Concrete
Manufacturing process of Instamix Xpress is different as compared to wet concrete
Nuvoco came in the light when it acquired L&T?? ready-mix concrete business in 2008. Since then it has established itself not only as a cement producer but a player with innovative construction materials. It has successfully transformed itself from cement manufacturer to a building material supplier with a wide range of products. Prashant Jha, Chief of Ready Mixed Business, Nuvoco, speaks on one of the innovations he has recently launched.
Prashant Jha
Explain the idea behind introducing a new product during the pandemic. What is the market size, and what kind of growth do you expect from this product?
Through our interactions with customers and market studies, we observed that the construction industry is facing challenges of manufacturing concrete at the site due to the non-availability of superior quality raw materials like cement, sand, and aggregates. In the current scenario, the majority of small concrete work is done by mixing cement, aggregates, and water at the site. Then there is the issue of wastage of raw materials.
Most of the sites are still using the volumetric batching method, which generally results in poor quality concrete at site. Further due to the pandemic situation, there is a shortage of labour, moreover getting labour to do small jobs is generally a problem. All these factors resulted in an increased demand for well-graded pre-mix bag concrete. Although there are no published records, we are estimating the all India market size is more than 10,000 tonne per month, and it would be growing at 15 per cent per annum.
What is the manufacturing process ??is it the same as wet concrete? What is the batch size?
InstaMix Xpress is a pre-blended mixture of cement, sand, and aggregates with special admixtures, requiring only the addition of water before pouring the concrete. It is produced in a controlled environment and is fast, easy-to-use, and ready-to-pour in just three steps ??open, mix, and pour.
One needs to do is open the bag in a pan or mechanical mixer as per the requirement; add four to five litres of potable water per bag and mix the concrete uniformly; and finally, pour the preparation without making a mess. The manufacturing process of Instamix Xpress is entirely different as compared to wet concrete. In InstaMix Xpress, we have to ensure that there is 0 per cent moisture at any stage of production till packaging of the product. It is available in 50 kg special moisture-proof sealed bags, which are tested for quality. Batch size depends on the transit mixer capacity, which varies from 500 kg to 2,000 kg.
Is there any shelf life for the product?
Yes, it is good for use till three months of production.
Is the product covered under any BIS code? OR is the code in the draft stage?
No at this stage it is not covered under any BIS codes; however drafting of code for dry concrete is under process.
What has been the response from the users?
Initially, we have launched InstaMix Xpress in East and Northeast markets and the response is very encouraging. Structural consultants and contractors prefer to use the M-30 and M-40 grade of concrete, which is not possible to produce at the site and ready-mix concrete is not available in remote areas. InstaMix Xpress is an ideal solution as it is a pre-mixed, ready-to-use, bagged, dry concrete, which can be easily transported to these far-flung areas. Looking at the response, we are planning to launch this product in Northern and Western India very soon.
Does any other cement manufacturer cater the consumers with a similar product?
Yes, a few cement manufacturers tried to produce at the local level ready-mix plants but they were not able to control the quality of the product.
To what extent the strength will be compromised if more water is used or if the product is used beyond stipulated period?
It all depends on how much excess water has been added or how long InstaMix Xpress has been stored beyond the three months shelf life. We recommend using four to five litres of water per 50 kg bag (depending on the grade of concrete). If the product is used beyond the stipulated period, [definitely] the compressive strength will reduce from 10 to 50 per cent.
World Environment Day spotlight on innovation and circularity
On World Environment Day, the Indian cement industry reiterated its commitment to supporting India’s climate ambitions through sustainable manufacturing, resource efficiency and the adoption of cleaner technologies.
The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) said the sector remains aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitments and is accelerating efforts to reduce its environmental footprint while supporting the country’s infrastructure and development agenda.
Parth Jindal, President, CMA and Managing Director, JSW Cement, said the industry is increasingly adopting cleaner technologies, improving energy efficiency and expanding the use of alternative fuels and raw materials. He also highlighted the growing importance of circular economy practices, where industrial by-products and waste streams from one sector are utilised as resources in another.
“The Indian Cement Industry is aligned to the Government’s commitments on carbon mitigation and is accelerating the adoption of cleaner technologies, resource efficiency and circular economy practices while actively exploring the potential of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) as a critical pathway for deep decarbonisation,” said Jindal.
He added that coprocessing industrial waste and by-products helps conserve natural resources, reduce disposal requirements and lower the environmental footprint across multiple sectors.
According to Jindal, sustainability is no longer limited to manufacturing processes but is increasingly influencing investment decisions, innovation strategies and long-term growth plans within the industry.
Echoing similar views, Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA and Managing Director, JK Cement, said sustainable development extends beyond emissions reduction and must also focus on responsible resource utilisation and waste minimisation.
“Sustainability in the built environment cannot be measured by emissions alone. It is equally about how efficiently we use resources, how effectively we minimise waste and how responsibly we create the infrastructure that will serve future generations,” said Singhania.
He noted that the cement industry is advancing its sustainability agenda through greater resource efficiency, increased circularity, technological innovation and continuous improvements in manufacturing practices. As a key contributor to India’s infrastructure development, the sector has a critical role to play in balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting India’s climate goals while delivering the materials required for resilient, durable and sustainable infrastructure.
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