Economy & Market

Green initiatives in place

Published

5 years ago

October 14, 2021

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Most cement companies have developed specific initiatives and road maps to reduce their organisational carbon footprint. Then, the major focus areas for c are improving thermal energy efficiency and process technology, optimising fuel composition, including the use of waste as fuel, waste heat recovery, reduction in clinker factor, especially through increased rates of blending and renewable energy.

The importance of greening the entire value chain as one of the vital parts of sustainability initiatives, has picked up momentum which is reflecting the way cement manufacturers and major plant and machinery and auxiliary equipment manufacturers are putting in tireless efforts to integrating sustainability issues, essentially in energy conservation, resource optimisation and environmental planning. The industry which is on top in the Certified Emission Reductions Projects list registered with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol, has been able to contribute significantly to the eco-friendly use of industrial wastes and thereby, has succeeded in reducing its carbon footprint. No wonder then, that the Indian cement industry is probably one of the most energy- efficient in the world today and some of the plants have thermal and electrical specific energy consumption (SECs) comparable to the best cement plants in the world, resulting in low emission intensities.

According to Sumit Banerjee, Vice-Chairman, Reliance Cement, technological improvement is a key pillar in the cement industry’s drive to reduce emissions levels and energy consumption. Research and development investments have enabled cement producers worldwide to install modern, energy-efficient technology in new, and to some extent, in existing cement plants. New technologies have enabled the increased use of clinker substitutes and alternative fuels in cement production, leading to significant direct (e.g, from limestone decarbonisation and fuel burning) CO2 emissions reductions. Technology developments have also enabled significant indirect emissions reductions, like from electricity use. The Indian cement industry has a comparatively better technology as most of the plants are new and are equipped with the latest technology. Moreover, they have taken various measures to upgrade their old plants and to achieve higher energy efficiency.

Speaking about the initiatives taken by Reliance Cement, Sumit says, "At Reliance Cement, we are committed to sustainable growth. All our cement plants, either in the project phase or in the project development phase, are highly energy- efficient. These plants are designed to use alternative fuel and raw materials (AFR) and are equipped with the waste heat recovery system for power generation. A sustainability roadmap with medium and long- term action plans to adopt various carbon emission reduction levers has also been developed."

"Our stated goal towards sustainability includes minimising breakdowns and achieving MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) 160, achieving specific power consumption 78 Kwh/t cement, increasing PPC sales and fly ash addition in PPC, slag per cent in PSC; and also increasing alternate fuel substitution and AF substitution, and reducing dependency on the State Electricity Board for power, says BLN Murthy, Director-Works of Bharati Cements. He further adds, "Bharathi Cements has taken an initiative from the project stage itself, to optimise energy. We have installed VFDs for both LT & HT drives for all process fans like pre-heater fan, RABH fan, raw mill fan, coal mill fan, cement mills fans and cooler fans, and also high efficiency fans, low pressure drop cyclones in pre-heater, etc. We also have belt weighers for optimum loading of conveyors to avoid the idle running of equipment, and have provided VFDs whereever fans are operating with less than 75 per cent damper opening."

Bidyut Bhattacharya, Technical Director, Sinoma International Engg Co India, says "The Indian cement industry, over the years, has employed the best available technology for production. Thanks to a high degree of blended cement utilisation, Indian cement producers are at the forefront of fuel and electrical energy consumption on a per tonne-of-product basis. An additional benefit in terms of sustainability is the lower per tonnage of CO2 emission. Stricter regulatory requirements are leading to greener technologies, and they in turn, lead to further energy efficiency."

Says K N Rao, ACC, Director (Energy & Environment), "Our major objectives are to bring down CO2 intensity considerably, become water- positive and biodiversity- positive; reduce the use of natural raw materials and fossil fuels, and ensure that there is no harm done to the environment. ACC is on track as per the stated goals. Only in renewable energy, the progress is not quite upto the mark due to recent changes in the government’s fiscal policy with respect to the wind energy and the economic crisis. ACC is striving hard to increase the renewable energy portifolio in the coming days. A lot of investment has been made in improving energy efficiency by installation of variable speed drives (VSDs). The capacity for water conservation and harvesting is increasing day by day across all the ACC plants. One of our units in Himachal Pradesh will be commissioning a waste heat recovery- based power generating unit of 7.5 MW capacity shortly. We are also planning similar units in other plants in a phased manner."

G Jayaraman, Executive President, Birla Corporation, says, "BCL has taken up the task of reducing its carbon footprint by adapting energy efficiency in all units. BCL was rewarded the carbon emission reduction certificate for 1 lakh tonnes of CO2, and successfully traded on the UNFCCI platform. As a roadmap for the next three years, BCL is focusing on renewal energy, basically solar and biomass power plants." He further adds, "Optimisation of fuel mix is regular practice in all the units which stabilises the fuel feed to the pyro-process. Our coal washery at Satna is under stabilisation to convert low- grade coal to useful coal requirement to the kiln. The reject coal will be utilised for power generation in a CFBC boiler. This step will result in the transformation of waste to energy." Speaking about the challenges in the green initiatives, Rao had this to say, "Many challenges lie ahead of us, especially when it comes to energy. With currency depreciation, fuel costs are spiralling for coal, thus raising the cost of thermal power generation. Quality coal and its availability, availability of quality raw materials like limestone continues to be a concern. What’s more, power shortages have been driving us to set up captive power plants (CPP) to fulfil our energy needs. Then, there is the increased pressure of complying with mandatory energy regulations such as Perform- Achieve- Trade (PAT), where we must meet energy reduction targets and also meet our renewable energy purchase (RPO) obligations. Then, there is the continuous reduction in SEC, which to some extent helps mitigate the rising cost of electricity generation."

According to Shashank Jain, Senior Progarmme Officer, Energy Efficiency (Industry) Shakti, Sustainable Foundation the Indian cement industry has made significant progress in terms of improvement in energy efficiency and productivity. Still, the use of alternate fuel and raw material (AFR) to replace coal for thermal energy needs remains an area where the Indian cement industry is yet to catch up with global benchmarks. Though a few cement plants use large quantities and varieties of AFR in their kilns, on an average, co-processing in the Indian cement industry is less than one per cent, compared to the European average of 40 per cent. As per a Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) estimate, even ten per cent of thermal substitution through the use of AFR in cement kilns, has the potential to reduce the emission by three million tonnes of CO2 per year, which is about 0.2 per cent of emissions from the country in 2007. Sandeep Shrivastava, Head, Environment, Ambuja Cement had this to say: "Right from mining to production to sales and distribution, across our all our units and disciplines, we have been adopting best practices and working constantly to demonstrate our commitment towards sustainability through our actions. That commitment is reflected in strict adherence to our environment, sustainability, OH&S, CSR, climate change mitigation, green procurement and other policies, as well as initiatives." According to him, Ambuja Cement has been adopting best manufacturing practices optimising energy, natural resources and technology.. Sandeep adds, "We ensure a varied and holistic perspective the way we manage our operations. Right from mining to production to sales and distribution, across our all our units and disciplines, we have been adopting best practices and working constantly to demonstrate our commitment towards sustainability through our actions. That commitment is reflected in the strict adherence to our environment, sustainability, OH&S, CSR, climate change mitigation, green procurement and other policies as well as initiatives."

According to Suman Mukherjee, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, SDCC Ã» India, the key levers to reduce emission in the Indian cement industry are increased rates of blending leading to a reduction in clinker to cement ratio, increased use of AFR, widespread implementation of WHR, transportation of raw materials through conveyor belt instead of road transport, installation of various VFD/high energy- efficient equipment to reduce SPC. In line with this, a low-carbon technology roadmap for the Indian cement industrywas launched on 25h February 2013, with a targeted estimated emission of 0.35 T CO2/t cement in 2050, about 45 per cent down from its level in 2010. Cement manufacturing process from surface mining/quarrying, more usage of WHR, locating main clinkerisation unit near limestone deposits, transporting clinker through rail, transporting fly ash through pipeline, are a few measures which will help in achieving and sustaining this targets.

"KCP has designed the road map with milestones to achieve the CO2 emissions reductions required for the future. We are also putting in all efforts for shifting from OPC to blended cements. The aim is to increase blended cement percentage from the present 35 to 55 per cent by this year- end and one hundred per cent by 2015," says Dr GVK Prasad, Executive President Ã» Operations, KCP.

Says C K Jain, Unit Head, Vasavadatta Cement, Sedam, which has recently bagged the coveted GreenCo Rating launched by CII-Godrej GBC, "VC has always been a believer of sustainable growth and has taken several initiatives on the ecological front. These initiatives helped in achieving GreenCo certification. However, the missing component was the meticulous system of documentation required for GreenCo certification. The certification system helped us in documenting the initiatives taken. The system presented a challenge that turned into an opportunity for us to record our savings in terms of energy savings, water savings, and GHG emissions mitigation and track the results on a regular basis. The plant has one of the best specific energy consumption figures in the country. VC also adopts a cradle- to- cradle approach to environmental sustainability as recommended by GreenCo. The GreenCo Rating System, the first of its kind in the world, provides a much needed holistic framework to evaluate industries on their environmental performance on these parameters. CII, through an extensive stakeholder consultations and interaction with experts, has developed the guidelines of GreenCo. This rating will act as a milestone for companies pursuing green to assess where they stand and help them in defining the path forward," says KS Venkatagiri, Principal Councellor, CII-Godrej GBC. Says Alok Sanghi, Director, Sanghi Industries, "We use fly ash generated from the thermal power plants and also use waste from steel plants. By manufacturing blended cements, we are adding to the sustainability of the country. We are one of the few companies in the country using the most eco- friendly mining technique. Instead of drilling and blasting, we use surface miners which have near zero pollution and zero dust emission techniques. We operate in the region of Kutch where we face a lot of water scarcity, and we have promoted rain water harvesting there."

Economy & Market

The Road Ahead Begins Here

Published

1 day ago

August 11, 2026

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The future of India’s roads took centrestage at RAHSTA Expo 2026, where policymakers, contractors and industry leaders came together under one roof. The event blended thought leadership, technology showcase and industry recognition into a single powerful platform.

India’s roads and highways community gathered in full strength at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, for the 16th edition of the RAHSTA Expo (Roads and Highways Sustainable Technologies & Advancement). Over two action-packed days, the event brought together policymakers, contractors, consultants, developers, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, technology providers and investors to deliberate on the future of India’s ,infrastructure while showcasing the latest innovations driving the sector.

The event culminated in the prestigious RAHSTA Awards, where Shri. Ajay Tamta, Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, felicitated organisations and professionals for their outstanding contributions to road construction, engineering, safety, sustainability and technology. With leading contractors, senior government officials, industry veterans and technology providers under one roof, the event reaffirmed RAHSTA’s position as one of India’s most influential platforms for the roads, highways, bridges and tunnels ecosystem.

Organised by FIRST Construction Council in association with ASAPP Info Global Group, RAHSTA has steadily evolved beyond an exhibition into a platform where policy, technology, engineering and business converge to address the opportunities and challenges shaping India’s next generation of transport infrastructure.

Beyond expansion, towards value

The conference opened with a thought-provoking address by Pratap Padode, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Construction World, who observed that India’s highways sector has reached an important inflection point. Introducing this year’s theme – ‘From Expansion to Value: The Next Phase of India’s Highways’ – he noted that while the country has successfully expanded its road network over the past two decades, the industry’s priorities are now shifting towards building infrastructure that delivers greater lifecycle value, durability, safety and operational efficiency. With funding pressures, asset monetisation and evolving project models changing the sector’s dynamics, he said the focus must now move beyond kilometres constructed to the quality and long-term performance of every asset.

Dr Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), reminded delegates that successful infrastructure delivery is ultimately a collective effort. Emphasising on collaboration between government, industry and engineering professionals, he remarked, “There is no loser in a winning team, and there is no winner in a losing team,” urging stakeholders to work together to deliver projects with quality, financial sustainability and technological excellence.

Delivering the keynote address, Bidur Kant Jha, Director, New Technologies for Highway Development, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), outlined the Government’s long-term vision for India’s highway network. Highlighting the country’s 6.26 million km roads network, he spoke about the growing adoption of digital planning tools such as BIM and GIS, bridge health monitoring systems and Integrated Smart Transport Corridors under the Vision 2047 roadmap. He emphasised that while India remains open to global innovations, every new technology must be adapted to Indian conditions before large-scale deployment.

Addressing the gathering during the awards ceremony, Tamta underlined the increasing role of specialised equipment and modern construction technologies in executing complex infrastructure projects across diverse terrains. Referring to challenging tunnel projects in Uttarakhand, he noted how advanced machinery has transformed execution capabilities, while also acknowledging the rapid evolution of Indian contractors into globally competitive infrastructure companies. Recognising excellence through industry awards, he said, motivates organisations to continually raise performance standards and embrace innovation.

Meanwhile, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, highlighted that infrastructure development must increasingly focus on integrated urban mobility. Reflecting on Mumbai’s engineering journey – from its historic underground utility network to the Coastal Road and other transformative projects – he underlined that future infrastructure planning must seamlessly integrate roads, metro systems and public transport to create efficient, multimodal cities.

Uttar Pradesh takes centrestage

One of the highlights of the second day was Uttar Pradesh’s comprehensive presentation on its infrastructure-led industrial transformation.

Srihari Pratap Shahi, IAS, Additional CEO, Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), demonstrated how the state’s expanding expressway network is evolving into a catalyst for industrial development through integrated manufacturing and logistics clusters. Expressways, he noted, are no longer merely transport corridors but engines of economic competitiveness.

Building on this narrative, Deeksha Jain, IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), showcased the state’s rapidly expanding industrial ecosystem supported by extensive expressway connectivity, dedicated freight corridors, airports, industrial townships and investor-friendly policies. She highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s strong manufacturing growth, expanding industrial land bank, plug-and-play infrastructure and increasing use of digital governance to facilitate investments.

Further underlining the significance of the platform, Deepak Kumar, IAS, Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh, remarked, “RAHSTA provides an excellent platform for states to showcase our infrastructure progress and investment ecosystem. Uttar Pradesh has transformed significantly over the past decade, backed by more than 34 investor-friendly industrial policies, and platforms like RAHSTA help communicate these developments to industry stakeholders from across the country.”

Ideas that shaped the industry conversation

The two-day conference featured seven panel discussions, each examining a critical dimension of India’s evolving roads and highways sector.

The opening discussion on ‘Financing Roads & Highways in a Capital-Constrained Era’ brought together experts from Cube Highways, NIIF, SBI Capital Markets, Centrum Capital and Bandhan Infra Fund, who examined how the financing landscape is changing. Discussions revolved around asset monetisation, InvITs, institutional investments and new funding structures, with panellists agreeing that better project preparation, transparent governance and predictable returns will be crucial for attracting long-term capital into infrastructure.

Attention then shifted to execution realities during the panel on ‘Contractors’ Perspective: Execution Realities, Risks & the Quality Imperative.’ Representatives from GHV Infra Projects, PNC Infratech, NCC and Maccaferri candidly discussed the challenges of delivering projects amid contractual complexities, land acquisition delays, rising costs and tight timelines. While execution pressures remain significant, the discussion reinforced that better collaboration across the project value chain is essential for achieving both speed and quality.

Day 2 opened with a technically rich discussion on ‘Designing Roads for Sustainability, Durability & Climate Resilience’. Experts from CSIR-CRRI, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, Zydex Group and SRMB Steel explored advanced pavement technologies, recycled materials, climate-resilient designs and scientific construction practices that can significantly improve durability while lowering lifecycle costs. Sustainability, they agreed, must become an integral part of road design rather than an afterthought.

The subsequent session on ‘Bridges & Tunnels: Complex Engineering, Safety & Future Readiness’ highlighted the growing complexity of India’s infrastructure projects. Panellists discussed advances in structural engineering, digital monitoring, risk management and safety practices that are enabling the successful delivery of increasingly ambitious bridge and tunnel projects across the country.

Technology remained a recurring theme during the discussion on ‘Technology as a Risk-Mitigation Tool for Developers & Investors’. Experts explained how AI, BIM, drones, predictive analytics, digital twins and intelligent monitoring systems are helping improve project planning, minimise execution risks, strengthen quality assurance and enhance asset management throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.

The construction equipment panel brought together leading industry experts to examine how technology, sustainability and digitalisation are redefining construction equipment in an era of rising cost pressures. Discussions centred on enhancing productivity, reducing lifecycle costs and preparing the industry for India’s infrastructure ambitions leading up to 2047.

The conference concluded with an engaging CXO Forum on ‘Rebuilding Confidence in India’s Roads & Highways Sector’, where senior industry leaders emphasised that stronger governance, better project preparation, digitalisation, transparent contracting and closer public-private collaboration will be essential to sustain India’s infrastructure growth over the coming decades.

Technology and recognition under one roof

Beyond the conference halls, RAHSTA Expo reflected the technological transformation underway across India’s road infrastructure ecosystem. Leading equipment manufacturers, technology companies and material suppliers showcased advanced construction equipment, intelligent digital platforms, pavement technologies, structural materials and productivity-enhancing solutions designed to improve project efficiency and asset performance. The exhibition created valuable opportunities for contractors, consultants, government agencies and project developers to evaluate new technologies while interacting directly with solution providers.

The event also served as a celebration of excellence through the RAHSTA Awards 2026, which recognised outstanding achievements across road construction, contracting, materials, equipment, technology, safety, sustainability and infrastructure development. Presented by Minister Tamta, the awards honoured organisations that are setting new benchmarks for quality, innovation and execution across India’s roads sector.

RAHSTA Expo 2026 also received extensive support from across the infrastructure ecosystem. Alongside leading corporate sponsors, the event was backed by industry bodies including the Builders Association of India (BAI), Construction Equipment Rental Association (CERA), Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), International Road Federation (IRF), CSIR-CRRI, CILT India, All India Transporters Welfare Association, Hydraulic Trailer Owners Association (HTOA), Gujarat Contractors Association, Bitumen Forum, Fluid Power Society of India, Indian Institute of Material Management, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Mumbai First, reflecting the industry’s collective commitment to advancing India’s road infrastructure.

As the curtains came down on the two-day event, one message resonated throughout the conference: India’s highways story is entering a new chapter. While expansion will continue, the future will increasingly be defined by smarter planning, stronger partnerships, digital transformation, sustainable engineering and long-term value creation. By bringing together the entire infrastructure value chain on a single platform, RAHSTA Expo 2026 once again demonstrated why it has become one of the country’s most influential forums for shaping the future of roads, highways, bridges and tunnels.

Economy & Market

Fornnax Names Lukas Baur as Authorised Service Partner to Bolster EU Operations

Published

3 weeks ago

July 23, 2026

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Strapline: Fornnax Technology has appointed NOBA Maschinenservice’s Lukas Baur as its authorised service partner for the European Union, strengthening its commitment to delivering fast, reliable, and localised after-sales support across the region.

Fornnax Technology, a leading manufacturer of industrial shredding solutions, has announced the appointment of Mr. Lukas Baur of NOBA Maschinenservice as its authorised service partner for the European Union. The partnership, formalised under the authorisation of Fornnax CEO Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, reinforces the company’s commitment to providing dependable, localised service support to its expanding customer base across Europe.

Strengthening Service Through Proven Expertise

With over two decades of experience in servicing, maintaining, and overhauling industrial shredders, Mr. Baur brings extensive technical expertise to the partnership. His capabilities span welding, hardfacing, shaft and knife rebuilding, complex assembly, hydraulics, and complete electrical engineering services, delivered in collaboration with a trusted partner company based in Halle/Saale.

Operating from Worbis, Germany, Mr. Baur is strategically positioned to provide emergency support across the European Union within 24 hours, covering an operational radius of approximately 1,000 kilometres.

Supporting this capability is a well-equipped service infrastructure comprising 12 Mercedes Sprinter service vans, a team of 24 skilled technicians, specialised bearing-change tools, a fully equipped hydraulic workshop, and a 1,000-square-metre facility with a five-ton crane track. Together, these resources position his team to manage the complete spectrum of Fornnax’s European service requirements efficiently and reliably.

Partnership Driven by Industry Insight

Having spent years servicing Eldan, Lindner, and Vecoplan shredders across the European recycling industry, Mr. Baur’s decision to collaborate with Fornnax is rooted in his understanding of market needs and customer expectations. His experience has provided valuable insight into what recycling plant operators require—not only from their machinery but also from the service teams supporting them.

According to Mr. Baur, Fornnax’s reputation for robust machine construction, superior wear protection, and maintenance-friendly design made the partnership a natural fit.

The collaboration comes at a time when Europe’s tyre recycling industry is facing mounting challenges, including rising cost pressures, shrinking margins, delayed investments, and a shortage of skilled labour. Mr. Baur believes these conditions reinforce the need for technically strong service partners capable of delivering rapid, dependable support.

Commenting on the partnership, he said, “Fornnax, with its exceptional price-performance ratio and superior quality, has the potential to become a market leader in Europe. We would like to be their service partner in this journey.”

Comprehensive Support Across the Equipment Lifecycle

As Fornnax’s authorised service partner, Mr. Baur will oversee the complete lifecycle support of the company’s equipment throughout the European Union. His responsibilities will include installation, commissioning, preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and spare parts support across mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems.

Looking ahead, he also plans to develop a centralised spare parts distribution hub for European customers, particularly if Fornnax establishes a warehouse facility in Worbis to facilitate faster deliveries. To further strengthen service coverage, Mr. Baur intends to expand operations by adding two to three additional service teams and vehicles each year, progressively increasing capacity across the continent.

A Shared Commitment to Customer Excellence

Highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership, Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of Fornnax, said:

“We strongly believe that by continuously improving our service quality and customer satisfaction index, we can build long-term relationships with our customers. Higher customer satisfaction leads to greater trust, which significantly increases repeat orders and ultimately drives sustained growth in our sales revenue.”

This customer-first philosophy underpins Fornnax’s strategy of building a dedicated European service partner network instead of relying solely on remote support. With Mr. Baur joining this network, customers across the European Union will benefit from faster response times, expert technical assistance, and dedicated on-ground support from a partner with extensive experience in high-throughput shredding operations.

Mr. Baur’s appointment also reflects Fornnax’s broader ambition to establish itself as the preferred shredding solutions provider for the European recycling industry, marking another important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.

Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas launches Limla cement plant, expands Gujarat footprint

Published

1 month ago

July 13, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas opens a 2 MMTPA grinding unit at Limla, entering Gujarat and advancing its target of 35 MMTPA capacity by FY 2028.

Surat (Gujarat)

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Ltd, a part of Nirma Group and one of India’s leading building materials company, has inaugurated the Limla Cement Plant in Surat (Gujarat), one of Vadraj Cement Limited’s (VCL) principal manufacturing facilities. The commissioning represents a key milestone in Nuvoco’s acquisition and restoration of VCL, while supporting the company’s expansion across the Western Indian cement market.

Vadraj Cement Limited is a subsidiary of Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited and has installed cement capacity of 6 MMTPA across its assets. The Limla inauguration therefore represents the first operational step in the acquired platform’s wider revival, while the Kutch facilities provide clinker supply, mineral security and coastal logistics support for the western business.

Nuvoco completed its acquisition of Vadraj Cement Limited, then under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, after paying a consideration of Rs 1,800 crore in June 2025. VCL’s asset portfolio comprises a clinker unit at Kutch and a grinding unit at Limla in Surat. It also includes high-quality captive limestone reserves and a captive jetty at Kutch, supporting more efficient logistics. Following the takeover, Nuvoco began an extensive programme of restoration, refurbishment and expansion at both locations, leading to the commissioning of the Limla plant.

The Limla Cement Plant is expected to support a phased increase in sales volumes across Gujarat. It will also help Nuvoco supply neighbouring markets in Western Maharashtra and release cement capacity from its northern plants, which can consequently be redirected towards markets in North India. The plant will manufacture a full portfolio comprising Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Slag Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement and Portland Composite Cement. It will additionally produce the complete Nuvoco Duraguard range, including the premium Nuvoco Duraguard Microfibre product. The acquisition is also expected to generate operational synergies with Nuvoco’s existing plants at Nimbol and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, improving logistics optimisation and market reach across important regional markets.

The grinding unit at the Limla Cement Plant was completed ahead of schedule, with 2 MMTPA of capacity now inaugurated to expand Nuvoco’s operating scale and customer reach. After Vadraj Cement’s assets become fully operational, plants in North and West India are expected to account for nearly 40 per cent of Nuvoco’s total cement capacity. This will broaden the company’s manufacturing network, strengthen access to high-growth markets and support its plan to increase consolidated cement capacity to 35 MMTPA by FY 2028, reinforcing its longer-term growth strategy.

Commenting on the development, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, said: “The inauguration of the Limla Grinding Unit in Surat is an important milestone in Nuvoco’s growth journey and demonstrates our commitment to disciplined, value-accretive expansion. Gujarat is strategically significant for Nuvoco, with substantial opportunities arising from infrastructure investment, industrial growth, rapid urbanisation and continuing demand from the housing and construction sectors. The facility strengthens our regional footprint, improves operational flexibility and increases our ability to serve customers across northern and western markets with greater reliability and efficiency.”

He added: “Through the Vadraj acquisition, we have refurbished and restarted a strategically important asset, returning it to operations in record time through strong execution and collaboration between teams. The achievement demonstrates our ability to create value from acquired assets, fulfil our commitments and retain the confidence of stakeholders. It also highlights the strength of our project delivery capabilities and our continued focus on building sustainable, profitable growth over the long term.”

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited is a building materials company whose vision is to build a safer, smarter and more sustainable world. It is among the leading players in East India and has a significant presence across North and West India. Nuvoco began operations in 2014 with a greenfield cement plant at Nimbol, Rajasthan. It later acquired Lafarge India Limited, which had entered India in 1999, followed by Emami Cement Limited in 2020 and Vadraj Cement Limited in April 2025. The company has also announced an expansion in eastern India through a new grinding mill at the Arasmeta Cement Plant, supported by several debottlenecking programmes involving equipment upgrades, process improvements and internal capacity initiatives. These developments place Nuvoco on track to achieve total cement capacity of approximately 35 MMTPA. The company reported total income of Rs 11,362 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting its continuing growth trajectory.

Nuvoco operates a diversified portfolio across three segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete and Modern Building Materials. Its cement portfolio includes Concreto, Duraguard, Double Bull, PSC, Nirmax and Infracem, covering Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Slag Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement and Portland Composite Cement. Its pan-India RMX business provides value-added products under Concreto for performance concrete, Artiste for decorative concrete, InstaMix for ready-to-use bagged concrete, X-Con covering M20 to M60 grades, and Ecodure for specialised green concrete. Nuvoco has supplied materials to projects including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Aquatic Gallery at Science City in Ahmedabad, and metro railway projects in Delhi, Jaipur, Noida and Mumbai.