Concrete
Cement Packaging : A Crucial Step in Getting Cement to End Consumers
Published
3 years agoon
By
admin![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Untitled-2.jpg)
Packaging, across the value chain of cement operations, is a crucial process. ICR explores the various aspects of cement packaging, and its different types, while assessing the challenges and innovations that are expected in the future.
India is one of the largest producers of cement. With the ongoing infrastructural development in the country, the demand is ever rising for cement. Similarly, India also exports a significant amount of cement. Cement from the manufacturers must travel the lengths of the country to reach the users and cross borders during export. This requires strong packaging to avoid coming in contact with moisture and prevent wastage due to leakage. Once cement comes in contact with moisture it turns into concrete and that makes it of no use.
Packaging of cement plays a crucial rule in the process of taking it from the makers to the consumers. Manufacturer’s source highest grade technology and packaging material to protect their product from damage, wastage and to reach the end user in an unharmed manner. Packaging happens at the last leg of the cement manufacturing process. Cement is extracted from the silo bottom by aeration and transported to electronic packing machines by air slides and bucket elevators. Cement is packed in 50 kg packs, and HDPV bags or paper bags are used as per the customers’ requirement. Electronic packing machines are calibrated to deliver the correct weight.
The constant demand of good packaging material for cement gives way to two industries – the technology developers for automation of packaging and packaging material industry. According to a study conducted by the Data Bridge Market Research, the global cement packaging industry is expected to grow at a rate of 3.4 and from 2021 to 2027. This growth shall be credited to the increasing demand from construction industry, surging application of paper bags as it provides ease of printability and replacement of conventional plastic bags. On the other hand, evolution of advanced products will further create new and ample opportunities for the growth of cement packaging market in the above-mentioned forecast period. This will also be seen in the sustainable packaging solutions vertical over the years to come as that demand is growing in most sectors related to cement.
Standards and types of packaging bags for the cement industry
The industry largely uses Polypropylene bags for packaging of cement as it offers protection from moisture and strength to packaging. There are various categories of polypropylene bags available with coatings, linings etc. PP plain woven bags are simple bags made out of plastic and stitched together with to hold cement. The next type is PP lined bags that have an extra lining of plastic in the inside which protects cement from coming in contact with moisture. Next, are the laminated PP bags that have an extra layer of poly film on them. Their strength is higher than simple woven bags and provide greater resistance to air coming in touch with cement. They also give way to bigger branding and storing of cement in uncovered storages.
The higher quality in laminated bags is the BOPP laminated bags. BOPP stands for Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene. It is a layer that is added as an extra layer to the PP woven bags to enhance its strength. BOPP laminated bags have higher durability and are attractive and durable. These bags are primarily used to store and transport multiple contents, including grains, animal feed, and fertilizers.
PP Woven bags have various advantages when put in use for storing cement. They are highly chemical and weather resistant. They have high tear strength, which enables it to carry heavyweight materials. PP woven bags are 100 per cent reusable and have high durability making it the less pollutant product compared to other packaging bags.
Quality control for cement packaging is very important. The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) has set norms for cement packaging. As per Cl 9.2 of IS 455: 1989, the average net mass of cement per bag shall be 50 kg. The average net mass of cement per bag may also be 25 kg subject to tolerances and packed in suitable bags as agreed to between the purchaser and the manufacturer. Similarly, as per Cl 10.2 of IS 1489 (Part 1): 1991 and IS 1489 (Part 2): 1991, the average net mass of cement per bag shall be 50 kg. The average net mass of cement per bag may also be 25 kg subject to tolerances and packed in suitable bags as agreed to between the purchaser and the manufacturer. Also, as per IS 8112: 1989, the average net mass of cement per bag may also be 25 kg, 10 kg, 5 kg, 2 kg or 1 kg, subject to tolerances and packed in suitable bag as agreed to between the purchaser and the manufacturer.
The history of cement bags has seen advancement and evolution. Up to 1970s, all cement bags used to be made of jute, which had zero moisture resistance and was prone to high spillage during handling and transportation. Since then, the switchover has been to plain woven polypropylene (PP) sacks. To upgrade PP bags, the concept of lamination was introduced which came with increase in packaging and handling cost. Some manufacturers are also using BOPP laminated bags to enhance brand value.
The technology of cement packaging
The process of cement manufacturing is incomplete till the end product i.e., is packed in bags and is ready to be shipped out. This process takes place with the help of machine and equipment in an automated process. They are mainly used to complete the automatic packing of cement and other powder materials with good fluidity, such as fly ash, gypsum powder, cement additives, etc.
These machines can be classified as a fixed type and rotatory type. The fixed type usually has 1-4 cement discharging nozzles. The rotary type includes 6-14 nozzles and operates in a rotating way to realize the automatic cement bag filling.
With this machinery, cement bags are filled continuously through the discharging mouth by the impeller running at high speed. A weight is set for the filling and when the cement reached that set weight, a signal is transmitted to the main system and the filling is stopped. This process is electronically controlled; however, bags of the desired size are manually fed to the machine.
Automation of the bag filling process has various advantages like having a stable operation, giving uniformity and structure to the bags, clean and hygienic filling of cement bags, ease of maintenance and lesser mechanical faults.
Challenges faced by users of cement due to cement packaging
Karan Sabhlok, Director, Kamdhenu Realities says, “one of the major challenges we face is when the labour unloads the packages of cement using hooks which leads to tearing of the packages and further lead to spillage of cement. We buy 50 kg packs and while loading and unloading the cement falls from packages and the rest in the pack gets hard and due to coming in contact with air, the strength of cement also decreases”.
He suggests that, “Cement should be packed in 2 bags, outer bag on which we will attach the hook and the inner bag which should be of at least 50 microns so that it keeps the cement safe from air. Also, the hook on the outer bag should be attached near the stitching so that there is least amount of damage to the bag”.
Some of the common challenges that users of cement like construction workers and builders face are wastage, leakage and tearing of cement bags while handling them. They are looking for cement manufacturers to provide stronger packaging materials or provisions where hooks can work without causing damage.
Throwing some more light on the challenges faced by builders Raj Kamal Yadav, General Manager – Strategy, Lodha Group says, “Cement industry uses unlaminated polypropylene bags with valves which allows them to pack cement very easily and fast, Since the bags are without lamination so cost of bags is low. However, the use of hooks in their logistics during the loading and unloading of cement causes tearage and leakage. These bags also have lower UV resistance and when placed in sunlight leads to cement losing its strength”.
These issues direct the cement packing industry to strive for innovation in packaging that can lead to lesser wastage and more ease of use.
Cement packaging taking a sustainable route
Cement manufacturers are moving towards paper packaging and makers of packaging are trying everyday to make cement packing material better for the environment and sustainable. While innovations are on the way, it is imperative that the environment is protected from the waste that may happen with used plastic bags.
Alpesh Patel, Managing Director, Knack Packaging says, “Every cement manufacturing company must ensure that used cement bags must be collected and either sent back for recycling or must be used as fuel in their kilns. This way they prevent waste accumulation in the ground and reduce the usage of natural resources for fuel supporting the environment.”
It is a question to dwell upon if the industry shall lean towards paper packaging that is recyclable, better in aesthetics, supports branding and is cost effective but does not protect cement well enough from environmental factors like moisture or they shall lean towards plastic sacks that do protect cement from moisture but produce larger amount of dust and are more prone to leakages.
Kanika Mathur
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/logo2.png)
You may like
-
JSW Cement Targets Doubling of Cement Grinding Capacity
-
Adani Entity Sells 2.76% Stake in Ambuja Cement for Rs.42.51 Bn
-
Cement Sector to Invest Rs.1.25 Trillion in Capex by FY27: CRISIL
-
India’s Cement Sector to Invest Rs.1.25Tn in FY25-27
-
From Clinker to Cement
-
Supreme Court Clears Retro Tax Payment for Steel, Cement Giants
Concrete
Indian cement makers to invest $ 14.3 bn
The bulk of this growth will come from the top-three cement producers–Ultratech, Ambuja and Shree Cement
Published
1 day agoon
September 6, 2024By
admin![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_1598869b71fe58a3e84657073ae691530befc.webp)
Indian cement manufacturers are set to invest approximately USD 14.3 billion over the next four years to increase capacity by 25 %. This move, driven by rising domestic demand, is expected to add an additional 160-170 million tons of cement production annually. The industry’s expansion will be predominantly funded through internal accruals, with minimal reliance on debt. The expansion is spurred by government’s massive infrastructure push, with plans to invest USD 1.7 trillion in infrastructure projects by 2030. According to S&P Global Ratings, the demand for cement in India is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 % over the next four years, aligning with the planned capacity additions.
The bulk of this growth will come from the top-three cement producers–Ultratech, Ambuja and Shree Cement, which will account for over 70 % of the country’s total capacity increase. This expansion equates to an annual capital expenditure of close to Rs 300 billion, which will be more than double the average annual capex of the past decade. The leading cement companies, which produce 70 % of India’s total cement output, are in a strong financial position to support this expansion. Rising cement prices have bolstered their balance sheets, allowing them to reduce debt significantly while maintaining robust cash flows.
Concrete
SEBI Places JSW Cement’s Rs.4,000 Cr IPO on Hold
SEBI halts JSW Cement’s ?4,000 crore IPO.
Published
3 days agoon
September 4, 2024By
admin![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_15861edf0cbce00d827e8f8df160f0c62d279.webp)
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has placed the proposed ?4,000 crore Initial Public Offering (IPO) of JSW Cement on hold, citing regulatory concerns. This development comes as a significant pause in the cement manufacturer’s plans to raise capital through the public markets, a move that was expected to bolster its expansion and growth strategies in the competitive construction sector.
IPO Overview: JSW Cement, a key player in the Indian cement industry, had announced its intentions to launch a ?4,000 crore IPO. The offering was aimed at raising funds to support the company’s ongoing expansion projects, reduce debt, and improve operational efficiency.
SEBI’s Decision: SEBI, the regulatory body overseeing the capital markets in India, has decided to withhold its approval for the IPO. The decision was made after careful scrutiny of the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) submitted by JSW Cement. While specific reasons for the hold have not been disclosed, it is understood that SEBI has sought further clarifications on certain aspects of the filing.
Impact on JSW Cement: The postponement of the IPO is likely to impact JSW Cement’s financial planning and expansion initiatives. The company had intended to use the proceeds from the IPO to fund new projects, including the construction of additional cement plants, modernization of existing facilities, and investments in sustainable practices.
Market Reactions: The decision by SEBI has led to a cautious response in the market. Investors and market analysts are closely monitoring the situation, as the delay could affect investor sentiment towards the company and its future fundraising efforts. The construction sector, which heavily relies on capital-intensive projects, may also be impacted by this development.
SEBI’s Concerns: SEBI’s decision to put the IPO on hold highlights the regulatory body’s commitment to ensuring transparency and investor protection in the capital markets. The regulator may be seeking additional information regarding JSW Cement’s financials, corporate governance practices, or other disclosures to ensure that the IPO meets all necessary requirements.
JSW Cement’s Response: JSW Cement is reportedly working closely with SEBI to address the concerns raised and to provide the required clarifications. The company remains optimistic about receiving the necessary approvals in due course and proceeding with the IPO as planned.
Industry Context: The Indian cement industry has seen significant activity in recent years, with companies looking to expand their capacities to meet growing demand. IPOs have become a popular route for raising capital, allowing companies to fund expansion and reduce debt. However, the regulatory environment remains stringent, with SEBI playing a crucial role in maintaining market integrity.
Future Prospects: While the IPO is currently on hold, JSW Cement’s long-term growth prospects remain robust, driven by its strong market position and ongoing investments in capacity expansion. The delay in the IPO may prompt the company to explore alternative fundraising options, such as debt financing or private equity, to meet its immediate capital needs.
Regulatory Environment: SEBI’s decision underscores the importance of regulatory compliance in the IPO process. Companies looking to tap the capital markets must ensure that their disclosures are thorough and transparent, meeting all regulatory standards to gain investor confidence.
Conclusion: The hold placed by SEBI on JSW Cement’s ?4,000 crore IPO is a reminder of the challenges that companies face in navigating the regulatory landscape. While this may delay the company’s fundraising plans, it also provides an opportunity to strengthen its disclosures and align with regulatory expectations, ultimately benefiting both the company and its investors.
JSW Cement now faces the task of addressing SEBI’s concerns to move forward with its IPO, a crucial step in its growth trajectory within the Indian cement industry.
Concrete
Smart Building Choices: Enhancing Life with Green Practices
Smart Building Choices: Enhancing Life with Green Practices
Published
4 days agoon
September 3, 2024By
admin![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/hqdefault-61829.jpg)
The Rise of Sustainable Building
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
Building Smarter with Sustainable Materials
The Power of Local Materials
Innovative Approaches to Green Building
Water Conservation
Eco-Blueprints: Mastering Sustainable Construction
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_1598869b71fe58a3e84657073ae691530befc-80x80.webp)
Indian cement makers to invest $ 14.3 bn
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_15905152884652404de6b05ad3679ca9a71ee48ff4-80x80.webp)
Minister pushes for increased tariffs on Chinese steel imports
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_15861edf0cbce00d827e8f8df160f0c62d279-80x80.webp)
SEBI Places JSW Cement’s Rs.4,000 Cr IPO on Hold
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/hqdefault-61829-80x80.jpg)
Smart Building Choices: Enhancing Life with Green Practices
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_c07cd2960bc89f94e213d665d84a6f97-80x80.webp)
Sebi places JSW Cement’s Rs 40 Bn IPO on hold
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_1598869b71fe58a3e84657073ae691530befc-80x80.webp)
Indian cement makers to invest $ 14.3 bn
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_15905152884652404de6b05ad3679ca9a71ee48ff4-80x80.webp)
Minister pushes for increased tariffs on Chinese steel imports
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_15861edf0cbce00d827e8f8df160f0c62d279-80x80.webp)
SEBI Places JSW Cement’s Rs.4,000 Cr IPO on Hold
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/hqdefault-61829-80x80.jpg)
Smart Building Choices: Enhancing Life with Green Practices
![](https://indiancementreview.com/wp-content/uploads/s_c07cd2960bc89f94e213d665d84a6f97-80x80.webp)