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A harmonious synergy between business & social goals

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??ith great power comes great responsibility????he famous dialogue from the Spiderman movie is relevant in today?? corporate social responsibility world. The corporate world is changing and so should the corporate approach towards social responsibility. In today?? fast-moving business age, companies need to maintain their hard-earned reputation and loyal customers. This is where a proper corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy plays a significant role.

We have seen a shift from the philanthropy-based model to a multistakeholder approach, post liberalisation of India in 1990s. This has led to companies becoming more responsible for all stakeholders and society as well. A strong desire to compete in the global economy led to the integration of CSR into business strategy. In this article, we will discuss the role of CSR in the cement sector and how it has changed with the new age of globalisation.

CSR and business

Most of the companies we spoke with, share a common view that there cannot be a complete disassociation between CSR and business. Cement companies have realised very well that CSR and business need to go hand-in-hand.

CSR activities help in building immense trust amongst customers and thus contribute to the overall business development. Moreover, if a CSR is impactful, it tremendously improves the competitiveness of the organisation.

??SR helps in building goodwill and trust with various stakeholders including communities around the business operation. It creates a harmonious coexistence between business and the community, which gives business the social license to operate,??says Vinita Singhania, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director, JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd.

Socially conscious image is important to remain in the competition today and CSR definitely helps companies to remain in the game. Srinivas Kadambi, Chief Manager-CSR, and M Sai Ramesh, Chief Manufacturing Officer at Vicat India explain, ??/em>A socially responsible organisation has a competitive edge over others in all spheres of business operations. For instance, from a manufacturing business perspective, CSR helps in the smooth conduct of operations in production and logistics. The social responsibility towards the community, by and large, ensures uninterrupted management of the manufacturing business.??/p>

Uncountable advantages

CSR is a two-faced approach-based activity that not only benefits communities but helps businesses achieve the ultimate goal.

Back in 2015, Nielsen came with a Global Corporate Sustainability Report, which surveyed customers from over 60 different countries, and it was found that 66 percent of consumers are more likely to spend on a product or brand that is produced using CSR practices. And with millennial customers today, we can imagine the percentage of spending exploding. The millennial generation sticks to a brand that caters to their values and social attitudes. Hence, we see companies today spend more and more on CSR activities to build and increase customer loyalty and trust.

After CSR has been made mandatory, the political, financial, and social powers of companies, especially in the private sector have all increased dramatically. CSR programmes have become increasingly valuable and are now viewed as an opportunity for corporates to positively engage with the local communities across all levels of society and work together in achieving social, economic, and business goals.

CSR increases the company?? accountability and its transparency with the shareholders and local communities, which in return enhances its reputation in the market. It is a fact that consumers are more drawn to those companies that have a good social reputation in the market. As per the researchers and experts, consumers are ready to pay a 10 percent higher price for products they deem to be socially responsible. Thus we can say that CSR offers mutual benefits to companies and communities.

CSR is not only relevant for large companies but also beneficial for small and medium businesses. A small cement company can get involved more deeply with the local community and ensure the loyalty of local consumers, through effective CSR activities. This may lead to producing long-term financial results.

CSR mandate and spending

Indian companies are now more answerable for their social responsibility ever since the government notif?i?ed the new rules in January 2021 un?d?er?lining the need of making CSR a manda?t?ory and a statutory obligation.

Section 135 of the Companies Act introduces mandatory CSR contributions for large companies, making it the only mandatory CSR law in the world. According to the Act, all firms with a net worth above 5 billion rupees, turnover over 10 billion, or net profit over Rs 50 million are required to spend at least 2 per cent of their annual profits of the preceding year. The law requires that all businesses affected establish a CSR committee to oversee the spending.

In India, CSR has been done in various concepts, such as business responsibility, sustainability, philanthropy, triple bottom line, value creation, business ethics, and socio-economic responsibility, the bottom of the pyramid, stakeholder management, and corporate social performance.

Cement companies are spending with a big heart on CSR activities. At Vicat India, CSR spending for FY20 was Rs 7.38 crore for both the cement plants of Bharathi Cement, Kadapa Plant (Andhra Pradesh), and Kalburgi Cement, Kalaburagi Plant (Karnataka).

During FY 2020-21, Shree Cement incurred an amount of Rs 45.73 crore in terms of requirement of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, which is over Rs 0.89 crore against the statutory requirement of Rs 44.84 crore.

??n terms of the budget, this year our cement business is mandated to spend about Rs 13 crore. But with our ongoing projects, my hunch is that we would be exceeding the budget. Upon adding the contributions of other group companies and our partners, the entire resource pool would be in the range of Rs 40-45 crore,??adds Bharadwaj.

CSR and Communities

In the case of cement businesses, especially those are in manufacturing, it is vital to have a strong community connection, as the community is one of the important stakeholders. Like other corporates, cement companies have realised that the CSR results can be achieved best by partnering with other entities, as it brings advantages of addressing the social and environmental issues in a more focussed and best possible manner. Communities help companies to execute mega social projects successfully. Moreover, the partnership enables resource pooling and working towards a common set of goals.

Partnerships in CSR are need of the hour. CSR heads and the top management officials realise this need and are conceptualising and implementing CSR activities with the help of various communities such as NGOs, corporate foundations, Non-Government Organisation (NGOs) and agencies, and not-for-profit organisations. Most of the companies today are following the 4P model (public-private-people-partnership) for their CSR activities. This model has created a positive impact on society, especially on underprivileged people.

To site an example, the Shree Cement CSR team is engaged in awareness building and motivating the rural masses for the acceptance of a CSR programme.

Explains Sanjay Mehta, President (Commercial), Shree Cement, ??hile formulating any project, we begin with an informal interaction with local communities and Panchayat members. This is followed by focused discussions as well as formal interactions with the Government, NGOs, and other agencies once the preliminary need is established.??/p>

Nitin Jain, Vice President, Wonder Cement says, ??usiness image can?? be manufactured, it is built upon everyday?? business action and programme implemented in the community. CSR helps us in maintaining harmony with nearby communities. Based on need assessment we plan and execute various initiatives, which help in generating a sense of trust in the community for Wonder Cement.??/p>

Monitoring and evaluating CSR

After speaking with a few cement companies, we can say that most of them have a practice of monitoring and evaluating CSR performance. Not only this, but companies also report the CSR performance in their annual reports. These reports are externally verified and are in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines and Business Responsibility Report, mandated by the law and competent authorities. Documentation and performance analysis is a crucial part of CSR activity. Interestingly, cement companies are exploring new ways of evaluation and documentation.

Such is a case at Dalmia Bharat, where measuring CSR is a crucial part of their strategy. Vishal Bhardwaj, Group Head- CSR, Dalmia Bharat Group and CEO of Dalmia Bharat Foundation, explains, ??e have used it to measure the impact of our work and have seen encouraging results. For every rupee that we invest in the livelihoods and water space, we get a return of about Rs 7 and Rs 3 respectively.??Recently, E&Y conducted an impact assessment of their work on livelihood, skilling, and water. Moreover, they have an internal monitoring and evaluation wing that provides actionable insights to better execute CSR projects.

Roadmap

Cement companies have big plans for the next few years with many business and social objectives to achieve through CSR activities.

At Vicat, the long-term goal is to forge ahead on the human development index by 2025. The company envisions an all-around development of the neighbourhood vicinity around the cement plant for long and healthy well-being, knowledge through the means of education, and improved standard of living.

On the other hand, Wonder Cement aims to emphasise on water conservation and income generation activities, through local entrepreneurship development and infrastructure development in 22 villages for more than 20 thousand people. The company has developed a road map for carrying out CSR activities in the vicinity of its plant at Nimbahera for fulfilling the requirements as per the need of the community.

We can thus conclude that CSR is a harmonious amalgamation of social and business objectives.

– Megha Rai

BOX1

Impact assessment study at Dalmia Group

Project- Soil and Water Conservation

1. Outcome assessment universe: As of March 31, 2020 10.90 mm3 of water harvesting/conservation potential was created through various measures benefitting around 1.25 lakh villagers.

2. States covered: Assam, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. Six cement plants and three sugar plants were covered.

3. Major finding against the sample size of respondents :

  • Age & Education: 65 per cent of the respondents (561) are of the age group 41 to 60 years which indicates the engagement of experienced farmers in the survey. About 76 per cent of the respondents (561) have completed only the 10th standard which indicates the level of education and need to work closely with the target for enhancing the livelihood and facilitating their linkages with relevant schemes.

  • Financial status: Around 72 per cent of the target beneficiaries (561) belong to the below poverty line category, which validates the choosing of the right beneficiary.

  • Landholding: About 87 per cent of the respondents (561) belong to the small and marginal farmer category owing less than 5 acres of land

    Increase in water level :

  • About 83 per cent of the respondents (561) have indicated that there is an increase in water level due to DBF interventions which was witnessed through recharge of dry wells and substantial increase of in wells.

  • About 49 per cent of respondents (442) have stated that before DBF intervention water availability was only for less than four months and post DBF intervention this has drastically improved and the water availability is for more than six months.

Productive usage of water:

  • 442 respondents have indicated that more than 500 acres of barren/fallow land are now productive due to increased availability of water in village ponds, farm ponds, adoption of micro-irrigation systems, others

  • 23 per cent of the respondents (442) are using the structures for pisciculture

Enhanced Income :

Entire 302 respondents have responded positively stating that there has been an increase in their yield due to DBF intervention.

Before DBF interventions, 92 per cent of 146 dairy farmers were earning less than Rs 5,000 per month and the same has been halved post DBF intervention.

34 per cent of the respondents (507) have stated that post DBF intervention they opted for mixed cropping.

Before the intervention, only 22 per cent of respondents (496) cultivated more than a single crop in a year and if the situation has changed post DBF intervention 41 per cent of the respondents (496) have adopted cultivating more than one crop in a year.

BOX 2:

CSR for farmers’ welfare

Farmers in near proximity of plants are having small to medium type of lands. Since terrain is mostly hilly, large lands are not available. In order to promote agriculture and to increase their earnings, Shree Cement started seed distribution programme for these farmers at subsidised rate.

Objectives

a. To promote farming among villagers

b. To increase standard of living of villagers

c. To provide high quality seeds to farmers

d. Subsidy collected is deposited in Government schools of villages

Services provided

a. Hybrid Quality high yielding seeds are provided to farmers

b. We provide 1 kg moong, 1/2 kg Chawala seeds and one kit of green vegetable

c. Subsidy collected from farmers is deposited in government schools. Thus we can say seeds are provided free of cost by Shree Cement

Impact made

a. The company provide seeds three times in a year. This scheme is very popular among villagers. Because of this, villagers have started cultivation which otherwise was barren land.

b. Subsidy support to schools has benefited the schools to large extent. This amount is used by schools for development of better infrastructure for schools and students.

Beneficiaries

a. More than 2,500 farmers from 10 villages are benefited from this seed distribution project.

b. Subsidy fund has been deposited in more than 20 government schools, and they are using this fund in development of better infrastructure.

Success Story

Before this scheme, villagers were using low quality seeds, which resulted in low yield and low profits, so villagers mostly gave up farming as it was not proving beneficial. And they were much more interested in getting job directly or indirectly from the company.

Sighting this problem, Shree Cement involved agriculture supervisors and tried to figure out how to support and encourage villagers to resort to farming activities.

Agriculture supervisors offered a view to provide high yield seeds of various crops as per the climatic condition and nature of soil. Hybrid seeds were provided to farmers and as a result, high yielding crops have increased profits of farmer?? main fold and they have again started farming activities. Fodder seed support has also insured quality fodder is available to livestock.

Initially the subsidy money was collected by Shree Cement. But later on, it was decided that subsidy will not be collected by Shree Cement, instead this money will be deposited by the villagers in their village Government School. The money collected by the villagers is deposited by Sarpanch in Village School. This has improved schools infra structure. Schools have installed water coolers, RO water purifiers, repaired furniture, developed gardens, painted school buildings, installed printers and so on.

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Concrete

The primary high-power applications are fans and mills

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October 10, 2025

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Alex Nazareth, Whole-time Director and CEO, Innomotics India, explains how plants can achieve both cost competitiveness and sustainability by lowering emissions, reducing downtime and planning for significant power savings.

As one of the most energy-intensive industries, cement manufacturing faces growing pressure to optimise power consumption, reduce emissions and improve operational reliability. Technology providers like Innomotics India are enabling this transformation by combining advanced motors, AI-driven digital solutions and intelligent monitoring systems that enhance process stability and reduce energy costs. From severe duty motors built for extreme kiln environments to DigiMine AI solutions that optimise pyro and mill operations, Alex Nazareth, Whole-time Director and CEO, Innomotics India, explains how the company is helping cement plants achieve measurable energy savings while moving closer to their sustainability goals.

How does your Energy Performance Contracting model typically reduce power consumption in cement plants—e.g., MWh saved?
Our artificial intelligence-based DigiMine AI Pyro and Mill solutions developed specifically for the cement industry, supports our customers in improving their process stability, productivity and process efficiency. In Pyro, this is achieved by optimising fuel consumption (Coal / AFR), reducing Specific Heat Consumption and reduction in emissions (CO2, SOx and NOx) through continuous monitoring of thermodynamics in pyro and recommending set-points of crucial parameters in advance for maintaining stable operations.
Within the mill, this is achieved by improving throughput, reduce energy / power consumption and maintaining stable operations on a continuous basis. Our ROI-based value proposition captures the project KPIs like reduction of coal usage, increase of AFR, reduction of specific heat consumption (Kcal / Kg), reduction of specific power consumption (KWH / tonne), reduction of emissions, etc., by a specific percentage. This gives clarity to our customers to understand the investment vis-à-vis savings and estimate the recovery time of their investment, which typically is achieved within one year of DigiMine AI Pyro and Mill solutions implementation.

What role do digitalisation and motor monitoring play in overall plant energy optimisation?
Motors are being used extensively in cement production, and their monitoring play crucial role in ensuring continuous operation of applications. The monitoring system can automatically generate alerts for any anomaly / abnormalities in motor parameters, which allows plant team to take corrective actions and avoid any major equipment damage and breakdown. The alerts help maintenance team to plan maintenance schedule and related activity efficiently. Centralised and organised data gives overview to the engineers for day-to-day activities. Cement is amongst the top energy intensive industries in comparison to other industries. Hence, it becomes critically important to optimise efficiency, productivity and up-time of plant equipment. Motor monitoring and digitalisation plays a vital role in it. Monitoring and control of multiple applications and areas
within the plant or multiple plants becomes possible with digitalisation.
Digitalisation adds a layer on top of OT systems, bringing machine and process data onto a single interface. This solves the challenges such as system silo, different communications protocol, databases and most importantly, creates a common definition and measurement to plant KPIs. Relevant stakeholders, such as engineers, head of departments and plant heads, can see accurate information, analyse it and make better decisions with appropriate timing. In doing so, plant teams can take proactive actions before machine breakdown, enable better coordination during maintenance activities while improving operational efficiency and productivity.
Further using latest technologies like Artificial Intelligence can even assist operators in running their plant with minimal requirement of human intervention, which allows operators to utilise their time in focusing on more critical topics like analysing data to identify further improvements in operation.

Which of your high-efficiency IEC low-voltage motors deliver the best energy savings for cement mills or fans?
Innomotics India offers a range of IEC-compliant low-voltage motors engineered to deliver superior performance and energy savings, particularly for applications such as cement mills, large fans, and blowers. Innomotics has the complete range of IE4 motors from 0.37kW to 1000kW to meet the demands of cement industry. The IE5 range is also available for specific requirements.

Can safe area motors operate safely and efficiently in cement kiln environments?
Yes, safe area motors are designed to operate reliably in these environments without the risk of overheating. These motors have ingress protection that prevents dust, moisture ingress and can withstand mechanical stress. These motors are available in IE3 / IE4 efficiency classes thereby ensuring lower energy consumption during continuous operation. These motors comply with relevant Indian as well as international standards.

How do your SD Severe Duty motors contribute to lower emissions and lower cost in heavy duty cement applications?
Severe duty motors enhances energy efficiency and durability in demanding cement applications, directly contributing to lower emissions and operational costs. With high-efficiency ratings (such as IE3 or better), they reduce power consumption, minimising CO2 output from energy use. Their robust design handles extreme heat, dust and vibration—common in cement environments—ensuring reliable performance and fewer energy losses.
These motors also lower the total cost of ownership by reducing downtime, maintenance and replacement frequency. Their extended service life and minimal performance degradation help cement plants meet sustainability targets, comply with emissions regulations and improve overall energy management—all while keeping production consistent and cost-effective.

What pump, fan or compressor drive upgrades have shown approximately 60 per cent energy savings in industrial settings and can be replicated in cement plants?
In the cement industry, the primary high-power applications are fans and mills. Among these, fans have the greatest potential for energy savings. Examples, the pre-heater fan, bag house fan, and cooler fans. When there are variations in airflow or the need to maintain a constant pressure in a process, using a variable speed drive (VSD) system is a more effective option for starting and controlling these fans. This adaptive approach can lead to significant energy savings. For instance, vanes and dampers can remain open while the variable frequency drive and motor system manage airflow regulation efficiently.

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Concrete

We conduct regular internal energy audits

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October 10, 2025

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Shaping the future of low-carbon cement production involves integrating renewables, digitalisation and innovative technologies. Uma Suryam, SVP and Head Manufacturing – Northern Region, Nuvoco Vistas, gives us a detailed account of how.

In an industry where energy consumption can account for a significant portion of operating costs, cement manufacturers are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices without compromising efficiency. Nuvoco Vistas has taken a decisive step in this direction, leveraging digitalisation, renewable energy and innovative technologies to drive energy efficiency across its operations. In this exclusive conversation, Uma Suryam, SVP and Head Manufacturing – Northern Region, Nuvoco Vistas, shares its approach to energy management, challenges of modernising brownfield plants and its long-term roadmap to align efficiency with India’s net-zero vision.

How has your company improved energy efficiency over the past five years?
Over the past five years, we have prioritised energy conservation by enhancing operational efficiency and scaling up renewable energy adoption. Through strategic fuel mix optimisation, deployment of cleaner technologies, and greater integration of renewables, we have steadily reduced our environmental footprint while meeting energy needs sustainably.
Technological upgrades across our plants have further strengthened efficiency. These include advanced process control systems, enhanced trend analysis, grinding media optimisation and the integration of solar-powered utilities. Importantly, grid integration at our key plants has delivered significant cost savings and streamlined energy management.
A notable milestone has been the expansion of our solar power capacity and Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS). Our solar power capacity has grown from 1.5 MW in FY 2021–22 to 5.5 MW, while our WHRS capacity has increased from 44.7 MW to 49 MW, underscoring our commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

What technologies or practices have shown the highest energy-saving potential in cement production?
One of our most significant achievements in advancing energy efficiency has been the successful commissioning of a 132 KV Grid Integration Project, which unified three of our major manufacturing units under a single power network. This milestone, enabled by a dedicated transmission line and a state-of-the-art Line-In Line-Out (LILO) substation, has transformed our energy management and operational capabilities.
With this integration, we have substantially reduced our contract demand, eliminated power disruptions, and enhanced operational continuity. Supported by an optical fibre network for real-time communication and automation, this project stands as a testament to our innovation-led manufacturing excellence and underscores Nuvoco’s vision of building a safer, smarter, and sustainable world.

What role does digitalisation play in achieving energy efficiency in your operations?
Digitalisation plays a transformative role in driving energy efficiency across our operations. At Nuvoco, we are leveraging cutting-edge technologies and advanced digital tools to enhance productivity, optimise energy consumption and strengthen our commitment to sustainability and employee safety.
We are developing AI-enabled dashboards to optimise WHRS and kiln operations, ensuring maximum efficiency. Additionally, our advanced AI models evaluate multiple operational parameters — including fuel pricing, moisture content and energy output — to identify the most cost-effective fuel combinations in real time. These initiatives are enabling data-driven decision-making, improving operational excellence and reducing our environmental footprint.

What is your long-term strategy for aligning energy efficiency with decarbonisation goals?
As part of India’s climate action agenda, the cement sector has laid out a clear decarbonisation roadmap to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2070. At Nuvoco, we view this as both a responsibility and an opportunity to redefine the future of sustainable construction. Our long-term strategy focuses on aligning energy efficiency with decarbonisation goals by embracing innovative technologies, alternative raw materials and renewable energy solutions.
We are making strategic investments to scale up solar power installations and enhance our renewable energy mix significantly by 2028. These initiatives are a key part of our broader vision to reduce Scope 2 emissions and strengthen our contribution to India’s net-zero journey, while continuing to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to our customers.

How do you measure and benchmark energy performance across different plants?
We adopt a comprehensive approach to measure and benchmark energy performance across our plants. Key metrics include Specific Heat Consumption (kCal/kg of clinker) and Specific Power Consumption (kWh/tonne of cement), which are continuously tracked against Best Available Technology (BAT) benchmarks, industry peers and global standards such as the WBCSD-CSI and CII benchmarks.
To ensure consistency and drive improvements, we conduct regular internal energy audits, leverage real-time dashboards and implement robust KPI tracking systems. These tools enable us to compare performance across plants effectively, identify optimisation opportunities and set actionable targets for energy efficiency and sustainability.

What are the key challenges in adopting energy-efficient equipment in brownfield cement plants?
Adopting energy-efficient technologies in brownfield cement plants presents a unique set of challenges due to the constraints of working within existing infrastructure. Firstly, the high capital expenditure and relatively long payback periods often require careful evaluation before investments are made. Additionally, integrating new technologies with legacy equipment can be complex, requiring significant customisation to ensure seamless compatibility and performance.
Another major challenge is minimising production disruptions during installation. Since brownfield plants are already operational, upgrades must be planned meticulously to avoid affecting output. In many cases, space constraints in older facilities add to the difficulty of accommodating advanced equipment without compromising existing layouts.
At Nuvoco, we address these challenges through a phased implementation approach, detailed project planning and by fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration across our plants. This helps us balance operational continuity with our commitment to driving energy efficiency and sustainability.

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Concrete

Enlight Metals Supplies 3,200 Tonne of Steel for Navi Mumbai Airport

The airport is set to become Asia’s largest air connectivity hub.

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October 10, 2025

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Enlight Metals has supplied 3,200 metric tonne of steel for the newly inaugurated Navi Mumbai International Airport, marking a major contribution to one of India’s largest infrastructure projects and reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting national development.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport, developed under a Public-Private Partnership led by the Adani Group, was inaugurated today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The airport is set to become Asia’s largest air connectivity hub, enhancing regional connectivity, boosting economic growth, and expanding trade opportunities. Prime Minister Modi described the project as a “glimpse of Viksit Bharat,” highlighting its transformative impact on infrastructure and development in the region.

“The supply of 3,200 metric tonne of steel for this key project aligns with our focus on supporting critical infrastructure development through reliable and timely metal sourcing. Enlight Metals is committed to enhancing transparency and efficiency in the steel supply chain, contributing to projects integral to India’s growth objectives,” said Vedant Goel, Director, Enlight Metals.

Enlight Metals has implemented technology-driven solutions to strengthen supply chain efficiency, ensuring consistent availability of construction materials for large-scale projects nationwide. Its contribution to the Navi Mumbai International Airport underscores the company’s growing role in supporting India’s infrastructure development initiatives.

This milestone reflects Enlight Metals’ ongoing engagement in delivering quality materials and timely services for major national projects, further cementing its position as a reliable partner in India’s infrastructure sector

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