Economy & Market

Opportunities galore

Published

9 years ago

December 30, 2017

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Greening of industry is a method to attain sustainable economic growth and promote sustainable economies. It includes policymaking, improved industrial production processes and resource-efficient productivity.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) can be given credit of coining the term Green Industries Initiatives. A few years back, UNIDO coined the concept ‘Green Industry’ to place sustainable industrial development in the context of new global sustainable development challenges. Green industry means economies striving for a more sustainable pathway of growth, by undertaking green public investments and implementing public policy initiatives that encourage environmentally-responsible private investments.
Green Industry Initiatives create awareness, knowledge and capacities about what is sustainable. UNIDO works with different governments to support industrial institutions that in turn provide assistance to enterprises and entrepreneurs in all aspects relating to the greening of industry. As an organisation, UNIDO extends support for integrating corporate social responsibility, water management, energy and promotion of eco-friendly processes into the policy framework of an industry.
On the other hand, industrial pollution is generally referred to the undesirable outcome when factories emit harmful by-products and waste into the environment such as emissions to air or water bodies (water pollution), deposition on landfills etc. (land pollution) or emission of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
Earth’s atmosphere is a dynamic system of natural gases that are necessary to sustain life, and while it has a defence mechanisms to absorb small quantities of air pollutants, high levels of gases can cause ozone depletion and other problems for living organisms. The main sources of gaseous air pollutants are fuel combustion in stationary sources, such as coal-burning power plants, as well as emissions from automobiles. While these gases are not the only ones contributing to air pollution, they are regarded as dominant sources of this world-wide problem.Carbon oxides: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas, dangerous due to its lack of odour and colour that is released into the atmosphere with the incomplete combustion of fuels, such as coal, wood or other natural sources, as well as exhaust from automobiles. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the greenhouse gas widely considered the main air pollutant in the earth’s atmosphere. Despite the fact that carbon dioxide is essential to support living organisms, it is considered a dangerous air pollutant caused by human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels.
Responsible for more than half of the global warming trend, carbon dioxide restricts infrared radiation leaving the Earth’s surface, causing the "greenhouse effect."Nitrogen oxides: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are air pollutants that contribute the most contaminants to the earth’s atmospheric. Like carbon oxides, vehicle emissions are a major source of nitrogen oxides, and these air pollutants are easily recognizable by the brown plume or haze that forms over areas with high concentrations of the gases. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the most prominent and dangerous air pollutants, and this toxic gas is easily identifiable by its reddish-brown color and distinctive, sharp odour.Sulphur oxides: Sulphur oxides (SOx) are another group of gases polluting the earth’s atmosphere. Of particular concern is sulphur dioxide (SO2), one of the major components of smog and a primary cause of acid rain. While sulphur dioxide is naturally produced by erupting volcanoes, the combustion of sulphur-containing fuels such as petroleum oils and coal have caused this gas to become a dangerous air pollutant that is eating away at the Earth’s fragile atmosphere. Dangerous to both plants and animals, sulphur oxides can injure organic matter when deposited in high concentrations and cause respiratory problems by irritating air passages and lungs.
On November 8, 2017, Delhi earned the unenviable distinction of becoming the most polluted city on Earth. The pollution surged so high that some monitoring stations reported an Air Quality Index of 999, way above the upper limit of the worst category, hazardous. (An extra-sensitive air quality instrument at the US embassy got a reading of 1,010, as you can see in the chart).
The airborne particles and toxic chemicals that make up the smog had choked the 19 million residents of the metropolitan area, where merely breathing the air was, at its worst, like smoking 50 cigarettes in a day. Hospitals reported a 20 percent surge in patients with pollution-related illnesses, and doctors had declared a public health emergency.
We are bringing out a classic case before the readers just to point out that what reckless industrialisation can bring out. In the entire spectrum of pollutants, automobiles cause the highest pollution then comes the power generating plants and close to that is cement industry. Therefore it is pertinent that cement industry initiates green initiatives. Why to take green steps?

Cement production is the third ranking producer of anthropogenic (man-made) CO2 in the world after transport and energy generation
About 4 – 5 per cent of the worldwide total of CO2 emissions is caused by cement production
CO2 is produced at two points during cement production:
The first is as a by-product of burning of fossil fuels, primarily coal, to generate the heat necessary to drive the cement-making process. The second from the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate in the process of producing cement clinker.
CaCO3 (limestone) + heat -> CaO (lime) + CO2
Production of one tonne of cement results in 780 kg of CO2
Of the total CO2 output, 30 per cent derives from the use of energy and 70 per cent results from de-carbonation

Important to realise is that although 5 per cent of the worldwide generation of CO2 is due to cement production, that level of output also reflects the unique and universal importance of concrete throughout the construction industry.Measures adopted by cement
The emission regulations moved from 250 mg/Nm3 to 30 mg/Nm3 progressively on par with the global best practices. The cement Industry is continuously adapting to the latest air pollution control technologies like Electrostatic Precipitators, Bag Filters for achieving lower stack emissions of 30 mg/Nm3. Cement Industry installed Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems and Continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations for on line reporting dust emissions. The provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, National Ambient Air Quality Standards has accelerated the Cement Industry’s efforts to pursue their initiatives more vigorously.Measures to control of water pollution: Cement Industry installed Sewage Treatment Plants and Effluent Treatment Plants to treat this water and to reuse for dust suppression & gardening. It is also doing huge amount of rain water harvesting in their mined out pits. Corporates like ACC, Ambuja and Dalmia Bharat have taken steps at few of their plants to become water positive. Sustainable mining and biodiversity conservation: All captive mines operated by Cement Industry strictly adhere to mining, environmental norms laid by Indian Bureau of Mines, Ministry of Environment & Forest & Climate Control , State Pollution Control Board for eco-friendly mining and safety norms by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) for safe mining. All cement plant and mine sites complies with earmarking 33 per cent of total land area for the green belt development and afforestation. Wild Life Protection Act (WPA) 1972 is further augmenting the Cement Industry’s efforts in preserving the biodiversity with clear guidance. Hazardous waste management & co-processing:Cement industry generates very limited quantity of hazardous waste such as spent oils and lubricants, grease, etc., which are either co-processed in cement kilns or sold to authorised recyclers. The Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 & amendment 2010 gives a clear guidance to the Industry for safe management, handling and disposal of hazardous waste. Apart from this industry also co-process various waste materials generated by other industry. The kiln of a cement plant is the best suited for processing of waste in the most cost effective manner which none other system offers world over. Today rapid urbanisation has created several problems of disposing off waste either industrial or domestic. The stock of fossil fuels is depleting very fast, we have to look for another source of energy. Therefore processing of waste in cement kilns has vast potential in our country. The technology as such is quite proven in Europe and other advance countries. We need to adapt it to local conditions. TSR (Thermal Substitution Rate) is a per cent age replacement of conventional fuel and the number for some of the countries is as high as 60 per cent where as in our case it is at meagre 4 per cent.
Apart from the above, the cement industry has following various innovations towards the sustainable development. Equipment Innovation: Cement
Industry has taken various energy conservation activities throughout the cement manufacturing process. Some of the notable initiatives are as given are
as under:

Advanced dry process kiln with energy efficient cooler with 6/7 stage pre heater
Low NOX burners and low NOX calciners to reduce NOX from the kiln
Energy-efficient grinding equipment like roller press and VRMs
Energy efficient compressors, pumps, lighting, variable speed drives, fans and motors
Process optimiser along with advanced energy management system, etc.,

Clinker factor improvement and natural resources conservation: Total cement grade limestone reserve available to meet the industry requirements is 89.86 billion tonne, which are expected to last only for another 40 years. Cement industry has carried out extensive research and development for substituting clinker and to absorbs huge quantities of industrial wastes like fly ash and slag. This not only helps in reduction in CO2 emission but also preserving natural resources like limestone and corrective materials.
Recycling of concrete as of date happens to be far stretched. Concrete mixture has the highest proportion of natural materials like stone chips, sand, water etc. If we are able to make use of used concrete we shall save our natural sources of sand and stones. Cement industry is expected to make investments in processing of used concrete which is not happening. With focus on infra development, the day is not far away when we shall be compelled to explore these options. With confidence we can say that Indian cement industry is on the right track though may be little late on few initiatives. The days ahead of us will see industry becoming greener.

Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas, CleanMax Partner for Wind-Solar Hybrid Project in Rajasthan

Published

17 hours ago

September 29, 2026

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The project – comprising 20 MW of wind and 26.4 MWdc of solar capacity – will support Nuvoco’s cement operations with cleaner power while strengthening its renewable energy and decarbonisation strategy.

Mumbai, September 29, 2026

Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, part of Nirma Group and one of India’s leading cement companies, has partnered with Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Limited (CleanMax), a renewable energy solutions provider for the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, to develop a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid renewable energy project in Rajasthan.

The project will support Nuvoco’s cement operations with cleaner power while strengthening its renewable energy and decarbonisation strategy. It is expected to increase the share of renewable energy in Nuvoco’s power mix, reducing fossil fuel consumption and associated emissions.

Developed by CleanMax, an Independent Power Producer (IPP), at Bhikamkhore, Rajasthan, the project will comprise 20 MW of wind capacity and 26.4 MWdc of solar capacity, along with a 2-MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Power generated from the facility will be supplied to Nuvoco through the State Transmission Utility (STU) Open Access network.

The hybrid project is expected to generate approximately 100 million units (MU) of renewable electricity annually and help avoid around 1,25,485 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

The initiative supports Nuvoco’s ongoing efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of its manufacturing operations through renewable energy adoption, Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS), energy-efficiency measures and increased use of alternative fuels. It also aligns with the company’s DIRE (Digitalisation, Innovation and Renewables) agenda, which focuses on climate action, renewable energy transition, water stewardship, circularity and biodiversity conservation across its manufacturing ecosystem.

Commenting on the initiative, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, said, “This marks an important step in advancing Nuvoco’s journey towards more sustainable and resilient operations. Our collaboration with CleanMax will increase the share of renewable energy across our Rajasthan operations, strengthening our energy mix while improving long-term cost efficiency and reducing our dependence on conventional power sources. Initiatives such as these reinforce our commitment to operational excellence and responsible growth, while supporting our vision of Building a Safer, Smarter and Sustainable World.”

Kuldeep Jain, Founder and Managing Director, CleanMax, said, “Cement plants run continuously, so the power behind them has to be dependable for decades, not years. We’re seeing manufacturing industries view clean energy as an integral part of their core operations and long-term strategy. Our partnership with Nuvoco reflects that shift, and we’re pleased to support its decarbonisation journey. This wind-solar hybrid project is designed to deliver long-term cost certainty while supporting the Company’s transition to cleaner power.”

Nuvoco has been advancing its sustainability initiatives through renewable energy, operational efficiency and technology-driven solutions. The company operates across Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMX) and Modern Building Materials (MBM) segments, with a presence across East, North and West India.

The company began operations in 2014 with a greenfield cement plant in Nimbol, Rajasthan, and later acquired Lafarge India Limited, which entered India in 1999, along with Emami Cement Ltd in 2020 and Vadraj Cement Limited in April 2025. With planned expansion initiatives, including a new grinding mill at the Arasmeta Cement Plant and multiple debottlenecking projects, Nuvoco aims to achieve a cement capacity of 35 MMTPA.

The company reported total income of Rs 113.62 billion in FY 2025-26, reflecting its continued growth trajectory. Its cement portfolio includes Concreto, Duraguard, Double Bull, PSC, Nirmax and Infracem brands, while its RMX business offers products under Concreto, Artiste, InstaMix, X-Con and Ecodure brands. Nuvoco also provides construction solutions under its Zero M range of modern building materials.

Concrete

UltraTech Cement achieves 100% green energy milestone at Chhattisgarh plant

Published

18 hours ago

September 29, 2026

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UltraTech Cement’s Kukurdih Works becomes its first integrated unit to meet 100 per cent electricity needs through green energy every month.

Raipur (Chhattisgarh)

UltraTech Cement Limited, the world’s largest cement company outside China, has achieved a significant decarbonisation milestone, with its Kukurdih Cement Works integrated unit in Chhattisgarh meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through green energy every month since April 2026.

Commissioned in 2024, Kukurdih Cement Works has an installed grey cement capacity of 3.3 million tonnes per annum. The unit achieved this milestone through a combination of renewable power sourcing and Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS), which now collectively meet its entire electricity demand while ensuring operational reliability.

Since April 2026, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements. Five units, including Kukurdih, have exceeded 95 per cent green energy utilisation. The company is also progressively deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across its network to enable deeper renewable energy integration.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech has not invested in additional captive thermal power capacity for greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for over a decade.

As of Q1FY27, the company’s captive green energy capacity stood at 1,897 MW, comprising 1,463 MW of renewable energy capacity from solar, wind and hybrid sources, along with 434 MW of WHRS capacity. Under its RE100 commitment, UltraTech aims to increase the share of green power in its total energy mix to 85 per cent by 2030 and achieve 100 per cent by 2050.

UltraTech Cement Ltd, the cement flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, is a $10-billion building solutions company and the largest cement producer globally by sales volume outside China. The company has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement/putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. It is a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the Net Zero Concrete roadmap announced by GCCA.

Economy & Market

From First Mile to Last Mile

Published

2 days ago

September 28, 2026

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Praveen Vashistha, Founder, Gxpress Solutions, speaks about building a holistic logistics network that encompasses latest technology and current challenges faced by logistics service providers.

Logistics may seem to only entail transporting a package from one location to another. However, there is more to this term than just that. Logistics refers to the entire process of controlling all movement, transfers and decisions in the correct way at the right time and cost and with the desired level of visibility.

People nowadays want to receive more than just the delivery. They want quick, efficient, reliable and transparent logistics service. On the other hand, companies are facing higher operating costs, broken supply chains, congested cities, changing habits of consumers and growing complexity of logistics services. In this situation, a full logistics package is gaining importance not only as a competitive advantage but also as a necessity for a successful business.

The main challenge lies in uniting the first mile, the middle mile and the last mile into one seamless process.

The journey begins before the package moves

First-mile logistics may be the least recognised part of the logistics chain, but they have a crucial influence on all that follows.

This stage starts from the moment the shipment leaves the manufacturer, supplier, farm, warehouse or distribution centre. Depending on the industry, first-mile logistics may involve grouping shipments from multiple suppliers, compiling paperwork and checking the inventory before sending the shipments to a central hub.

Flaws in first-mile logistics produce effects later down the supply chain. Delays in cargo pickup can affect warehouse operations; improper packaging can damage goods in transit; and incorrect inventory information may cause stockholding or unnecessary replenishments.

This is why building a reliable network involves simplifying the operations done at the beginning of the supply chain.

Companies require accurate demand forecasts, supplier visibility, standard procedures, and software to capture information from the moment a shipment enters the supply chain. Route planning and fleet management are also important at this stage, especially as it may involve contacting multiple suppliers.

The main goal is simply to make the first mile predictable.

The middle mile: Where scale meets complexity

When products leave the original site, they travel through the ‘middle mile,’ which connects fulfilment centres, warehouses, sorting centres, and regional distribution points. In this phase, logistics networks begin operating on a large scale. A shipment can pass through several facilities before reaching the final destination. Each additional transfer entails the risk of delay or damage and information losses. Accordingly, the ideal solution is not to minimise the number of transfers but rather to optimise them. The use of hub-and-spoke networks, regional distribution centres, and strategically placed distribution centres can help companies shorten transportation routes and optimise distribution costs. Besides, data can be used to determine the optimal placement of inventories.

For instance, a retailer may find that it takes more time and is more expensive to deliver goods to customers if everything is stored in a central warehouse. Meanwhile, regional distribution helps meet the customer’s needs quicker and more efficiently.

The last mile is where the customer judges you

When it comes to the logistics experience, the customer experience comes down to the delivery. While the last mile might comprise a small part of the entire journey in actual distance, it could also entail expensive and difficult processes. Delivery runs through densely populated cities, through traffic jams, through unsuccessful delivery attempts, and through changing consumer preferences and narrowed time frames.

Customers want to have control over their delivery. Delivery means that customers expect to know the exact moment when their order is delivered. They need to receive current updates about their orders and the ability to decide whether they want scheduled deliveries, or whether they want their order to be dropped off at a designated location far from their house.

As a result, last-mile logistics must incorporate both efficiency and experience. The technology may be used to ensure timely and accurate delivery, through such products as route optimisation and real-time delivery tracking.

However, technology is not enough to guarantee success in terms of last-mile delivery. Knowledge of the local area is still an important aspect that contributes to successful delivery.

One network, not three separate operations

First, the common mistake that organisations can make is treating the first mile, the middle, and the last mile separately.

An effective first mile of logistics does not matter much if the shipment waits in a hub for many hours. A perfectly working warehouse does not make a happy customer if the last-mile delivery fails. Therefore, even the fastest last-mile delivery can become an expensive operation if the supply is not well geographically positioned.

The three moments should work together as one whole system.

This implies having a common view on inventory, transport capacities, shipment statuses and demand. The Transportation Management System, Warehouse Management System and order management system should give information to each other instead of acting like separate islands.

That is where real-time information comes into play!

If something happens, such as a vehicle gets delayed, the company has to know that from the start. If not, someone from Customer Service should be informed about the situation.

Visibility is the new infrastructure

Previously, companies had to rely on physical assets, such as warehouses, trucks, and sorting facilities, to create their logistics networks. Today, they have an additional layer of technology providing visibility.

Command-and-control systems now include GPS tracking, Internet of Things devices, bar-coding, RFID, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and analytics, which allow companies to know what the goods are doing, how well they are doing, and what is going to happen next.

Predictive analytics reveal possible delays. AI-powered forecasting increases availability. Digital dashboards enable the manager to monitor all operations in one place. The efficiency of such technologies is not measured in the amount of information they gather, but rather in their capability of converting data into knowledge.

Logistics managers should be able to answer the following questions: Where is it? When is it supposed to arrive? What causes the delay? What impact does it have? Can it be delivered some other way? How much will it cost?

The sooner the answers are given, the more resilient the logistics system is.

Resilience must be designed into the network

The events of recent years have highlighted the vulnerability of interconnected supply chains. Geopolitical tensions, bad weather, a lack of labour, poorly developed infrastructure and an unexpected spike in demand are some events that can cause problems for logistics systems without prior notice. Thus, companies should create an end-to-end network not just for normal times but also capable of functioning quickly in problematic situations. In order to create such a network, it is necessary to find alternative suppliers, use several means of transportation, create several routes of delivery, and establish inventory. It is also important to use scenario planning to define what to do if the main hub becomes unavailable or any means of transportation is blocked.

Sustainability: Part of the delivery equation

The future of logistics will also be shaped by environmental considerations.

As delivery volumes rise, businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions without compromising service. Better route planning, load optimisation, electric vehicles, alternative fuels, renewable-energy-powered warehouses and consolidated deliveries can all contribute. The most sustainable shipment is often the one that does not require unnecessary movement in the first place.

Better demand forecasting and inventory placement can reduce empty miles and avoid repeated transportation. Consolidating deliveries can improve vehicle utilisation. Reverse logistics can ensure that products, packaging and materials return efficiently instead of becoming waste.

Sustainability, therefore, should not be treated as a separate initiative. It should be incorporated into network design itself.

The future belongs to connected logistics

An end-to-end logistics network ultimately seeks to close existing gaps between various processes.

Every mile of the process should be interconnected with the other miles. Warehouses should be aware of the restraints imposed by transportation. Delivery crews should be able to know at every moment the inventory at their disposal. Clients must have access to this useful information.

Companies that will be successful in this area will not necessarily be the ones with the biggest fleets or the most warehouses. They will simply be the ones that can employ their resources in the most effective manner.

The future of logistics will be represented by an ecosystem consisting of the combination of the physical aspect, digital intelligence, and personnel decisions. Every mile in the process of delivery is important. However, the key advantage here is getting those miles to work together.

For companies, it means having minimal resistance, enhancing their efficiency and improving customer care. For clients, it means simply having the right product delivered at the right time.

About the author: Praveen Vashistha, Founder, Gxpress Solutions,