Concrete

Lafarges Concrete Master enables customers to order RMC in small quantities.

Published

5 years ago

October 14, 2021

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While the ready- mix market is growing steadily in India, it is plagued by several challenges that are slowing down the growth of this sector. Innovative companies are studying the market closely to design products and services that iron out the wrinkles. It is this approach that has allowed Lafarge to develop concrete products that cater to typical and specific needs of the Indian market. Maruti Srivastava, VP Marketing and Jean Philippe Thierry, QC and Product Development Head, Lafarge India shares their views on the current market scenario and talks of what Lafarge has to offer. Excerpts from the interview.

How many plants does Lafarge have in India?

Lafarge is one of the largest suppliers of ready-mix concrete in India and has established its presence through both commercial concrete plants and dedicated project plants. Lafarge ready-mix covers a wide geographic portfolio with over 66 plants spread across 40 cities in India.

What is the range of products you offer, including value added / green products?

Lafarge is committed to delivering unique products and solutions for building better cities in India.

Our innovations help create products and solutions which promote sustainable construction and help meet the needs of the local market, from high value-added products to affordable housing solutions.

In India, Lafarge Readymix concrete offers the following value added products:

Mega high strength concrete: As cities grow the need for vertical constructions has increased. Lafarge in India is supporting leading builders by supplying MegaÂ« high strength concrete which is M90 plus grade of concrete. The MegaÂ« high strength concrete allows builders to make taller structures while using scarce land resources more effectively. The total material cost is also reduced as use of other materials like steel is reduced. Most importantly, as the wall and column width reduces, the consumer gets the advantage of a higher carpet area. Other products under mega series include: Mega lightweight concrete, MegaÂ« PP fiber concrete and MegaÂ« steel fiber concrete.

AgiliaTM is self-consolidating concrete which helps in faster concrete placement with minimal cost. Highly fluid, this concrete flows and spreads effortlessly. Due to its fluidity, it eliminates the tedious chore of vibration thereby improving worksite quality and on-site conditions, including worksite noise levels which is a source of irritation both for workers and for nearby residents. Agilia provides excellent consistency and aesthetic qualities as per the architectÂ´s need and has a wide application range like retaining walls, foundation raft, sheer walls, beams, slabs, and water tanks

ArteviaTM by Lafarge is a collection of decorative concretes for indoor and outdoor usage that combines freedom of design with low maintenance and durability. The stunningly beautiful design material keeps all the advantages of concrete, it is hard wearing and long lasting and available in an array of amazing colours, patterns and textures.

HyrdromediaTM: With the need for effective water management growing, especially in a congested city like Mumbai, Lafarge provides HyrdromediaTM, a pervious concrete which offers high permeability and drainage capacity by absorbing rain water and facilitates natural run-off into the ground. It therefore reduces the risk of flooding. It minimises the urban impact on the natural water cycle, allowing for the natural replenishment of water tables in urban environments that up till now have typically been covered with impervious asphalt or concrete surfaces. .Typically containing 20-35 per cent void space, it allows water to pass directly through it at a permeability of 150 – 1000 L/min/mÂ´.

Lafarge is committed to reduce its production costs and reduce its environmental footprint. Hydromedia is a green solution and aids effective water management in urban areas. Lafarge also produces blended cement which is preferred for many construction applications and the use of cementitious products as an alternative to clinker ensure that less CO2 is emitted in the cement production process and hence a green solution. Lafarge uses maximum fly ash within the stipulated BIS limit. This reduces the use of clinker and contributes to waste management by utilising fly ash, which otherwise would be a waste product. This approach significantly reduces the carbon footprint per bag of cement.

Where is the current demand for RMC coming from?

Recent Crisil research reports the overall ready-mix penetration in India is around 9 per cent, which is low. However it is projected to be 14 per cent by 2017-18. In India, the demand is highest from the housing segment, followed by industrial and infrastructure segments.

Why do you think the demand for RMC in India is not as high as it is in developed countries?

A major part of India still comprises smaller towns where the majority of individual home builders prefer using conventional methods of construction. Overall in India, site mix is still perceived to be a cost- effective material as opposed to ready- mix concrete, though that is not the case anymore.

What are the problems due to unstructured supply of aggregates?

The aggregates market remains fragmented with many independent operators and local producers; environment and mining bans in certain states also impact the quantity and quality of aggregates. Consistent source for quality aggregates has therefore become a real task. Lafarge India has two aggregates mines/ crushers, one each at Badlapur in Maharasthra and Kotputli in Rajasthan. Lafarge offers a wide range of aggregates including manufactured sand, a key ingredient in construction; however, it is difficult to procure because of the ban on river sand in many states in India. Lafarge manufactured aggregates ensures availability, consistency of quality and transparency.

What are the challenges in transporting RMC?

Transportation plays a major role in ready-mix concrete. With increasing population in urban areas, high traffic problems are frequent. Some cities have a Ã¦no entryÂ´ policy during peak/working hours. Some customers demand small quantities which is not feasible to transport. Lastly, in metro cities, transporting ready- mix concrete through transit mixers in congested neighbourhoods is a major challenge.

It is therefore imperative for companies like Lafarge to support the metamorphosis of the cities and bring innovative solutions to address local issues. Lafarge India recently launched Concrete Master, a unique offering which enables customers to order RMC in small quantities and allows up to four hours of workability before the initial setting. This simplifies the entire construction process in congested neighbourhoods by offering an efficient onsite delivery of ready- to- use concrete and mortar in 30 kgs bags. This benefits contractors working in congested areas where RMC transit mixers cannot reach, and allows construction with quality products of Lafarge for the benefit of the end user.

Concrete

Jammu Division Begins First Cement Rail Traffic to Anantnag

Cement Loading From Kathua for Anantnag to Begin on September 14

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2026

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Jammu Railway Division has placed an indent for the first movement of cement by rail within the division, linking Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station with Anantnag Railway Station. Loading for the consignment is scheduled to begin on September 14.

Concrete

Hard Worker Wins Three Honours at Kyoorius Design Awards

Ramco Cements’ brand secures Grand Prix and two Blue Elephant honours.

Published

1 day ago

September 21, 2026

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The Ramco Cements Limited’s construction chemicals brand, Hard Worker, has won three honours at the Kyoorius Design Awards 2026, including the Grand Prix – Grey Elephant in the Design in Action category.

The brand also secured two Blue Elephant honours, one for Design in Action and another for Packaging, recognising the design approach behind its brand identity and packaging.

Launched in 2025, Hard Worker entered the construction chemicals segment with the brand promise, “Hard-working products for hardworking people.” Its visual identity uses animals and birds to represent product benefits. The camel represents the water-retention capability of Hard Worker Eco Plaster, while the cheetah represents the speed and performance of Hard Worker Block Fix.

The visual language has been extended across packaging, retail, communication, literature, digital platforms and other brand touchpoints. Hard Worker uses bold colours, distinctive animal illustrations and simple visual storytelling to communicate product benefits across markets and audiences, including construction workers and applicators.

“For Hard Worker, design was never an afterthought. It was fundamental to how we wanted to build the brand. In a category that is largely functional, we wanted to create a brand that people could recognise, understand and remember instantly. The Kyoorius recognition is a wonderful validation of this design-led approach,” said Mr. AV Dharmakrishnan, CEO, The Ramco Cements Limited.

Mr. Balaji K. Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, Ramco Cements said “In a category where communication has traditionally been product-led and functional, we wanted Hard Worker to stand apart by making design an integral part of the brand experience. From the distinctive animal-led packaging to our communication across consumer and trade touchpoints, every element was designed to make the brand more memorable and the product benefits easier to understand.”

Within its first 12 months, Hard Worker crossed Rs 3.5 bn in sales. The latest recognition follows six honours secured by the brand’s campaign at the Kyoorius Creative Awards earlier in 2026, including the Grey Elephant Grand Prix for its Eco Plaster film.

The Kyoorius Design Awards recognise outstanding design work in India’s visual communications sector across multiple categories and platforms. The 2026 awards were announced on 12 September in Goa.

The Ramco Cements Limited is part of the Ramco Group and operates across cement and allied building-material solutions. Hard Worker is its construction chemicals brand, offering solutions across key construction applications.

Concrete

Cement Firms to Invest Rs. 130 bn in Green Energy by FY28

Cement companies plan to expand clean energy capacity to 6 GW by FY28

Published

5 days ago

September 17, 2026

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India’s major cement companies are set to raise their clean energy capacity to 6 GW by March 2028 from around 4 GW at the end of March 2026, according to ratings agency ICRA. The planned expansion is expected to involve investments of Rs. 130 bn over the next two years.

The additional capacity could generate annual savings of Rs. 62 bn to Rs. 67 bn, resulting in an estimated payback period of 1.8 to 2.2 years. Cement is an emission-intensive industry, and leading producers have established net-zero roadmaps covering the next 15 to 20 years.

The calcination process accounts for 57 to 60 per cent of the sector’s total emissions, while fuel combustion contributes 27 to 30 per cent and electricity consumption accounts for 10 to 13 per cent. ICRA said the figures highlighted the need for a broad decarbonisation strategy involving green power, blended cement, alternative fuels and improvements in clinker efficiency.

Green energy is considered one of the most commercially attractive decarbonisation options because it can reduce emissions while lowering operating costs. Every 5 per cent increase in green power replacement can reduce power and fuel costs by Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per tonne. A 25 per cent replacement level could therefore save Rs. 75 to Rs. 80 per tonne and expand operating margins by 140 to 160 basis points.

Cement producers are also assessing carbon capture, utilisation and storage, although high implementation costs, energy requirements and limited transport and storage infrastructure are expected to slow commercial adoption. The government has proposed Rs. 200 bn over five years to support deployment across key sectors. Meanwhile, companies are targeting thermal substitution rates of 10 to 15 per cent over the next three to five years, compared with the current industry level of around 6 per cent.