Concrete

Sustainability Initiatives

Published

5 years ago

March 5, 2021

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The cement industry is always striving very hard for productivity improvement and innovation for making processes more robust and efficient. Increased efficiency means less consumption of resources such as fuel and power, which is a key driver for sustainability. This is nothing new. What is new is the accelerated pace and sense of urgency within the industry. The Paris Agreement has certainly played a major role in changing priorities in Government initiatives, investors and rapid increase in abatement of CO2 emission.

A Review of Progress

In the context of sustainability, digitalisation is extremely important, it is relevant to mention here that the most efficient plants in the world are supported by modern control systems. With new generation process expert for plant control system, it is possible to achieve savings both in fuel and power consumption per ton of cement.

Data analytics is another key enabler in fostering a sustainable production. With this, it is possible to combine data capture with process knowledge that run plants more efficiently and reliably. For example, with the latest version of the laboratory automation system coupled with the improved process modelling and optimisation have established appreciable reduction in energy consumption with product quality improvement.

Various Levers to reduce CO2 emission

Appreciable reduction in usage of fossil fuels
Mastering of burning of alternate fuels to achieve highest level/fuel flexibility
Appreciable reduction of clinker factor which may need certain amendments to existing codes or devising new standards or codes for production and selling the new cements in the market.
To introduce circular economy and alternative raw materials

Deployment of geopolymers, replacing limestone with cement recycled from old concrete structures and maybe even using cement plants to produce brown fuels. It needs a paradigm as to how industry captains collaborate and innovate.

Usage of Alternate Fuels

The opportunities for cement manufacturers to start burning alternative fuels are many, but it is a gradual process. Process knowledge is critical when starting up the use of alternative fuels because even the slightest change to one part of the process can start could create havoc. Many technological aides are available for the plants from technology suppliers like Pfister, Alternative Fuels Starter Kit that comes with a complete package of equipment for materials handling, dosing and burning, and is designed for using a wide range of alternative fuels like biomass and refuse-derived fuel (RDF).

Many technology suppliers are focussing on gasification technology endeavour to reach 100 % usage of alternate fuels.

Longer-term options may exist for electrification of heat creation, such as induction or microwave heating. Serious R&D is under way!

Usage of lesser clinker content and alternate raw materials

As mentioned earlier it is inevitable to go for certain amendments in the current standards (of cement) in order to accommodate higher amount of secondary cementitious materials (SCMs) and also go for new standards in order to accommodate newer cement formulations. All these changes in the standards would appreciably reduce the clinker component helping not only CO2 abatement but also to help in mineral conservation.

Clinker substitution and the use of alternative raw materials are key in reducing the environmental footprint of the cement industry. To put it into perspective, if we could reduce the CO2 emissions from cement production by just one percentage point, it would be equivalent of removing the fossil fuel used to provide 258 million households with electricity annually or replacing the use of fossil fuel with 19,000 wind turbines!

Carbon capture and sequestration

Carbon capture systems must target process emissions and combustion emissions. These systems have two categories:

Post-combustion technologies aim to separate CO2 from exhaust gases and typically rely on chemical CO2 absorption (for example, by amines). Oxyfuel technologies react fuel with pure oxygen instead of air, generating a purer stream of CO2, and also can capture process CO2.

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Reduction of CO2 emissions can be done by applying CO2 removal process. In this technique, CO2 is separated during or after the production process and subsequently stored or disposed of outside the atmosphere.

The CO2 can be recovered from flue gases, produced from the calcination process as well as from the combustion processes. Typical CO2 concentrations in the flue gases range from 14% to 33%. Because of the high share of CO2 in flue gases originating from the calcination process (and not from a combustion process), combustion in a CO2/O2 atmosphere could be suitable to recover the CO2.

This technology is currently not cost-effective and needs further research to assess the technical and commercial applicability.

Conclusion

Cement will remain the key ingredient for housing and infrastructure creation. As a result, the cement industry worldwide is facing growing challenges in conserving material and energy resources, as well as reducing its CO2 emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the main levers for cement manufacturers are the increase in energy efficiency and the use of alternative materials, be it as fuel or raw materials. Accordingly, the use of alternative fuels has already gained a momentum in recent years.

In cement, the reduction of the clinker factor remains a key priority: a lot of hard work has gone inside in this direction. New materials might be able to play a role as cement constituents in the future. It remains to be seen to what extent they could substitute Portland cement clinker to a significant degree.

Global economic growth and urbanisation continue to increase the demand for cement. These investments in infrastructure provide people with a higher quality of life. The trends of sustainability and economic growth perfectly converge into an opportunity for the cement industry to make an incredible impact for the greater good.

Dr.S.B.Hegde

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr.S.B.Hegde is a ??lobal Visionary Award 2020??Winner for his notable contribution to Cement field (with 30 years of experience) both in India and Abroad. He is a ??xpert Panel??member in renowned International Magazines of Cement and Concrete. Dr Hegde is also a ??isiting Professor??of one of the reputed Universities in the United States of America.

Concrete

Cement Prices To Hold Steady Amid Monsoon Slump

Centrum report says demand weakness will limit hikes

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2026

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Centrum, a financial services firm, has reported that cement prices are likely to remain largely unchanged in July as weak demand during the monsoon season constrains pricing power. The report noted that construction activity remained subdued in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 owing to labour shortages and slower execution of government projects. While June showed some volume recovery driven by delayed monsoons and quarter end sales, dealers are cautious about sustaining any price increases.

The analysis suggested that seasonal slowdown related to monsoon will prolong demand and pricing challenges through the second quarter. Dealers saw most recent attempts at price hikes as protective measures rather than genuine shifts in market fundamentals. They signalled that pockets of demand in select regions could prompt isolated adjustments but that broad based increases were unlikely while construction activity remained weak. Market participants therefore expected a cautious stance on pricing.

The report highlighted that despite intermittent recovery in shipments during June, the underlying demand trajectory remained muted as monsoon hampered site level activity and logistics. Commercial builders and retail dealers both reported constrained order books and slower payment cycles, which in turn reduced room for margin expansion among manufacturers. Analysts noted that unless government project execution accelerates markedly, demand improvement would be gradual. Price setters were thus likely to focus on protecting market shares rather than pursuing aggressive increases.

Market watchers said the near term outlook would be shaped by monsoon progress and fiscal spending patterns, with any acceleration in public works offering the most tangible support. Traders expected that regional variations would persist and that trade flows between surplus and deficit centres would determine local price movements. The report concluded that stakeholders should prepare for a period of subdued pricing until demand signals strengthen.

Concrete

Cement Prices Set To Stay Under Pressure In July

Monsoon and weak demand keep prices under strain

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2026

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A report by Centrum said cement prices are expected to remain largely flat in July as the monsoon and weak demand weigh on the sector. The report said demand during the first quarter of FY27 remained range-bound and below expectations, with dealers across markets pointing to subdued construction activity, labour shortages, elections, heatwaves and slower execution of government projects as key reasons. It noted that some recovery was witnessed in June due to delayed onset of the monsoon and quarter-end volume push.\n\nDealers across most markets do not expect any meaningful price increases in July, the report said, adding that attempts to raise prices in some markets are aimed at defending existing levels rather than achieving significant gains. The sharp correction following the rollback of April hikes has largely played out across most regions, limiting scope for further immediate increases. Seasonal slowdown in construction activity during the monsoon is expected to continue affecting demand and pricing in the coming months.\n\nCentrum indicated that pricing pressure is likely to persist through the second quarter of FY27 as monsoon-related softness continues. Dealers remain cautious about sustainability of any price rise attempts and do not rule out further weakness during the peak monsoon period. The combination of subdued demand and seasonal factors is likely to constrain the industry’s ability to raise prices in the near term. While June saw some improvement in volumes because of delayed rains and quarter-end sales efforts, the broader demand environment remains challenging.\n\nCement companies are therefore expected to focus on maintaining current price levels rather than pursuing aggressive increases as the sector navigates weak demand and seasonal headwinds. The report suggested that unless demand conditions improve significantly, limited scope will exist for meaningful price recovery. Market participants remain watchful for any shifts in execution of infrastructure projects or construction activity that could alter the outlook.

Concrete

TARIL Secures Ultra Mega Transformer Order From PGCIL

Order for manufacturing transformers to be delivered in 30 months

Published

2 days ago

July 6, 2026

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Transformers and Rectifiers (India) Limited has received Notifications of Awards from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for multiple contracts to manufacture transformers and undertake associated works. The company submitted the disclosure to BSE and the National Stock Exchange under Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations. The submission cited security code 532928 and trading symbol TARIL, and the filings cite the award reference and confirm execution in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the notifications.

The contracts are described as an Ultra Mega Order under the company classification, indicating a value at or above Rs 10 billion (bn) on conversion. The filing identifies the contracts as domestic orders and specifies a scheduled delivery period of 30 months. The scope covers manufacturing of transformers of various ratings together with all associated work. The order size places it in the highest project classification defined in the company’s disclosure.

The disclosure states that the promoter group and group companies have no interest in the awarding entity and that the contracts do not constitute related party transactions. The company noted that the awards will be executed in the normal course of business and not fall within related party transactions. The document reiterates that the company is committed to delivering high quality products and services and has established itself as a leading manufacturer of transformers in the country over time.

Chief Financial Officer Mehul Shah authorised the filing and requested the exchanges to take the information on record, with the company providing the requisite filing reference in its submission. The company indicated that the orders will be executed as per the notifications of awards and the applicable regulatory framework. The original filing is available on the stock exchange portal at the provided link.