Economy & Market

2014 will not show a sharp revival although we expect the conditions to remain stable

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2021

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Teena Virmani, Vice- President, Kotak Securities The year 2013 was tough for the industry, and 2014 is not expected to fare much better. Though things will be better, there is still a long way to go, for the sector to get back on track. Teena Virmani, Vice- President, Kotak Securities, shares her views about the year ahead. Excerpts from the interview.

So how do you assess the performance of the cement sector in 2013?
The current installed capacity of the cement industry stand at around 330 – 340 million tonnes per annum. The cement demand, however, was much lower. Most companies had their production volumes up to 60 – 70 per cent of installed capacity. The cement demand growth hovered at around 4 – 5 per cent in the fiscal year. The slowdown was a spillover of decreased growth in consumer sectors such as infrastructure and housing. The GDP of the country too, was very low.

The housing sector, which is the major consumer of cement, saw a decline in real estate demand.. One of the reasons was high interest rates on loans available for the housing sector. Besides this, the ban on sand mining too, impacted the sector.

We also saw very little activity in the infra sector. No major projects were launched and the actual execution of those granted did not take place. Overall, 2013 was not that good for the cement manufacturers.

Has setting up a cement plant become more difficult now?
Land acquisition process is not as smooth as it should be. When it comes to acquiring and building a cement plant, the promoters have to go through a lengthy approval process right from environment clearance to mining leases. The number of approvals required is very large and the time taken for granting is too long. This definitely slows down the growth.

Do you expect good cement demand in 2014?
2014 will not show a sharp revival although we expect the conditions to remain stable at least, if not improve. We feel that after the elections, once we see a stable government in place, we will have a clear idea of the direction in which we are moving ahead. I donÂ´t think new governance will have an immediate impact on the market; it will be a slow and a gradual process. Projects will be planned, approved, tenders will be floated and contracts will be awarded. Only after the projects take off at ground level will we see any demand from the infra sector. So, after the elections, we do not expect any drastic improvements for at least 3- 5 quarters. At the most, we may see a positive and optimistic mindset impacting the market after the elections.

Demand from the rural housing sector too, will help in a revival and we expect it to be at least at 5 per cent. In 2015, the demand is likely to pick up.

How do you view consolidations that happened in 2013?
We saw several major consolidations in the last year. There were capacity additions, too, though the cement demand was low. Industries have to grow whether or not there is demand in the market. 2013 was a year of consolidation and we believe it was the right move for buyers. The consolidations happened at very decent rates and the dollar was at a high so both parties benefited. It was a good move to take over rather than setting up a new facility. The cost of taking over is well worth it, given the hassles of getting a slew of clearances and mining leases in the case of setting up a new plant. Replacement costs too, are very high. In a way, the slowdown was a good opportunity for the buyers.

How do you expect cement prices to move in 2014?
The last fifteen days of December usually see a dip in prices. This is an established pattern as some major cement companies close their books in December. They have to clear the cement stocks before the books are closed. As a result, the market has an over-supply of cement in this period. Prices usually come down at this time but we expect them to start improving from January onwards and keep rising till May – June 2014. After June, the pricing will depend on the monsoon. There is a likelihood of prices dipping in June. Overall, we expect prices to be on the higher side in 2014 as compared to 2013. We are expecting better days for the housing, construction and infrastructure sectors and that will certainly help in improving cement prices.

Will cement companies have a better profit margins in 2014 with the decreasing costs of production?
A good cost structure will have to be put in place for the industry. As cement prices went up, the cost of production too, went up dramatically, the cost of raw material went up, and the rise in diesel prices raised the cost of freight transport. Although the cost of coal had come down slightly, it was offset by the rise of the dollar. We donÂ´t see costs coming down in the near future. Cement prices may go up but the cost of production is not likely to come down.

Are cement manufacturers cutting production to save on limestone reserves?
No, the cut in production is purely related to the demand and supply scenario. It has nothing to do with conservation of limestone reserves. Companies like ACC, Ambuja, UltraTech, have reserves sufficient for more than 60 – 70 years, so there is no need to conserve resources by cutting production.

The prices and the production capacity is governed by the demand and 2013 saw a dip in demand. The cut in production was in response to the lower demand. As the infrastructure and housing sectors pick up, we will see the production volumes rising correspondingly.

Economy & Market

Fornnax launches world’s biggest secondary/fine shredder for AFR pre-processing

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2025

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Fornnax has introduced its latest breakthrough – the R-MAX3300, for handling low-density waste streams, offering a powerful solution for cement AFR plants.

Fornnax Technology has launched its latest breakthrough – the R-MAX3300, the biggest secondary shredder in its class. The unveiling took place on 14th October, 2025 at IFAT India 2025 in Mumbai, one of the most prestigious events for environmental technologies, waste management, and sustainable resource innovation.

The launch ceremony was graced by esteemed industry leaders and dignitaries. The guest list included Md Fahim Sopariwala, CEO, GEPIL India; Sridhar Jagannathan, Vice President, Zigma Global; Priyesh Bhatti, CEO, GEPIL India; Shailendra Singh, Deputy General Manager, Prism Johnson (Cement Division); Ulhas Parlikar, Global Consultant, Waste Management, Circular Economy, Policy Advocacy and Co-processing; Saurabh Palsania, Joint President (Strategic Sourcing), Shree Cement; Rajeev Patel, DGM (Process), Mangalam Cement; and Anumodan Kumar Dubey, Mangalam Cement.

This state-of-the-art equipment represents a significant advancement for India’s recycling and waste processing landscape, offering a powerful solution for cement AFR plants and waste-to-energy facilities.

Building on the proven performance and legacy of the R Series secondary shredder, which has long been trusted for high-density materials like tyres and cables, the newly introduced R-MAX3300 is specifically engineered for handling low-density waste streams. These include Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Commercial and Industrial (C&I) waste, Bulky waste, Legacy waste, Wood waste, and Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste.

By incorporating advanced shredding technology, the R-MAX3300 enables seamless and highly efficient production of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) within the ideal particle size range of 30 to 50 mm. Its design prioritises versatility, durability and superior performance, directly supporting industrial operations that demand consistency and scale.

“The R-MAX3300 represents a monumental leap forward in our vision to become a global leader by 2030 in recycling technology through innovation,” said Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, Fornnax Technology. “With the rising challenges of waste management in India and globally, this machine is not just a product; it’s a powerful tool for change. We engineered it to handle the most difficult waste streams with unparalleled efficiency, turning what was once considered unusable waste into a valuable resource. It directly addresses the urgent demand for effective, large-scale shredding technology that can support cement kilns and waste-to-energy facilities in achieving the desired output,” he added.

The launch of the R-MAX3300 arrives at a pivotal moment. India currently generates over 160,000 tons of municipal solid waste daily, while government-led initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Mission and Smart Cities are accelerating the demand for RDF and waste-to-energy solutions. Simultaneously, the global industrial shredder market is expected to grow at a 5–6 per cent CAGR, driven by stricter recycling regulations and increasing waste generation.

Kundaria further emphasised, “Our commitment goes beyond just selling machinery; it’s about empowering our customers to achieve lasting efficiency, sustainability, and growth. We see ourselves as a trusted partner who stands beside them at every step – from technology deployment to ongoing support, ensuring they can rely on Fornnax not only for performance but also for consistency, dependability, and long-term value.”

The R-MAX3300 is equipped to handle high-throughput processing of pre-shredded or coarse materials, making it ideal for SRF/RDF production, composting pre-treatment, and volume reduction for logistics optimisation. It is expected to play a crucial role in Integrated Waste Management Projects (IWMP) and bio-mining operations both within India and globally.

With this grand launch, Fornnax continues to set global benchmark and move decisively towards the vision of becoming global leader in recycling technology by 2030 that is state-of-the-art, innovative, economical, efficient reliable and eco-friendly.

Concrete

Fornnax wins Top Domestic Sales Award 2024-25 by AIRIA

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2025

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Fornnax bags the Excellence in Top Domestic Sales Award 2024–25 by the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA).

The company has been honoured with the Excellence in Top Domestic Sales Award 2024–25 by the All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) under the Rubber Machineries and Equipment category. The award recognises Fornnax’s exceptional market leadership, strong sales performance and continued commitment to sustainable innovation.

With over a decade of specialised expertise, Fornnax has emerged as a transformative force in India’s tyre recycling sector, commanding nearly 90 per cent of the domestic market while steadily expanding across Europe, Australia, the GCC, and other global regions.

Fornnax’s advanced recycling systems—comprising the SR-Series Primary Shredders, R-Series Secondary Shredders, and TR-Series Granulators—are engineered for durability, efficiency, and high-output performance. These technologies are widely deployed in end-of-life tyre (ELT) processing and other waste management applications, reinforcing Fornnax’s reputation as a trusted industry partner.

Expressing his gratitude, Jignesh Kundaria, Director & CEO, Fornnax, said, “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from AIRIA. This award validates the trust that our customers and partners have placed in us over the years. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our clients and partners who have been an integral part of this journey and our continued success. At Fornnax, our goal has always been to empower the recycling industry with innovative, high-performance solutions that make sustainability both achievable and profitable.”

The award also underscores Fornnax’s pivotal role in promoting circular economy practices by enabling the conversion of end-of-life tyres and rubber waste into reusable raw materials. Through ongoing R&D, new product innovation, and a solutions-driven approach, the company continues to help industries worldwide adopt eco-conscious, scalable recycling models.

As India’s recycling landscape evolves to meet global sustainability benchmarks, Fornnax stands at the forefront with internationally certified technology, a proven track record, and a clear vision for environmentally responsible growth.

Concrete

Pacific Avenue Completes Acquisition of FLSmidth Cement; Rebrands as Fuller Technologies

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2025

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The acquisition of FLSmidth Cement by Pacific Avenue Capital Partners marks a new phase of focused growth and innovation.
Rebranded as Fuller® Technologies, the company will continue delivering world-class solutions with renewed investment and direction.

Pacific Avenue Capital Partners (“Pacific Avenue”), a global private equity firm, has completed its acquisition of FLSmidth Cement following the fulfillment of all customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The transaction includes all of FLSmidth Cement’s intellectual property, technology, employees, manufacturing facilities, and global sales and service organizations.

As Fuller Technologies, the company will continue to seamlessly support its customers while advancing its robust portfolio of capital equipment, digital solutions, and service offerings. With a sharpened focus on Pyro and Grinding technologies, alongside core brands such as PFISTER®, Ventomatic®, Pneumatic Conveying, and Automation, Fuller Technologies aims to deliver enhanced value and reliability across the cement and industrial sectors.

Under Pacific Avenue’s ownership, Fuller Technologies will benefit from increased investment in people, products, and innovation. The dedicated management team will work to optimize operations and strengthen customer relationships, ensuring continuity and excellence during this exciting transition.

“We are proud to be the new owner of FLSmidth Cement, now Fuller Technologies, a global leader with a rich history of providing mission-critical equipment and aftermarket solutions in the cement and industrial sectors. We will continue to build upon the Company’s legacy of being at the forefront of technological innovation, service delivery, and product quality as we support our customers’ operations,” says Chris Sznewajs, Managing Partner and Founder of Pacific Avenue Capital Partners.

Pacific Avenue’s deep experience in executing complex industrial carve-outs and guiding standalone businesses into their next growth phase will be instrumental in shaping Fuller Technologies’ future. With a proven track record in building products and capital equipment industries, Pacific Avenue is poised to help Fuller Technologies optimize performance, accelerate growth, and create long-term value for its customers and stakeholders worldwide.