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Our target is to become carbon-negative by 2040: Dalmia Cement

Published

5 years ago

March 5, 2021

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Elaborating on its sustainability initiatives, Ashwani Pahuja, Chief Sustainability Officer and Executive Director, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited, India reveals that In the last five years, the company has trimmed 17.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from its operations.

Sustainability, as a concept, has picked up well within the cement manufacturers. Elaborate on initiatives adopted by Dalmia Cement.

Our target is to become carbon negative by 2040. The first step is RE 100 by 2030 and fossil fuel replacement by 2035. Since the last decade, there are major initiatives on sustainability starting with material circularity, increased utilisation of industrial waste including fly-ash and and slag. In 2013, we were consuming nearly 1 million tonnes of industrial waste, which has increased to 6 million tonnes. That is a six fold increase in our material circularity or circular economy.

Multiple energy efficiency optimization programmes have also been implemented at the plant including retrofitting of energy efficient equipment. Today, the average energy consumption within our group is 71 kWh/tonne, which is nearly 20% lower than the global average. These two measures coupled with certain initiatives in renewables (installed 8 MW solar PV + 9MW of waste recovery project) has made Dalmia one of the lowest carbon footprint companies globally. The CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) has ranked Dalmia as the number one group globally in the business readiness for low carbon in their global sector report published in 2018.

In the last four years, we have also become five times water positive. The aim is to be 25 times water positive by 2030. In the last five years, we have avoided 17.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from our operations.

What are the other measures under implementation?

To further reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, we are installing waste heat recovery in plants wherever it is technically feasible. From the current 9.2 MW, it will increase to 56.2 MW in next 4-5 years. And in carbon neutral fuels (biomass) currently at 4% will be enhanced to 25% in the next five years. More solar installation (77MW) is in the offing as part of RE100 target set for 2030. By then, all electricity consumption for plants will be from renewables.

Can you quantify the percentage of increase in fund allocations for sustainability initiatives annually?

There are certain constraints in the solar initiative for private players, particularly, in transmissions segment policies. We hope that this would be sorted by the government with enabling policies. Financing for sustainable technologies and carbon technologies is not an issue as global financing companies are ready to fund provided you reduce carbon footprint.

In line with Paris Climate Agreement, there may be a push from the government. In European countries, the polluter pays for industrial wastes as well as for various alternate fuels including landfill activities. We may expect such policies in the near future in our country. We are looking at bamboo plants in waste land, which in turn, can be a fuel for the cement industry as well as for the power industry.

As a standalone, it is very difficult to switch over to carbon neutral technologies unless there are very attractive carbon markets. In the near future, these carbon markets are likely to become active. There are Green Climate Funds to the tune of $100 million every year to the developing nations for carbon-neutral technologies.

Could you elaborate on the cost advantage after adopting newer technologies?

Cost benefits are not immediate but over the medium- to long-term, the benefits are good. Initially, solar was at Rs 16/ unit. However, technological advancements and economies of scale brought the prices down. In the long term, these technologies will have to become viable through economies of scale technologies and also by enabling policies including incentives and the carbon markets. So, it?? a mix of low interest green finance, liberal policies as well as economics of scale.

Does India have a compliance structure for companies that are internationally accepted when it comes to green funds?

IFC and ADB are ready to fund projects provided the organisations come forward with various carbon neutral initiatives. For Dalmia, which is arguably one of the lowest carbon footprint companies in the world, it is not that difficult.

Renjini Liza Varghese

Concrete

NDMC Rolls Out Intensive Sanitation Drive Across Lutyens Delhi

Municipal body intensifies cleaning and monitoring across the capital

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2026

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The New Delhi Municipal Council has launched an intensive sanitation drive across Lutyens’ Delhi, aiming to raise cleanliness standards in the capital’s central precincts. The programme will combine enhanced manual sweeping with mechanised cleaning and systematic waste removal to cover parks, heritage precincts and prominent thoroughfares. Authorities described the initiative as a sustained effort to improve public hygiene and reduce environmental hazards while maintaining the area’s civic image.

Operational teams have been instructed to prioritise drain clearing and litter hotspots, with special attention to markets and transit nodes that attract heavy footfall. Coordination with city utilities and waste processing units will be stepped up to ensure timely collection and disposal, and supervisory rounds will monitor adherence to cleaning schedules. Officials also intend to use data-driven planning to deploy resources efficiently and to identify recurring problem areas.

The council plans to engage resident welfare associations and business stakeholders to foster community participation in maintaining cleanliness and to support behavioural change campaigns. Public communication will be amplified through notices and outreach to encourage responsible waste handling and to inform residents about collection timings and segregation norms. Enforcement measures for littering and unauthorised dumping will be reinforced as part of a broader strategy to deter violations and sustain cleanliness gains.

The move reflects a focus on urban sanitation that officials link to public health priorities and to the city administration’s commitment to maintaining civic amenities. Monitoring mechanisms will include regular reporting and inspections to review outcomes and to recalibrate operations where necessary, according to municipal sources. The council emphasised that continued community cooperation will be essential for the drive to deliver lasting improvements in the appearance and hygiene of the capital’s core areas.

Concrete

UltraTech Appoints Jayant Dua As MD-Designate For 2027

Executive named to succeed current managing director in 2027

Published

4 days ago

March 10, 2026

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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

1 week ago

March 6, 2026

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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.