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We conduct various programmes of social and economic development initiatives

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– V Madhusudana Rao, Vice President – Operations (Cement Unit -II), The KCP Limited

What are the activities you are involved under CSR commitment and how the government mandate is prescribing various benchmarks?
The KCP Limited involved under CSR commitment, following all Statutory guidelines and organising following CSR activities under the KCP Limited, Cement Unit -II, Ramakrishna Puram: health care services, safe drinking water and sanitation, promotion of school education, skill development programme, women empowerment, infrastructure/rural development activities, disaster management and tree plantation.

How are the actual and prescribed budgets for the last three years? Please give details of allocations for various activities. How long it will take for you to complete the mission you have undertaken in that particular region?

What has been the impact of various CSR activities in various geographies? What is the criterion adopted in choosing the target group or community for CSR initiatives?

It is the vision of KCP CSR Wing to transform society at large surrounding our business operations. As a part of this, the company, under the stewardship of its Chairperson and Managing Director, Dr VL Indira Dutt, is conducting various programmes of social and economic development initiatives, with the national priorities such as public health, education, livelihoods, sanitation, water conversation and natural resource management.

We take care of communities around our plants, by identifying their needs and designing our CSR Programmes in such a way to meet the same.

What are the crushing challenges the country is facing in the socio-economic sphere and CSR activities can contribute towards fulfilling these needs?
Socio-economic disparity is one of the biggest challenges, main reason being the rural urban divide among many host of factors which increase the intensity of this disparity. CSR can contribute to bridge this gap. As CSR has both means, medium in terms of funds, technology and robust management systems, these issues can be addressed with strong rigor and fundamentally shift this imbalance.

What are the CSR activities you have undertaken on outbreak of Covid-19 and what are the challenges did you face?
CSR activities undertaken on outbreak of Covid-19:
Organised corona awareness programme in all our operational locations.
Distributed double layered, re-usable cloth masks to all residents in or around Muktyala, also distributed nose masks to various government departments like Police, Revenue, Press and municipal staff in Jaggayyapet and Macherla.
Tailoring trained women initially stitched nose masks for KCP, which helped these women in getting orders from nearby companies and government agencies during Covid-19 lock-down period
Social distance points are marked and maintaining the same at all our RO plants.
As part of Covid-19 Prevention activities, spraying of disinfectants has been done in or around our operational villages of Jaggayyapet Mandal, Jaggayyapet municipality area and Macherla towns from March 28, 2020 onwards.

Provisions (groceries) distributed to all residents of Muktyala village in April and May 2020.
Challenges faced:

  • Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the activities have been impacted.
  • Reduced field interactions for over months, it has become difficult to keep up the momentum.
  • Education, healthcare services, women empowerment programs, skill training being a few of our key interventions, the programmes are severely impacted.
  • However, The KCP Limited is planning to address these challenges by using technology as much as possible. Also, this phase has been used to prepare better as soon as restrictions are lifted.
  • How do you think the CSR scenario will pan out in general in the next two to three years, in the wake of Covid-19 impact on business revenues and profitability?
    Business oprganisations, which have done CSR for not merely the compliance but, in its true spirit of contributing to the community will find ways and means to continue their support. Of course, every company will adapt to the situation relevant to the ecosystem it is operating in. Covid-19 has given an opportunity to expedite some of the change’s vis-a-vis integration of technology, finding most cost-effective methods of implementation, working closely with stakeholders as resources are getting scarce. Depending upon the outlook of a company, Covid-19 has presented a great opportunity to shift gears on path of development and expedite systemic changes at much faster pace.

    Case Study: Aspiring children preparing to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat
    The children of a nation are its future. A strong Push to their aspirations is pivotal to progress of any country. The KCP Limited in its quest to provide equal opportunities to children in Rural India, has been working on various fronts. Working with children at early stages, the idea is to strengthens their foundation and motivates them towards their goal. Working with children from their Pre-Primary education onwards, The KCP Limited has worked out in a SRVRGKMPM (Government) school, Muktyala to build a sound and robust education ecosystem. The idea is to support students attain highest quality of education by providing school education for rural children coming from extremely poor background.

    The primary education is foundation stone and recognizing this, The KCP Limited as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility has been working tirelessly to ensure that the children in rural India get quality education. Since the focus of work is on Government run school and poorer communities, education has given these children aspirations backed by every possible support in realizing their dreams. In building a strong foundation starting at pre-primary and primary classes, a teacher plays a crucial role and working with teachers is paramount to this goal. Building capacity of teachers to learn new skills and keeping up with changes in curriculum, technology and pedagogy, KCP has ensured that teachers deliver their best to groom children right from the beginning.

    The idea is not just to provide literacy to children but, their overall development by opening their horizon and giving them aspirations, which otherwise would have been perceived to be out of reach given their social background. Infrastructure development including upkeep of school premises and providing uniforms, textbooks, Note books are the necessities for students to continue their education and ensure KCP school education system goes way beyond.

    The system evolves as students come into secondary education. The education system is complemented with life skills to deal with changing physiology and psychology of children. As these children grow the education can continue remain in focus when they are also equipped with skills to manage their emotions, peer pressure and plethora of information. The KCP Limited ensures that teachers are equipped to provide required support along with Quality education to children in Secondary classes. It is important shape up a student’s future and sets up a direction for rest of his/her life.

    Most of the children in SRVRGKMPM school, Muktyala supported by KCP come from poor rural background and there is need to support their families as they grow older. Another factor that plays an important role in continuing education is cost of education. It consistently goes up for children wanting to pursue quality education. KCP tackle this by carefully identifying children with potential, and supporting them through merit scholarships starting from LKG to X Class. Children of higher classes are provided with exposure to information which can help them decide future course of their education, understand various available opportunities. This is done through activities like motivational speeches by role models and presentations etc.

    KCP supported SRVRGKMPM school, Muktyala has shown their potential by winning a National Award – "IGBC – Green Your School Programme 2019" organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). This award was conferred in Innovation category in which more than 780 schools have participated across India. Along with National award received Rs. 4 Lakhs cash prize for implementing their ideas in school. This is a testimony that if children, irrespective of their social and economic background, are supported through a carefully designed and long-term social responsibility programme, will outdo their own expectations and dream bigger for every passing day.

    These are the children with quality education, strong value and belief systems who will build a new India, an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

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    Concrete

    India donates 225t of cement for Myanmar earthquake relief

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    On 23 May 2025, the Indian Navy ship UMS Myitkyina arrived at Thilawa (MITT) port carrying 225 tonnes of cement provided by the Indian government to aid post-earthquake rebuilding efforts in Myanmar. As reported by the Global Light of Myanmar, a formal handover of 4500 50kg cement bags took place that afternoon. The Yangon Region authorities managed the loading of the cement onto trucks for distribution to the earthquake-affected zones.

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    Concrete

    Reclamation of Used Oil for a Greener Future

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    In this insightful article, KB Mathur, Founder and Director, Global Technical Services, explores how reclaiming used lubricants through advanced filtration and on-site testing can drive cost savings, enhance productivity, and support a greener industrial future. Read on to discover how oil regeneration is revolutionising sustainability in cement and core industries.

    The core principle of the circular economy is to redefine the life cycle of materials and products. Unlike traditional linear models where waste from industrial production is dumped/discarded into the environment causing immense harm to the environment;the circular model seeks to keep materials literally in continuous circulation. This is achievedthrough processes cycle of reduction, regeneration, validating (testing) and reuse. Product once
    validated as fit, this model ensures that products and materials are reintroduced into the production system, minimising waste. The result? Cleaner and greener manufacturing that fosters a more sustainable planet for future generations.

    The current landscape of lubricants
    Modern lubricants, typically derived from refined hydrocarbons, made from highly refined petroleum base stocks from crude oil. These play a critical role in maintaining the performance of machinery by reducing friction, enabling smooth operation, preventing damage and wear. However, most of these lubricants; derived from finite petroleum resources pose an environmental challenge once used and disposed of. As industries become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, the paramount importance or focus is shifting towards reducing the carbon footprint and maximising the lifespan of lubricants; not just for environmental reasons but also to optimise operational costs.
    During operations, lubricants often lose their efficacy and performance due to contamination and depletion of additives. When these oils reach their rejection limits (as they will now offer poor or bad lubrication) determined through laboratory testing, they are typically discarded contributing to environmental contamination and pollution.
    But here lies an opportunity: Used lubricants can be regenerated and recharged, restoring them to their original performance level. This not only mitigates environmental pollution but also supports a circular economy by reducing waste and conserving resources.

    Circular economy in lubricants
    In the world of industrial machinery, lubricating oils while essential; are often misunderstood in terms of their life cycle. When oils are used in machinery, they don’t simply ‘DIE’. Instead, they become contaminated with moisture (water) and solid contaminants like dust, dirt, and wear debris. These contaminants degrade the oil’s effectiveness but do not render it completely unusable. Used lubricants can be regenerated via advanced filtration processes/systems and recharged with the use of performance enhancing additives hence restoring them. These oils are brought back to ‘As-New’ levels. This new fresher lubricating oil is formulated to carry out its specific job providing heightened lubrication and reliable performance of the assets with a view of improved machine condition. Hence, contributing to not just cost savings but leading to magnified productivity, and diminished environmental stress.

    Save oil, save environment
    At Global Technical Services (GTS), we specialise in the regeneration of hydraulic oils and gear oils used in plant operations. While we don’t recommend the regeneration of engine oils due to the complexity of contaminants and additives, our process ensures the continued utility of oils in other applications, offering both cost-saving and environmental benefits.

    Regeneration process
    Our regeneration plant employs state-of-the-art advanced contamination removal systems including fine and depth filters designed to remove dirt, wear particles, sludge, varnish, and water. Once contaminants are removed, the oil undergoes comprehensive testing to assess its physico-chemical properties and contamination levels. The test results indicate the status of the regenerated oil as compared to the fresh oil.
    Depending upon the status the oil is further supplemented with high performance additives to bring it back to the desired specifications, under the guidance of an experienced lubrication technologist.
    Contamination Removal ? Testing ? Additive Addition
    (to be determined after testing in oil test laboratory)

    The steps involved in this process are as follows:
    1. Contamination removal: Using advanced filtration techniques to remove contaminants.
    2. Testing: Assessing the oil’s properties to determine if it meets the required performance standards.
    3. Additive addition: Based on testing results, performance-enhancing additives are added to restore the oil’s original characteristics.

    On-site oil testing laboratories
    The used oil from the machine passes through 5th generation fine filtration to be reclaimed as ‘New Oil’ and fit to use as per stringent industry standards.
    To effectively implement circular economy principles in oil reclamation from used oil, establishing an on-site oil testing laboratory is crucial at any large plants or sites. Scientific testing methods ensure that regenerated oil meets the specifications required for optimal machine performance, making it suitable for reuse as ‘New Oil’ (within specified tolerances). Hence, it can be reused safely by reintroducing it in the machines.
    The key parameters to be tested for regenerated hydraulic, gear and transmission oils (except Engine oils) include both physical and chemical characteristics of the lubricant:

    • Kinematic Viscosity
    • Flash Point
    • Total Acid Number
    • Moisture / Water Content
    • Oil Cleanliness
    • Elemental Analysis (Particulates, Additives and Contaminants)
    • Insoluble

    The presence of an on-site laboratory is essential for making quick decisions; ensuring that test reports are available within 36 to 48 hours and this prevents potential mechanical issues/ failures from arising due to poor lubrication. This symbiotic and cyclic process helps not only reduce waste and conserve oil, but also contributes in achieving cost savings and playing a big role in green economy.

    Conclusion
    The future of industrial operations depends on sustainability, and reclaiming used lubricating oils plays a critical role in this transformation. Through 5th Generation Filtration processes, lubricants can be regenerated and restored to their original levels, contributing to both environmental preservation and economic efficiency.
    What would happen if we didn’t recycle our lubricants? Let’s review the quadruple impacts as mentioned below:
    1. Oil Conservation and Environmental Impact: Used lubricating oils after usage are normally burnt or sold to a vendor which can be misused leading to pollution. Regenerating oils rather than discarding prevents unnecessary waste and reduces the environmental footprint of the industry. It helps save invaluable resources, aligning with the principles of sustainability and the circular economy. All lubricating oils (except engine oils) can be regenerated and brought to the level of ‘As New Oils’.
    2. Cost Reduction Impact: By extending the life of lubricants, industries can significantly cut down on operating costs associated with frequent oil changes, leading to considerable savings over time. Lubricating oils are expensive and saving of lubricants by the process of regeneration will overall be a game changer and highly economical to the core industries.
    3. Timely Decisions Impact: Having an oil testing laboratory at site is of prime importance for getting test reports within 36 to 48 hours enabling quick decisions in critical matters that may
    lead to complete shutdown of the invaluable asset/equipment.
    4. Green Economy Impact: Oil Regeneration is a fundamental part of the green economy. Supporting industries in their efforts to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise pollution is ‘The Need of Our Times’.

    About the author:
    KB Mathur, Founder & Director, Global Technical Services, is a seasoned mechanical engineer with 56 years of experience in India’s oil industry and industrial reliability. He pioneered ‘Total Lubrication Management’ and has been serving the mining and cement sectors since 1999.

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    Concrete

    Charting the Green Path

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    The Indian cement industry has reached a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. In a landmark move, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has, for the first time, announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity reduction targets for 282 entities, including 186 cement plants, under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. These targets, to be enforced starting FY2025-26, are aligned with India’s overarching ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
    Cement manufacturing is intrinsically carbon-intensive, contributing to around 7 per cent of global GHG emissions, or approximately 3.8 billion tonnes annually. In India, the sector is responsible for 6 per cent of total emissions, underscoring its critical role in national climate mitigation strategies. This regulatory push, though long overdue, marks a significant shift towards accountability and structured decarbonisation.
    However, the path to a greener cement sector is fraught with challenges—economic viability, regulatory ambiguity, and technical limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives. A major gap lies in the lack of a clear, India-specific definition for ‘green cement’, which is essential to establish standards and drive industry-wide transformation.
    Despite these hurdles, the industry holds immense potential to emerge as a climate champion. Studies estimate that through targeted decarbonisation strategies—ranging from clinker substitution and alternative fuels to carbon capture and innovative product development—the sector could reduce emissions by 400 to 500 million metric tonnes by 2030.
    Collaborations between key stakeholders and industry-wide awareness initiatives (such as Earth Day) are already fostering momentum. The responsibility now lies with producers, regulators and technology providers to fast-track innovation and investment.
    The time to act is now. A sustainable cement industry is not only possible—it is imperative.

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