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Dedicated logistics players can offer economy of scale to their clients.

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Fourcee Infrastructure entered the field of logistics in 2006 when the Indian Railways opened up for privatisation. This young and vibrant venture has been growing aggressively as the innovative solutions developed by the company have allowed its customers to cut down logistics costs by as much as 30 per cent. Rajesh Lihala, founder and the Chairman of Fourcee Infrastructure has been in the logistics business since 1976 and well understands the needs of the customers. Here is an excerpt from the interview that shows how Fourcee has converted its experience into customer- focused solutions.

What is the range of services offered by you to the cement industry?

Fourcee offers door-to-door multimodal logistics of bulk cement from manufacturing plants to end consumers. Our solution covers shipping as well as railway transport, as per the geographical parameters. We have been managing logistics for cement companies for the past year and have moved more than 200,000 tonnes of cement till date. Going forward, we are also exploring the export of cement from India to neighbouring countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. We offer dedicated assets across routes and deploy specialised ISO containers to facilitate the movement.

What is the USP of your company when it comes to transporting cement?

Preservation of quality and quantity through door- to- door multimodal logistics is Force´s USP. We load bulk (loose) cement in our specialised containers at the manufacturing location and seal the containers there. These are watertight containers that can be stacked on open ground exposed to rough weather (rains, etc) and the cement quality will not deteriorate. These sealed containers are then transported to the consumption point (RMC plant/silo), the seal is broken and compressed air is used to pump the loose bulk cement from the container to the silo. Therefore, cement quality and quantity is preserved, bagging is avoided, multiple handling is eliminated and wastage is negligible. The ISO container frame permits multimodal movement on road, rail and vessel.

How many containers do you have for cement transport?

We have dedicated around 800 specialised ISO cement containers for movement within India. We will continue to add more assets based on the demand from the industry.

In what way are they specialised for cement transport?

These are specialised in containers for cement transport with top loading and bottom discharge valves. Container unloading is done pneumatically with the help of compressors. Container loading and unloading is done under the supervision of our specialised technical team located at every location where our containers are being handled.

You said that the containers are ISO- certified. What does that mean to the end users?

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) prescribes regulations that define the dimensions and structural strength to which a container is built. The basis of these regulations is to ensure that the container possesses sufficient structural integrity so as to withstand extreme stresses during handling/transportation from one mode to another. Therefore, end users can guarantee safe transportation of the goods within the container. A non- ISO certified container may not have been built to required specifications and may pose logistics hazards.

Cement companies often face difficulties in last mile transportation? How do you support them?

Cement companies face difficulties in the last mile transporting of bagged cement due to labour, multiple handling, wastage due to tearing of bags while handling, costly storage charges for bagged and pilferage. Fourcees solution eliminates the requirement of transport of bagged cement and therefore, labour/covered storage space is not required. This helps in reducing the total logistics cost of the cement companies.

What can your clients do to ensure that their goods move without delay?

Loading and unloading processes are the key areas within a logistics supply chain that are under the direct influence of our clients. Any lead time reduction in either of these processes will lead to significant cost and time efficiencies for Fourcee, as well as for our clients. Moreover, clients can help reduce overall logistics costs by investing in superior infrastructure for loading/unloading that can, in turn, help minimise double handling and speed up the entire process.

How many terminals and ICDs are owned by Fourcee and what is its total capacity?

Fourcee has developed its first terminal at Kashipur (Uttarakhand) in a JV with IGL. This has been developed on a 35- acre land parcel with three sidings inside the terminal. The terminal will operate as an ICD with a PFT license from Indian Railways. After completion, it will handle molasses, alcohol, coal, crude edible oil and variety of chemicals based on the demand from its hinterland.

The setting up of a terminal is a costly affair. What are the major costs involved and how can one cut down on those?

Terminals are capital intensive projects and therefore need to be meticulously planned and executed. The key costs for any rail- linked terminal are the cost of acquiring land and establishing railway connectivity.

Is Fourcee planning to set-up or acquire more terminals?

We are constantly scouting new terminals by way of strategic alliances to minimise the gestation periods as well as capex.

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Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication 

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Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement 

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing. 

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities. 

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations. 

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events. 

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders. 

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem. 

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution. 

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Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

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With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, 
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

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Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

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UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.

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