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

Ramco Cements’ Hard Worker Campaign Wins Seven Awards

Campaign earns honours for direction, editing and cinematography

Published

8 minutes ago

June 15, 2026

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The Hard Worker campaign by The Ramco Cements has secured seven honours at the Good Ads Matter Awards 2026, adding to its growing list of accolades and reinforcing its standing among the year’s most recognised advertising campaigns.

The awards were presented during the Good Ads Matter Awards Night 2026 held at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai. The campaign received recognition across multiple categories, highlighting excellence in direction, editing, cinematography and storytelling.

Among the honours, the campaign won Silver in the Campaign of the Year – Direction category, while filmmaker Prakash Varma was named Director of the Year for the films Tortoise & Hare and Eco Plaster. Tortoise & Hare also received Silver awards for Best Editing and Best Colour Grading, along with a Bronze award for Best Cinematography. Eco Plaster earned Bronze awards in the Best Direction – Narrative and Best Direction – Humour categories.

Both films extended their award-winning run, with Eco Plaster being recognised for its narrative centred on water conservation through innovative construction solutions, while Tortoise & Hare was honoured for its storytelling and craft execution.

The Hard Worker campaign was built around the idea that hard work deserves recognition and respect. Through culturally rooted and emotionally engaging stories, the campaign has connected with consumers, engineers, masons and the wider construction community across the country.

Commenting on the achievement, A V Dharmakrishnan, CEO of The Ramco Cements Limited, said that the continued recognition across leading creative platforms reflects the company’s commitment to meaningful and authentic communication rooted in the values of the people it serves.

Balaji K Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, The Ramco Cements Limited, said the awards recognise the craftsmanship behind the storytelling, from direction and cinematography to editing and narrative execution.

Following recognition at both the Kyoorius Creative Awards and the Good Ads Matter Awards, the Hard Worker campaign continues to demonstrate the impact of purpose-driven storytelling combined with strong creative execution and consumer relevance.

Concrete

Cement Makers Reaffirm Commitment to Sustainable Growth

Published

1 week ago

June 5, 2026

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World Environment Day spotlight on innovation and circularity

On World Environment Day, the Indian cement industry reiterated its commitment to supporting India’s climate ambitions through sustainable manufacturing, resource efficiency and the adoption of cleaner technologies.

The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) said the sector remains aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitments and is accelerating efforts to reduce its environmental footprint while supporting the country’s infrastructure and development agenda.

Parth Jindal, President, CMA and Managing Director, JSW Cement, said the industry is increasingly adopting cleaner technologies, improving energy efficiency and expanding the use of alternative fuels and raw materials. He also highlighted the growing importance of circular economy practices, where industrial by-products and waste streams from one sector are utilised as resources in another.

“The Indian Cement Industry is aligned to the Government’s commitments on carbon mitigation and is accelerating the adoption of cleaner technologies, resource efficiency and circular economy practices while actively exploring the potential of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) as a critical pathway for deep decarbonisation,” said Jindal.

He added that coprocessing industrial waste and by-products helps conserve natural resources, reduce disposal requirements and lower the environmental footprint across multiple sectors.

According to Jindal, sustainability is no longer limited to manufacturing processes but is increasingly influencing investment decisions, innovation strategies and long-term growth plans within the industry.

Echoing similar views, Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA and Managing Director, JK Cement, said sustainable development extends beyond emissions reduction and must also focus on responsible resource utilisation and waste minimisation.

“Sustainability in the built environment cannot be measured by emissions alone. It is equally about how efficiently we use resources, how effectively we minimise waste and how responsibly we create the infrastructure that will serve future generations,” said Singhania.

He noted that the cement industry is advancing its sustainability agenda through greater resource efficiency, increased circularity, technological innovation and continuous improvements in manufacturing practices. As a key contributor to India’s infrastructure development, the sector has a critical role to play in balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting India’s climate goals while delivering the materials required for resilient, durable and sustainable infrastructure.

Concrete

Building a Greener Future Together

Published

2 weeks ago

June 4, 2026

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Environmental sustainability requires immediate action, not just long-term commitments and discussions. Recycling, circular economy practices, and technology-driven waste management can help industries reduce environmental impact while supporting sustainable growth.

Author: Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, Fornnax Technology

World Environment Day serves as an important reminder that environmental sustainability can no longer remain confined to discussions, reports, or long-term commitments. The environmental challenges facing the world today demand immediate, measurable, and collective action. Across industries and communities, waste generation continues to outpace our ability to process it responsibly, placing increasing pressure on ecosystems, natural resources, public health, and the well-being of future generations.

One of the most significant shifts required today is a change in how society perceives waste. Rather than being viewed as a material to be discarded, waste must be recognised as a valuable resource that can contribute to both economic growth and environmental protection when managed through the right technologies and systems. This mindset forms the foundation of the circular economy model that countries across the world are increasingly adopting to reduce landfill dependence, recover valuable materials, and create more sustainable industrial ecosystems.

India has made meaningful progress in strengthening awareness around sustainability, recycling, and environmental responsibility over the past decade. Significant efforts are being made to formalise the recycling sector through improved infrastructure, technology adoption, policy implementation, and broader stakeholder participation. These developments are creating a stronger foundation for responsible waste management and resource recovery across the country.

However, achieving long-term environmental impact requires collaboration from all stakeholders. Industries, policymakers, technology providers, and communities must work together with greater accountability to strengthen recycling ecosystems, encourage responsible waste management practices, and create sustainable outcomes through consistent execution rather than temporary interventions.

As someone closely associated with the recycling industry, I firmly believe that technology will play a decisive role in addressing future environmental challenges. Advanced recycling systems have the potential to recover valuable resources, reduce pollution, minimise landfill burdens, and conserve energy, creating a more sustainable future for generations to come. This belief is deeply reflected in Fornnax’s motto, “Committed to Create a Green Future,” which embodies our commitment to building long-term environmental value through innovation and responsible action.

At the same time, technology alone cannot deliver meaningful change. Real progress requires intent, awareness, participation, and a shared sense of responsibility. Sustainable development can only be achieved when innovation is supported by collective action and a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship.

On this World Environment Day, let us move beyond conversations and take meaningful steps towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable planet. By embracing innovation, strengthening recycling ecosystems, and acting responsibly today, we can create lasting environmental impact and secure a better future for generations to come.