Connect with us

Concrete

“Cement packaging can be made much better and safer for the environment.”

Published

on

Shares

Alpesh Patel is the founder and managing director of Knack Packaging Pvt. Ltd. He established the company in 1993 and since then has been supervising and controlling all processes at the organisation. He also holds prominent roles in the industry as the Chairman of Plastic Export Promotion Council – Gujarat, Chairman of Indian Institute of Packaging – Ahmedabad and President of Poly Woven Association – Gujarat. He has been recognised with the Rashtriya Udhyog Ratna Award in Council for Economic Growth and Research for “Excellence in their respective field” in 2011. His philosophy is to keep learning, improving and growing.

What are the various types of cement packaging bags made by your company? Tell us more about the composition of the most used packaging material for cement?
There are three types of bags and the fourth is the new renovation. The first type of bag is a PP unlaminated bag, the second type is PP laminated coated bag and third type is BOPP laminated bag with block bottom. The issue with the PP unlaminated bags is that cement comes out of it often since it has a wall and due to which it also creates dust. The fourth quality of cement bag is a new product, known as pinch bottom bag. These are one of the world’s finest quality bags. It looks like a brick but the system of packing it is the same as the wall bag packing system. It does not have any leakages and is considered to be the best. I personally think that the third quality bags, BOPP laminated bags with block bottom are also great. They serve 98 per cent of what the pinch bags can do. Since during their packaging their mouth is open, that leaves little chance of leakage and that’s why they are just close to perfect.

What is the volume of cement packaging manufactured and consumed by cement companies in India?
I’ll tell you three things. We are producing 700,000 bags per day of which 150,000 bags per day are supplied to the cement industry on an everyday basis. This is a big question to answer but according to me, yearly about 60 to 70 crore bags are consumed by the cement industry. From these crores of bags, Knack Packaging supplies about 3 to 4 crores of bags to the manufacturers of cement.

Tell us more about the technology of manufacturing the bags used for cement packaging?
We use polypropylene (PP) granules to make the fabric of the cement packaging bags. These granules are selected on the basis of the type of bags that are to be made. This also falls under the textile industry since the granules are converted to a fabric like material but made of PP. You can consider just how shirts are made from a fabric, similarly, cement packaging bags are made from granule fabric.
We have the infrastructure to create the every size and type of cement packaging bags required by our customers.

How well are these bags equipped to protect cement?
When cement is packed in unlaminated bags, it causes a lot of dust and wastage on the packaging floor, while loading it and wherever it is stored. Even when these bags are carried to the place of construction, there is a certain amount of leakage. This happens due to the pressure with which cement is packed in these bags. Because of the coating on coated bags, cement comes out or is wasted only from the top and bottom where the bag is sealed off. In the third type of bags, the BOPP laminated bags, the wastage is significantly reduced. The material for the bags used is the same so it isn’t harming the environment. Since these bags have three layers, it not only prevents wastage, it also allows major branding.

What alternative materials are used to make cement packaging more eco-friendly?
PP unlaminated bags are made from PP granules. Then the coating on these bags is done with a material in the same family as that of PP. The BOPP print, in the third layer of the bags is also done from a material in the same family as PP. Various quality bags are made with layering of these materials. These materials are very easily recyclable and cause almost no harm to the environment. The bags can be reused as well, thus, reducing the wastage that may occur due to discarding one time use bags. These combinations are used with colour combinations to distinguish between bags.

What is the wastage that occurs in cement packaging? What is its volume?
According to the industry standard, there is only 2 to 3 per cent wastage in the manufacturing of cement packaging bags. This can also be greatly reduced by increasing the production efficiency in making the bags. However, this is the minimum amount of wastage in the industry possible.

Tell us more about the efforts taken to reduce the wastage in cement packaging?
Our industry has taken the initiative of recycling the waste that occurs during the production of cement packaging. Those 2 or 3 per cent of waste material is turned into granules and used again to make cement packaging fabric. This makes our wastage zero.
This is an initiative taken only by us at the moment and as the chairman of the Indian Institute of Packaging, I request all packaging makers to make this effort to leave the world a better place for the next generation. As leaders in the industry, it becomes our responsibility to lead the way of making this small effort to reduce the wastage in a big volume. Reprocess and reuse for a better tomorrow.

How can cement packaging be made more eco-friendly and contribute towards the betterment of the environment?
Cement packaging can be made much better, safer for the environment and supportive of the circular economy by developing ‘Reprocessing Plants’.
I have taken the effort to install these plants in all my group companies and have helped my fellow entrepreneurs and friends set up the same in their plants to make a difference for the environment. There are many internal processes that have wastage, that itself can be reprocessed and granulated and can be used to make the fabric of the next batch of packaging material or can be sold out where it can be used.

What are the innovations expected in the future for cement packaging?
There are some changes that will be seen in the packaging in the near future.
One would be small packaging of cement, i.e., 10 kg and 25 kg against the 50 kilo bags that are largely available in the current times. Bulk packaging would be avoided in the near future. The other would-be green packaging. This would mean 100 per cent biodegradable bags. And as we have also begun manufacturing pinch bottom bags, they are going to be big in the coming years. What I would like to add with this interview is value to the cement industry and a message to everyone in the cement industry and the cement packaging industry is to collect the cement bags back instead of putting them in waste. These used bags can be used in the kilns as fuel to be burned and create heat. This can save natural resources and thus result in reduction of natural disasters. Cement industry can be a large contributor to the protection of the environment and small steps like these can make a big difference for the future.

Kanika Mathur

Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

Published

on

By

Shares



FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

 

Continue Reading

Concrete

Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

Published

on

By

Shares



Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

Continue Reading

Concrete

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

Published

on

By

Shares



Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

To read the full article Click Here

Continue Reading

Trending News