Economy & Market

JK Lakshmi, dark horse

Published

8 years ago

December 31, 2017

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Vaibhav Agarwal of PhillipCapital assess the potential of JKLC.

JK Lakshmi (JKLC) currently has a total installed capacity of 12.5 MTPA, which is spread across the geographies of North (inclusive of Gujarat) and East India. North India has a total capacity of 9.8 MTPA of which 1.6 MTPA is at UCWL – JKLC’s 71 per cent subsidiary. UCWL plant has been very recently commissioned and the utilisations of this plant are being ramped up -currently operates at approximately 50-60 per cent. East India has a capacity of 2.7 MTPA (of which 0.9 MTPA of grinding recently commissioned production in Q1FY18). Another 0.6 MTPA of capacity addition (grinding unit) is due to be added in Odisha (East India) and slated to be commissioned by mid FY19. Once this is commissioned, JKLC’s total capacity will increase to 13.1 MTPA – 9.8 MTPA in North India and 3.3 MTPA in East India.

Current capacity utilisation
JKLC’s north unit are currently operating at an average utilisation of 70 per cent versus industry’s capacity utilisation of 68 per cent in this region. Similarly, JKLC’s east India plants are currently operating at 79 per cent utilisations as against industry capacity utilisation of 67 per cent. As per our understanding, UCWL and the newer grinding unit of JKLC in North (Gujarat) and East India respectively are yet to scale up capacity utilisations and currently operate at just about 50-60 per cent capacity utilisations.

Volume growth trajectory and utilisation roadmap is driven by capacity additions over the past few years JKLC’s volume’s has been robust over the past few years (7-17 per cent). As we now see the capacity additions getting muted for JKLC we expect the volume growth to taper down and grow in the range of 5-6 per cent over the next two years. But, we also expect capacity utilisations of newer units of JKLC to ramp up to the existing levels by end of FY19 (a key to drive cost savings) and expect overall utilisations of the company as a whole at approximately 83 per cent by end of FY19/H1FY20.

Contributors to cost savings for JKLC will derive cost savings from multiple factors – power cost, utilisation ramp up and logistics costs. Waste Heat recovery at East India has commissioned commercial production in Q3FY18 and the management has indicated a savings of about Rs 100/tonne already being delivered from this initiative. UCWL is also due to commission a WHR and thermal power plant. In East India, thermal power plants are due for commissioning in H2FY19.

Major chunk of the savings will come from here in H2FY19 and onwards. JKLC has acknowledged that it needs to make its logistics more effective and is working towards a cost saving of Rs 100-150/tonne. Though a major chunk of this will be again from East India operations, North will also contribute to logistics savings as and when we see utilisation ramp up of UCWL and newer grinding units (Surat) in this zone. Utilisation ramp up will help scale efficiencies. As per the interactions, the least which can be expected as a ballpark is about Rs10/tonne of savings with every percentage increase of utilisation ramp up. This can be higher and will vary on case to case basis.

Utilisations and volume roadmap
JKLC currently operates its capacities at an average capacity utilisation of 72 per cent. It estimates for JKLC factor in an overall utilisation improvement of about 10 per cent over the next two years. As nearly 25 per cent of JKLC’s existing capacity is new, we believe this utilisation ramp up is possible. It can also be seen from the graphs below that JKLC is always ahead of industry capacity utilisations in all regions of its operations.

Though the utilisations are being ramped up by nearly 10 per cent over the next two years, but from volume growth perspective, the volume growth will taper down at 5-6 per cent yoy as JKLC exits its capex mode and fall in-line to industry discipline. Low volume growth is largely because of base effect and a more realistic assumption. Despite a low volume growth, JKLC will start deriving all the cost savings in FY19 and onwards as all the support infrastructure such as captive power, better logistics etc. will be available to the company by mid FY19. We will now discuss the cost saving drivers individually.

Cost savings drivers, power
As far as efficiencies are concerned, JKLC is already best placed on consumption parameters. It consumes approximately 70-74 units of power per tonne of cement across all locations, which is largely in-line with best of industry parameters. The key hurdle is absence of power plants in two of its existing locations – East India site and UCWL. Our interactions suggests us that for Eastern operations, the cost of power for JKLC is as high as Rs 7.5-8 per unit as against an internal cost of generation of approximately Rs 3.5-4/unit. This translates to savings of approximately Rs 4 per unit of power and approximately Rs 280-300/tonne for East India operations standalone. At UCWL as well, JKLC is likely to deliver a savings of approximately Rs 2.5 per unit as and when its captive power unit starts generation. This is all likely to be completed by mid FY19.

Waste Heat Recovery at East India has already commissioned commercial production in Q3FY18. Management has indicated a savings of about Rs 100/tonne already accumulating from Q3FY18 for eastern operations. This number has the potential to increase as we see capacity ramp-up of the newer grinding unit at East India. On our current volume assumptions for FY20, JKLC is likely to deliver power savings of approximately Rs 1.16 billion by end of FY20, which converges to an EBITDA/tonne of approximately Rs 110 per tonne at consolidated company level. We are also factoring in a 20 per cent reduction in Waste Heat Recovery savings as the WHR will reach optimum utilisations with ramp up of capacity utilisations.

Utilisation scale up
As a ballpark, the minimum savings expected out of every percentage increase in capacity utilisation is Rs 10 per tonne. This is the least and the savings can be much higher and will vary on case to case basis. At consolidated level, for JKLC, we expect utilisations to improve by nearly 10 per cent . However, the picture looks different on a plant-wise basis.

JKLC’s UCWL plant is likely to see utilisation ramp up of 20-25 per cent while the other two plants in North and East India will see an increase of utilisations of 1-10 per cent. Most of the utilisation ramp up will be a function of recent capacity additions. At Rs 10 per tonne of cost savings with scale efficiencies, JKLC will deliver a cost savings of approximately Rs 920 million by FY20 translating to savings of about Rs 90 per tonne.

Logistics
On logistics front, JKLC has opportunities of installing railway sidings at East India. It is also recalibrating its lead distances and relooking and renegotiating its contracts and arrangements with transporters. As a company, JKLC has guided for cost savings of approximately Rs100-150 per tonne in logistics over the next 12-18 months.

Opportunities will logistics costs savings will become more visible as and when all the newer plants of JKLC reach optimum utilisations.

We will now summarise the potential of cost savings for each of the cost heads on a plant wise basis. Our estimates in the following table are conservative and we have not yet factored in any incremental savings on account of further reduction in power consumption/tonne (which is quite possible as JKLC increases production of blended cement – especially composite cement). We have assumed only Rs10 per tonne of savings with every percentage increase in capacity utilisations which can also be higher. We have factored in only 50 per cent of the minimum targeted savings in logistics by the management (Rs 100-150per tonne). Our calculations suggest that we can remain fairly confident of minimum Rs 250per tonne of cost savings through internal measures.

Economy & Market

Fornnax launches world’s biggest secondary/fine shredder for AFR pre-processing

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2025

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Fornnax has introduced its latest breakthrough – the R-MAX3300, for handling low-density waste streams, offering a powerful solution for cement AFR plants.

Fornnax Technology has launched its latest breakthrough – the R-MAX3300, the biggest secondary shredder in its class. The unveiling took place on 14th October, 2025 at IFAT India 2025 in Mumbai, one of the most prestigious events for environmental technologies, waste management, and sustainable resource innovation.

The launch ceremony was graced by esteemed industry leaders and dignitaries. The guest list included Md Fahim Sopariwala, CEO, GEPIL India; Sridhar Jagannathan, Vice President, Zigma Global; Priyesh Bhatti, CEO, GEPIL India; Shailendra Singh, Deputy General Manager, Prism Johnson (Cement Division); Ulhas Parlikar, Global Consultant, Waste Management, Circular Economy, Policy Advocacy and Co-processing; Saurabh Palsania, Joint President (Strategic Sourcing), Shree Cement; Rajeev Patel, DGM (Process), Mangalam Cement; and Anumodan Kumar Dubey, Mangalam Cement.

This state-of-the-art equipment represents a significant advancement for India’s recycling and waste processing landscape, offering a powerful solution for cement AFR plants and waste-to-energy facilities.

Building on the proven performance and legacy of the R Series secondary shredder, which has long been trusted for high-density materials like tyres and cables, the newly introduced R-MAX3300 is specifically engineered for handling low-density waste streams. These include Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Commercial and Industrial (C&I) waste, Bulky waste, Legacy waste, Wood waste, and Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste.

By incorporating advanced shredding technology, the R-MAX3300 enables seamless and highly efficient production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) within the ideal particle size range of 30 to 50 mm. Its design prioritises versatility, durability and superior performance, directly supporting industrial operations that demand consistency and scale.

“The R-MAX3300 represents a monumental leap forward in our vision to become a global leader by 2030 in recycling technology through innovation,” said Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, Fornnax Technology. “With the rising challenges of waste management in India and globally, this machine is not just a product; it’s a powerful tool for change. We engineered it to handle the most difficult waste streams with unparalleled efficiency, turning what was once considered unusable waste into a valuable resource. It directly addresses the urgent demand for effective, large-scale shredding technology that can support cement kilns and waste-to-energy facilities in achieving the desired output,” he added.

The launch of the R-MAX3300 arrives at a pivotal moment. India currently generates over 160,000 tons of municipal solid waste daily, while government-led initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Mission and Smart Cities are accelerating the demand for RDF and waste-to-energy solutions. Simultaneously, the global industrial shredder market is expected to grow at a 5–6 per cent CAGR, driven by stricter recycling regulations and increasing waste generation.

Kundaria further emphasised, “Our commitment goes beyond just selling machinery; it’s about empowering our customers to achieve lasting efficiency, sustainability, and growth. We see ourselves as a trusted partner who stands beside them at every step – from technology deployment to ongoing support, ensuring they can rely on Fornnax not only for performance but also for consistency, dependability, and long-term value.”

The R-MAX3300 is equipped to handle high-throughput processing of pre-shredded or coarse materials, making it ideal for SRF/RDF production, composting pre-treatment, and volume reduction for logistics optimisation. It is expected to play a crucial role in Integrated Waste Management Projects (IWMP) and bio-mining operations both within India and globally.

With this grand launch, Fornnax continues to set global benchmark and move decisively towards the vision of becoming global leader in recycling technology by 2030 that is state-of-the-art, innovative, economical, efficient reliable and eco-friendly.

Concrete

Fornnax wins Top Domestic Sales Award 2024-25 by AIRIA

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2025

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Fornnax bags the Excellence in Top Domestic Sales Award 2024–25 by the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA).

The company has been honoured with the Excellence in Top Domestic Sales Award 2024–25 by the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) under the Rubber Machineries and Equipment category. The award recognises Fornnax’s exceptional market leadership, strong sales performance and continued commitment to sustainable innovation.

With over a decade of specialised expertise, Fornnax has emerged as a transformative force in India’s tyre recycling sector, commanding nearly 90 per cent of the domestic market while steadily expanding across Europe, Australia, the GCC, and other global regions.

Fornnax’s advanced recycling systems—comprising the SR-Series Primary Shredders, R-Series Secondary Shredders, and TR-Series Granulators—are engineered for durability, efficiency, and high-output performance. These technologies are widely deployed in end-of-life tyre (ELT) processing and other waste management applications, reinforcing Fornnax’s reputation as a trusted industry partner.

Expressing his gratitude, Jignesh Kundaria, Director & CEO, Fornnax, said, “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from AIRIA. This award validates the trust that our customers and partners have placed in us over the years. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our clients and partners who have been an integral part of this journey and our continued success. At Fornnax, our goal has always been to empower the recycling industry with innovative, high-performance solutions that make sustainability both achievable and profitable.”

The award also underscores Fornnax’s pivotal role in promoting circular economy practices by enabling the conversion of end-of-life tyres and rubber waste into reusable raw materials. Through ongoing R&D, new product innovation, and a solutions-driven approach, the company continues to help industries worldwide adopt eco-conscious, scalable recycling models.

As India’s recycling landscape evolves to meet global sustainability benchmarks, Fornnax stands at the forefront with internationally certified technology, a proven track record, and a clear vision for environmentally responsible growth.

Concrete

Pacific Avenue Completes Acquisition of FLSmidth Cement; Rebrands as Fuller Technologies

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2025

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The acquisition of FLSmidth Cement by Pacific Avenue Capital Partners marks a new phase of focused growth and innovation.
Rebranded as Fuller® Technologies, the company will continue delivering world-class solutions with renewed investment and direction.

Pacific Avenue Capital Partners (“Pacific Avenue”), a global private equity firm, has completed its acquisition of FLSmidth Cement following the fulfillment of all customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction includes all of FLSmidth Cement’s intellectual property, technology, employees, manufacturing facilities, and global sales and service organizations.

As Fuller Technologies, the company will continue to seamlessly support its customers while advancing its robust portfolio of capital equipment, digital solutions, and service offerings. With a sharpened focus on Pyro and Grinding technologies, alongside core brands such as PFISTER®, Ventomatic®, Pneumatic Conveying, and Automation, Fuller Technologies aims to deliver enhanced value and reliability across the cement and industrial sectors.

Under Pacific Avenue’s ownership, Fuller Technologies will benefit from increased investment in people, products, and innovation. The dedicated management team will work to optimize operations and strengthen customer relationships, ensuring continuity and excellence during this exciting transition.

“We are proud to be the new owner of FLSmidth Cement, now Fuller Technologies, a global leader with a rich history of providing mission-critical equipment and aftermarket solutions in the cement and industrial sectors. We will continue to build upon the Company’s legacy of being at the forefront of technological innovation, service delivery, and product quality as we support our customers’ operations,” says Chris Sznewajs, Managing Partner and Founder of Pacific Avenue Capital Partners.

Pacific Avenue’s deep experience in executing complex industrial carve-outs and guiding standalone businesses into their next growth phase will be instrumental in shaping Fuller Technologies’ future. With a proven track record in building products and capital equipment industries, Pacific Avenue is poised to help Fuller Technologies optimize performance, accelerate growth, and create long-term value for its customers and stakeholders worldwide.