Economy & Market

Looking EAST

Published

8 years ago

January 31, 2018

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Vaibhav Agarwal of PhillipCapital India reviews the ups and downs of the cement industry in 2017 and also shares the expectations from the industry in 2018.
The year 2017 has remained a challenging year for the cement industry. As per the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, cement production fell 2 per cent yoy in April-October 2017. However, the validity of these numbers is uncertain. GV’s checks pointed at 3-4 per cent industry growth in this period, most of which was led by east-India markets. The demand in the east remains most robust (in double digits) followed by central, north, south, and west markets. Cement manufacturers who have been through a consolidation phase or have increased their capacities (organically or inorganically) continue to outperform in terms of volume growth. The industry saw multiple challenges in 2017, most of which were structural and permanent, including:
Latent effect of demonetisation – mainly dented the southern markets
GST rollout – though this was not a major concern, it created teething troubles in the initial months
Strict loading compliances severely dampened the earnings of several manufacturers – Shree Cement remains the worst affected (led to its de-rating by nearly 20 per cent)
Accommodating the largest consolidation move in the sector – UltraTech acquiring Jaypee
Sand mining bans dented cement demand in several states
Pet-coke ban (implemented by the Supreme Court of India, subsequently withdrawn on a conditional basis)Latent effect of demonetisation
In the initial phases of demonetisation, the southern markets, being less-cash, were least impacted. However, this less-cash nature was limited to the cement distribution system while end markets such as real estate and contractors continued to depend on cash and were negatively affected, which in turn hurt distributors. In order to keep business as usual, cement distributors sought support from cement manufacturers in the form of extended credit periods, which increased the working capital cycle of the industry, especially of southern manufacturers.GST rollout for the cement sector
The rollout was smooth, except for initial teething troubles and a few structural changes in the distribution system, which impacted short-term demand dynamics. The rollout led to the proportion of ex-factory sales increasing multifold, as all buyers were inclined to take full credit of the GST impact by paying the requisite GST on freight component. Because of GST, the differential EBITDA contribution gap between trade and non-trade sales reduced significantly (to just about Rs 10 per bag say from Rs 20-25 earlier), as the differential in cost of sales for cement manufacturers narrowed. While this was more of an initial challenge (now streamlined), it is a key structural change in the distribution system of the sector (but for the better).Strict loading compliances: The dampener
After GST, and given the very strong retaliation on overloading by various NGOs/environmentalists, it is a thing of the past for the cement sector. Ground checks revealed extremely strict adherence to overloading norms in almost all regions of the country. GST has made it extremely difficult for cement manufacturers to not to comply with truck-loading norms, as the processes of invoicing and transportation have become much more transparent. It is very unlikely that this will reverse, and ground checks suggest a sustained impact of Rs 4-10 per bag (depending on region of operation and lead distance travelled).
North and east markets have seen very high overloading in the past, so much so that few plants in east India were shut on grounds on non-compliance to environmental norms. The overloading practices of these plants were severely damaging the roads around the plant and hurting the local habitat. In order to avoid local agitation, in many cases, loading compliance has also been applied to dumpers for limestone transfer from mines. Manufacturers such as Shree Cement have been worst hit, visible in the structural de-rating of the stock by nearly 20 per cent.UltraTech buying Jaypee
This was the sector’s largest consolidation move which had wide-ranging implications. It impacted the distribution dynamics of the states in which the acquisitions were made as UltraTech needed to be accommodated in terms of volume share. Volume pushers such as Shree Cement had to compromise on its volume push strategy – likely to be visible in its Q3 numbers. Another problem was the difference in the mindsets of the managements of UltraTech and Jaypee. While UltraTech has always been predominantly a brand-conscious company, Jaypee’s business model has been based on a volume-push strategy. It was difficult to convince erstwhile Jaypee distributors to come on board UltraTech’s strategy.Sand-mining bans dent demand
Sand is essential for cement usage. For manufacturing concrete, with every tonne of cement nearly four tonnes of sand is needed. For all other usage, for every one tonne of cement nearly eight tonnes of sand is required. Broadly, the ballpark ratio of cement to sand is 1:6. Many state governments of the country such as Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have been regularly intervening in sand mining, denting the availability of sand. The worst impacted state is Tamil Nadu, where no resolution seems to be in sight. Various NGOs and environmentalists have raised regular concerns about sand mining, because in many cases this activity is done beyond the allotted quota, leading to illegal sand mining. As a result, many states are now depending on ‘crush sand’ for their requirements. The problem is that all states do not have enough crush-sand infrastructure (factories, licenses) – and this continues to affect sand availability. Though this issue is longstanding, 2017 was one of the worst years for cement demand because of lack of sand availability in the states mentioned above.
Pet coke ban implemented by the Supreme Court, subsequently withdrawn In November 2017, the Supreme Court of India issued an order implementing a ban on pet coke usage by cement manufacturers in overall plant operations in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. GV found that many cement manufacturers in other regions voluntarily changed their fuel (to coal from pet coke) anticipating a ban. Few state governments also issued ‘soft notices’ to cement manufacturers; while these did not outright ban pet coke, they seemed to advise cement manufacturers to stop using or avoid using pet coke.
The industry filed a petition arguing that as long as emission norms of cement factories are within prescribed environmental norms, the industry should be allowed to use any fuel. This plea was partially successful and cement manufacturers were allowed to use pet coke in kiln operations, subject to the plant fulfilling environmental norms. However, the power plants may not be able to use pet coke again. This was another setback for the industry in 2017, and if this stay, which lasted for nearly a month, is implemented permanently, it will definitely have cost implications for cement manufacturers.
All the issues that the industry faced in 2017 are structural and will have long-term implications for the sector:

After demonetisation, the distribution network, aggregate manufacturers, and other raw material suppliers have learned to be more organised.
GST brought more parity to the industry’s product mix and in many markets the realisations and EBITDA contribution from trade and non-trade sales have moved more closer.
The largest cement major of the sector UltraTech acquiring Jaypee has brought major consolidation into the sector, which will take a couple of quarters more to play out. It will be a challenging task for both UltraTech and as well as the industry to accept this consolidation move – from UltraTech’s perspective the key challenge will be to ramp up its consolidated capacity utilisation and garner additional premium for products sold from acquired Jaypee plants. This implies improving base cement prices in these markets, which is a long-term structural positive for the sector.
The most crucial issue, which may continue to overhang the industry in 2018, will be sand – and it will remain state-specific. Tamil Nadu does not seem to have a resolution in the medium term; hence, demand is likely to remain low in this state. Rajasthan has implemented fresh bans towards the end of November 2017. Availability issues in other states are yet to be fully resolved. The key takeaway from this issue in 2017 is that respective states are likely to roll out permanent measures to address the problem of sand availability (by installing more crush sand factories, issuing new licenses, monitoring sand mining more stringently). Though these measures will take time to fall in place, they should help to prevent sand issues cropping up again.
The pet-coke ban overhang is over for now, but the learning for cement manufacturers is that their plant operations can be interrupted if they do not comply with environmental norms. It is fair to assume that all cement manufacturers are now making doubly sure that plants consistently remain environment friendly, as this will mean lesser complications in the future.

Overall, 2017 has set a roadmap for cement manufacturers and largely addressed or has brought clarity to many structural issues that were directly or indirectly affecting the sector over the last many years. Going forward, the focus of cement manufacturers will remain limited to core business issues. Their performance will be more consistent as norms are now prescribed or being prescribed for several issues which have been impacting them consistently in the past.2018 roadmap
Demand will pick up in 2018 with the pre-election period round the corner; general elections are due to be held in India by 2019 to constitute the seventeenth Lok Sabha. Therefore, 2018 is the only year left for the government to prove its on-theground execution. Construction activity picks up generally 15 months before general elections and this momentum sustains until about 2-3 months before elections. Historically, cement demand growth in pre-election years has been 5-7 per cent. The key risk to 2018 is that if demand does not revive in 2018, cement demand revival will remain questionable until the end of CY19.
With Aachar Sanhita (model code of conduct for political parties) being implemented before elections, new projects cannot be executed. Demand until the end of election will remain sustainable only from the existing projects. Even after the general elections are over, the new elected government usually remains preoccupied with the making policy agendas and cabinet formation. Hence, a good six months in 2019 can be written off with no incremental demand likely from any new projects except for projects that were already under execution before the Aachar Sanhita is announced.Ear to the ground

Demand in many pockets such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the whole of east India remains robust. These regions continue to register double-digit yoy growth. Demand in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is being driven by fast-track execution of irrigation and infrastructure projects while in east India, infrastructure, housing, and projects to build toilets are driving demand.
Underperforming states like Karnataka have registered a near double-digit yoy growth in recent months. Recovery is seen as a given in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Tamil Nadu and Kerala are unlikely to turn around in 2018 because of lack of political stability and sand issues.
Rajasthan was impacted by sand issues towards the end of November 2017. Still, the demand in this state remains reasonable. Building toilets has contributed significantly to demand in Rajasthan.
Demand in other pockets of north India is also picking up. Demand in Uttar Pradesh has gained momentum after sand issues were been partially resolved. Strong revival is seen in this state in 2018.
Overall, demand sentiment is seen rising in 2018 driven by infrastructure, housing, irrigation, and projects related to building toilets gathering pace. Signs of recovery are already visible in specific areas. The worst in terms of demand seems over and demand should improve from here.

What to expect
The industry has been able to gain clarity on several structural issues in 2017. The way forward in 2018 will only be consistency in performance, improvement in operating matrix, and improvement in overall operating parameters. There are still a few notable consolidation moves pending in the industry, which would be meaningfully favorable in the long term. Recent media articles have suggested a strong possibility of Binani Cement being taken over by few cement majors. Names such as UltraTech, Dalmia Bharat, Shree Cement, and a few PE funds have been in the limelight for this deal. Dalmia Bharat has also already confirmed through a press release that it is looking at acquiring Murli Industries. These deals are likely to be executed in 2018, but since these cases are referred to NCLT, the execution timelines may elongate.
Dalmia Bharat seems the strongest and most aggressive candidate to grow inorganically in 2018. Cement majors such as UltraTech and Shree may face the CCI hurdle in large acquisitions in north India. For other mid-tier cement manufacturers such as JK Cement, JK Lakshmi Cement, and India Cements, improving their operating-cost matrix, garnering better market shares through ramp up of utilisations and improving EBITDA contribution through better branding and cost savings will be
the key.
Composite cement is also likely to be a new and big change for the industry in 2018. Cement manufacturers such as Ambuja and JK Lakshmi have already taken this initiative in a few pockets of east India and have been able to garner a premium of Rs 15-20 per bag. Composite cement will add a big cost lever to the industry, as it significantly improves the blending ratio, though the prospects of manufacturing composite cement will be limited to markets where slag is available. 2018 should be a turnaround year for the cement industry and the beginning of a fresh upcycle. Stability of the cost curve, better brand premium and branding exercises, and steady ramp ups in utilisations are the key factors to watch. On the downside, if 2018 proves disappointing, the industry will continue to struggle until CY19.
The article is authored by Vaibhav Agarwal of PhillipCapital India

Economy & Market

RAHSTA Roundtable Sets Agenda for Smarter, Safer Highways

Published

1 hour ago

March 16, 2026

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Roundtable discussions focus on innovation for safer highways.

Held on 12 March 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, alongside the Infrastructure Today Airport Conclave, the RAHSTA Roundtable brought together stakeholders from across the highways and infrastructure ecosystem to shape the agenda for the 16th RAHSTA 2026, scheduled for 8–9 July 2026 at the Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai. The session focused on key industry themes including road construction, technology, safety and long-term sustainability.

Opening the discussion, Pratap Padode, Founder, FIRST Construction Council, said the roundtable marked the beginning of a broader consultative process leading up to the July event. The aim, he noted, is to bring together industry stakeholders to refine the agenda for discussions on the future of roads, bridges, tunnels and allied infrastructure.

Padode noted that while central road project awards have slowed in recent years, states are increasingly driving the next phase of infrastructure growth. Maharashtra, with its long-term road development plans and agencies such as MSRDC and MSIDC, is expected to play a significant role in this expansion.

RAHSTA Expo 2026 as a specialised platform dedicated to road infrastructure, covering highways, tunnels, bridges and flyovers along with construction technologies, safety systems and maintenance solutions. He also highlighted the growing importance of rural connectivity and said the organisers are engaging with government bodies to highlight rural road development initiatives.

Tanveer Padode, CIO, ASAPP Info Group, presented insights from IMPACCT, the group’s infrastructure intelligence platform. He pointed to a strong project pipeline despite slower highway awards earlier in the year, noting that states such as Maharashtra, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh are emerging as key drivers of new projects. The data also revealed that only a small group of contractors participates in large-value infrastructure bids.

Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhary, former Director General, Border Roads Organisation and Chairman of the RAHSTA Expo Committee, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration across the ecosystem, including policymakers, contractors, technology providers and financiers. He also called for addressing systemic issues within the sector and encouraged greater participation of women in infrastructure leadership.

The discussion also explored the evolving economics of road development. Phani Prasad Mandalaparthy, Associate Director, CRISIL Intelligence, noted that the slowdown in project awards reflects a shift towards higher-value logistics corridors rather than simple road widening projects. However, private participation through BOT and TOT models remains limited.

From the contractors’ perspective, Sudhir Hoshing, Whole-Time Director, Ceigall, said companies are becoming more selective in bidding, favouring projects with clearer payment mechanisms and efficient processes. While NHAI continues to offer greater operational clarity, states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were cited as relatively supportive environments for project execution.

Durability and sustainability also emerged as key themes. Himanshu Agarwal, COO – Road & Infrastructure, Zydex Group India, highlighted the need to prioritise lifecycle performance and resilient pavements, while participants discussed the potential of alternative materials such as plastic waste, steel slag and industrial by-products in road construction.

Dr LR Manjunatha, Vice President, JSW Cement, emphasised that India has abundant fly ash, slag and other industrial materials that can improve durability and sustainability if integrated into specifications and policy frameworks.

Technology and equipment challenges were also discussed. Dr Lakshmana Rao Mantri, Dy General Manager, Afcons Infrastructure, highlighted the shortage of tunnel boring machines (TBMs), which is delaying several underground infrastructure projects. Participants agreed that developing domestic TBM manufacturing capabilities will be critical for future infrastructure expansion.

The future of concrete pavements was another area of discussion. Dr V Ramachandra, President, Indian Concrete Institute, stressed that the debate should focus on lifecycle performance rather than material choice alone, noting that evolving design standards are improving the feasibility of concrete roads.

Prof Dharamveer Singh of IIT Bombay added that while India has made significant progress in infrastructure development, stronger capacity building and better execution practices are essential to ensure consistent road quality.

The discussion also touched upon technology adoption in the sector. Rushabh Mamania, Partner & CBO, Roadvision, highlighted the growing role of AI in road infrastructure, noting that AI-driven monitoring systems are already being deployed across large stretches of national highways.

Overall, the roundtable underscored that the future of highway infrastructure will depend not only on the pace of construction but also on durability, safety, technology integration and sustainable materials. The discussions offered valuable insights that will help shape the agenda for RAHSTA 2026 and guide future collaboration within the industry.

Economy & Market

CTS Roundtable Charts Tech-Led Roadmap for Construction

Published

1 hour ago

March 16, 2026

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CTS Roundtable Maps Technology Roadmap for Construction

Ahead of the Construction Technology Show (Con Tech Show) 2026, industry leaders, technology innovators and academia came together in Mumbai to deliberate on how digitalisation, automation and industrialised construction can reshape the sector. The discussion made one thing clear: construction can no longer afford to treat technology as optional.

Held on 12 March 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, alongside the Infrastructure Today Airport Conclave, the CTS Roundtable served as a precursor to the Construction Technology Show 2026, scheduled for 19–20 August 2026 at NESCO, Mumbai.

A platform to move from discussion to deployment

Opening the session, Pratap Padode, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, ASAPP Info Global Group, said construction technology has long remained close to his heart, especially given the sector’s traditionally slow pace of technology adoption. He noted that over the years, the Construction Technology Summit had steadily built interest, and the next step was now to expand it into a larger, more meaningful platform that could bring together technology providers, users, startups and innovators under one roof.

Padode said the vision for CTS is not limited to software alone. The platform aims to embrace all forms of technology that can improve construction efficiency, quality and execution—from digital tools and project management systems to lean construction, off-site fabrication and startup-led innovation. He also highlighted plans to deepen startup participation and create space for young companies to showcase emerging construction solutions.

Industry at a turning point

Moderating the roundtable, Naushad Panjwani, Chairman, Mandarus Partners, set the context by pointing out that the global construction industry, despite being a multi-trillion-dollar sector, continues to lag in productivity. He noted that while manufacturing has consistently improved efficiency, construction has remained slow to modernise.

Referring to both global and Indian trends, Panjwani underlined that the industry is now at a decisive moment. India, he said, is entering a major build cycle, and delivering the next phase of infrastructure and real estate growth through traditional methods alone is no longer viable. The goal of the roundtable, therefore, was not to debate technology in isolation, but to identify the most critical conversations that would bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.

His central message was clear: CTS 2026 must be shaped around themes that make CEOs, CIOs and CTOs feel they cannot afford to miss the event.

From BIM to AI, data to governance

A major theme that emerged through the discussion was the need for better data, better visibility and better decision-making. Dr Venkata Santosh Kumar of IIT Bombay echoed this, saying that the underlying data infrastructure itself needs attention. Construction projects, particularly remote ones, often face issues around connectivity, data collection and data use. Without this foundation, more advanced technologies cannot deliver their full value.

Chandra Vasireddy, CEO & Co-founder, Inncircles, expanded the discussion to governance, arguing that technology must help connect the many moving parts of a construction business. For him, the real value of digital transformation lies in creating better governance, clearer visibility and stronger business outcomes.

Tejas Vara of Inncircles stressed the importance of timely site data for leadership teams, especially in large and remote projects where decisions on materials, machinery and manpower often get delayed because information does not reach headquarters in time.

The role of AI also featured prominently. Rushabh Mamania, Partner and CBO, Roadvision said that while AI and machine learning are now common terms, vision intelligence and language intelligence have still not deeply penetrated the construction sector. He emphasised that startups in India are building relevant AI-led solutions and are already attracting international interest, showing that innovation need not be imported—it can be built locally and scaled globally.

Industrialised construction gains ground

The roundtable also placed strong emphasis on industrialised construction methods. Kalyan Vaidyanathan, CTO – Construction & R&D, Tvasta, called for greater focus on off-site fabrication and the broader industrialisation of construction. Bhargav Jog, General Manager, Dextra, highlighted precast technology and alternative sustainable materials as areas with immediate relevance.

Several participants agreed that modular, precast and pre-engineered approaches are no longer niche ideas. They are increasingly becoming practical responses to the sector’s challenges around labour shortage, timelines, quality control and predictability.

Anup Mathew, Sr VP & Business Head, Godrej, argued that the industry needs a fully integrated approach—from design and procurement to execution and asset management. Unless these are connected, technology adoption will remain fragmented and sub-optimal. He pointed to pre-engineered and modular systems as examples of how industrial thinking can compress timelines, improve quality and reduce dependence on difficult on-site conditions.

Adoption remains the biggest hurdle

While there was broad agreement on the promise of technology, the discussion repeatedly returned to one fundamental challenge: adoption.

Abhishek Kumar, COO, LivSYT, observed that the market is crowded with solutions, but many buyers still struggle to evaluate which technology suits which use case. According to him, the industry needs clearer frameworks to help users select, compare and adopt solutions, rather than expecting a single platform to solve every problem.

Dr Tenepalli JaiSai, Associate Professor, School of Construction(SoC), NICMAR University, noted that isolated technologies will not solve the productivity problem by themselves. What is required is an integrated Construction 4.0 approach, where digital, physical and cyber-physical systems work together rather than in silos.

That concern around silos was reinforced by Subodh Dixit, former Director, Shapoorji Pallonji, who said the issue is not just that technologies are disconnected, but that stakeholders are as well. Clients, consultants, contractors and partners often operate with different priorities. Unless these silos are broken, technology will struggle to percolate across the full project value chain.

Harleen Oberoi, Project Management, Tata Realty shared a practical perspective from the client side, saying that successful BIM implementation requires investment across the ecosystem, not just within one organisation. Trade partners, vendors and other stakeholders must also be trained and aligned if the technology is to deliver its intended results.

Beyond buzzwords

A notable takeaway from the session was that the industry is moving past the phase of treating technology as a buzzword. Participants repeatedly stressed that the real question is not whether technology should be used, but where it creates measurable value and how that value can be scaled.

The conversation also expanded beyond mainstream themes to include repairs and rehabilitation, construction and demolition waste, sustainability, circular economy, green sourcing, carbon measurement, design interoperability, generative design, robotics, and the role of horticulture and greener built environments.

Setting the agenda for CTS 2026

By the close of the session, the roundtable had surfaced a strong set of themes for the upcoming show: BIM and digital twins, AI and data platforms, industrialised construction, startup innovation, governance-led technology adoption, robotics, sustainable materials, and integrated project delivery.

More importantly, the session established CTS 2026 as more than an exhibition. It is shaping up to be a serious industry platform where users, technology providers, researchers and policymakers can collectively define the future of construction.

As Padode noted in his closing remarks, the conversation will continue through further consultations and possibly webinars in the run-up to the show. If the roundtable is any indication, CTS 2026 will aim not merely to showcase technology, but to push the industry towards meaningful adoption at scale.

Economy & Market

Smart Pumping for Rock Blasting

Published

2 weeks ago

March 2, 2026

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SEEPEX introduces BN pumps with Smart Joint Access (SJA) to improve efficiency, reliability, and inspection speed in demanding rock blasting operations.
Designed for abrasive and chemical media, the solution supports precise dosing, reduced downtime, and enhanced operational safety.

SEEPEX has introduced BN pumps with Smart Joint Access (SJA), engineered for the reliable and precise transfer of abrasive, corrosive, and chemical media in mining and construction. Designed for rock blasting, the pump features a large inspection opening for quick joint checks, a compact footprint for mobile or skid-mounted installations, and flexible drive and material options for consistent performance and uptime.

“Operators can inspect joints quickly and rely on precise pumping of shear-sensitive and abrasive emulsions,” said Magalie Levray, Global Business Development Manager Mining at SEEPEX. “This is particularly critical in rock blasting, where every borehole counts for productivity.” Industry Context

Rock blasting is essential for extracting hard rock and shaping safe excavation profiles in mining and construction. Accurate and consistent loading of explosive emulsions ensures controlled fragmentation, protects personnel, and maximizes productivity. Even minor deviations in pumping can cause delays or reduce product quality. BN pumps with SJA support routine maintenance and pre-operation checks by allowing fast verification of joint integrity, enabling more efficient operations.

Always Inspection Ready

Smart Joint Access is designed for inspection-friendly operations. The large inspection opening in the suction housing provides direct access to both joints, enabling rapid pre-operation checks while maintaining high operational reliability. Technicians can assess joint condition quickly, supporting continuous, reliable operation.

Key Features

Compact Footprint: Fits truck-mounted mobile units, skid-mounted systems, and factory installations.
Flexible Drive Options: Compact hydraulic drive or electric drive configurations.
Hydraulic Efficiency: Low-displacement design reduces oil requirements and supports low total cost of ownership.
Equal Wall Stator Design: Ensures high-pressure performance in a compact footprint.
Material Flexibility: Stainless steel or steel housings, chrome-plated rotors, and stators in NBR, EPDM, or FKM.

Operators benefit from shorter inspection cycles, reliable dosing, seamless integration, and fast delivery through framework agreements, helping to maintain uptime in critical rock blasting processes.

Applications – Optimized for Rock Blasting

BN pumps with SJA are designed for mining, tunneling, quarrying, civil works, dam construction, and other sectors requiring precise handling of abrasive or chemical media. They provide robust performance while enabling fast, reliable inspection and maintenance.With SJA, operators can quickly access both joints without disassembly, ensuring emulsions are transferred accurately and consistently. This reduces downtime, preserves product integrity, and supports uniform dosing across multiple bore holes.

With the Smart Joint Access inspection opening, operators can quickly access and assess the condition of both joints without disassembly, enabling immediate verification of pump readiness prior to blast hole loading. This allows operators to confirm that emulsions are transferred accurately and consistently, protecting personnel, minimizing product degradation, and maintaining uniform dosing across multiple bore holes.

The combination of equal wall stator design, compact integration, flexible drives, and progressive cavity pump technology ensures continuous, reliable operation even in space-limited, high-pressure environments.

From Inspection to Operation

A leading explosives provider implemented BN pumps with SJA in open pit and underground operations. By replacing legacy pumps, inspection cycles were significantly shortened, allowing crews to complete pre-operation checks and return mobile units to productive work faster. Direct joint access through SJA enabled immediate verification, consistent emulsion dosing, and reduced downtime caused by joint-related deviations.

“The inspection opening gives immediate confidence that each joint is secure before proceeding to bore holes,” said a site technician. “It allows us to act quickly, keeping blasting schedules on track.”

Framework agreements ensured rapid pump supply and minimal downtime, supporting multi-site operations across continents