rise in demand. Once cement plants are pushed to achieve 90-100 per cent of their design capacities, there will be no more cushion available for unexpected breakdowns or shutdowns. This is when predictive maintenance will start playing an important role.

Indian cement industry has realised that implementing the predictive maintenance leads to a substantial increase in productivity. Concept of online monitoring is well understood and accepted by cement manufacturers wherein the state of health of a machine is known before taking it for the maintenance. In recent years, many examples of predictive maintenance have been seen, for example, many existing storage silos and structures have been taken for additional strengthening based on the results from non-destructive tests, process fans have been taken for balancing on the results from vibration monitoring tests etc. Not only major players but even medium players use regular services of consultants for carrying out predictive maintenance.

What are the challenges in retrofitting a cement plant?
The most critical challenge is that cement plant retrofits are expected to be carried out without affecting the production. In consequence, the cement players prefer technologies that require the least downtime. However, there are very few contracting agencies to take up such challenges. Another challenge is the plant layout. Many old plants were designed with no provision for the future expansion and thus retrofit projects could not be carried out. At some plants, projects were executed at huge costs for layout reasons. Though Indian cement industry is very traditional, EPC concept could be the future of it when comes to retrofit projects, keeping the existing plant in operation or with very minimum time required for the interface. Keeping pace with newer and compact technologies is essential to accommodate retrofit projects in poor layouts. This is where smart engineering comes to play.

Consulting firms like Penta excel in these niche areas and have the expertise to work out customised solutions for cement plants.

How does one decide between retrofitting and switching completely to a new system?
Penta usually assesses the potential of an existing old plant for the possibility of capacity increase before suggesting retrofit solutions. For capacity increases on a larger scale, letGC?s say doubling the plan capacity, switching to a complete new system becomes necessary. However, execution of a new cement plant has a long gestation period right from the day of conception.

There are various reasons in India taking too much time for pre-project activities including approval and procurement of land, acquisition of mines, access to coal reserves, environmental clearances, etc. Once these pre-project requirements have been met, project-related activities take their routine pace to accomplish the job. Retrofit solutions are sometimes seen as the compromise in these difficult situations.

Which type of retrofit can have greater impact on production efficiency?
Each type of retrofit, whether enhancing production efficiency, electrical, mechanical or monitoring and automation, has its respective justifications and goals. It would be unfair to compare them as they are apples and oranges. Of course, it ultimately results in improving the plant availability. Moreover, upgradation in the mechanical domain may have to combine with a retrofit in electrical and automation domain. To choose, it greatly depends on the condition and requirement of different areas i.e., mechanical, electrical and control and automation.

To achieve the benefit of a retrofit in totality, it needs to be the combination of all. A mechanical retrofit alone cannot enhance the production efficiency if existing motor control bucket, panel board or switchgear are of older designs. Likewise, retrofit for monitoring and automation are inadequate if existing machinery/equipment do not keep margin for the increased outputs. Hence, it could be advisable not to implement short-term solutions in one domain without exploring the implications in another.

How does one keep pace with the advancements in sub-systems like automation?
Cement manufacturers need to assess the need of such upgrades with a close look at their current plant availability. A balance can be achieved with regular maintenance schedules for existing equipment and opting for necessary automation upgrades. World-class suppliers develop and come up with newer technologies in automation year after year. Automation upgrades certainly help in improving the plant efficiency by various automated solutions. However, the selection of upgrades should be need based and in keeping with the capabilities of the hardware as well as the skill level of the plant personnel.

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Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

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FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

 

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Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

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Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

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Concrete

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

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Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

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