Connect with us

Concrete

Innovation & efficiency to drive market

Published

on

Shares

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’.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Concrete

Gautam Adani Inspects Godda 2,300 MW Power Plant

Inspection follows MP request and points to cement plan

Published

on

By

Shares



Gautam Adani visited Godda on Sunday to carry out a first inspection of the power plant in the district, where electricity generation of 2,300 megawatts (MW) is being undertaken through five units. The visit involved a walkthrough of production areas and technical installations and included meetings with senior plant executives. The inspection was described by officials as focused on operational readiness and optimisation of output.

Officials said the establishment of the plant followed a request from the local member of parliament, who provided cooperation during project development, and indicated that plans to establish a cement plant in Godda are likely to materialise soon. The electricity produced at the facility is currently being supplied to Bangladesh, and officials confirmed that the possibility of exporting power to other neighbouring countries is under consideration. Company representatives indicated that the project aims to balance regional energy demand with commercial export obligations.

During the review of all units, plant leadership set out steps to accelerate commissioning and enhance maintenance regimes to ensure sustained generation. The commissioning of the power plant has already been credited with contributing significantly to the development of Godda, and the proposed cement plant is expected to add industrial capacity and create large-scale employment in the region. Local authorities are monitoring progress with a view to aligning infrastructure improvements and workforce development.

Stakeholders expect the visit to accelerate operational momentum at the site and to clarify timelines for further investment and local supply arrangements. The inspection was followed by technical briefings and an internal review of safety and environmental practices to support reliable operations. Officials said subsequent measures will focus on connectivity, logistics and community engagement to ensure the project delivers intended economic benefits.

Continue Reading

Concrete

Govt Exempts Tailings Recycling In Mines From Fresh Green Clearance

Move aims to streamline mining waste management

Published

on

By

Shares



The central government has exempted tailings recycling in mines from the requirement of a fresh environmental clearance, citing an effort to streamline approvals and promote resource efficiency.

The decision is intended to simplify regulatory procedures for operators seeking to process existing mine waste for recovery of minerals and other materials.

Officials indicated that the move should reduce administrative delays while maintaining compliance with existing safeguards.

Authorities said existing environmental safeguards would continue to apply to recycling operations.

Tailings recycling refers to the recovery of valuable materials from the fine waste generated by mining operations and the subsequent reprocessing of material to reduce the volume stored in tailings facilities.

Advocates argue that recycling can recover metals and minerals, lower the demand for new ore extraction and reduce the footprint of waste storage.

The policy change is expected to encourage the adoption of technologies that convert legacy waste into usable inputs for industry.

The mining industry welcomed the exemption as a way to accelerate projects and improve economics, while environmental groups urged robust conditions to prevent adverse impacts.

Conservation organisations stressed the importance of rigorous monitoring, independent audits and clear standards for waste handling and water management.

Regulators are likely to frame the exemption with specific compliance requirements to balance economic and environmental objectives.

Industry sources indicated that the move could attract investment in processing plants and associated infrastructure.

The change may prompt states and permitting authorities to update their frameworks to reflect the central clearance position and to clarify oversight roles.

Observers noted that effective implementation will depend on transparent reporting, enforcement capacity and investment in rehabilitation of legacy sites.

The long term outcome will hinge on whether recycling reduces the environmental risks associated with tailings while supporting a circular approach in the mining sector.

Stakeholders called for clear timelines for compliance.

Continue Reading

Concrete

Cement Demand Revives As Prices Decline In Q3 FY26

Nuvama reports improved volume growth after price correction

Published

on

By

Shares



A report by Nuvama Financial Services (Nuvama) said cement sector demand revived in the third quarter of fiscal year twenty twenty six as prices declined, supporting volume growth across regions. The note indicated that sequential price correction helped replenish demand that had been subdued by elevated pricing earlier in the year. Nuvama quantified the price decline as a sequential correction that varied across states and segments, facilitating restocking by merchants and traders.

The report suggested that improved affordability after the price correction encouraged housing and infrastructure activity, with developers and contractors adjusting procurement plans. It added that regional dynamics varied, with some markets showing faster recovery while others remained reliant on seasonal construction cycles. Housing demand was driven by both affordable and mid segment projects, while infrastructure segment recovery was contingent on timely execution of public works.

Analysts at Nuvama assessed that the price moderation eased inventory pressures for manufacturers and distributors and supported margin stabilisation at several producers. Demand improvement was visible in both urban and rural segments, although the pace of recovery differed by state and trade channel. Producers were seen balancing price realisations with volume targets and managing input cost volatility through operational efficiencies.

The report recommended that investors monitor volumes and realisations closely as market equilibrium emerges in the coming quarters, noting that sustainability of recovery would depend on monsoon patterns and government infrastructure outlays. Overall, the assessment pointed to a cautiously optimistic outlook for the cement industry as price correction translated into tangible volume gains. Market participants were advised to track early signs of demand broadening beyond core construction hubs to assess the depth of the rebound.

Continue Reading

Trending News

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

 

Don't miss out on valuable insights and opportunities to connect with like minded professionals.

 


    This will close in 0 seconds