Concrete

Centenary of Success

Published

5 years ago

July 1, 2021

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As an industrial engineering Group with a heritage of over 200 years, Fives designs and supplies machines, process equipment and production lines for the largest industrial players in various sectors such as cement, energy, aluminum, steel, glass, aerospace and logistics. ICR had an opportunity to have a conversation with Daniel Julien , CEO of Fives Pillard, one of Fives??subsidiaries in combustion.

Can you tell us more about Fives Pillard?? history? Its development and more particularly in the cement industry?

Fives Pillard was founded in 1920 by the brothers Andr? and Marcel Pillard and started manufacturing coal burners for steam locomotives. A few years later, in 1957, the company entered the international market by opening its subsidiary Fives Pillard Deutschland. Spain and China followed, and more recently, India in 2012, through our subsidiary Fives Combustion Systems. It is now a major player in the Indian market.

In 2018, we launched a new R&D centre in Piacenza, northern Italy. Fives European Combustion Center is a state-of-the-art facility and where the majority of our products development takes place.

Regarding the cement market, we started offering kiln burners in the 1950s. During that period, oil was used as a fuel to run the kilns and it led to the development of the MY atomizing. It is still the reference point regarding oil application in this industry.

Thirty years later, we developed one of the best performers aiming to reduce NOx emissions from the kiln: the Pillard ROTAFLAM^?. This burner has been a market leader for 20 years with numerous success stories for cement as well mineral players.

Following this success, we launched the Pillard NOVAFLAM^? in 2009. Specifically designed for the cement market to maximise clinker quality, to enable high alternative fuel substitution rates and limit emissions levels, it has sold over 600 units worldwide so far.

Despite the difficulties of this year, it seems that you have some achievements to celebrate.

Indeed, in 2020, not only are we celebrating Fives Pillard 100^th anniversary, but marking this milestone with the launch of the avant-garde Pillard NOVAFLAM^? Evolution for the cement industry. This achievement is another proof of our dedication to our customers, offering them the best products available.

The new Pillard NOVAFLAM? Evolution burner

We work closely with our customers, taking into account their priorities and requirements to design our products and services that fulfill their expectations. This new product, which encompasses multiple breakthrough innovations, will offer its users numerous benefits: low emissions, best clinker quality, enhanced adaptability to kiln conditions, and unrivalled ease of adjustment to name a few.

We are committed to deliver products that combine quality and durability as our success comes from customers satisfaction. The cement industry is a small world and you need to earn the trust of your customers and partners alike. We are proud to have customers that are still using Fives Pillard?? burners that are 50 years old! We deliver on what we promise.

As mentioned above, it is essential for us as a business, but also as people, to stay close to our customers. Thanks to our and the group Fives international network, we always manage to get feedback from our customers and keep on improving our products and processes.

You also mentioned the importance of R&D.

Yes! Knowing customer needs and priorities is one thing but to turn feedback into a product you need to have a strong R&D team that supports your innovations. A centre like the one we have in Piacenza, with a team of experts and Engineers ready to find new ways to optimise products and increase customers benefits is essential to stay ahead in the market. Not just in cement, but across all the industries that Fives Pillard serves. Our company Fives Pillard has shown the way forward in many aspects and has often been copied by competitors as a result. We hope to do the same thing regarding new services and products that are more environmentally friendly.

Can you tell us more about these environmentally friendly solutions?

People across the globe feel more concerned about climate change and are looking at ways to be more respectful of the environment. We can see that shift in combustion as well and the different industries we provide products for. The cement industry has the responsibility to improve their environmental footprint and drastically reduce CO₂ and other pollutant emissions. Fives Pillard with its subsidiaries, including Fives Combustion Systems, will be at their side to achieve these challenges.

Fives Pillard and its teams worldwide are very much committed to take part in the fight against climate change by using the latest burner technology, providing an optimised combustion efficiency, limited NOx emissions, and a better clinker quality with improved grindability properties. Indeed, all these innovations, including sustainable engineering, are what make the Pillard NOVAFLAM^? Evolution an avant-garde burner. Helping our customers to maximise their profitability while reducing their environmental footprint, the new Pillard NOVAFLAM^? Evolution has also received the EU Ecolabel.

So what does the future look like for Fives Pillard?

As mentioned, part of our focus is on the development of products and services that meet our customers needs including the reduction of their pollutant emissions and carbon footprint. We are working on new fuel possibilities (hydrogen, syngas from biomass), oxygen combustion, for example.

We will also continue to innovate on our services offering and more particularly on our SMART technology package, which monitors the performance of our burners, and provides assistance regarding adjustments and preventive maintenance so as to ensure that optimal efficiency is maintained throughout the burner lifetime and customers remain satisfied

Concrete

NDMC Rolls Out Intensive Sanitation Drive Across Lutyens Delhi

Municipal body intensifies cleaning and monitoring across the capital

Published

10 hours 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

3 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.