Connect with us

Concrete

We are digitising the entire value chain

Published

on

Shares

Pankaj Phadnis, National Head – Retail, Infra.Market, speaks about digitisation, automation and omnichannel solutions for cement distribution in India.

What is the business model of Infra.Market?
Infra.Market is a profitable one-stop construction solutions company. With a vision of creating India’s largest multi-product building materials brand, it is transforming the entire supply chain through tech innovation. Our business model is quite unique as we cater to B2B, B2C, as well as B2R models. B2B services to institutional customers whereas B2C caters to direct customers via our stores across locations. With B2R, we mark our presence in various retail stores by ensuring they have the inventory of the best of best brands along with ours. This way, our products and services are penetrated in even the remotest geographical pockets, which makes our model truly unique and innovative.

What is the management tool used to manage customers and partners of your business?
Valued at $2.5 billion, Infra.Market is growing 5x year-on-year through rapid tech-innovation. Coupled with a strong team, customer-driven growth and a robust ecosystem of partners, we are swiftly moving towards our vision of building a category defining position across categories. An end-to-end construction solutions company, Infra.Market takes the entire procurement process online, ensuring quality, organising the vendor base, and bringing transparency in pricing; an industry-first tech platform in India.
We are digitising the entire value chain, right from identifying the prospective customer to the actual delivery of concrete to the end customer. Being tech-first has given us a competitive edge in the industry as we aim to leverage automation and make the end-to-end process seamless for our clients. Our tech-led platforms enable real time reporting and dashboards providing complete visibility around the supply chain thus helping in optimising the entire experience for customers.

Who are the likely customers of Infra.Market?
Making use of the idle capacities lying with manufacturers of construction goods, Infra.Market is a one-stop shop for infrastructure contractors looking for materials near their project sites. We operate in B2B, B2C, as well as B2R universe, which makes us accessible to anyone who requires construction materials to fulfil their needs. However, most of our clients are infrastructure companies, builders, conglomerates, contractors, government institutions, and architects. We leverage technology to provide an enhanced procurement experience throughout the construction ecosystem and largely focus on our private label brands. On the customer side, we aim to address concerns around pricing transparency, unreliable quality, fragmented vendor base, and inefficient logistics. While on the manufacturer’s side, it is ensuring higher capacity utilisation, steady demand, and better customer reach.

How do you store the products and further fulfil your orders?
We are available online as well as offline to meet our customers’ evolving demands. Our product line is quite varied as we offer everything from floor to ceiling, all under one roof. With over 108 SKUs, we have different product categories including walling solutions, tiles, sanitaryware, electricals, and lighting amongst others. Our differentiated model is such that we source inventories and later dispatch the requirement. We also have our mother depots located to serve our franchise stores across locations for hassle-free and timely supply.

What is the logistical plan for Infra.Market?
Logistics plays a critical role in a business like ours where there is a pressing need to ensure the timely delivery of the order for the client. Infra.Market is proud of its robust and technology driven logistics network. We have partnered with companies that leverage technology to fulfil our logistical demands where the order must be supplied to the client from the source. For the products that are to be deployed from our mother depos, we have our own logistical network. For instance, our transit mixers are used for RMC, dumpers for aggregates and sand and small lorries for other products are installed with GPS and other sensors to ensure that it can be tracked right up to the construction site. Besides this, we have also introduced e-ticketing to go paperless in
the future.

As a new mode of cement distribution, what are the challenges your platform faces?
Our product portfolio encompasses a wide range of products encompassing more than 108 SKUs apart from cement, which accounts for 25 per cent and gets facilitated by our principal companies. However, for other products, we have associations with key logistic partners for efficient last mile delivery. With Covid-19, businesses have become more adaptive to develop multi-pronged strategies and manage increased demand that is common with third-party collaboration. We have looked at automation and omnichannel solutions to fulfil the supply as we believe expedited delivery is no longer a luxury, but an industry standard.

How do you determine which brands are working for your platform?
Being a technology-first company, we leverage data to track the historical behaviour of our clients to determine which brands are most preferred by them. We analyse the demand patterns and forecast the industry trends based on historical behaviour. Additionally, we believe in thorough communication with our customers who happen to visit our franchise stores to understand their needs and facilitate well. We also keep a constant check on order fulfilment ratio and determine the nature of orders that we are receiving versus other brands. Besides this, to deepen our connection with clients, we are also tracking them on social and electronic media.

What promotional activities do you conduct to attract more partners and customers?
Being a next-generation company, we drive our efforts constantly towards online activities. The testimony of this is the number of queries we receive via our social media presence, be it Facebook, LinkedIn, or even WhatsApp. We also engage in offline promotional activities, given the nature of the sector, one-on-one conversations make plenty of difference. Our teams work on BTL activities along with connecting to architects, engineers, retailers, etc. to conduct demand generation activities. Additionally, owing to our relentless service and quality, word of mouth has been one of our greatest assets that help us get connected with various clients. We intend to increase our presence across product verticals and look at acquisition opportunities across the construction ecosystem to expand reach.

What is the outlook for Infra.Market?
Infra.Market has had quite a promising journey since inception. Despite Covid-19 restrictions, in the past two years the company has achieved exponential growth and currently has a pan India presence. Coupled with technology and enhanced customer experience, we have been able to build a differentiated offering in the country and are also catering to customers outside of India. Our focus will remain on being a tech-first with an aim to leverage automation and make the end-to-end process seamless for our customers. We are scaling up our digital adoption to create a resilient and robust ecosystem. With our industry-leading capabilities, resilient workforce, and a clear comprehensive strategy we aim to deliver consistent and profitable growth.

Concrete

India Sets Up First Carbon Capture Testbeds for Cement Industry

Five CCU testbeds launched to decarbonise cement production

Published

on

By

Shares



The Department of Science and Technology (DST) recently unveiled a pioneering national initiative: five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector, forming a first-of-its-kind research and innovation cluster to combat industrial carbon emissions.
This is a significant step towards India’s Climate Action for fostering National Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets and to achieve net zero decarbonisation pathways for Industry Transition., towards the Government’s goal to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2070.
Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) holds significant importance in hard-to-abate sectors like Cement, Steel, Power, Oil &Natural Gas, Chemicals & Fertilizers in reducing emissions by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial processes and converting it to value add products such as synthetic fuels, Urea, Soda, Ash, chemicals, food grade CO2 or concrete aggregates. CCU provides a feasible pathway for these tough to decarbonise industries to lower their carbon footprint and move towards achieving Net Zero Goals while continuing their operations efficiently. DST has taken major strides in fostering R&D in the CCUS domain.
Concrete is vital for India’s economy and the Cement industry being one of the main hard-to-abate sectors, is committed to align with the national decarbonisation commitments. New technologies to decarbonise emission intensity of the cement sector would play a key role in achieving of national net zero targets.
Recognizing the critical need for decarbonising the Cement sector, the Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division of Department launched a unique call for mobilising Academia-Industry Consortia proposals for deployment of Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) in Cement Sector. This Special call envisaged to develop and deploy innovative CCU Test bed in Cement Sector with thrust on Developing CO2 capture + CO2 Utilisation integrated unit in an Industrial set up through an innovative Public Private Partnership (PPP) funding model.
As a unique initiative and one of its first kind in India, DST has approved setting up of five CCU testbeds for translational R&D, to be set up in Academia-Industry collaboration under this significant initiative of DST in PPP mode, engaging with premier research laboratories as knowledge partners and top Cement companies as the industry partner.
On the occasion of National Technology Day celebrations, on May 11, 2025 the 5 CCU Cement Test beds were announced and grants had been handed over to the Test bed teams by the Chief Guest, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh in the presence of Secretary DST Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
The five testbeds are not just academic experiments — they are collaborative industrial pilot projects bringing together India’s top research institutions and leading cement manufacturers under a unique Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Each testbed addresses a different facet of CCU, from cutting-edge catalysis to vacuum-based gas separation.
The outcomes of this innovative initiative will not only showcase the pathways of decarbonisation towards Net zero goals through CCU route in cement sector, but should also be a critical confidence building measure for potential stakeholders to uptake the deployed CCU technology for further scale up and commercialisation.
It is envisioned that through continuous research and innovation under these test beds in developing innovative catalysts, materials, electrolyser technology, reactors, and electronics, the cost of Green Cement via the deployed CCU technology in Cement Sector may considerably be made more sustainable.
Secretary DBT Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Dr Ajai Choudhary, Co-Founder HCL, Dr. Rajesh Pathak, Secretary, TDB, Dr Anita Gupta Head CEST, DST and Dr Neelima Alam, Associate Head, DST were also present at the programme organized at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

Continue Reading

Concrete

JK Lakshmi Adopts EVs to Cut Emissions in Logistics

Electric vehicles deployed between JK Puram and Kalol units

Published

on

By

Shares



JK Lakshmi Cement, a key player in the Indian cement industry, has announced the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in its logistics operations. This move, made in partnership with SwitchLabs Automobiles, will see EVs transporting goods between the JK Puram Plant in Sirohi, Rajasthan, and the Kalol Grinding Unit in Gujarat.
The announcement follows a successful pilot project that showcased measurable reductions in carbon emissions while maintaining efficiency. Building on this, the company is scaling up EV integration to enhance sustainability across its supply chain.
“Sustainability is integral to our vision at JK Lakshmi Cement. Our collaboration with SwitchLabs Automobiles reflects our continued focus on driving innovation in our logistics operations while taking responsibility for our environmental footprint. This initiative positions us as a leader in transforming the cement sector’s logistics landscape,” said Arun Shukla, President & Director, JK Lakshmi Cement.
This deployment marks a significant step in aligning with India’s push for greener transport infrastructure. By embracing clean mobility, JK Lakshmi Cement is setting an example for the industry, demonstrating that environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with operational efficiency.
The company continues to embed sustainability into its operations as part of a broader goal to reduce its carbon footprint. This initiative adds to its vision of building a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
JK Lakshmi Cement, part of the 135-year-old JK Organisation, began operations in 1982 and has grown to become a recognised name in Indian cement. With a presence across Northern, Western, and Eastern India, the company has a cement capacity of 16.5 MTPA, with a target to reach 30 MT by 2030. Its product range includes ready-mix concrete, gypsum plaster, wall putty, and autoclaved aerated fly ash blocks.

Continue Reading

Concrete

Holcim UK drives sustainable construction

Published

on

By

Shares



Holcim UK has released a report titled ‘Making Sustainable Construction a Reality,’ outlining its five-fold commitment to a greener future. The company aims to focus on decarbonisation, circular economy principles, smarter building methods, community engagement, and integrating nature. Based on a survey of 2,000 people, only 41 per cent felt urban spaces in the UK are sustainably built. A significant majority (82 per cent) advocated for more green spaces, 69 per cent called for government leadership in sustainability, and 54 per cent saw businesses as key players. Additionally, 80 per cent of respondents stressed the need for greater transparency from companies regarding their environmental practices.

Image source:holcim

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