Concrete

Concrete: Potential to grow

Published

7 years ago

January 11, 2019

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No wonder, India’s concrete industry is a vital part of our economy, directly and indirectly. India has a lot of potential for development in the infrastructure and construction sector and the concrete sector is expected to largely benefit from it.

The beauty of cement is that it is always converted into value added products, and standalone use of cement is very rare. The first major value addition of cement is concrete, which is a heterogeneous mixture of different components where cement plays role of a gum. Sand and stone chips are a few other important ingredients of concrete. Sand sources across globe are depleting fast and therefore engineering community had to find an alternative and it is manufactured sand.

Ready-mix concrete is just an extension of concrete. Globally, the ready-mix concrete market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 8 per cent during the period 2017-2023. The manufacturing of ready-mix concrete and delivering it through a transit mixer allows the integration of precise concrete in construction, thus making it strong, sturdy and long lasting.

Considering the global scenario, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to acquire the major share in the global market and is predicted to retain its dominance in the long run. It is due to the rising number of latest infrastructural projects especially in economies like Singapore, India, Thailand, and China. With the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation in these areas, the market is anticipated to flourish. Moreover, the ever-increasing population, favourable government policies, high availability of skilled workforce and cheap resources, and low labour and operational costs are contributing to the market growth.

The advent of new infrastructure construction projects is also estimated to generate an inflated demand for the ready-mix concrete market. In this region, China has accounted for the lion’s share, owing to the refurbishment and expansion of old structures like railway terminals, and airports, along with the implementation of novel infrastructural projects. India is also considered as a driving cause for the market owing to the development of smart cities.

The worldwide cement production is 4.1 billion metric tonnes (2018). Assuming 75 per cent of cement is used in concrete, we can imagine the quantum of concrete produced considering typically 300 kg of cement is consumed per cubic meter.

Concrete products are often the most sustainable and have the potential for a very long service life, but because concrete is used in large quantities, its use does have a global impact.

It is interesting to know, though ready-mix concrete was patented in the year 1903, it really took off somewhere around 1960s. It gained momentum with fast-track projects where investments done were the key issue and time to complete the projects was critical. There have been many advantages of using ready-mix concrete.

Quality of concrete produced at plant is much superior to what is produced at site. There is strict control over the testing of materials, process parameters and continuous monitoring of key practices during the manufacture. Speed in the construction practices followed in ready-mix concrete plant is followed continuously by having mechanised operations. The output obtained from a site mix concrete plant using an 8/12 mixer is 4 to 5 metric cubes per hour, which is 30-60 metric cubes per hour in a ready mix concrete plant. The other advantage, cement is saved and the dust caused is reduced as ready mix concrete makes use of bulk cement instead of bags of cement. There is saving of cement on account of use of cementious materials like fly ash and slag. The other major benefit is the engineer at site is able to concentrate on engineering jobs than paying attention to material procurement and material management. There is less dependency on human labour, which leads to less of errors.

The major disadvantage of ready mixed concrete is the traffic congestions during the movement of transit of concrete can result in setting of concrete. This will hence require addition of admixtures to delay the setting period. In our country, we have additional tax on ready-mix concrete which when produced manually at site is not levied. One of the major cost components in ready-mix concrete is the transport cost, which is close to 30-35 per cent of the realisation, which is quite significant. Today ready mix business faces many challenges. The major one is shortage of sand and aggregates. The other is fulfilment of environment regulations. The citizens becoming more aware of their rights sometimes lead to conflict of interest. All of sudden the concrete producer gets a closure notice.

Precast
Precast is corollary to ready-mix concrete (For more details on precast, read Devendra Kumar Pandey’s interview in this issue). It is difficult to imagine precast factory without using a batching plant to produce concrete. The list of products coming under precast is pretty long starting from normal covers, lamp poles, railway sleepers, ready to use fence, doors and window frames, decorative facades, stair case, water tanks, toilets etc. The number of metro railway projects undergoing are using many precast shapes in the job. Precast products are factory made shapes and then transported to the locations whereas cast in situ concrete shapes are cast at locations in one monolith piece.

Precast shapes are cast in small shapes and then bolted together. It is a technology used for producing large number of pieces repeatedly. Therefore it is often used for mass housing projects. Typically in mass housing, a factory is set up close to a site, and different sections of house are produced and then assembled at location. In case if cast shapes have to be transported to a distance then precast may not turn out to be a cost-effective option. This enhances the speed of construction. Same is the case of railway sleepers. The Department of Railways have set up sleeper factories at various locations where rail tracks are being laid. Sometime special equipment are required for erection of precast shapes at site and which may be little expensive. Joining different precast shapes is another vulnerable area in precast construction. In case if cast shapes have to be transported to a distance then precast may not turn out to be a cost effective option.

In short, concrete provides us immense opportunities and imagination to make effective use of the man-made material.

VIKAS DAMLE

Concrete

Cement Makers Reaffirm Commitment to Sustainable Growth

Published

2 hours ago

June 5, 2026

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World Environment Day spotlight on innovation and circularity

On World Environment Day, the Indian cement industry reiterated its commitment to supporting India’s climate ambitions through sustainable manufacturing, resource efficiency and the adoption of cleaner technologies.

The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) said the sector remains aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitments and is accelerating efforts to reduce its environmental footprint while supporting the country’s infrastructure and development agenda.

Parth Jindal, President, CMA and Managing Director, JSW Cement, said the industry is increasingly adopting cleaner technologies, improving energy efficiency and expanding the use of alternative fuels and raw materials. He also highlighted the growing importance of circular economy practices, where industrial by-products and waste streams from one sector are utilised as resources in another.

“The Indian Cement Industry is aligned to the Government’s commitments on carbon mitigation and is accelerating the adoption of cleaner technologies, resource efficiency and circular economy practices while actively exploring the potential of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) as a critical pathway for deep decarbonisation,” said Jindal.

He added that coprocessing industrial waste and by-products helps conserve natural resources, reduce disposal requirements and lower the environmental footprint across multiple sectors.

According to Jindal, sustainability is no longer limited to manufacturing processes but is increasingly influencing investment decisions, innovation strategies and long-term growth plans within the industry.

Echoing similar views, Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA and Managing Director, JK Cement, said sustainable development extends beyond emissions reduction and must also focus on responsible resource utilisation and waste minimisation.

“Sustainability in the built environment cannot be measured by emissions alone. It is equally about how efficiently we use resources, how effectively we minimise waste and how responsibly we create the infrastructure that will serve future generations,” said Singhania.

He noted that the cement industry is advancing its sustainability agenda through greater resource efficiency, increased circularity, technological innovation and continuous improvements in manufacturing practices. As a key contributor to India’s infrastructure development, the sector has a critical role to play in balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting India’s climate goals while delivering the materials required for resilient, durable and sustainable infrastructure.

Concrete

Building a Greener Future Together

Published

20 hours ago

June 4, 2026

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Environmental sustainability requires immediate action, not just long-term commitments and discussions. Recycling, circular economy practices, and technology-driven waste management can help industries reduce environmental impact while supporting sustainable growth.

Author: Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, Fornnax Technology

World Environment Day serves as an important reminder that environmental sustainability can no longer remain confined to discussions, reports, or long-term commitments. The environmental challenges facing the world today demand immediate, measurable, and collective action. Across industries and communities, waste generation continues to outpace our ability to process it responsibly, placing increasing pressure on ecosystems, natural resources, public health, and the well-being of future generations.

One of the most significant shifts required today is a change in how society perceives waste. Rather than being viewed as a material to be discarded, waste must be recognised as a valuable resource that can contribute to both economic growth and environmental protection when managed through the right technologies and systems. This mindset forms the foundation of the circular economy model that countries across the world are increasingly adopting to reduce landfill dependence, recover valuable materials, and create more sustainable industrial ecosystems.

India has made meaningful progress in strengthening awareness around sustainability, recycling, and environmental responsibility over the past decade. Significant efforts are being made to formalise the recycling sector through improved infrastructure, technology adoption, policy implementation, and broader stakeholder participation. These developments are creating a stronger foundation for responsible waste management and resource recovery across the country.

However, achieving long-term environmental impact requires collaboration from all stakeholders. Industries, policymakers, technology providers, and communities must work together with greater accountability to strengthen recycling ecosystems, encourage responsible waste management practices, and create sustainable outcomes through consistent execution rather than temporary interventions.

As someone closely associated with the recycling industry, I firmly believe that technology will play a decisive role in addressing future environmental challenges. Advanced recycling systems have the potential to recover valuable resources, reduce pollution, minimise landfill burdens, and conserve energy, creating a more sustainable future for generations to come. This belief is deeply reflected in Fornnax’s motto, “Committed to Create a Green Future,” which embodies our commitment to building long-term environmental value through innovation and responsible action.

At the same time, technology alone cannot deliver meaningful change. Real progress requires intent, awareness, participation, and a shared sense of responsibility. Sustainable development can only be achieved when innovation is supported by collective action and a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship.

On this World Environment Day, let us move beyond conversations and take meaningful steps towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable planet. By embracing innovation, strengthening recycling ecosystems, and acting responsibly today, we can create lasting environmental impact and secure a better future for generations to come.

Concrete

JK Lakshmi Advances LC3 Cement Expansion

Company highlights commercial production and research partnerships

Published

4 days ago

June 1, 2026

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The meeting reviewed progress in limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) technology and its commercial adoption in India’s cement sector, focusing on low-carbon alternatives to conventional binders. JK Lakshmi Cement noted that limestone calcined clay cement can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 per cent compared with conventional cement and said this reduction supports industry decarbonisation. The company highlighted that it was among the first two cement manufacturers in India to move LC3 into commercial production after the Bureau of Indian Standards approved the technology as a cement standard.

Vinita Singhania said the transition of LC3 from research to commercial production reflected collaboration between industry, academia and international institutions. Maya Tissafi acknowledged JK Lakshmi Cement’s role in advancing LC3 adoption in India and its contribution in taking the technology from laboratory trials to commercial implementation. Both representatives underlined the growing relevance of sustainable construction materials as India expands infrastructure and urban development.

The meeting explored continued collaboration with Swiss research institutions such as EPFL, EMPA and ETH Zurich alongside Indian academic partners and development organisations. JK Lakshmi Cement has been associated with the LC3 initiative since 2014 and worked with EPFL, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, Development Alternatives and Technology and Action for Rural Advancement. The company conducted one of the earliest industrial trials of LC3 and recently announced commercial production of Green Pro LC3 cement from its Jaykaypuram plant in Rajasthan.

India remains the world’s second-largest cement producer and expansion of infrastructure, urbanisation and housing demand continue to support long-term sector growth, increasing interest in low-carbon technologies. The company reported an annual turnover of more than Rupees (Rs) 60 bn and current cement capacity of about 18 million (mn) tonnes (t) per annum, with a target of reaching 30 million (mn) tonnes (t) by 2030. Apart from grey cement, the company also makes ready-mix concrete, gypsum plaster, wall putty, primers, adhesives and fly ash blocks, and both sides concluded on the need for continued collaboration to develop sustainable construction solutions.