Economy & Market

Power cuts have affected industries in AP

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2021

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K Ravi, Managing Director, NCL IndustriesHaving started as a mini cement plant with a modest capacity of 200 tonne per day (66000 tpd) the NCL Cement Division has gone through several rounds of expansion. K Ravi, Managing Director, NCL Industries, talks to ICR about the USP of the company, steps taken for maintaining quality and how the power holiday is creating a profound impact on the industries in Andhra Pradesh.What are your views on the current scenario of the cement industry? The cement industry in India has grown substantially as cement is one of the major elements in construction work. Though majority of the players in cement industry in India are from private sector, the industry is highly regulated. The consumption of cement has also increased gradually in recent times, by over 8 per cent. Demand for cement from the southern part of the country is high, as there have been more real estate and construction activities in that region. The lack of rain this year has allowed construction companies to continue working as usual and this has pushed up demand for cement by more than 10 per cent all over India in the months of October, November and December 2012. However, in the south, even though there is a potential for growth and some more companies (both existing and new) are planning to set up their new units in the coming years, at present there seems to be a mismatch between demand and supply. Consequently, the present cement prices are not favourable for the industry. We feel that the cement industry will play a crucial role in both infrastructure and housing in the near future.By the end of the year 2012, the price of cements in various states dropped drastically, your forecast on 2013?Yes, the price of cement in various states did drop during the last quarter. However, the latest market reports indicate that there has been a slight improvement in pricing on account of the recent diesel price hike. Since the construction activity will be normally at peak levels from now onwards up to June/July, the cement industry is likely to post better performance in the next two quarters. How do you plan to keep in pace with the latest technologies at your cement plant? NCL Industries are always on the lookout for adopting modern technologies in their processing units. Recent Capacity Expansion was completely done using latest technological improvements like Vertical Roller Mills for raw materials and fuel grinding, online sampling equipment, Stack Monitoring and Gas analysers, RABH for preventing dust emission. Latest pendulum no spillage clinker cooler is installed for better heat recuperation. The company has adopted their standards at higher levels for all the products being manufactured i.e, cement, cement bonded particle boards and ready mix concrete.
What is the USP of the cement produced by your company? Quality’ and wide spread retail dealer network (more than 1500 dealers) are the main strengths for our cement.How important is location while setting up a cement plant?Considering the nature of materials to be handled in manufacturing cement, the location should be a balancing act between market and raw materials. Keeping this in view, most of the cement manufacturing companies are operating from split locations. Clinker, which is a semi finished product stage of cement, will be manufactured at the prime location or main factory which will be closer to major raw material sources. Clinker grinding plants are being set up at various locations which will be closer to the market. With this approach, instead of transporting entire cement to the market, only clinker will be transported which will be normally 60 to 70 per cent of any blended cements (PPC / Slag). Thus, substantial transport cost savings can be achieved. ‘What are the measures taken by the company to maintain the standards of the quality of cement produced?A well equipped laboratory is established with X-ray analyser and Sample Preparation equipment where the product i.e, cement is analysed from the first stage of manufacturing to finishing stage, i.e., at every intermittent level to maintain consistent quality and standards. At present, the cement division of NCL Industries is producing different grades of cement like 43 Grade, 53 Grade, 53 Grade S for railways and PPC.How has the power holiday in Andhra Pradesh affected your business?The prevailing situation in Andhra Pradesh (AP). is different as compared to other southern states and rest of India. Drastic power cuts and lack of sufficient coal supplies have badly affected industries in AP. (except those industries having captive power plants). Keeping this in view, we are proposing to set up a 30 mw captive thermal power plant with a capital outlay of app. Rs 150 crores and the financial closure for the project is under final stages of progress.What are the greatest challenges faced by the cement industry today? Cement industry faced many challenges since its inception. These challenges include pricing, Government policies on taxation, demand and supply mismatch/gap, competition, takeover threats and amalgamations, etc. The growth of the cement industry is directly proportional to the growth of the country’s economy, and the current economic slowdown has negatively affected the cement industry. Bank funding has become costlier, and this has affected expansion plans of many companies. Lack of coal is the one of the major hindrances, how do you combat the same. As observed rightly, currently, one of the main problems is that the cement industry is facing lack of sufficient coal supplies at right point of time at reasonable rates. The industry is now dependant on imported coal procured at high costs. This results in erosion of margins.Does the company have any plans of expanding to other markets and what is the strategy behind operating only in AP?As far as cement business is concerned, we are expanding our dealer network in other states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Orissa and Maharashtra (as of now, we have more than 300 retail dealers in these states). Whereas, our cement boards, with the brand name ‘Bison Panel,’ are marketed throughout India. What is the company doing to envisage its retail visibility?We are keeping the Stock Exchanges informed with the developments taking place in the company. We are doing Analysts meets etc as and when there are some significant happenings and sharing the information with the stock analysts. Alot of cement companies have been blamed for malpractices in the industry, what is your take on it?No comments on this as NCL is no way is connected in this.

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.