Concrete

Significant growth in the offing

Published

7 years ago

January 9, 2019

admin

Mohammed Ismail, DGM Process, Bharathi Cement, speaks on the challeneges faced by refractories in India.

As a global player, what are the efficiency improvements that you observed in your products after the adaptation of refractory?
The use of refractories help in many ways in the cement industries, first and foremost it gives good life, it helps avoid unscheduled stoppages of the plant etc. So the selection of the refractory is very important to maximise the benefits. That is where we give more importance and in our plant we have been using magnesia bricks in the kiln (rich alumina content). Preheated area is one of the critical areas and that is were we have used refractories and that helped us to achieve temperatures at 1100 degree centigrade. The high alumina content that are used helped us achieve this temperature levels. It has given us a good life of 5-6 years.

The adaptations we are basically dependant on the imports. How do you see the domestic supply shaping up?
Domestic supply, especially we have been habituated to high alumina content bricks. Refractories can be divided into two parts- one is bricks, and another is monolithic castable. If we take the use of bricks, we have been using basic bricks.As basic bricks have high CCS (Cold Crushing Strength) will be higher, and it sustain in very high temperature. Along with the selection of the fuels or alternative fuels, the type of refractory to be used has also been selected. To cite an example, we use high intensive temperature producing coke as a fuel. Basic brinks are one and the same as the alumina bricks which are produced by moulding only. When installed in our kilns, the temperature can go up to around 1,500-1,600 degree centigrade. At the same time, the flame temperature will be higher than these temperatures levels. So to withstand this, we have introduced refractory.

Second part is what we call as the monolithic castable. Apart from the kiln, these are being used. We are having multi-stream – double stream preheated systems. Triple stream preheated, with six stages with a height of around 180 m. This is divided into six stages. The hot metal move from top to bottom and the cold moves from bottom to top, thus the heat exchange takes place.

As a global player you have seen the adaptation in many countries and then in India. What do you think are the challenges faced in India?
When we depend on imports the major challenge is the lead time is very hig, which is anywhere between four to six months. But if domestic supply is available then the materials can be procured within two to three weeks. Unfortunately, we are still majorly depend on imports in refractories. We are yet to see quality suppliers in the domestic market. Knowing the quality, the cement players still prefer importing.

For refractories, steel is one of the major consumers followed by chemical industry, Cement probably is a small faction. What is the demand growth for next 2-3 years?
There is high demand expected for cement as a segment is expected with the infrastructure growth push from the government. There is more concentration on developing alternative fuels also in the offing. These alternative fuels are having a very high impact on the refractory also. And cement would be one segment that can implement the alternative fuels adaptation.So there is space for significant for refractory in India.

– liza V

Concrete

UltraTech Appoints Jayant Dua As MD-Designate For 2027

Executive named to succeed current managing director in 2027

Published

6 hours ago

March 10, 2026

admin

UltraTech Cement has appointed Jayant Dua as managing director (MD) designate who will take charge in 2027, the company announced. The appointment signals a planned leadership transition at one of the country’s largest cement manufacturers. The board has set a clear timeline for the handover and has framed the move as part of a structured succession plan.

Jayant Dua will be referred to as MD after assuming the role and will be responsible for overseeing operations, strategy and growth initiatives across the company’s network. The company said the designation follows established governance norms and aims to ensure continuity in executive leadership. The appointment is expected to allow a phased transfer of responsibilities ahead of the formal changeover.

The decision is intended to provide strategic stability as UltraTech Cement navigates domestic infrastructure demand and evolving market dynamics. Management will continue to focus on operational efficiency, capacity utilisation and cost management while aligning investments with long term objectives. The board will monitor the transition and provide further information on leadership responsibilities closer to the effective date.

Investors and market observers will have time to assess the implications of the announcement before the change is effected, and analysts will review the company’s outlook in the context of the succession. The company indicated that it will communicate any additional executive appointments or organisational changes as they are finalised. Shareholders were advised to refer to formal filings and company releases for definitive details on governance or remuneration.

The leadership change will be managed with attention to stakeholder interests and operational continuity, and the company reiterated its commitment to delivery on ongoing projects and customer obligations. Senior management will engage with employees and partners to ensure a smooth handover while maintaining focus on safety and compliance. Further updates will be provided through official investor communications in due course.

Concrete

Merlin Prime Spaces Acquires 13,185 Sq M Land Parcel In Pune

Rs 273 crore purchase broadens the developer’s Pune presence

Published

4 days ago

March 6, 2026

admin

Merlin Prime Spaces (MPS) has acquired a 13,185 sq m land parcel in Pune for Rs 273 crore, marking a notable expansion of its footprint in the city.

The transaction value converts to Rs 2,730 mn or Rs 2.73 bn.

The parcel is located in a strategic area of Pune and the firm described the acquisition as aligned with its growth objectives.

The deal follows recent activity in the region and will be watched by investors and developers.

MPS said the acquisition will support its planned development pipeline and enable delivery of commercial and residential space to meet local demand.

The company expects the site to provide flexibility in product design and phased development to respond to market conditions.

The move reflects an emphasis on land ownership in key suburban markets.

The emphasis on land acquisition reflects a strategy to secure inventory ahead of demand cycles.

The purchase follows a period of sustained investor interest in Pune real estate, driven by expanding office ecosystems and residential demand from professionals.

MPS will integrate the new holding into its existing portfolio and plans to engage with local authorities and stakeholders to progress approvals and infrastructure readiness.

No financial partners were disclosed in the announcement.

The firm indicated that timelines will depend on approvals and prevailing market conditions.

Analysts note that strategic land acquisitions at scale can help developers manage costs and timelines while preserving optionality for future projects.

MPS will now hold an enlarged land bank in the region as it pursues growth, and the acquisition underlines continued corporate appetite for measured expansion in second tier cities.

The company intends to move forward with detailed planning in the coming months.

Stakeholders will assess how the site is positioned relative to existing infrastructure and connectivity.

Concrete

Adani Cement and Naredco Partner to Promote Sustainable Construction

Collaboration to focus on skills, technology and greener practices

Published

4 days ago

March 6, 2026

admin

Adani Cement has entered a strategic partnership with the National Real Estate Development Council (Naredco) to support India’s construction needs with a focus on sustainability, workforce capability and modern building technologies. The collaboration brings together Adani Cement’s building materials portfolio, research and development strengths and technical expertise with Naredco’s nationwide network of more than 15,000 member organisations. The agreement aims to address evolving demand across housing, commercial and infrastructure sectors.

Under the partnership, the organisations will roll out skill development and certification programmes for masons, contractors and site supervisors, with training to emphasise contemporary construction techniques, safety practices and quality standards. The programmes are intended to improve project execution and on-site efficiency and to raise labour productivity through standardised competencies. Emphasis will be placed on practical training and certification pathways that can be scaled across regions.

The alliance will function as a platform for knowledge sharing and technology exchange, facilitating access to advanced concrete solutions, innovative construction practices and modern materials. The effort is intended to enhance structural durability, execution quality and environmental responsibility across developments while promoting adoption of low-carbon technologies and green cement alternatives. Companies expect these measures to contribute to longer term resilience of built assets.

Senior executives conveyed that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening quality and sustainability in construction and that closer engagement with developers will help integrate advanced materials and technical support throughout the project lifecycle. Leadership noted the need for responsible construction practices as urbanisation accelerates and indicated that the association should encourage wider adoption of green building norms and collaboration within the real estate and construction ecosystem.

The organisations said they will also explore integrated building solutions, including ready-mix concrete offerings, while supporting initiatives aligned with affordable and inclusive housing. The partnership will progress through engagements, conferences and joint training programmes targeting rapidly urbanising cities and growth centres where demand for efficient and environmentally responsible construction grows. Naredco, established under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, will leverage its policy and advocacy role to support implementation.