Connect with us

Concrete

21-km cross-country belt conveyor for Heidelberg Cement, Damoh

Published

on

Shares

The EPC contract for India?s longest Overland Belt Conveyor (OLBC) system to Heidelberg Cement is another significant milestone in Macmet?s list of achievements.

In 2010 Macmet, against stiff competition from L&T, FL Schmidt, Sinoma International Engineering Co bagged the turnkey contract from Heidelberg Cement for design, engineering, manufacture, supply of equipment, Civil & Structural Construction and Erection of Plant/Machinery for a 21 km long Overland Belt Conveyor system for transporting Limestone from Patharia Quarry to Narsingarh Clinkerization Unit, for the Diamond Cements Plant at Damoh.

The OLBC commissioned for Heidelberg Cement consists of six flights of conveyors, totaling to 20,790 meters. Four flights connect the mine to the Bunker. From the bunker, one flight goes to the Plant and another flight goes to the stockyard. The six flights measure 640 meters, 9800 meters, 8150 meters, 1600 meters, 475 meters and 125 meters (total 20,790 meters). The 1000 mm wide belt conveyor has been designed to transport limestone at an average speed of 4.0 meters/second from the quarry to the plant. The capacity of this conveyor system is 1000 TPH. On its way to the Plant, the conveyor crosses several villages and roads as well as the Sonar River (spanning a width of 120 meters at the cross over).

The conveyor accessories supplied include apron feeders, bag filter with fan, compressors, motorized diverter, Pin/Rod Gate, Magnetic Separator, Metal Detector and Belt Weigher. The electrics include 33KV Substations, Transformers, 690V Voltage Variable Frequency Panels with 690V/350kW Motors controlled by a PLC Automation System.

Macmet undertook the civil work, constructing 890 nos. RCC columns, the maximum height of which was 23 meters at the Sonar River. 4 sub-stations (18,280 cubic meter) as well as a Hopper of 2020 cubic meters were built. The Civil RCC work (including sub-station buildings, bunker, trestle columns and foundations etc.) was completed in one year from November, 2010 to October 2011.

Macmet also completed Structural Fabrication and Erection work of 903 Girders (the maximum span being 47 meters), 61 nos. Trestles (maximum height being 37 meters). The 6025 Ton Fabrication and erection of structural steel work (including transfer houses, gallery, girders, trestles, etc.) was completed in one year from June 2011 to May 2012. About 3300 Tons of mechanical equipment and electrical equipment was also erected.

The 21 km conveyor system passes through several densely populated villages. There was scarcity of water (a significant hurdle for civil construction) and only a single ?kutcha? road running along the route of the conveyor system, which made movement of men and material very difficult. Macmet had to tread the tightrope of handling disgruntled local populace and completing the work within schedule. Land disputes were settled by our interaction with the local villagers and the help of Heidelberg Cement and local Administration Officials.

We gained the confidence of the local people through regular interactions and by conducting social work such as education, provision of drinking water, renovation of places of worship, etc.. Macmet also educated local labour to work in line with safety protocols. We are proud to say that the work was completed without any major mishap and Macmet was awarded the Certificate for conducting work safely. Erection was completed in December 2012 and operation of the 21 km OBLC for Heidelberg Cement commenced in January 2013. Macmet has also been awarded the maintenance contract for the system. The 21 km Overland Belt Conveyor System supplied by Macmet to Heidelberg Cement at Damoh continues to perform satisfactorily since commencement of its operation in 2013. Macmet also has been awarded job for maintenance of the conveyor.

Macmet, an ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007 certified company, supplies Bulk Material Handling systems and Intake Screening equipment to Cement, Power, Steel and Mining companies in India and abroad.

Macmet is a leading supplier of Troughed Overland Belt Conveyors and Pipe Conveyors in India. Pipe Conveyors provide an environmental friendly solution for conveying bulk material with zero spillage. Macmet has the maximum number of references for Pipe Conveyors in India. Macmet has supplied Asia?s longest Pipe Conveyor (7 km) to Jindal Power Plant at Raigarh. We have also supplied one of the world?s highest capacity, fastest Pipe Conveyors to Gayatri Projects Ltd. for carrying coal between port and Plant End of TPCIL?s 4 x 660 MW Thermal Power Plant of TPCIL at Krishnapatnam, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.

Macmet also manufactures screening equipment to remove debris, weeds, branches, grass, fish, etc. from water sourced from rivers, lakes and oceans by Power Plants. Macmet has commissioned India?s largest intake system for Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd. and the country?s second largest intake system for Nuclear Power Corporation of India at Tarapur. Intake screening equipment manufactured by Macmet is in operation in over 15 countries worldwide.

Macmet has modern engineering & manufacturing facilities and a firm commitment to quality assurance and customer satisfaction. The company is headquartered in Kolkata with engineering offices at Kolkata, New Delhi and Bangalore. The manufacturing works are located at Kolkata.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Concrete

Cement Prices Likely to Rise Rs. 10-15 per Bag from Mid-October

Input costs and steady demand may drive cement price increases

Published

on

By

Shares

Cement manufacturers in India are likely to raise prices by Rs. 10-15 per bag from mid-October, as they seek to offset persistent increases in power and fuel costs. Emkay Research said its channel checks indicated a high probability of an increase from October 12, supported by the start of the busy construction season and favourable demand-supply conditions.

The sector had implemented similar rate adjustments of Rs. 10-15 per bag during the first quarter, but the increases were insufficient to cover higher operating costs. Prices also softened during July and August because of the monsoon, widening the gap between realisations and input expenses. Delayed plant expansion programmes have pushed clinker utilisation rates towards 79 per cent by FY28, helping to balance market fundamentals.

Emkay Research said steady volume offtake was supporting cement consumption, with non-trade demand driving activity across regional markets. Industry volumes are expected to grow by 7-8 per cent year on year during the first half of FY27, while demand momentum is projected to remain firm over the following 18 months. The outlook includes the busy construction season in the second half of FY27 and infrastructure activity linked to general elections in the first half of calendar year 2029.

The brokerage expects overall cement demand to record a compound annual growth rate of about 7 per cent between FY26 and FY28. However, elevated operating expenses are likely to continue weighing on profitability. Input costs have risen by Rs. 300-400 per t over the past six to seven months, with the full impact expected to become visible in second-quarter earnings and remain persistent through the second half of FY27.

Spot prices for petcoke and imported coal are approximately 20 per cent and 16 per cent above their second-quarter averages, at USD 175 per t and USD 150 per t, respectively. Packing costs have also increased, with polypropylene granule prices rising above Rs. 135 per kg. Emkay Research estimated that second-quarter earnings could decline by Rs. 200-250 per t sequentially because of higher fuel bills and negative operating leverage, and said the sector requires sustained price increases of about Rs. 10 per bag to offset cost inflation.

Continue Reading

Concrete

Nuvoco Marks 10 Years, Targets 35 MMTPA Capacity by FY28

Nuvoco celebrates a decade of growth, targeting 35 MMTPA cement capacity by FY28.

Published

on

By

Shares
Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited is celebrating a decade of operations under the theme ‘Dus Saal Bemisaal’, highlighting its expansion in India’s building materials sector. The company has grown from a single cement manufacturing facility into a diversified organisation operating across cement, ready-mix concrete (RMC) and modern building materials.
The company’s journey began in 2014 when its parent, Nirma Group, commissioned a 2 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) greenfield cement plant at Nimbol, Rajasthan. A major milestone followed in October 2016 with the acquisition of Lafarge India, significantly expanding its manufacturing footprint.
Nuvoco strengthened its market presence through the acquisition of Emami Cement, now NU Vista Limited, in 2020, followed by its public listing in 2021. In April 2025, the company added Vadraj Cement to its portfolio, strengthening its presence in western India.
Nuvoco has an operating cement capacity of 27 MMTPA and 14 manufacturing units, including the Kutch and Sachana facilities in Gujarat, which are in advanced stages of completion. It also operates 58 ready-mix concrete plants across India and offers a range of modern building materials.
The company aims to increase its cement capacity to 35 MMTPA by FY2027-28, representing approximately 15-fold growth over the decade.
Reflecting on the milestone, Hiren Patel, Chairman, Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited, said, “From our beginnings at Nimbol to the organisation we are today, every milestone has added a new chapter to Nuvoco’s journey and strengthened our belief in building for the long term.”
The company continues to focus on capacity expansion, operational efficiency, innovation and sustainability while strengthening its position in India’s construction materials market.

Continue Reading

Concrete

J&K Government Notifies City Gas Distribution Policy

Policy targets PNG and CNG expansion across all 20 districts

Published

on

By

Shares

Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy, 2026, following its approval by the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The policy sets out a phased framework for expanding Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) access for households, businesses, industries and the transport sector across the Union Territory.

CGD networks will be expanded in phases across all 20 districts, with the aim of bringing reliable natural gas closer to consumers and supporting a gradual shift from conventional fuels. The government said the policy is designed to improve energy access while creating an investor-friendly and time-bound environment for gas distribution projects.

The policy provides for single-window and time-bound clearances, streamlined procedures for setting up CNG stations and standardised norms for the Right of Way. These measures are intended to reduce procedural delays, simplify project implementation and facilitate investment in natural gas infrastructure.

It also prioritises gas connectivity for major industrial estates, including those in Kathua, Samba and Pulwama. Improved access to natural gas is expected to support industrial activity, enhance energy efficiency and help businesses manage fuel costs, while strengthening their competitiveness and encouraging investment in the clean-energy sector.

The policy is also expected to create opportunities for local employment, apprenticeships and skill development in the construction, operation and maintenance of gas distribution networks and related services. Abdullah described the measure as an important step towards cleaner growth, sustainable development and a modern energy ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it would expand reliable energy access and support industry and investment.

Continue Reading

Video Thumbnail
▶

    SIGN-UP FOR OUR GENERAL NEWSLETTER

    Trending News

    SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

     

    Don't miss out on valuable insights and opportunities to connect with like minded professionals.

     


      This will close in 0 seconds