Environment
Retrofitting in Cement Plants for Emissions Reduction
Published
4 years agoon
By
admin
Gaseous emission – nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides – can be reduced by making some changes to the existing installation.
The cement manufacturing process has undergone a lot of technological advancements with respect to product types, raw material and fuel types and improved automation and energy efficiency. Most of the emissions to the environment are in the form of particulates, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur oxides in exhaust gases. In some countries, mercury emissions are monitored and controlled. In cases where fuel or raw material quality lead to higher emissions, end of pipe control technology can be applied to meet emission norms.
NOX formation in kiln flames is generally by both thermal and fuel routes (for coal, oil and petroleum coke). NOX formation takes place in the high temperature clinker burning process and the amount is directly related to the main flame temperature which is typically 1800 -2000?C. Thermal NOX is formed by the combination of atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen at very high temperatures. The reaction takes place between oxygen radicals, nitrogen radicals and molecular nitrogen. Apart from temperature, the in-flame oxygen concentration and the residence time in the high temperature zones influence the final thermal NOX emissions. Most fuels, other than gas, contain nitrogen bound as an organic compound in the structure. When the fuel is burnt this organic nitrogen becomes converted into a range of cyanide and amine species some of which are subsequently oxidised to NOX, depending on the local oxygen availability, but this mechanism is less dependent on temperature. Typical NOX emission values in older technologies can be as high as 1800-2000 mg/Nm3, while average emission values are around 1200 mg/Nm3 (based on 10% O2).
Sulphur is input into the clinker burning process via raw materials and fuels. Higher SO2 emissions by rotary kiln systems in the cement industry are due to sulphides contained in the raw material which become oxidised to form SO2 at the temperatures between 370 to 420?C prevailing in the kiln preheater. In some cases sulphur in fuel can also affect the emission of SO2. High values in the range of 600 to 800 mg/Nm3 have been observed.
Recently the norms for gaseous emissions from cement plants have undergone revision in India and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has amended the Environment (protection) Rules of 1986. The limits for NOX emissions for new plants are set at 600 mg/ Nm3 at 10%O2 (800 for older plants), and that for SO2 are set at 100 mg/Nm3 at 10% O2, dry basis. It will therefore be essential for producers to review their current operations to meet these new requirements, which are now quite stringent.
NOX emissions are dependent on certain process related factors such as
- Feed mix composition
- Kiln fuel type
- Increased thermal efficiency
- Burner Type
There are certain limits to which these factors can be optimised to reduce emissions while ensuring product quality and operational efficiency. As a result it becomes necessary to look at other solutions like retrofitting existing preheater, calciner or Tertiary Air TA duct to reduce the emissions.
For controlling NOX emissions the following retrofitting options can be incorporated in existing Preheater Precalciner type Dry cement Kilns.
Installing low NOX burners (LNB) in the kiln.
Two distinct combustion zones are created using LNBs. Flame turbulence and air and fuel mixing are suppressed during the first stage of combustion. A fuel-rich, oxygen-lean, high temperature combustion zone is created first by reducing the amount of primary air in the primary combustion zone and delaying the combustion of all of the fuel. A portion of the flue gas can be recycled into the primary combustion zone to reduce the oxygen content of the primary air.
At the high temperatures required to complete clinkering reactions, thermal NOX formation is suppressed in the primary combustion zone because less oxygen is available.
A secondary, oxygen-rich combustion zone follows, where fuel combustion is completed. Cooler secondary combustion air is mixed into the secondary combustion zone, lowering the temperature. Although excess oxygen is available, NOX formation is suppressed in the secondary combustion zone because of lower temperature. This method can secure to 10%-15% NOX reduction. However, the exact values will depend on the existing level of emissions.
Staged combustion in Calciner (SCC)
SCC works by staging the introduction of fuel, combustion air, and feed material in a manner to minimise NOX formation and reduce NOX to nitrogen. NOX formed in the kiln?s combustion zone is chemically reduced by maintaining a reducing atmosphere at the kiln feed end by firing fuel in this region. The reducing atmosphere is maintained in the calciner region by controlling combustion air such that the calcining fuel is first burned under reducing conditions to reduce NOX and then burned under oxidising conditions to complete the combustion reaction. However, the overall process parameters during kiln operation under such reducing conditions must be carefully watched to limit the CO emission, especially where ESP is being used instead of bag house.
Controlling the introduction of raw meal allows for control of the calciner temperature. Through these mechanisms, both fuel NOX and thermal NOX are controlled. The combustion chamber allows for improved control over the introduction of tertiary air in the calciner region, which helps to promote the proper reducing environment for NOX control.
The various technology providers achieve this staged combustion by different methods:
- Staged air combustion in which along with delivery of the tertiary air to the calciner inlet, a portion of the tertiary air is delivered close to calciner outlet. Modification to the TA duct and calciner is required.
- Staged air and fuel: Fuel is fired both in kiln riser and calciner and TA is delivered both at inlet of calciner and in the combustion zone close to the calciner outlet.
- Sequenced Fuel and Air: This is the case of a typical Low NOX ILC system, where all fuel is fired in a reducing atmosphere near the kiln inlet, and tertiary air is supplied in the lower part of the calciner. Raw meal is split and introduced at different sections of the calciner. This type of calciner does not stage fuel or air, but instead injects all calciner fuel at the bottom of the calciner, before the kiln inlet. All tertiary air is introduced at a single point just above the fuel. A high-temperature reducing zone is created in the kiln riser duct, and the calciner is partially built into the kiln riser.
This method can secure to 25%-30% NOX reduction. However the exact values will depend on the existing level of emissions.
Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction
The SNCR process is basically the injection of ammonia in the form of ammonia water or urea in the flue-gas at a suitable temperature. An aqueous ammonia solution is the reagent that has been most often used for cement kilns, and experience indicates that an ammonia solution is most effective for PH/PC cement kiln applications. Other reagent alternatives include anhydrous ammonia (injected as a gas), urea solutions, and ammonium sulfate solutions. This reagent is called a reductant.
An SNCR system?s performance depends on
- Residence time available in optimum temperature range
- Degree of mixing between injected reagent and combustion gases
- Uncontrolled NOX concentration level and Oxygen level
- Molar ratio of injected reagent to uncontrolled NOX.
The SNCR system can be easily installed as retrofit in an existing pyroprocessing system. The following are the main additions
- Reductant receipt and storage section. Adequate safety measures have to be taken for the handling of Ammonia solution or Ammonia.
- The reductant pumping and delivery section
- The reductant distribution system
- The ammonia injection lances at calciner and/or kiln riser duct. The exact location and number of injection points will differ from one system to the next and are ptimised through testing.
- Measurement equipment is necessary to maintain the appropriate ammonia feed rate and additional monitoring equipment is required to record the amount of NOx and ammonia slip in the gases exiting the SNCR system to adjust the amount of ammonia entering the system.
- Temperature monitors are also required to make sure that the ammonia is delivered to the correct location.
Sometimes it may be necessary to use multiple reduction techniques so that the emission standards can be met. Due to the high operational cost of the system, SNCR should be used to the extent necessary only after achieving NOx reduction based on Process Optimisation and other retrofitting avenues described earlier in this paper. Similarly the SO2 emission from kilns are dependent on multiple factors, some of which can be optimised to reduce emissions. The following factors can be evaluated to optimise the SO2 emissions from cement kiln:
- Inherent SO2 removal efficiency of the kiln system,
- Limit raw material sulphur concentration and form of sulphur,
- Raw mix design: The molecular ratio between sulphur (and chloride) and alkalis (sodium and potassium),
- Whether oxidising or reducing conditions exist in the kiln system and where these conditions exist,
- The temperature profile in the kiln system,
- If an in-line raw mill is available and operating.
- When the emission values cannot be improved by process optimisation alone, it becomes necessary to adopt suitable secondary measures. Some of the retrofit solutions are described below.
Lime Addition to Kiln Feed
Lime Addition to Kiln Feed consists of mixing lime (CaO) with the raw Kiln feed. The CaO would react with SO2 driven off in the kiln to form calcium sulfite (CaSO3) and calcium sulfate (CaSO4). The reactions can occur in the calciner, throughout the rotary kiln, and in the lower stages of the flash calciner (i.e., at any location in the system at which CaO and SO2 are present simultaneously and are mixed adequately). The amount of SO2 absorbed through this mechanism at any location in the pyroprocess is dependent on the site-specific temperature and other factors such as the time of contact between the reactants. Once sulfur is absorbed as CaSO4 in the materials in the pyroprocess, it is unlikely to be released again as SO2. CaSO4 would be retained in the raw mix and ultimately be converted into clinker.
Installation of SOX reduction cyclone
SO2 formed in the upper cyclone stages of the preheater can be reduced by reaction with the naturally occurring CaO present in the pyro system. CaO is formed in the calciner, and gas and dust containing high amounts of CaO can be directed to the upper stages for SO2 reduction by a minor calciner modification.
This SO2 removal system consists of a low pressure cyclone, with inlet outlet ducts, a material feed pipe, sluice flap and distribution box. The inlet duct conveys gas from the inline calciner to the SO2 collecting cyclone. The outlet duct conveys gas to the Stage two or three inlet duct. A material feed pipe is provided for the SO2 collecting cyclone and will terminate at stage below top stage or top stage distribution box. This system uses the differential pressure across the preheater tower to provide the driving force to convey the calcined material from the bottom to top.
Upto 35% control of SO2 is possible depending on existing situation in the kiln.
Dry Sorbent Injection
Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) utilises finely ground sorbent which is injected in the gas stream of the kiln. The sorbent typically used is a hydrated lime, sodium bicarbonate or Trona (soda ash). Water may be injected separately from the sorbent either downstream or upstream of the dry sorbent injection point to humidify the flue gas. The relative position of the dry sorbent and water injection is optimised to promote maximum droplet scavenging or impacts between sorbent particles and water droplets, both suspended in the gas stream. Fly ash, reaction products, and any unreacted sorbent are collected in the particulate control device. Some extent of dry scrubbing is inherent in the preheater tower.
Upto 60% control of SO2 is possible depending on the amount of lime that is fed into the kiln.
Wet Lime Scrubbing
This is based on the reaction between Ca(OH)2 and SO2 with a lime slurry is introduced as a mist into a gas stream containing SO2. The mole ration of Ca(OH)2 to SO2 is usually 2:1. This slurry can be introduced in the existing Gas Conditioning tower located between preheater and in-line raw mills. The lime spray can be modulated depending on kiln operating conditions such as when raw mill is not in operation.
Upto 90% control of SO2 is possible depending on the existing system and improvement required. However the handling of such systems with the cement plant entails higher operation and maintenance costs. Hence the wet and semi-dry processes are not deployed unless the emissions are exceptionally high.
Engineering consultants like ERCOM, who have a global experience, have already assisted their customers abroad in achieving stringent emission limits. A quick and efficient technical audit can be carried for existing cement plants to check the likely compliance levels with respect to the new MoEF Notification. By assisting plants in carrying out process optimisation, we can help reduce the emissions with primary measures. In order to achieve further reductions, we can help clients in selecting the appropriate cost effective retrofit solution. Plant modifications for reduction of emission can be evaluated by us and we can aid in timely implementation with minimum disturbance to plant operation. Together with technology providers and cement plant owners, we can go a long way in paving the path for sustainable and environment friendly cement production.

The Indian cement industry has reached a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. In a landmark move, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has, for the first time, announced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity reduction targets for 282 entities, including 186 cement plants, under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023. These targets, to be enforced starting FY2025-26, are aligned with India’s overarching ambition of achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
Cement manufacturing is intrinsically carbon-intensive, contributing to around 7 per cent of global GHG emissions, or approximately 3.8 billion tonnes annually. In India, the sector is responsible for 6 per cent of total emissions, underscoring its critical role in national climate mitigation strategies. This regulatory push, though long overdue, marks a significant shift towards accountability and structured decarbonisation.
However, the path to a greener cement sector is fraught with challenges—economic viability, regulatory ambiguity, and technical limitations continue to hinder the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives. A major gap lies in the lack of a clear, India-specific definition for ‘green cement’, which is essential to establish standards and drive industry-wide transformation.
Despite these hurdles, the industry holds immense potential to emerge as a climate champion. Studies estimate that through targeted decarbonisation strategies—ranging from clinker substitution and alternative fuels to carbon capture and innovative product development—the sector could reduce emissions by 400 to 500 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Collaborations between key stakeholders and industry-wide awareness initiatives (such as Earth Day) are already fostering momentum. The responsibility now lies with producers, regulators and technology providers to fast-track innovation and investment.
The time to act is now. A sustainable cement industry is not only possible—it is imperative.
Concrete
It is equally important to build resilient building structures
Published
3 weeks agoon
May 13, 2025By
admin
Manoj Rustagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, JSW Cement, discusses how the adoption of ‘green’ practices in cement manufacturing could reshape the future of sustainable construction worldwide.
Cement is one of the most carbon-intensive materials in construction — but innovation is changing that. As sustainability becomes central to infrastructure, green cement is emerging as a viable low-carbon alternative. In this detailed interview with Manoj Rustagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, JSW Cement, we explore what makes cement ‘green’, its performance, and its future. From durability to cutting-edge technologies, here’s a look at the cement industry’s greener path forward.
What exactly is green cement, and how does it differ from traditional cement?
At this point in time, there is no standard for defining green cement. A very simple way to understand ‘Green Cement’ or ‘Low Carbon Cement’ is the one which emits much lower greenhouse gasses (GHG) compared to conventional cement (Ordinary Portland Cement – OPC) during its manufacturing process.
In India, there are many existing BIS Standards for different types of cement products. The most common are OPC; Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC); Portland Slag Cement (PSC) and Composite Cement (CC). While OPC emits maximum GHG during its manufacturing (approx 800-850 kg CO2/MT of OPC), PSC emits least GHG (approx 300-350 kg CO2/MT of PSC). As PSC is having close to 60 per cent lower CO2 emission compared to OPC, it is the greenest cement available in the Indian market.
There is already work happening at the central government level to define green cement, like it has been recently done for green steel, and hopefully in the next one year or so the standard definition would be available.
What are the key environmental benefits of using green cement?
The primary environmental benefits of green or low-carbon cement are:
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Lower energy and power consumption
- Conservation of limestone and fossil fuels
- Utilisation of industrial by-products
- (slag/fly ash)
Can green cement match the durability and strength of conventional cement?
PSC is much more durable than any other type of cement product. It has lower heat of hydration; the strength keeps on improving with time; and it has much higher resistance to chloride and sulphate attacks. Most of the concrete failures are because of chloride and sulphate attacks, which corrode the steel reinforcements and that is how cracks get initiated and propagated resulting in eventual concrete failures. For coastal applications, marine structures, seaports, and mass concreting, PSC is most suitable. Due to the intrinsic durability characteristics of PSC; it is a green and resilient cement product.
Usually everyone talks about lower GHG emissions, but it is equally important to build resilient building structures that can withstand natural calamities and have much longer lifespans. PSC is one cement type that is not only lowest in CO2 emissions but at the same time offers durability characteristics and properties (RCPT, RCMT, Mercury Intrusion, long term strength and flexural strength), which are unmatched.
What innovative technologies are being used to produce green cement?
To further reduce the CO2 emissions in the manufacturing process; some of the innovative technologies which are commercially viable are:
- Alternative raw materials: Use of steel slag, red mud and other industrial by-products to substitute limestone
- Alternative fuels: Use of RDF/MSW, pharmaceutical wastes like biomass etc., to substitute coal/pet-coke
- Waste Heat Recovery (WHR): Power plants to generate electricity from waste heat
- Renewable energy: Solar and wind energy instead of state grid
How cost-effective is green cement compared to traditional options?
All of the above innovative technologies do not increase the cost of manufacturing. There are some future technologies like Carbon Capture, Utilisation and/or Storage (CCUS), which are not commercially viable and would increase the cost of cement. As such, the options available today for low-carbon cement (like PSC) are not expensive.
The Government of India has recently notified Indian Carbon Market (ICM), which also includes the cement sector. Hopefully, this would help progressive companies to further reduce their carbon footprint.
What challenges does the industry face in adopting green cement on a large scale?
There is absolutely no incentive/motivation for builders/contractors to use green cement products and therefore there is practically no demand. While the industry has taken many steps. In fact the Indian cement industry is believed to be most energy efficient globally and has approximately 10 per cent lower GHG emissions compared to global average. But due to lack of awareness and lack of performance based standards; the demand for low carbon cement or green cement has not picked up in India.
Are governments and regulators supporting the shift to green cement?
In India, in the last couple of years, there have been many policy interventions which have been initiated. One of them, namely the carbon market is under notification; others like Green Public Procurement, Green Cement taxonomy and National CCUS Mission are in the advanced stages and are expected to be implemented in the next couple
of years.
How do you see the future of green cement in global construction?
Globally the built environment accounts for 40 per cent CO2 emissions; and the maximum embodied emissions come from cement and concrete. There is a lot of innovation happening in cement, concrete and construction. Basically, how we build and what material we use. And this is to do with both carbon mitigation as well as adaptation as the built environment is so important for sustainable living. Precast and pre-engineered buildings/structures, 3D concrete printing, ultra high performance concrete, digital and AI/ML interventions in construction, admixtures/improved concrete packing; and circularity in cement manufacturing are some examples. Low-carbon cement or green cement eventually will lead to ‘Net Zero CO2 emission’ cement, which would enable a ‘Net-Zero’ built environment that is needed for long term sustainability.

Milind Khangan, Marketing Manager, Vertex Market Research, looks at how India’s cement industry is powering a climate-conscious transformation with green cement at its core, aligning environmental urgency with economic opportunity.
The cement industry produces around eight per cent of the world’s total CO2 emissions. Process emissions, largely due to limestone calcination, contribute 50 to 60 per cent of these emissions and produce nearly one ton of CO2 per ton of cement produced.
India is a leading cement producer with an installed capacity of around 550 million tons (MMT) as of 2024. As the Government of India advances toward its 2070 net-zero target, green cement is becoming a major driver of this shift toward a low-carbon economy. It offers environmental sustainability as well as long-term operating efficiencies at scale. With the fast-paced urbanisation and infrastructure development across the nation, the use of green cement goes beyond environmental imperatives; it is also a strong strategic business opportunity. Indian cement players are some of the most sustainable and environmentally conscious players in the world, and indigenous cement demand in India is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10 per cent until 2030.
Innovating sustainably
Green cement is an umbrella term that includes multiple advanced technologies and processes aimed at minimising the environmental footprint, and CO2 emissions of conventional cement manufacturing. This shift from traditional practices targets minimising the carbon footprint throughout the whole cement manufacturing process.
- Clinker substitution: Substitution of high-carbon clinker with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in order to considerably lower emissions.
- Alternative binders: Developing cementitious systems that require minimal or no clinker, reducing reliance on traditional methods.
- Novel cements: Introducing new types of cement that depend less on limestone/clinker, utilising alternative modified processes and raw materials.
- Energy efficiency and alternative fuels: Optimising energy utilisation in production and substituting fossil fuel with cleaner alternatives coming from waste or biomass.
- Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS): Trapping CO2 emissions at cement plants for recycling or geological storage.
Drivers and strategic opportunities
Robust infrastructure development pipeline: The government’s continued and massive investment in infrastructure (roads, railways, housing, smart cities) generates huge demand for cement. Crucially, there is a growing preference and sometimes direct requirement under public tenders for sustainable building materials, including green cement, which is giving a significant market stimulus.
India’s national climate commitments (NDC and Net Zero 2070): India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement (NDCs) and the long-term goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070 have set a clear direction for industrial decarbonisation. This national strategy necessitates action from high-emitting sectors such as cement to adopt green cement technologies and carbon-reducing innovations across the construction value chain. Notably, the Indian cement industry alone is expected to generate nearly 400 million tonnes of GHG emissions by 2030.
Regulatory mandates for fly ash utilisation: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released a number of binding notifications that promote the use of fly ash from thermal power plants. These guidelines seek to reduce environmental impact by enhancing its extensive application in cement production, particularly in Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC). Fly ash acts as a pozzolanic material, reacting with calcium hydroxide to produce cementitious compounds, hence decreasing clinker consumption, a high-energy component contributing to high CO2 emissions. Through clinker substitution facilitation, such mandates directly enable the production of low-carbon green cement.
Promotion and utilisation of blast furnace slag: Steel plant slag utilisation policies provide a ready SCM for manufacturing Portland Slag Cement (PSC). This is advantageous in terms of the supply of another key raw material for green cement manufacturing.
Increased demand due to green building movement
The larger adoption of green building codes and certification systems such as GRIHA and LEED India by builders and developers promotes the use of materials with reduced carbon content. Cement products with a higher SCM content or produced through cleaner processes are preferred. A step in this direction was achieved in October 2021 when Dalmia Cement achieved the distinction of being the first Indian cement producer to be granted the Green Product Accreditation of GRIHA.
The Indian industry is actively investing in R&D for new binders such as geopolymer cement, alkali-activated materials and limestone calcined clay cement (LC3). Research institutions including IIT Madras are collaborating with industry to scale these technologies. Although Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) is still at a nascent stage in India, it represents a potential frontier for long-term decarbonisation in the cement sector.
The MoEFCC has published draft regulations under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023, in the form of the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity Target Rules, 2025. The draft notification requires 186 cement units in India to lower their GHG emission intensity from FY 2025-26. Non-compliant manufacturers will have to purchase carbon credit certificates or face penalties, creating a clear regulatory and financial incentive to adopt cleaner technology. The CCTS will promote technology and practice adoption that reduces the carbon intensity of cement manufacturing, potentially resulting in the use of green cement and other low-carbon substitutes for cement.
India’s leading cement companies like UltraTech, Shree Cement, and Dalmia Bharat have made science-based targets and net-zero emissions pledges in line with the GCCA 2050 Cement and Concrete Industry Roadmap. These self-declarations are hastening the shift towards clean cement manufacturing technology and renewable energy procurement.
Challenges and complexities in India’s green cement transition
Economic viability and cost challenges: High production costs associated with low-carbon cement technologies remain a significant hurdle. The absence of strict carbon pricing and poor financial incentives slow down rapid uptake on a large scale. Although green cement is currently costlier than conventional options, greater market adoption and scale-driven efficiencies are expected to progressively narrow this price gap, enhancing commercial viability over time. As these technologies mature, their broader deployment will become more feasible.
Inconsistent supply chain of SCMs: A dependable supply of high-quality Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), such as fly ash and slag, is crucial. But in the course of decarbonisation of India’s power generation and industry sectors, SCMs reliability and availability may become intermittent. Strong, decentralised logistics and material processing units must be developed in order to provide uninterrupted and economical SCM supply chains to cement producers.
Gaps in technical standards and performance benchmarks
Although PPC and PSC are well-supported by existing BIS codes, standards for newer materials such as calcined clay, geopolymer binders and other novel SCMs require timely development and updates. Maintaining steady performance, lasting robustness, and usage dependability in varying climatic and structural applications will be key to instilling market faith in other forms of cement formulation. Market stakeholders are also supporting separate BIS codes for the green cement sub-categories for helping to build and sustain standardisation and trust.
Scaling of emerging technologies
Scaling promising technology, especially CCUS, from pilots to commercial scales within the Indian context involves significant investment of capital, technical manpower, and a facilitating regulatory environment. The creation of infrastructure for transportation and long-term storage of CO2 will be critical. While these facilitative systems are implemented, cement makers will be well-placed to decarbonise their operations and achieve national sustainability goals.
The way ahead
The Indian cement industry is poised to enter a revolutionary era, where decarbonisation and sustainability are at the heart of expansion. Industry players and the government need to join hands in an integrated manner throughout the cement value chain to spearhead this green revolution. Cement companies must embrace new technologies to lower the emissions like the utilisation of alternative fuels like biomass, industrial wastes, and recycled materials and utilisation of waste heat recovery systems to make energy efficient. The electrification of logistics and kilns, investigation of high-heat alternative products, and CCUS technology investments must be made to decarbonise production. Sophisticated additives such as polymers can improve cement performance with reduced environmental footprint.
At the policy level, the government has to introduce support measures such as stable carbon pricing, tax relief, viability gap funding, and initiatives such as the PLI scheme to encourage the use of renewable energy in cement manufacturing. Instruments such as carbon contracts can stabilise carbon credit prices and reduce market risk, encouraging investment in low-carbon technologies. Updating BIS standards for newer green cement formulations and SCMs is also critical for market acceptance and confidence. Green cement mandates in public procurement and long-term offtake contracts have the potential to generate stable demand, and green financing windows can guarantee commercial viability of near-zero carbon technologies. Cement greening is not a choice, it is a necessity for constructing a climate-resilient, sustainable India.
About the author:
Milind Khangan, Marketing Manager, Vertex Market Research, comes with more than five years of experience in market research and lead generation. He is responsible for developing new marketing plans and innovations in lead generation, having expertise in creating a technically strong website that generates leads for startups in market research.

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