Concrete

Innovation & efficiency to drive market

Published

3 years ago

December 21, 2021

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Prashant Jha, Chief Ready-Mix Business,Nuvoco Vistas Corp

Can you elaborate on the learnings for RMC segment from the standstill period of the global pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the construction industry. The suspension of construction activities has led to delays in delivery, especially in China, India and Singapore, in the Asia-Pacific region, causing a decline in the demand for ready-mix concrete in construction operations.

There are two sides to every coin and RMC segment has learned from this difficult phase:

Work with optimum manpower
Keep limited resource
Raw materials management
Use energy in an optimal way
Risk analysis in terms of sales etc.
Virtual platform for meetings and training to cut travel costs.

What new innovations has the segment seen in the last two years?

Nuvoco has introduced several innovations in the concrete segment like structural light-weight concrete, called Structural Xlite. Typical concrete has a density of 2,400 kg per cm3, but Xlite has a density of around 800 to 1,600 kg per cm3. We have also developed radiation-proof concrete solutions for cancer hospitals. There are also types of concrete that can tolerate running water and extreme cold temperatures.

To make working with concrete easier with lesser manpower, Nuvoco has developed wet concrete that can just be poured on the site without the need of water. This concrete has retention of up to eight hours, while normal concrete usually has a retention period of four hours. This product addresses the concerns of typically narrowed bylanes with a requirement of small quantities of concrete.

What has been the the improvement in efficiency and overall?

RMC is advantageous for projects with a scarcity of labour, where smaller quantities of concrete or intermittent placing is required. The commonly used ready-mix concrete called Transit Mix prevents issues associated with slump loss or early hardening of concrete.

How do you see the market panning out in the next two years?

The recovery of the construction sector and strong growth opportunities in residential and infrastructure construction projects is expected to boost demand for construction materials. Currently, RMC capacity is close to 45 million cm3. With a boost to infrastructure and government initiatives such as Housing for All, we expect a growth of 7-10% in the next five years.

What is Nuvoco’s roadmap for the next three years?

In the short-term, we will focus on further strengthening our position in the building materials space. We will cater to the demand for cement and building materials which is likely to rebound as the country emerges from the pandemic. We expect the demand to be driven by the state and centre-level government initiatives to boost affordable housing.

We are optimistic about positive business growth in the long term and will continue to strengthen our market share by focusing on strategic interventions and drive to incorporate newer ideas. We will step up our efforts to deliver innovative products to our customers.

Nuvoco will also continue to work towards preserving natural resources and working towards our vision of ‘building a safer, smarter and sustainable world’.

Concrete

Indian Steel Ministry Seeks $1.7 Bn for Low-Carbon Steel Production

India is actively working on a green steel policy

Published

11 hours ago

January 20, 2025

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India’s Ministry of Steel has requested 150 billion rupees (approximately $1.74 billion) from the federal budget to incentivise mills to produce low-carbon steel, according to two government sources familiar with the matter.

As the world’s second-largest steel producer after China, India is actively working on a green steel policy aimed at reducing emissions in steel production. This initiative forms part of the country’s broader efforts to meet its net-zero target by 2070, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The steel ministry plans to use the funds to offer incentives that encourage emissions reduction, improve research and development, increase raw material efficiency, and incentivise banks to offer lower interest rates on renewable energy loans. These details were shared by the sources, who requested anonymity as the discussions are private.

The steel ministry did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Once the funds are allocated, the ministry will submit the proposal for the cabinet’s approval. In December, the government defined ‘green steel’ as steel produced with emissions lower than 2.2 metric tons of CO2 per tonne of finished steel.

The proposed incentives would remain in place until 2030, with green steel potentially being used in government projects.

India’s steel production generates 2.55 metric tons of carbon dioxide per tonne of crude steel, 38% higher than the global average of 1.85 tons, according to Global Energy Monitor.

Concrete

Cement Industry Needs 35-45% Emissions Cut for Net-zero by 2070

This need was highlighted at a workshop organised by NITI Aayog at Vigyan Bhawan.

Published

11 hours ago

January 20, 2025

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The Indian cement sector, responsible for 5.8 per cent of the country’s total CO? emissions, requires the adoption of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies to achieve a 35-45 per cent reduction in emissions and meet the net-zero target by 2070. This need was highlighted at a workshop organized by NITI Aayog at Vigyan Bhawan.

Titled “Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in the Indian Cement Sector,” the workshop brought together government officials, industry leaders, researchers, and academicians to discuss decarbonisation strategies. The Indian cement industry, with an installed capacity of 600 million tonnes and an annual production of 391 million tonnes, plays a critical role in the country’s infrastructure development and economy.

Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister, stated that CCUS is an essential tool for addressing emissions in the cement sector, which is crucial for meeting India’s long-term climate goals. He stressed the need to balance economic growth with environmental targets and advance research and development to overcome challenges in decarbonizing this hard-to-abate sector.

Dr VK Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, noted that the cement industry is a key player in the Asia-Pacific region, which is witnessing rapid growth in the global cement market. He emphasised that carbon capture and utilization technologies, along with clean energy initiatives, are vital for reducing emissions in the cement sector. He also highlighted the role of carbon pricing and climate finance in supporting decarbonisation efforts.

India holds significant potential for CCUS, with regions like the Krishna-Godavari Basin, Deccan Traps, and mature oil and gas fields offering substantial CO? storage capacity. Innovative utilisation pathways, such as producing methanol, biodegradable plastics, and value-added chemicals, were discussed as potential solutions for creating a low-carbon future.

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, shared that the government is preparing a comprehensive CCUS Mission to support these efforts. Ranjith Rath, CMD of Oil India, emphasised the need for innovative solutions and geo-sequestration techniques to mitigate emissions effectively.

Concrete

15th Cement EXPO: A Step Forward in Cement Innovation

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

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Mumbai

Following the immense success of the 14th Cement EXPO, held on December 14-15, 2023, at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, the next edition of this premier event is set to take place in March 2025. The 15th Cement EXPO will be hosted at Yashobhoomi, Delhi, on 12th and 13th November 2025.

Meanwhile, the Cement Expo Forum 2025 is scheduled for 5th and 6th March 2025 at Taj Krishna in Hyderabad. This exciting 3-in-1 event, organised by FIRST Construction Council (FCC) and Indian Cement Review (ICR), will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss the future of the cement sector.

Building on the Success of the 14th Cement EXPO

The 14th Cement EXPO was widely praised for its strong participation, attracting over 1,500 senior managers and decision-makers from across the cement industry. The event was inaugurated by Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General of TERI, and Ali Emir Adiguzel, Founder and Director of the World Cement Association, alongside Pratap Padode, Founder of FIRST Construction Council (FCC). The two-tiered exhibition space featured cutting-edge products and innovations from top companies within the cement industry’s supply chain.

The event also garnered significant support from key government bodies, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India (GoI).

Recognition and Excellence in the Cement Industry

The 7th Indian Cement Review Awards celebrated excellence by presenting awards to 11 companies in various categories, recognising their contributions to growth and innovation within the industry. Notably, Parth Jindal, Managing Director of JSW Cement, was honoured with the prestigious Indian Cement Review – Person of the Year Award 2023. Meanwhile, Vinita Singhania, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of JK Lakshmi Cement Ltd, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding leadership and contributions to the sector.

A Vision for Sustainability

With the theme of “Driving Sustainability Through Technology,” the 9th Indian Cement Review Conference hosted thought-provoking discussions and presentations, highlighting the industry’s commitment to adopting innovative, sustainable practices. The conference served as a platform for dialogue on the latest technological advancements aimed at transforming the cement sector, addressing key challenges, and fostering growth.

What to Expect from Cement EXPO 2025

The 15th Cement EXPO, along with the 10th Indian Cement Review Conference and the 8th Indian Cement Review Awards, is set to be even bigger and more impactful than the 2023 edition. With an expanded exhibition space, greater participation, and more in-depth discussions, the 2025 event will continue to drive the industry forward. This 3-in-1 event promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing transformation of the cement sector.

As the industry evolves, the 15th Cement EXPO 2025 will serve as a crucial platform for showcasing innovations, discussing emerging trends, and forging new partnerships to shape the future of cement and construction.

For more details:

Cement Expo Forum 2025: https://cementexpo.in/forum

15^th Cement Expo 2025: https://cementexpo.in/

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