Concrete

Keeping all gears in action

Published

4 years ago

March 7, 2022

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High performing lubricants, oils and greases are instrumental to the smooth working of a cement plant. Indian Cement Review takes a closer look at their contribution in enhancing productivity and helping companies achieve sustainability goals as well as the development of cost-effective bio-lubricants.

The cement manufacturing process is heavy duty. Activities such as carrying mined limestone on quarry belts to the pyroprocessor where clinker is produced at high heat levels cause immense load and severe operating conditions for equipment such as kilns, ball mills, conveyors and quarry-side mobile plants. The cement making machinery works around the clock, subjecting its components like gearboxes and bearings to overheating and premature wear and tear.

It is essential that care be taken and regular maintenance work be done for each of these equipment as the plant shall endure heavy financial and production losses if there is machinery failure, shutdown or loss of heat and energy in the mining area or manufacturing plants. To avoid such a situation and any unscheduled downtime, maintenance operators and managers invest in high performing lubricants, oils and greases that reduce the harm on machinery components.

Lubricants at work

Specially formulated lubricants are required at all stages of the cement making process, namely, extraction, crushing, conveying, grinding, clinker production, grinding and some general lubricants are needed for processes that happen in between.

Selecting the right lubricant for every machinery can be challenging. It isn’t about the equipment but the environment in which the machinery is operating that can vary from season to season depending on the plant’s location. This factor must be carefully considered while deciding which lubricants, oils or greases would work best for the machinery and the plant’s systems.

Productivity enhancement

Challenging operating conditions, continuous operations especially for the processing equipment such as the kilns, ball mills, conveyors and quarry-side mobile plants can lead to premature wear and tear or be subjected to overheating. Plant operators must maintain and choose the right lubricants to prevent any unscheduled downtime and costly additional maintenance, as well as safeguard their bottom line performance. Lubricants may cost upto 1 to 2 per cent of any cement company’s overall expense but play a key role in preventing major costs that may occur due to a faulty operation or shutdown.

Productivity of a cement plant is dependent on smooth operations, which in turn is dependent on the flawless functioning of plant machinery right from the point of extraction to packaging and exit of materials. Sustainability Goals
Specialty lubricants with innovative formulae have been created with research that help obtain operational excellence and support the balance of carbon emission in the industry. A systematic approach can lead the way of using these specialty lubricants in the cement plants if necessary to achieve the objectives.

Innovative lubricant manufacturers have developed cost-effective bio-lubricants. These eco-friendly lubricants can also be a great replacement for the lubricants that have graphite. It makes their handling and disposal safe for the work men and the environment.

Multiple organisations are putting in an effort to create lubricants with special formulations that support the intense conditions the machinery of a cement plant endures. From dust, water, pressure, vibrations or weight, the right lubricant applied in the correct manner can make productivity efficient, can avoid untimely shut downs and support the cement industry to make their processes run in a smooth and timely manner. It is essential that close attention is paid in selection of these lubricants as well as their maintenance, drainage and disposal.

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Niraj Cement JV Wins Railway and Metro Contracts

Two orders worth over Rs 1.64 billion boost infrastructure portfolio

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

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Niraj Cement Structurals (JV) has secured two major contracts from the Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), strengthening its position in large-scale infrastructure development.

The first contract, valued at Rs 815.2 million, has been awarded by NF Railway. It involves the construction of multiple-span 12.20-metre PSC slab underpasses, a major bridge (No. 727), retaining and guide walls, embankments and one minor bridge along the proposed UP and Down line near Deepor Beel. The project covers Km 163/00 to 164/200 between Azara and Kamakhya stations and forms part of the New Bongaigaon–Goalpara Town–Kamakhya (NBQ–GLPT–KYQ) railway doubling programme.

The second contract, worth Rs 826.6 million, has been awarded by MMRDA for constructing a foot overbridge (FOB) equipped with a travellator to improve connectivity between the SGMC monorail station and the Mahalaxmi metro and suburban railway stations.

The two projects underscore the company’s technical capabilities in both transportation infrastructure and environmentally sensitive construction, further strengthening its portfolio in key railway and urban mobility developments.

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Peddapalli MP Seeks Clear Timelines for Rs 42.10 Bn Projects

Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamshi Krishna has urged the Union Government to specify execution timelines for major infrastructure projects worth Rs 42.10 billion in his constituency.

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

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Peddapalli MP Gaddam Vamshi Krishna has called on the Centre to provide definitive timelines for a series of sanctioned infrastructure works that he said are essential for the region’s economic progress. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he stressed that many approved projects remain stalled without clear implementation schedules, limiting their potential impact on connectivity and employment.

A key pending work is the Peddapalli–Manuguru Railway Line, a 137 km stretch linking Peddapalli with Manuguru in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. Although the line has received required approvals and special project status, the execution schedule has not yet been announced. The project is expected to support freight efficiency, improve coal logistics, and strengthen local job creation.

Extending his appeal beyond physical infrastructure, the MP urged the Centre to consider including Peddapalli in the India Semiconductor Mission, citing the district’s industrial ecosystem, skilled workforce, and readiness to support advanced manufacturing.

By pressing for structured timelines, Krishna emphasised the need for coordinated planning and timely execution to advance the constituency’s long-term development goals.

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IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

A regional pre-summit event in Gandhinagar recently gathered leaders to advance AI for good governance.

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

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The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching theme of ‘AI for Good Governance: Empowering India’s Digital Future’.

The inaugural session featured key dignitaries including Bhupendrabhai Rajnikant Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat; Harsh Rameshbhai Sanghavi, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat; Arjunbhai Devabhai Modhwadia, Minister for Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat; Manoj Kumar Das, Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat; Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY and Director General, NIC; and Ponugumatla Bharathi, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat.

High-impact keynote sessions led by national and global experts from MeitY, Bhashini, Google Cloud, Microsoft, IBM Research, NVIDIA, Oracle and AWS examined themes including AI in governance, public service delivery, urban development, rural transformation, healthcare, agriculture, fintech and multilingual accessibility enabled through Bhashini.
Delegates also visited an Experience Zone curated by IndiaAI and DST Gujarat, which showcased AI solutions across governance, agriculture, health and industry.

By convening government, industry and academic stakeholders, the conclave aimed to strengthen India’s AI ecosystem through frameworks that prioritise trust, scalability and public interest. Insights generated from the event will contribute directly to the agenda and outcomes of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026.