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Moisture measurement in bulk solids including RMC

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Time Domain Refractometry (TDR) is a method used to measure the dielectric constant (water content) of a material.

Time Domain Refractometry (TDR) is a method used to measure the dielectric constant (water content) of a material. Metal conductors or rods are used as wave guides for the transmission of the TDR-signal. The device generates a high-frequency-pulse (up to 1GHz) which propagates along the wave guides at the speed near to light, generating an electromagnetic field around the probe. At the end of the wave guides, the pulse is reflected to its source. The resulting transit time from picoseconds to nanoseconds and dielectric constant provide an accurate measurement of moisture content. The moisture content is calculated inside the device and is available at standard analogue outputs.

IMKO, a German company, which part of the Endress+Hauser Group has developed a patented measuring method called TRIME® TDR method. With this technology it is possible to measure the transit time with a resolution of 3 picoseconds. The TRIME® TDR method has been successfully used more than 30 years in the process industry.

The TRIME® TDR -technique has an ideal measuring frequency between 600MHz and 1.2GHz and the measuring field penetrates deep into the material. The electromagnetic pulses generated in the TRIME device are high enough and constant for good resolution and accuracy of measurement. In addition, disturbing influences such as electrical conductivity have nearly no effect. Precise moisture can be measured in temperatures up to 120°C. TRIME® TDR technology is used in Solitrend product which helps to increase product quality and reduce energy efforts due to precise moisture measurement.

The senor used in Solitrend is in direct contact with the material. Calibration is a simple linear equation. Measurement field adapts itself to the shape of material and is quite large. It is also undisturbed by dripping water, air and dirt. The probes are extremely rugged for exceptionally long operational life. It also replaces time consuming lab analysis and manual sampling with continuous online measurement.

Both In line as well as portable probes measurements are available.

Application

  • The building industry. Moisture measurement in Ready Mix Concrete.
  • In line moisture content measurement in bulk material or goods like wood chips, pellets, animal food etc.
  • The glass and ceramics industry like silica sand, moulding sand, ceramics mass.
  • Food Industry. Malting plants, Corn, Sludge drying, Fluid bed dryers (inlet/outlet).

Limitations of other methods

Capacitance method – This method works with single measuring frequencies between 5-80MHz. The dielectric constant is influenced both by moisture and salinity. It is very difficult to distinguish between the two influences and precise moisture measurements are difficult to achieve.

Microwave method – The frequencies of microwave techniques are generally higher than 2GHz. This technique leads to loss in resolution and accuracy of measurement having negative influence on the readings.

Conductance or Resistance method – This method have very low measuring frequencies of about 4kHz. There is a strong influence of different salinity of the bulk material on the measurement. The difference in salinity is caused by different mineral contents temperature. Another problem of resistance method is the low penetration depth of the measuring field.

Near-Infrared method (NIR)-This method shows a very lower penetration depth and, therefore, considerable influences of material surface and thickness.

Scan the QR code for more information or write to us on info.in.sc@endress.com.

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Concrete

Andhra Pradesh Clears Rs. 30 bn My Home Cement Plant

Project receives incentives of up to Rs. 11.29 bn from state

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The Andhra Pradesh government has approved a greenfield cement project worth Rs. 30 bn by My Home Industries, along with incentives of up to Rs. 11.29 bn. The decision comes amid a political controversy in Telangana involving allegations about landholdings associated with My Home Group.

According to an Industries and Commerce Department order issued on September 25, 2026, the project is expected to create 2,000 jobs and begin commercial production by March 2029. The proposed facility will have capacity to produce 3.5 MTPA of clinker and 3.5 MTPA of cement.

The total investment includes fixed capital investment of Rs. 25.97 bn, pre-operative expenses of Rs. 2.23 bn, contingencies of Rs. 1.26 bn and working capital margin of Rs. 540 mn. The incentive package is capped at Rs. 11.29 bn, equivalent to up to 43.48 per cent of fixed capital investment, subject to completion of the committed investment by March 2029.

The package includes a capital subsidy of 39 per cent of eligible fixed capital investment, capped at Rs. 9.43 bn, payable over 10 years from the start of commercial production. It also provides reimbursement of Rs. 1 per unit on electricity purchased from distribution companies for 10 years, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 1.86 bn. A further incentive equivalent to 2 per cent of fixed capital investment is linked to the creation of the committed jobs and other policy conditions.

The state has approved the allotment of 27.19 acres through the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation at actual cost. The project also involves land linked to two temples and the realignment of a canal across approximately 9.93 acres, with conditions requiring alternative temple facilities and company-funded infrastructure work. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has separately raised allegations concerning land associated with My Home Group, including 2,463 acres near Shamshabad. The allegations remain subject to verification through official records and any investigations.

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Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas, CleanMax Partner for Wind-Solar Hybrid Project in Rajasthan

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The project – comprising 20 MW of wind and 26.4 MWdc of solar capacity – will support Nuvoco’s cement operations with cleaner power while strengthening its renewable energy and decarbonisation strategy.

Mumbai, September 29, 2026

Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, part of Nirma Group and one of India’s leading cement companies, has partnered with Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Limited (CleanMax), a renewable energy solutions provider for the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, to develop a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid renewable energy project in Rajasthan.

The project will support Nuvoco’s cement operations with cleaner power while strengthening its renewable energy and decarbonisation strategy. It is expected to increase the share of renewable energy in Nuvoco’s power mix, reducing fossil fuel consumption and associated emissions.

Developed by CleanMax, an Independent Power Producer (IPP), at Bhikamkhore, Rajasthan, the project will comprise 20 MW of wind capacity and 26.4 MWdc of solar capacity, along with a 2-MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Power generated from the facility will be supplied to Nuvoco through the State Transmission Utility (STU) Open Access network.

The hybrid project is expected to generate approximately 100 million units (MU) of renewable electricity annually and help avoid around 1,25,485 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

The initiative supports Nuvoco’s ongoing efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of its manufacturing operations through renewable energy adoption, Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS), energy-efficiency measures and increased use of alternative fuels. It also aligns with the company’s DIRE (Digitalisation, Innovation and Renewables) agenda, which focuses on climate action, renewable energy transition, water stewardship, circularity and biodiversity conservation across its manufacturing ecosystem.

Commenting on the initiative, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, said, “This marks an important step in advancing Nuvoco’s journey towards more sustainable and resilient operations. Our collaboration with CleanMax will increase the share of renewable energy across our Rajasthan operations, strengthening our energy mix while improving long-term cost efficiency and reducing our dependence on conventional power sources. Initiatives such as these reinforce our commitment to operational excellence and responsible growth, while supporting our vision of Building a Safer, Smarter and Sustainable World.”

Kuldeep Jain, Founder and Managing Director, CleanMax, said, “Cement plants run continuously, so the power behind them has to be dependable for decades, not years. We’re seeing manufacturing industries view clean energy as an integral part of their core operations and long-term strategy. Our partnership with Nuvoco reflects that shift, and we’re pleased to support its decarbonisation journey. This wind-solar hybrid project is designed to deliver long-term cost certainty while supporting the Company’s transition to cleaner power.”

Nuvoco has been advancing its sustainability initiatives through renewable energy, operational efficiency and technology-driven solutions. The company operates across Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMX) and Modern Building Materials (MBM) segments, with a presence across East, North and West India.

The company began operations in 2014 with a greenfield cement plant in Nimbol, Rajasthan, and later acquired Lafarge India Limited, which entered India in 1999, along with Emami Cement Ltd in 2020 and Vadraj Cement Limited in April 2025. With planned expansion initiatives, including a new grinding mill at the Arasmeta Cement Plant and multiple debottlenecking projects, Nuvoco aims to achieve a cement capacity of 35 MMTPA.

The company reported total income of Rs 113.62 billion in FY 2025-26, reflecting its continued growth trajectory. Its cement portfolio includes Concreto, Duraguard, Double Bull, PSC, Nirmax and Infracem brands, while its RMX business offers products under Concreto, Artiste, InstaMix, X-Con and Ecodure brands. Nuvoco also provides construction solutions under its Zero M range of modern building materials.

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Concrete

UltraTech Unit Runs Entirely on Green Energy

Kukurdih Cement Works meets its full electricity needs through green energy.

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UltraTech Cement has achieved a decarbonisation milestone, with its integrated Kukurdih Cement Works in Chhattisgarh meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through green energy every month since April 2026.
Commissioned in 2024, the plant has an installed grey cement capacity of 3.3 million tonnes per annum. It meets its entire electricity requirement through a combination of renewable power sourcing and Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS), while maintaining operational reliability.
Since April 2026, nearly a third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements. Five units, including Kukurdih Cement Works, have exceeded 95 per cent green energy utilisation.
UltraTech is also progressively deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across its manufacturing network to enable deeper integration of renewable energy. The company has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.
As of Q1FY27, UltraTech’s captive green energy capacity stood at 1,897 MW, comprising 1,463 MW of renewable capacity across solar, wind and hybrid sources, and 434 MW of WHRS capacity.
Under its RE100 commitment, UltraTech aims to increase green power’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050.

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