Technology

Value-added Products-II

Published

9 years ago

July 4, 2016

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Continuing with our coverage on value-added products from cement, we explore a few more such products which are currently available, and their market potential.
Construction products depend on naturally occurring materials. But in the years to come, the availability of natural materials will become a major problem. However, ready-to-use mortars consume less of natural materials; these products have a very good scope in the years to come.

Generally there has been an age-old practice to make any cement-based product at site, may it be plaster mortar, repair mortar or adhesives for fixing tiles. These site-made products lack in quality because these are not designed for specific applications but are derived from available cement on the location. The recently available cement-based products in the market are far superior in quality and have a good shelf life. The use of proper construction chemicals, correctly graded sand and mixing techniques make them superior. A variety of the mortars available today can be produced from the same raw materials by altering the proportion of ingredients. Even customised products can be designed for large requirements.

The manufacturers carry out quality checks at the processing stage to ensure consistency in the product. Certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards is not possible for all the products at this stage. But in the years to come, it will become a necessity.

Wall putty: All of these value-added products have their origin in wall putty. This specific product based on white cement was an instant success when it was launched. It is a product which has cement as basic material with limestone powder and chemical additives. When the product was launched, there was a need for such a product from the organised sector. Wall putty is a finely powdered material available in different packs from 1 kg to 50 kg, used to prepare a smooth surface which is required before painting. Even today, it is one of the highest-selling products. Cement companies are making handsome profits out of it.

Tile grout, tile adhesives: These are another set of mortars which have been a bit slow in getting popular compared to wall putty, but are certainly making a mark in the market now. Earlier, cement mixed with water was used to fix tiles either on the wall or floor. With the advent of different grades of cement in the market which are for specific applications, using cement paste for tile-fixing is posing many problems. Even cement companies are cautioning against the use of 53-grade cement for fixing tiles. These tile-adhesive mortars are specially created formulations with cement and some chemicals and sand for fixing tiles, and give very satisfactory results. If the cost of tiles is very high, then it makes sense to use ready made mortars for tiles. There are grouts for filling the gaps between tiles available off the shelf.

Micro-concrete and non-shrink grouts: There is a specific need for repair materials. The properties expected from the product are very different from the parent material. Repair mortars are supposed to deliver extremely high strength in a short span of time, so that the repair job can be done fast and the damaged structure can be put to service quickly. These materials are also a mixture of sand, cement and properly selected chemicals. There is an extension of repair mortars, called ?non-shrinking grouts.? These are materials used for anchoring the bolts of foundations or even for laying new foundations. Normally for a foundation, the material which does not shrink is used and normal concrete has a tendency to shrink.

Floor hardeners: Certain industries, which experience the rapid wear and tear of floors because of a specific usage, are going in for a special kind of floor. These are industrial units like auto mobile factories, warehouses, etc. where a suitable design of floor is required. For customised applications, floor hardeners are selected and the jobs are carried out by qualified contractors. The results have been found to be very satisfactory.

Gradually, we will see more and more of such products coming into the market with specific applications. However, their success will depend on education of the end user and the product price.

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

2 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

2 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

2 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.