Economy & Market

Cement Machinery – Eyeing on the green potential

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2021

admin

Increasing focus on savings in energy consumption, stringent emission and pollution control norms, thinning bottom lines on one hand, and thanks to the Perform-Achieve-Trade Scheme, launched by Bureau of Energy Eficeny (BEE), most of the cement majors been inspired to innovate for ways and means, not only to reduce the energy consumption and the carbon footprint, but also to better cost efficiency. This has resulted in plant optimisation where energy and fuel efficient equipment and components play a pivotal role. INDIAN CEMENT REVIEW trains its thoughts on the latest developments.

EVEN THOUGH THE economic slowdown has adversely impacted the off take of cement, and to an extent, has dented the confidence of the equipment vendors, the long term growth potential is really tremendous. The per capita consumption of cement in India tells no other tale. Indian per capita consumption of cement is much less compared to the world average. As per reports, compared to the world average of over 350 kg, the Indian per capita consumption of cement was around 150 kg in 2011. The corresponding figure is 660 kg per capita in China, 631 kg per capita in Japan and 447 kg per capita in France. This very fact has been one of the main reasons that brought in global players into the Indian shore.

The Indian cement industry is globally competitive with lowest energy consumption and CO2 emissions. As per inputs from Cement Manufacturers Association during 2009-10, the Indian cement industry grew at a robust rate of 12.7 per cent. With the government promoting construction activities across the country through various stimulus packages for building roads, bridges, houses, etc., the Indian cement industry added a capacity of 37 million tonne in 2009-10, which is the highest capacity ever added in any single year so far. The government’s focus on building infrastructure is likely to continue in the near future and the Indian cement industry is expected to sustain an even higher growth rate of 15 per cent over the coming years.

According to G Jayaraman, Associate Director, Price Waterhouse, Chennai, the Indian cement industry has been very proactive in adopting various technological advancements taking place all over the world. This was particularly triggered by the partial decontrol of cement industry in 1982 followed by full decontrol in 1989 giving the resultant free market competition an opportunity for growth in production and productivity. Jayaraman points out, "The share of energy inefficient wet process plants had slowly decreased from 94.4 per cent in 1960 to 61.6 per cent in 1980. Thereafter, as a result of quantum jump in production capacities through installation of modern dry process plants as well as conversion of some of the wet process plants, the share of wet process has reduced to less than 5 per cent today. During the last two decades (80’s and 90’s), major technological advancements took place in design of cement plant equipment/systems basically in the following major areas – a) pre-calcination b) high pressure grinding c) automation in process control d) high efficiency particle separation and e) clinker cooling.

Technology Roadmap

These innovation resulted in sea change developments globally and the Indian cement industry followed the international trend."

Recently, a low-carbon technology roadmap for the Indian cement industry has been launched in response to the sector’s need to cut its carbon footprint whilst meeting the growing demand for building materials in the country. It follows the launch of the global cement technology roadmap published in 2009. Enhancing energy efficiency and investing in newer technologies is one of the major objectives in the India-specific roadmap that aims to reduce the industry’s carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2050. In an exclusive interview with Indian Cement Review, Philip Fonta, Managing Director, World Business Council for Sustainable Development says, "The Indian cement industry’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint by adopting the best available technologies and environmental practices are reflected in the achievement of reducing total CO2 emissions to an industrial average of 0.719 tonne COf per tonne cement in 2010 from a substantially higher level of 1.12 tonne CO2 per tonne cement in 1996. The Indian roadmap outlines a low-carbon growth pathway for the Indian cement industry that could lead to carbon intensity reductions of 45 per cent by 2050. It proposes that these reductions could come from increased clinker substitution and alternative fuel use; further improvements to energy efficiency, and the development and widespread implementation of newer technologies."

Fonta further adds, "The vision laid out in the roadmap is ambitious but achievable. Wide stakeholder consultation took place throughout the process to bring in varied perspectives, and to reiterate that decisive action by all stakeholders is critical to realise the vision laid out in the roadmap. To achieve the proposed levels of efficiency improvements and emissions reduction, government and industry must join hands to take decisive and collaborative actions in creating an investment climate that will stimulate the scale-up of financing required."

"Energy efficiency index of Indian cement industries is better than the world average. This has been achieved by judicious selection of plant/equipments for greenfield projects/plant upgradation and adopting outstanding processes/practices. Installing latest equipments has resulted into incremental saving in terms of energy consumption, innovative efforts that lead towards quantum jump in terms of energy saving to be pursued," says Ratan K Shaw, Group Executive President & Chief Manufacturing Officer, UltraTech Cement Limited. He further adds, "Enhancement of blended cement share and fly ash/slag absorption will contribute not only towards energy reduction but will also help in reducing carbon footprint and thus paving the road to green solution."

According to him, the criteria for selection of equipment for new plants are as follows: input material properties viz. grindability, abrasiveness, moisture, presence of free silica, minor constituents, versatility in terms of grinding viz. OPC/PPC/Slag, output material properties-product fineness, PSD etc, investment and operating cost, scope for capacity enhancement and layout constraints in application of the technology. The operative norms desired are specific fuel and power consumption, environmental considerations, equipment reliability-easy to maintain equipment/proven performance.

The focus on energy efficiency for upcoming new plants as well as operating plants will contribute towards reduced energy demand and CO2 abatement, and he stresses on the selection of state-of-art energy efficient equipments /auxiliaries, latest automation systems/optimal systems/layout, integrated design with WHR power plants.

SN Subrahmanyan, Member of the Board and Sr. EVP, L&T Construction says, "The current focus is on savings in energy consumption and emission control methods, with stringent pollution control norms which are tightened day by day and the introduction of the PAT (Perform, Achieve and Trade) scheme. Cement manufacturers are expected to operate their plant in optimised conditions all the time. Power availability is also a key factor that affects cement plant operations. Clients are looking for equipment which reduces energy, fuel consumption, and effective utilisation of waste heat. Due to this trend, waste heat recovery systems and alternate fuel firing systems have become common requirements in cement plant tenders."

"Fuel efficient technologies have been adopted by majority of cement manufacturers," says Jayesh Somwanshi, Proprietor, Shreeyash Engineering. He adds, "A lot of affordable technology is now coming into the market. Also, there is a shift in focus of the manufacturers on the fuel efficient products which are really important for our industry."

Talking about the latest trends in technology, B Seenaiah, National President, Builder’s Association of India and Managing Director, BSCPL says, "The cement machinery manufacturers are obviously now focusing more on fuel efficient equipment. The manufacturers are now more keen on complying this latest emmission norm which helps save fuel and increases durability of the machinery." Explaining the same further, Martin Gierse, Managing Director, KHD Humboldt Wedag India Pvt Limited "We see that the trend is towards environmentally friendly and energy efficient products and services. As such, KHD has established themselves as one of the industry leaders in low NOx calcining technology, power efficient grinding technology and highly efficient pyro processing equipment requiring less heat and energy consumption, and thus avoids producing additional unnecessary CO2."

According to R Bhargava, Chief Climate & Sustainability Officer Shree Cement, periodic review of performance of various parameters of equipment with operating condition of plant at time of commissioning, year on year basis, checking of all parts of equipment at suppliers site, evaluation of energy efficiency for new equipment, determination of measuring points for evaluating the performance of plant are important factors while selecting plant and machinery with an approach towards energy reduction. Training on energy policy to vendors/contractors to design and construct energy efficient plant, efficient purchasing strategies, and incorporating specific energy consumption for every equipment in purchase order/contract etc, will also help moving towards the higher goal making an energy-efficient plant.

K Karunakara Rao, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) says, "The life cycle cost is a very important factor while selecting equipment. Deployment of higher capacity equipment bring added advantages of higher reliability, and easier supervision of operation apart from lowering overall cost per tonne, and will also reduce manpower. The higher capacity equipment also helps reduce the traffic on the haul roads, reduce the exposure of humans to the safety risk, and minimise the fugitive emissions. He also stressed the use of Vehicle Health Monitoring System (VHMS) that could help avoid unexpected machine downtime by a prognostic look at data changes over time, helps faster troubleshooting due to readily identified situations and causes. Another advantage is the in-advance arrangement for certified rebuilt parts for replacement, resulting in downtime reduction, which also helps achieve extended service life of the machine through proper operating method and maintenance work."

Highlighting the latest technologies in raw material grinding, Jayaraman says, "Selection of the type of grinding mill depends on the raw materials’ several physical characteristics, most important amongst them are hardness of the material and moisture content. Availability of the major grinding equipment in appropriate capacity decides complexity or otherwise of layout, auxiliary equipment sizing etc which ultimately decide the plant’s pyro-processing capacity. Vertical roller mills have been widely accepted for combined grinding and drying of moist raw materials in view of their excellent drying capacity and low energy consumption.

Although the principle of the vertical roller mill did not change over the years, many improvements have been made in design of the mill and other equipments in the grinding circuit resulting in less energy consumption and improved reliability. Introduction of external re-circulation of material, adjustable louvre ring and modification of mill body to improve the air and material trajectories are examples of such design changes." He further adds, "Apart from the main equipment viz. mill, classifier and fan, the efforts have been on improving the performance of internals e.g. table liners in case of vertical roller mills and classifying liners in case of ball mills. Use of mechanical conveying systems like bucket elevators are becoming more common in place of pneumatic conveying giving substantial savings in energy."

Market Trends

Gierse says, "The current situation is governed by the low utilisation of the cement production facilities on the one side and low speed in decision making and granting of permits on the other. This has made cement producers focus on reduction of operational cost and increasing efficiency. Some are working on optimisation of their product offerings to serve more specific needs of their respective clients. Only the very strategic players planned to expand their production base, following the good rule that makes you win market shares during low seasons. However, cement consumption grew in 2012 by 8 per cent, which is more than the GDP growth and proves the importance of this core sector."

However, KHD is not planning to launch any new equipment in the market but the focus remains on the further optimisation of, as well the systems for pyro and grinding sections with cost and performance. Talking about the requirements of the clients, Gierse said, "We do believe that our clients’ business cases can best be supported by offering services in achieving the maximum performance for their manufacturing plant."

Commenting on the situation, Gaurav Khanna, Managing Director, Ashoka Group says, "Currently the industry is going through a bad phase since the infrastructure projects are not happening and there is no business. However, we expect the industry to improve in the year 2014 due to elections otherwise to be honest; I do not expect much right now. The year 2013 will be similar to the previous year."

Somwanshi says, "Right now, our industry is not in a satisfactory phase. The projects have not been happening since a long time. Due to which, we are on the receiving end. Though, the announcement made by the government for the construction of 3,000 km road project has brought a huge relief, you actually do not know if they are implementing the same in six months time." Feeling the heat of slowness in the markets, Shreeyash Engineering, does not plan to launch any new equipment currently.

But Seenaiah was on a positive refrain. "I do agree that the cement equipment manufacturers are facing a tough time but by the end of the year, the cement companies will expand their capacity by 25 per cent, especially in the southern parts of India." He further adds, "The construction sector is divided into two parts, one is the building construction and the other is infrastructure projects. The building construction is picking up, but the infrastructure part is stagnant. The year 2013 will be marginal as the government is still taking a stock of the situation and change needs time." Manish Kumar, Head of Plant and Machinery, Supreme Infra, also supports the view. According to him, the industry is gradually coming back to the earlier pace. "I would say that the industry is going well, since there are projects that have been coming up which has reflected in the sale of equipment. We have recently purchased equipments, despite the government not doing enough for the industry."

The China Factor

Contributing nearly 15 per cent globally, Chinese equipment players have taken a significant share of Indian demand. But for some, the only advantage of the China brand is low price. Despite, the users combating several issues like bad quality and after sales services, the Chinese equipment continues to make inroads into the Indian markets.

"There are few plants in India which are running on equipment supplied by Chinese suppliers but the lifecycle of such plants are questionable. Some investors only see the initial cost of the project rather than the performance and efficiency of the plant. This trend is threatening the Indian suppliers who offer quality products at a moderate price. Dumping from China has affected not only the Indian market but industries globally. Most of the customers who purchased Chinese equipment for their plants are facing issues in operation as well as in maintenance areas like frequent breakdowns of core equipment, increased plant downtime and increased equipment replacement cost. This trend can only be arrested if our government takes concrete steps to curb dumping from China," says Subrahmanyan.

Seenaiah says, "The quality of machinery is cheap but it is fine for them, since their costs are low and ours are high. But the quality of our machinery is also much better as compared to theirs. For us quality matters and a lot of players have changed their preferences and have now shifted to Indian equipment."

Geirse begs to differ. He says, "I would not call this a threat. As western suppliers, the Chinese suppliers are today players in the global competition. The western suppliers have in the meantime opened up equivalent sourcing strategies to cater the clients’ need for the most favourable balance between technology and cost. India itself offers good opportunities for such sourcing, which lead to the fact that Chinese plant equipment manufacturers have yet to establish a significant presence in the Indian cement industry." Explaining the situation further, he said, "For India as an import destination, equipment manufactured in China loses its competitive edge when pitched against equipment manufactured domestically.

Duties, inadequate transport/handling infrastructure and freight costs are, possibly, the principal deterrents. In addition, the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode of project execution, at which the Chinese are particularly proficient, is yet to establish itself in the Indian context."

According to Somwanshi, the Chinese equipment cannot be labeled as Ã¦cheap quality ones’. Admitting the fact that a few players in the market have been known for its cheap price and substandard quality, he says, "Some companies are really good and their range of products are as competitive as ours. Now, that the Chinese manufacturers know that the customer opts for quality and not price, the companies have now been quality conscious and are adhering to the quality standards." But he quickly adds, "In fact, I suggest that our government should make policies that protect our economy from the Chinese."

Priority List

Voicing their concern over some of the major challenges Khanna, says, "Commencement of the projects which have been pending since long is the one thing that we would like to have. The other would be the reduction in import duty. Since long we have been demanding all this, but even during the budget the government didn’t announce any good policies. So we are stuck where we are and we are not able to move ahead."

According to Seenaiah, the projects worth Rs 40, 000 crore have been pending for a while which need to be cleared quickly.

He says, "The banking policies need to be in place since the companies are now cash-strapped to invest in any of these projects." Says Gierse, "On the policy level, government needs to push investment in infrastructure projects, and with regard to equipment and plant and machinery industry, the government should bring in similar kind of sops given during the 2009 budget, i.e reduction in excise duty for capital equipment. Further, if some changes could be done for abolition of entry tax, and implementation of GST, and bringing in uniform tax structure would lead to positive growth sentiments. According to Kumar, one of the biggest challenges for the industry today is the price rise. He also pointed out that the pending projects are worth crore of rupees resulting in cost escalation. He further adds, "The import duty has also been very high and even the budget hasn’t spelt out any reduction in the same." Valued at US$ 360 billion, India’s construction market accounted for five per cent of the US$ 7.2 trillion global construction market in 2010, and is expected to replace Japan as the third largest, after China and the US, by 2020.

As per India’s 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) document, the two segments most important to construction activity are infrastructure and housing. Since, infrastructure spending is expected to go up to nine per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) or US$ 1 trillion for the Plan period (2012-17), this will translate into double-digit growth for the demand of cement.

Concrete

Material Flow Efficiency

Published

5 days ago

March 18, 2026

admin

We explore how material handling systems are becoming strategic assets in cement plants, enabling efficient movement of raw materials, clinker and finished cement. Advanced conveying, automation and digital technologies are improving plant productivity while supporting energy efficiency and sustainability goals.

Material handling systems form the operational backbone of cement plants, enabling the efficient movement of raw materials, clinker and finished cement across complex production networks. With India’s cement industry producing over 391 million tonnes of cement in FY2024 and possessing an installed capacity of around 668 mtpa, according to the CRISIL Research Industry Report, 2025, efficient material logistics have become critical to maintaining plant productivity and cost competitiveness. At the same time, cement production is highly energy intensive and contributes around 7 per cent to
8 per cent of global CO2 emissions, making efficient material flow and logistics optimisation essential for reducing operational inefficiencies and emissions states the International Energy Agency Cement Technology Roadmap, 2023. As plants scale capacity and integrate digital technologies, modern material handling systems, ranging from automated conveyors to intelligent stockyards, are increasingly recognised as strategic assets that influence plant stability, energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Strategic role of material handling
Material handling is no longer viewed as a secondary utility within cement plants; it is now recognised as a strategic system that directly influences production efficiency and process stability.
Cement manufacturing involves the continuous movement of large volumes of limestone, clay, additives, clinker and finished cement across multiple production stages. Even minor disruptions in conveying systems or storage infrastructure can lead to kiln feed fluctuations, production delays and significant financial losses. According to Indian Cement Industry Operational Benchmarking Study, 2024, unplanned downtime in large integrated cement plants can cost between Rs.15–20 lakh per hour, highlighting the economic importance of reliable material handling systems.
Modern cement plants are therefore investing in advanced mechanical handling systems designed for high throughput and operational reliability. Large integrated plants can process over 10,000 tonnes per day of clinker, requiring highly efficient conveying systems and automated stockyards to maintain continuous material flow, suggests the International Cement Review Industry Analysis, 2024. Efficient material handling also reduces spillage, minimises dust emissions and improves workplace safety. As cement plants become larger and more technologically advanced, the role of material handling is evolving from simple transport infrastructure to a critical operational system that supports both productivity and sustainability.

From quarry to plant
The transport of raw materials from quarry to processing plant represents one of the most energy-intensive stages of cement production. Traditionally, limestone and other raw materials were transported using diesel-powered trucks, which resulted in high fuel consumption, dust generation and increased operational costs. However, modern plants are increasingly adopting long-distance belt conveyors and pipe conveyors as a more efficient alternative. These systems allow continuous material transport over distances of 10–15 kilometres, significantly reducing fuel consumption and operating costs while improving environmental performance, states the FLSmidth Cement Industry Technology Report, 2024.
Milind Khangan, Marketing Manager, Vertex Market Research & Consulting, says, “Efficient and enclosed handling of fine materials such as cement, fly ash and slag requires modern pneumatic conveying systems. By optimising the air-to-material ratio, these systems can reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent to 15 per cent while ensuring smooth material flow. Closed-loop conveying further minimises dust loading and improves the performance of bag filters, supporting cleaner plant operations. In addition, flow-regulated conveying lines help prevent clogging and maintain reliable dispatch performance. Overall, automation in pneumatic conveying delivers immediate operational benefits, including improved equipment uptime, lower energy use, reduced material spillage and more stable kiln and mill performance.”
Pipe conveyor systems are particularly gaining traction because they provide a completely enclosed transport system that prevents material spillage and dust emissions. According to global cement engineering studies, conveyor-based transport can reduce energy consumption by up to 30 per cent compared to truck haulage, while also improving operational reliability. Several cement plants in India have already implemented such systems to stabilise quarry-to-plant logistics while reducing carbon emissions associated with diesel transport.

Stockyard management and homogenisation
Stockyards play a critical role in maintaining raw material consistency and stabilising kiln feed quality. Modern cement plants use advanced stacker and reclaimer systems to ensure efficient storage and blending of raw materials before they enter the grinding and pyroprocessing stages. Automated stacking methods such as chevron or windrow stacking enable uniform distribution of materials, while bridge-type or portal reclaimers ensure consistent extraction during kiln feed preparation. These systems are essential for maintaining stable chemical composition of raw meal, which directly influences kiln efficiency and clinker quality. The Cement Plant Operations Handbook, 2024 indicates that advanced homogenisation systems can reduce raw mix variability by up to 50 per cent, significantly improving kiln stability and energy efficiency. Integrated stockyard management systems also incorporate sensors for monitoring bulk density, moisture levels and stockpile volumes, enabling real-time control over material blending processes.

Clinker and cement conveying technologies
Once clinker is produced in the kiln, it must be efficiently transported to storage silos and subsequently to grinding and packing units. Modern cement plants rely on high-capacity belt conveyors, bucket elevators and pneumatic conveying systems to manage this stage of material flow. Steel-cord belt bucket elevators are now capable of lifting materials to heights exceeding 120 metres with capacities reaching 1,500 tonnes per hour, making them suitable for large-scale clinker production lines, states the European Cement Engineering Association Technical Paper, 2023.
For fine materials such as cement, fly ash and slag, pneumatic conveying systems provide a reliable and dust-free solution. These systems transport powdered materials using controlled airflow, ensuring enclosed and contamination-free movement between grinding units, silos and packing stations. Optimised pneumatic systems can reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent to 15 per cent compared to older conveying technologies, while also improving plant cleanliness and environmental compliance, according to the Global Cement Technology Review, 2024.

Automation and digitalisation
Digitalisation is transforming material handling systems by introducing real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and automated control. Advanced sensors and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms enable plant operators to track conveyor health, stockpile levels and equipment performance in real time. Predictive maintenance systems analyse vibration patterns, temperature fluctuations and equipment load data to detect potential failures before they occur. According to McKinsey’s Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Report, 2023, for heavy industries, digital monitoring and predictive maintenance technologies can reduce equipment downtime by up to 30 per cent and increase productivity by 10 per cent to 15 per cent. Digital control centres also integrate data from conveyors, stacker reclaimers and dispatch systems, enabling centralised management of material flows from quarry to dispatch.

Handling of AFR
The growing adoption of Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR) has introduced new challenges and opportunities for material handling systems in cement plants. AFR materials such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF), biomass and industrial waste often have irregular particle sizes, variable moisture content and lower bulk density compared to conventional fuels. As a result, specialised storage, dosing and feeding systems are required to ensure consistent kiln combustion. According to the Cement Sector Decarbonisation Roadmap published by NITI Aayog in 2026, increasing the use of AFR could enable India’s cement sector to achieve thermal substitution rates of around 20 per cent in the coming decades. To support this transition, plants are investing in automated receiving stations, shredding units, drying systems and precision dosing equipment to stabilise AFR supply and combustion performance.

Energy efficiency and dust control
Material handling systems also play a crucial role in improving plant energy efficiency and environmental performance. Modern conveyor systems equipped with variable speed drives and energy-efficient motors can significantly reduce electricity consumption. Permanent magnet motors used in conveyor drives can deliver 8 per cent to 12 per cent energy savings compared to conventional induction motors, improving overall plant energy efficiency according to the IEA Industrial Energy Efficiency Study, 2023. Dust control is another major concern in cement plants, particularly during material transfer and storage operations. Enclosed conveyors, dust extraction systems and advanced bag filters are widely used to minimise particulate emissions and improve workplace safety.

Future trends in material handling
The future of material handling in cement plants will be shaped by automation, digitalisation and sustainability considerations. Emerging technologies such as AI-driven logistics optimisation, autonomous mobile equipment and digital twins are expected to further improve plant efficiency and operational visibility. Digital twin models allow engineers to simulate material flow patterns, optimise stockyard operations and predict equipment performance under different operating conditions. According to the International Energy Agency Digitalisation and Energy Report, 2024, the adoption of advanced digital technologies could improve industrial energy efficiency by up to 20 per cent in heavy industries such as cement manufacturing. As cement plants expand capacity and adopt low-carbon technologies, intelligent material handling systems will play a critical role in maintaining productivity and reducing environmental impact.

Conclusion
Material handling systems have evolved from basic transport infrastructure into strategic operational systems that directly influence plant efficiency, reliability and sustainability. From quarry transport and automated stockyards to digital dispatch platforms and advanced conveying technologies, modern material handling solutions enable cement plants to manage large production volumes while maintaining process stability.
As India’s cement industry continues to expand to meet infrastructure and urban development demands, investments in advanced material handling technologies will become increasingly important. By integrating automation, digital monitoring and energy-efficient systems, cement manufacturers can improve operational performance while supporting the industry’s long-term sustainability and decarbonisation goals.

Kanika Mathur

Concrete

Modernise to Optimise

Published

5 days ago

March 18, 2026

admin

Cement plant modernisation is reshaping the industry through upgrades in
kilns, energy systems, digitalisation, AFR integration and advanced material
handling. We explore these technologies that improve efficiency, reduce
emissions, strengthen competitiveness, while preparing the industry for India’s
next phase of infrastructure growth.

India’s cement industry, the world’s second-largest, is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by infrastructure demand, decarbonisation targets and technological advancement. The sector’s installed capacity stood at approximately 668 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in FY2025 and is projected to reach 915–925 mtap by 2030, supported by large-scale capacity expansions and infrastructure investment cycles, suggests CRISIL Intelligence Industry Report, 2025. At the same time, cement production remains highly energy intensive and contributes about 6 per cent to 7 per cent of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making efficiency improvements and modernisation critical for long-term sustainability as stated in CareEdge ESG Research, 2025. As a result, cement manufacturers are investing in advanced kiln technologies, digital monitoring systems, waste heat recovery, alternative fuels, and modern material handling infrastructure to enhance productivity while aligning with global decarbonisation pathways.

Need for modernisation
The need for plant modernisation is closely linked to the sector’s rapid capacity expansion and rising operational complexity. India’s installed cement capacity has grown significantly in the last decade and is expected to exceed 900 mtpa by 2030, driven by demand from housing, infrastructure and urban development projects, as per the CRISIL Intelligence Industry Report, 2025. However, increasing scale also places pressure on energy efficiency, logistics, and production stability. The report also suggests that the cement plants must upgrade equipment and processes to operate at higher utilisation rates, which are projected to reach 75 per cent to 77 per cent by the end of the decade, compared to around 72 per cent to 74 per cent in FY2026.
Environmental imperatives are another major driver of modernisation. Cement manufacturing is responsible for a significant share of industrial emissions because clinker production requires high-temperature processes that depend heavily on fossil fuels. According to CareEdge ESG research, the cement sector contributes 6–7 per cent of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 97 per cent of emissions arising from direct fuel combustion and process emissions in kilns. Consequently, plant modernisation initiatives now focus not only on productivity improvements but also on reducing emissions intensity, energy consumption, and reliance on conventional fuels.
“One of the most impactful upgrades implemented at Shree Cement in the last five years has been the adoption of advanced data management platforms that provide real-time visibility across major process areas. This digital advancement has strengthened plant automation by enabling faster and more accurate responses to process variations while improving the reliability of control loops. Real-time dashboards, integrated analytics and automated alerts now support quicker, data-driven decision-making, helping optimise kiln and mill performance, improve energy control and detect deviations early. By consolidating data from multiple systems into a unified digital environment, the company has enhanced operational consistency, reduced downtime and improved both productivity and compliance. This shift towards intelligent automation and real-time data management has become a key driver of operational excellence and future-ready plant management,” says Satish Maheshwari, Chief Manufacturing Officer, Shree Cement.

Kiln and pyroprocessing upgradation
The kiln remains the technological heart of cement manufacturing, and modernisation efforts often begin with upgrades to pyroprocessing systems. Many older plants in India operate with four- or five-stage preheaters, while modern plants increasingly adopt six-stage preheater and pre-calciner systems that significantly improve heat efficiency and clinker output. These systems enhance heat transfer, reduce fuel consumption, and stabilise kiln operations under high throughput conditions.
Professor Procyon Mukherjee suggests, “Cement manufacturing is, at its core, a thermal process. The rotary kiln and calciner together account for energy consumption and emissions. The theoretical thermal requirement for clinker production is around 1700–1800 MJ per tonne, yet real-world plants often operate far above this benchmark due to inefficiencies in combustion, heat recovery and material flow. Modernisation, therefore, must begin with the
kiln system, and not peripheral automation or
isolated upgrades. The shift from wet to dry process kilns, combined with multi-stage preheaters and precalciners, has already delivered step-change improvements, making dry kilns nearly 50 per cent more energy efficient.”
Recent investment programmes across the industry have included kiln cooler upgrades, advanced burners, and improved refractory materials designed to increase operational reliability and reduce specific heat consumption. Such upgrades are essential because cement production remains highly energy intensive, and continuous efficiency improvements are required to meet global decarbonisation targets. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Cement Tracking Report, 2023, the cement sector must achieve annual emissions intensity reductions of around 4 per cent through 2030 to align with global net-zero scenarios.

Energy efficiency and WHRS
Energy efficiency remains one of the most important areas of modernisation in cement manufacturing, given the sector’s heavy reliance on thermal and electrical energy. Modern plants deploy advanced process controls, efficient grinding systems, and improved combustion technologies to reduce specific energy consumption. The adoption of energy-efficient technologies is particularly important in India, where energy costs account for a large share of production expenses. As demand grows and plants expand capacity, improving energy performance becomes essential to maintain competitiveness.
Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS) have emerged as a key solution for improving plant energy efficiency. During cement production, large volumes of high-temperature gases are released from kilns and coolers. WHRS technology captures this waste heat and converts it into electricity, thereby reducing reliance on external power sources. According to energy benchmarking studies for the Indian cement industry, installed waste heat recovery capacity in the sector has reached approximately 840 MW, with an additional potential of around 500 MW states the Green Business Centre, Energy Benchmarking Report, 2023. Several leading producers have already implemented large WHRS installations; for example, UltraTech Cement has deployed systems with around 121 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, reducing carbon emissions by nearly 0.5 million tonnes annually according to the Energy Alternatives India Case Study, 2024.

Integration of AFR
The integration of Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR) is another critical dimension of cement plant modernisation. AFR refers to the use of industrial waste, biomass, refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and other non-fossil materials as substitutes for conventional fuels such as coal and petcoke. Increasing the use of AFR helps reduce fossil fuel consumption while simultaneously addressing waste management challenges. According to the NITI Aayog Decarbonisation Roadmap, 2026, scaling the use of RDF and other alternative fuels could enable the sector to achieve thermal substitution rates of around 20 per cent in the coming decades.
However, integrating AFR requires significant plant modifications and operational adjustments. Waste-derived fuels often have inconsistent calorific values, higher moisture content, and heterogeneous physical properties compared to traditional fuels. As a result, modern plants invest in advanced fuel preparation systems, dedicated feeding equipment, and automated dosing technologies to ensure stable kiln operation. These upgrades allow plants to maintain consistent clinker quality while increasing the share of alternative fuels in their energy mix.

Digitalisation and smart plant operations
Digitalisation is rapidly transforming cement plant operations by enabling data-driven decision-making and predictive maintenance. Industry 4.0 technologies such as IoT sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced analytics are now used to monitor equipment performance, optimise process parameters, and anticipate maintenance requirements. These digital tools enable plant operators to detect early signs of equipment failure, minimise unplanned downtime, and improve operational efficiency. Predictive maintenance systems, for example, analyse vibration, temperature, and acoustic signals from rotating equipment to identify potential faults
before they escalate into major breakdowns. Digital twins and integrated control systems further allow operators to simulate plant performance under different scenarios and optimise production strategies. Such technologies are becoming increasingly important as cement plants operate at larger scales and higher levels of process complexity.
Maheshwari also adds, “Plant modernisation is also increasingly central to the global competitiveness of Indian cement manufacturers. As cost pressures rise across energy, logistics and regulatory compliance, modern plants offer the structural efficiency required to operate reliably and competitively over the long term. Technologies such as AI-driven Advanced Process Control (APC) integrated with real-time data systems are emerging as essential investments for the future. These platforms use predictive algorithms, machine learning and live process inputs to optimise kiln, mill and utility operations with greater precision than traditional control systems. By continuously analysing variations in feed chemistry, temperature profiles, energy demand and equipment behaviour, APC enables stable operations, lower specific energy consumption, reduced emissions and improved product consistency. As regulatory expectations tighten and plants pursue higher efficiency with lower carbon intensity, AI-enabled APC will play a crucial role in strengthening automation, enhancing decision-making and ensuring long-term operational resilience.”

Modern material handling and logistics
Material handling systems play a critical role in ensuring smooth plant operations and efficient logistics. Modern cement plants rely on advanced conveying systems, automated stockyards, and digital dispatch platforms to manage the movement of raw materials, clinker, and finished cement. Long-distance belt conveyors and pipe conveyors are increasingly replacing truck-based transport between quarries and plants, reducing fuel consumption, dust emissions, and operational costs. Automated stacker-reclaimers ensure consistent blending of raw materials,
which improves kiln stability and clinker quality. Meanwhile, advanced packing and dispatch systems equipped with high-speed rotary packers and robotic palletisers enhance throughput and reduce manual labour. These technologies allow cement plants to optimise logistics efficiency while supporting higher production capacities.

Emission control and environmental compliance
Environmental compliance has become a central focus of cement plant modernisation as regulators and investors place greater emphasis on sustainability performance. Modern plants deploy advanced emission control technologies such as high-efficiency bag filters, electrostatic precipitators, and selective non-catalytic reduction systems to reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions.
Sine Bogh Skaarup, Vice President, Head of Green Innovation and R&D, Fuller Technologies says, “One of our key focus areas is decarbonisation. We help cement producers reduce CO2 and overall carbon emissions. We offer alternative fuel solutions and calcined clay technologies to enable the production of LC3 cement, which play a significant role in decarbonising the cement industry. By combining alternative fuels and calcined clay solutions, CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 50 per cent, making this a highly impactful approach for sustainable cement production.”
Continuous emission monitoring systems are increasingly used to track environmental performance in real time and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. In addition to air pollution control, cement companies are also investing in water recycling systems, renewable energy integration, and carbon reduction initiatives. These measures are essential for aligning the sector with national climate goals and improving the environmental footprint of
cement manufacturing.

Economic benefits and future outlook
Beyond environmental and operational advantages, cement plant modernisation also delivers significant economic benefits. Energy efficiency improvements, digital process optimisation, and advanced material handling systems reduce operating costs and improve asset utilisation. Waste heat recovery and alternative fuels help lower fuel expenditure and reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. As the industry expands capacity to meet growing demand, modernised plants are better positioned to achieve higher productivity and maintain profitability. The long-term outlook for the sector remains positive, with India expected to continue large-scale infrastructure investments in roads, housing, railways, and urban development.
Milan R Trivedi, Vice President – Projects, Prod & QC, MR, Shree Digvijay Cement, says, “The main focus in case of modernisation projects drives through the investment decision, which is mainly based on IRR and impact on overall efficiency improvement, cost optimisation and improvement in reliability. However, there are certain modernisation, which has high impact on environmental impact, statutory requirements, etc. has higher priority irrespective of ROI or payback period.”
“The energy efficiency and reliability investment projects generally provide fast return on investment whereas strategic, digitalisation and environmental investment projects provide long term and compounded benefits. Typical modernisation investment projects are decided with IRR of about > 20 per cent, payback period of typically 2-3 years for fast-track projects,” he adds.
In this context, modernisation will remain a key strategic priority for cement manufacturers seeking to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly sustainability-focused market.

Conclusion
The modernisation of cement plants is no longer a purely technical upgrade but a strategic transformation that reshapes how the industry operates. As India’s cement sector expands capacity toward the next growth cycle, improvements in energy efficiency, digitalisation, alternative fuels and advanced logistics will determine the competitiveness of individual plants. Modern technologies allow producers to operate at higher productivity levels while simultaneously reducing energy consumption and emissions intensity.
Looking ahead, the pace of technological adoption will play a decisive role in shaping the future of
the cement industry. Companies that successfully integrate modern equipment, digital systems, and sustainable production practices will be better positioned to meet rising infrastructure demand while aligning with global climate commitments. In this evolving landscape, plant modernisation stands as the cornerstone of both operational excellence and environmental responsibility.

Kanika Mathur

Concrete

Building a Sustainable Future

Published

5 days ago

March 18, 2026

admin

Fuller Technologies (erstwhile FLSmidth Cement) presents a case study of Shree Cement’s Nawalgarh Plant.

Shree Cement achieved a new milestone and broke a world record in December 2023 when it started its new Nawalgarh plant in Rajasthan. The plant boasts both India’s largest OK® Mill and the world’s largest pyro line, which is rated at 11,500 tpd but achieving at more than 13 500 tpd. It put Shree Cement on track to exceed their target of 80 million tpa cement capacity in India by 2028. Shree Cement chose to partner with Fuller Technologies (then FLSmidth Cement) for the project, since the two groups share such similar values and Fuller offers a portfolio of solutions geared towards reducing the cement industry’s environmental impact.
Cement plays a vital role in India’s development, supporting the country’s ambitions for long-term economic growth. As urbanisation accelerates, infrastructure projects like Smart Cities, Bharat Mala, and metro rail developments are driving steady demand for cement. With per capita consumption increasing however historically lower than global averages, India’s evolving urban landscape and infrastructure needs are expected to significantly boost cement demand in the years ahead.
Shree Cement is well positioned to support India’s growth and is playing a pivotal role in the country’s expansive infrastructure development. The Nawalgarh plant will supply the wider region of north India with cement and clinker, feeding 3/4 grinding plants in the area.

The new Nawalgarh plant
With easy access to a rich supply of raw materials, Nawalgarh was an obvious choice for Shree Cement’s newest cement plant. With abundant reserves of limestone, the region also boasts strategic access to cement markets in northern India.
Though water scarcity is an issue in the region, the plant was committed to using modern, water-efficient technologies, ensuring minimal water consumption and waste. For example, the OK Mill™ can be operated without water, making it an optimal solution in regions where conserving water is particularly important.
Satish Maheshwari, Chief Manufacturing Officer, Shree Cement, says, “We have significantly invested in alternative fuels – including hazardous waste, municipal solid waste (RDF) and biomass – to reduce fossil fuel reliance. Our new state-of-the-art solid waste feeding system for MSW is operational at one site and is being replicated at others, enhancing alternative fuel use and improving thermal substitution in kilns.” The plant also follows Shree Cement’s principal of reducing clinker content in blended cements, which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of Shree Cement products.

The world’s biggest pyro line
The project kicked off with the issuance of the Letter of Intent (LOI) on 15th September 2021 for the Raw Mill. As per the LOI, equipment was expected to be delivered within 8-13 months from the contract’s effective date. The first lot of the raw mill arrived on-site in May 2022, with the major consignment – the Grinding Table – delivered in February 2023. Civil work for the Raw Mill and its building began in May 2022 and was completed by January 2023. Fabrication was wrapped up by June 2023 and erection commenced in January 2023, concluding by September 2023. The final commissioning was successfully completed on 14th December 2023, marking the operational start of the mill.

The world’s largest clinker cooler
The Cross-Bar® Cooler at Nawalgarh is the largest in the world, with a grate area of 325 m2 and a throughput guaranteed at 11 500 tpd, though it has been running at around 13 500 tpd since commissioning. Offering both high throughput and highly stable operation, the cooler also contributes to Shree Cement’s sustainability goals thanks to its hot air recirculation, which generates about 8 MW through the waste heat recovery system.
“With a Cross-Bar Cooler, the bigger you go, the greater your efficiency gains,” says Gowrishankar Ramachandran, Senior Product Specialist, Fuller Technologies. “We were not concerned about the size of the project – we knew we could achieve the performance guarantees with ease. Start-up was paced to get the full pyro system up and running smoothly, starting at 5000 tpd and quickly ramping up to full capacity and then beyond. The combination of features ensures smooth operation whatever’s going on in the kiln and preheater, meaning the cooler is unphased by the introduction of new alternative fuels or variations in throughput.”
Featuring patented ABC Inlet technology, which ensures no build-up in the cooler, Shree Cement also benefit from the cooler’s Heavy Duty Roller Breaker (HRB) and Mechanical Flow Regulators (MFRs) to improve reliability and uptime.
• The ABC™ Inlet uses a patented in-grate design that pushes compressed air up through the grates, blasting agglomerations. Pressure sensors detect when build-up is starting to occur and the automated blast control system reacts accordingly, increasing blast frequency to disperse the clinker and prevent further buildup.
• The HRB can handle clinker boulders up to 1.5 m without blockages. It features a series of transport and crushing rollers that allow right-sized materials to pass through and crush larger materials down to a pre-set size. Its low speed contributes to a long wear life of 3-5 years, while the rollout design enables easy maintenance.
• MFRs control airflow across the whole clinker bed – irrespective of clinker bed height, particle size, distribution or temperature. This optimises heat recuperation and air distribution, reducing both fuel costs and the number of cooling
fans required.
This cooler is a ventless system, with hot air being recirculated back into the cooler instead of bringing in ambient air. This improves the WHR temperature and boosts the power generated through the system. With waste heat recovery from the preheater in addition to the cooler, the total power generated is around 15-18 MW.
Though the operation has the potential for high dust pickup, the cooler casings were enlarged so that dust pickup is less than 4 m/s. This reduces dust to the tertiary air duct and helps reduce the environmental impact of the cooler operation, as well as the wear and safety issues that come with dust settling on equipment and on the local environment.
The cooler is part of the world’s largest pyro system, with a guaranteed capacity of 11 500 tpd (with an achieved production of 13 695 tpd),
that includes:
• Four string pre-heater:
o Cyclone stage I: 7784 mm, Top (HR+)
o Cyclone stage II: 7984 mm
o Cyclone stage III-VI: 8180 mm with Low Nox Calciner
• Dia 6.0m x 88m long & 3 support kiln with forged tyres
• JETFLEX® 2.0 kiln burner (type standard
and plus)
• 2 x 750 tph PFISTER® FRW Rotor Weighfeeder 5.22/13 for Kiln feed and 6 x PFISTER® Smart Linear Feeder
The Fuller® Low NOx Calciner prevents the build-up of raw meal on the calciner walls and maintains a hot core for excellent combustion and NOx reduction. With a design based on extensive research, field tests and CFD modelling, the Low NOx calciner is capable of burning almost any fuel type, giving Shree Cement full flexibility to switch between coal, petcoke and alternative fuels. The calciner has the added advantage of reducing NOx while also minimising the need for ammonia injection, creating a cleaner, greener, more cost-effective process.
The JETFLEX burner was chosen for its high degree of fuel flexibility, further aiding Shree’s green ambitions. The burner can burn a mix of coal, petcoke, oil, natural gas and alternative fuels while maintaining an optimal flame shape. The flame formation is controlled by separate systems for axial and swirl air, ensuring fast ignition and stable flame formation with a shorter and more intense flame. That reduces volatility in the kiln and gives the Nawalgarh plant greater efficiency throughout the pyroprocess.

India’s biggest OK Mill
The OK Mill 66.6 selected as the raw mill for this plant is the largest OK raw mill in the country with a guaranteed capacity of 1070 tph, though it has been running at 1080 tph since commissioning. The OK Mill was selected for its proven history of efficiency, low water usage and ease of maintenance. The rollers can be swung out for repair or hard-facing so that operation can continue with the remaining rollers, enabling continuous productivity. The OK-R-66-6 VRM for this plant includes a RARM-1300 separator, known for the simplicity of its design, which reduces wear and maintenance, lowers differential pressure and reduces mill fan power (and thus operational costs) while still providing efficient separation.
This is not the only OK Mill at the Nawalgarh plant. An OK 66-6 finish mill with ROKSH-1100 classifier is employed for cement grinding at 360 tph. In addition, the plant has an ATOX® 32.5 coal mill with RAKM-32.5 classifier for coal grinding, guaranteed at 46 tph but running at 56 tph.

Energy efficiency and saving
“Energy conservation remains a top priority for us, driving innovations from shop-floor experiments to major capital investments,” explains Maheshwari. “These efforts have reduced carbon emissions and production costs. Over 55 per cent of our energy needs across the company are met through green energy sources, including solar and wind power alongside our Waste Heat Recovery Systems. Combined, these systems produce in excess of 520 MW. We consistently exceed PAT Cycle targets and have been honoured as ‘Best Performer’ for the highest number of energy-saving certificates in both PAT Cycle I and II by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.”

A digital native
Shree Cement is an advocate of the benefits and necessity of digitalisation to improve cement plant performance and efficiency. A few years ago, the company rolled out ECS/PlantDataManagement across 16 plants and 24 lines in a huge digital upgrade to drive efficiency and increase productivity. The new Nawalgarh plant won’t require a digital transformation, however, because it has been built as a digital native.
It is equipped with ECS/PlantDataManagement, which delivers all plant and process data in accessible and practical forms to plant managers and operators, maintenance teams, analysts, and decision-makers, giving them the insights necessary to optimise production lines, minimise equipment downtime, improve productivity and reduce environmental impact. ECS/PlantDataManagement includes important tools like UptimeGo, the downtime analysis solution, and SiteConnect, the mobile app that allows plant operators and managers to view real-time plant data anytime, anywhere from a mobile device.
The plant is also utilising advanced automation solutions across the plant, including in the laboratory where Fuller is enabling clinker substitution while ensuring optimal cement quality. QCX/RoboLab® is a high-tech robotics solution for automated sample preparation, analysis, and automated quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures. This advanced automation system ensures fast, accurate, and safe analysis with as few operators as possible. It receives and co-ordinates samples from the QCX®/AutoSampling system and can take on challenging laboratory tasks to ensure optimal quality control in the face of variations in alternative fuels and changes to the cement mix. Again, this was a choice Shree Cement made to ensure the plant has the flexibility to deliver lower carbon cements without compromising on final product quality.

Conclusion
In December 2024, Shree Cement celebrated the first anniversary of the Nawalgarh plant. The plant’s rapid rise as a leading player in cement production aligns with the global position of this impressive company, whose strategic initiatives in alternative fuels, emissions reduction and water management have earned industry-wide recognition, including the acclaimed position of ‘industry mover’ in the construction materials category of the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025.
Shree Cement’s focus on blended cement production successfully lowered natural resource consumption and CO2 emissions by 7.2 million tonnes in FY23-24, with 73.52 per cent of total production comprising blended cement with an average clinker-to-cement ratio of 64.66 per cent.
“Partnering with a solutions provider like Fuller enables us to turn our sustainability ambitions into reality,” says Maheshwari. “Together we are shaping the future of our industry and our region, and we are very proud of the contributions we are making towards a more sustainable cement industry and greater economic prosperity.”