Economy & Market

A circular economy is imperative for a sustainable future

Published

6 years ago

January 4, 2020

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Ujjwal Batria, Chief Operating Officer, Dalmia Cement (Bharat)

Give us a brief on the activities of Dalmia Group in the Indian subcontinent regarding AFR.

Cement is an essential commodity in construction and infrastructure development. Although there is some environmental impact during its production, we have always adhered to strict environmental norms and have implemented various measures in line with the evolving technologies to reduce the carbon footprint. In sync with the Swachh Bharat Mission, we make major use of AFR (alternative fuels and raw materials).

Apart from AFR, we use fly ash (thermal power plant waste) and BF Slag (steel industry waste) in our blended cement, which comprises nearly 80 per cent of our product portfolio. Our AFR consumption has more than doubled from 14.5 per cent in FY20 per cent 13-14 to 30 per cent in FY2017-18. Portland Slag Cement and Portland Composite Cement collectively contribute to nearly 50 per cent of our product portfolio. Similarly, our clinker factor has come down to 63 per cent at current levels from about 81 per cent in 2013.

What has been the performance of Dalmia in the last two years in terms of TSR? What do you think about the next three years?
At the group level, we have touched 4 per cent TSR (Thermal Substitution Rate) compared to nearly 0.5 per cent five years ago. We have also developed pockets of excellence in some plants where nearly 18 per cent of TSR has been achieved. Presently, we are utilising various alternative fuels such as biomass, tyre nylon threads, carbon black, spent wash, paint sludge, spent carbon, sawdust as well as waste from cotton, plastic and footwear. While boosting the bottom line, these simultaneously curb GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from cement operations. Moving forward, we are augmenting our fuel feeding systems with additional investments for making more use of both solid and liquid alternative fuels.

What do you think needs to be done urgently to improve the overall TSR numbers in the country?
Thermal Substitution Rate refers to the percentage of sustainable alternative fuels used in replacing fossil fuels. Commodity materials such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) improve TSR percentage but lower investment payback. India is targeting 25 per cent TSR by 2025. Yet, compared to global standards (TSR of about 60 per cent to 100 per cent in many countries), we remain far behind. The main issues – waste characteristics and lack of support from the required agency for generating good segregated waste quality.

A circular economy is imperative for a sustainable future. Given its second-largest producer tag, India’s cement industry contributes to the circular process by handling different types of waste – whether it is steel industry slag, municipal solid waste or fly ash. The cement industry can be a mega player in waste management. In 2017-18, its production was 298 MTPA, which is expected to touch more than 550-600 MTPA by 2025. To meet this demand, it requires more than 51 million tonnes of coal that is already in short supply.

Besides, given the Centre’s Swachh Bharat Mission, we should use alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR). Along with the need for AFR, it is essential to use RDF along with other industrial waste, which is anyway a part of kiln feeds. Consequently, RDF offers an immense opportunity to boost the TSR of cement kilns, which could also save millions in foreign exchange due to lower coal imports. From 1 per cent a few years ago, the average TSR is now 4 per cent. The target is 25 per cent by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030.

Are you handling industrial or any hazardous waste at any of the plants under your control? Kindly provide details.
The country’s cement industry is no longer as polluting or hazardous as some others since a complete transformation has occurred in this sector. A single visit to any of our sites will dispel any preconceived notions about cement plants being most polluting and hazardous.

The environmental emission norms mandated by the Government of India for the cement industry are at par with many developed countries. Cement is a basic building block and an essential glue that binds concrete – the world’s second-most consumed commodity after water. Nonetheless, when any industrial activity takes place on such a scale, some collateral impact on the environment cannot be ruled out. In recent years, however, the industry has made its operations significantly safer.

Overall, the industry is using waste more energy efficiently. The industry consumes almost 50 per cent of the country’s fly ash. Likewise, the steel industry’s entire BF Slag is used by our industry. Many cement plants in India are water positive. In other words, we are providing more water to nature than we take from it. The cement industry is growing by leaps and bounds in promoting sustainable business practices in India. Recently, international climate research rating agency CDP published their report on the global cement sector. CDP ranked six cement companies from India in the Top 10. Dalmia Cement has been ranked No.1 in the CDP report on business readiness for low carbon transition.

More than 65 per cent of cement production capacity in India comes under the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA). The main objective of GCCA is introducing sustainable business practices in the industry. Moreover, safety is the topmost priority. Typically, there is a major shift in providing a safe environment for our employees. Progressive cement companies are implementing a people-first policy, making the safety of workers a priority. Engagement in the supply chain is another area where much progress has been made. Various programmes such as defensive driving and driver passport system have been initiated for greater safety of workers, including during transport-related operations.

Provide more details on the platform created for handling hazardous waste.
Cement kilns deploy co-processing in waste disposal. Unlike landfilling and incineration, this practice is a more sustainable and environment-friendly waste disposal method thanks to the lower emissions and lack of residue after the treatment. Recently, our cement sector has made significant investments in ensuring a greener future via the enhanced use of AFR and other means. But the industry’s contribution is contingent on the progress of the nation’s overall waste management segment.

The progress on the AFR front has been robust, which includes the penetration of blended cements. While OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) was the market leader in India earlier, today it has only around 20-25 per cent of market share. It is heartening that nearly 75 per cent of the nation’s cement production presently is in the form of various types of blended cement against barely 30 per cent in 1999-2000. The Indian cement industry has more potential to use alternative fuels than is being done currently. Yet, to achieve this, a complete transformation is required in India’s waste management sector from the generation point to disposal methods. Once implemented, the circular economy could become the backbone of India’s waste management practices. There is overwhelming customer acceptance of environment-friendly products. Many States have also come forward and developed policies for greater utilisation of blended cements. On our part, we are continuing policy advocacy and training of masons in using more blended cements and making them sensitive to environmental issues such as climate change. The use of industrial wastes in cement offers the technical advantages of improved durability and lower carbon footprint.

Can hazardous waste and other waste materials go together in the kiln or have to be moved separately?
Cement kilns use co-processing for waste disposal. Unlike landfilling and incineration, this is a more sustainable and environment-friendly waste disposal method due to lower emissions and lack of residue after the treatment. Thereby, waste materials in industrial processes are used as AFRs in recovering material and energy from them. These are fully utilised as a replacement for fossil fuels in cement kilns. Given the high temperatures in cement kilns, various kinds of wastes are disposed of effectively without harmful emissions by co-processing. In many countries, different types of plastic wastes are regularly disposed of in an environmentally-sound manner through co-processing. In essence, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, which includes plastic wastes, are used as AFRs.

Nonetheless, care is required in selecting wastes and equipment, with trained personnel handling the co-processing of any waste. Tell us something about the pre-processing required for hazardous waste.
Conversion of Segregated Combustible Fraction (SCF) into RDF is done by a waste management operator at the existing waste management site. This comprises setting up a pre-processing facility with storage, shredding and blending operations. The cement company needs to establish a co-processing facility in the plant to ensure its viability. For the plant, the expenditure streams are the pre-processing cost and RDF transportation cost.

In utilising hazardous waste, enormous challenges arise since it’s necessary to have proper inputs from waste generators about the waste characteristics while having a proper material safety data sheet to understand the important precautions during transportation and usage of different wastes.

What has been your experience in moving waste across state borders after the introduction of GST? To what extent the movement has become less painful?
Overall, the introduction of GST has made transport of waste smoother besides reducing the compliance costs as well as complexity. Earlier, due to multiple state entry taxes and CST, it was more cost-effective in maintaining multiple warehouses in different states. But the higher number of warehouses meant most were operating below capacity, creating operational inefficiencies. GST has made this practice redundant as companies benefit by consolidating and maintaining warehouses wherever it is more beneficial. This has thus boosted operational efficiencies.

Additionally, there is a reduction in transit time as vehicles now spend less time idling at checkpoints. In turn, this has lowered logistics costs. Taking these factors into account, movement of waste is less cumbersome for cement companies today.

It is said processing of any kind of waste is not a problem but the issue is of logistics and getting waste at the plant at the right price. How do you think the problem can be solved?
For an industry holding 10 per cent global market share and as the third-largest volume product loader of the Indian Railways, multi-modal transport options are crucial. In comparison with other industries, as a per centage of sales, cement holds the highest logistics cost. This cost soars when the material is unloaded and transported further via road and if it is brought from or taken to the hinterland. The industry requires solutions for controlling transport costs since it comprises about 20% of retail cement prices. Therefore, automation of key processes vis-a-vis monitoring and controls could provide savings in freight costs. Some initiatives can include planned transport deploying intelligent algorithms as well as smart monitoring in implementing operations via GPS technologies.

Wherever possible, Railways should be used for transport as it is the most economical form. Such a focused approach can yield cost benefits. Meanwhile, initiatives are being undertaken by the Railways to ease movement of goods – whether raw materials or finished products. Development of mega stations and dedicated freight corridor will also be useful in boosting cement logistics. More cement manufacturers are now inking long-term freight contracts with the Railways, which will lead to a significant reduction in operating costs.

Do you think that Indian plants have been handling waste in a safe manner that will not cause harm to society in general?
While supply, segregation, quality and consistency are important in handling waste safely, segregation is the most important. Segregation and management at source are generally the best means of managing waste. Thereafter, waste quality and consistency are essential for effective disposal. While existing norms are adequate, the focus needs to be on proper implementation. Standardisation of waste disposal norms could facilitate greater safety while ensuring the cement sector leaves a lower carbon trail.

Economy & Market

RAHSTA Roundtable Sets Agenda for Smarter, Safer Highways

Published

10 hours 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

11 hours 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