Connect with us

Concrete

Paving the way for a carbon-negative cement industry

Published

on

Shares

Sanjay Wali, National Sales, Marketing & Logistics Head, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, discusses the in-roads the company has made in making production processes more sustainable and in making cement a greener product.

For 80 years, we followed a growth path that mirrored India’s promise and growth opportunities. Our philosophy of ‘Clean and Green is Profitable and Sustainable’ has helped us deliver on the expectations of our stakeholders, create sustained value for the larger ecosystem and show the way for responsible growth to others. Our focused product strategy has been a critical factor propelling us to the leadership position in the manufacturing of green cement. 

Leading the sector’s green movement 

Sustainability led growth has always been our top priority. We are committed to becoming carbon negative by 2040, and for this very purpose, we created a roadmap to bring down our carbon footprint. Our carbon footprint at 492 kg CO2/ tonne of cement (specific net CO2) is one of the lowest group averages in the global cement sector. We installed 9.90 MW of solar and 21.70 MW of Waste Heat Recovery based power generation systems and plan to significantly increase solar and Waste Heat Recovery power generation to run our operations with more fossil-free electricity by the end of FY23. Through our continuous efforts and by proposing to use 100 per cent renewable energy by FY30, we are well on our way to leading the green movement within the sectors we operate in. 

Responsible production and consumption

We understand that with leadership, comes responsibility. Therefore, as a leading proponent of ‘Green Cement’, we consume the waste produced by other industries and ensure that the waste produced at our facilities, both hazardous and non-hazardous is disposed-off as per legal requirements and in a responsible manner. In FY21 we utilised 7.83 million tonnes of alternative cementitious material and 0.2 MnT alternative fuels, which includes industrial wastes, for the pyro process. Both these waste categories were sourced from other companies. In comparison to this, the waste generated and disposed of by us stands at a mere 10,245 tonnes. 

Encouraging stakeholder partnership towards a net-zero pathway 

We recognise the importance of reducing carbon emission causing global warming and are committed to climate protection to become a carbon negative cement group by 2040. We are one of the first few cement companies to commit to the Mission Possible Partnership setting science-based targets, and join the First Mover’s Coalition as founding members. Our defined ambition is to become carbon negative by 2040, beyond net-zero and well before the cement sector roadmap’s 2050 targets. We are proud to declare that as of FY21, we are already well below the current global Net Zero pathway target for the cement sector.

Click here to read more

Concrete

Construction Costs Rise 11% in 2024, Driven by Labour Expenses

Cement Prices Decline 15%, But Labour Costs Surge by 25%

Published

on

By

Shares



The cost of construction in India increased by 11% over the past year, primarily driven by a 25% rise in labour expenses, according to Colliers India. While prices of key materials like cement dropped by 15% and steel saw a marginal 1% decrease, the surge in labour costs stretched construction budgets across sectors.

“Labour, which constitutes over a quarter of construction costs, has seen significant inflation due to the demand for skilled workers and associated training and compliance costs,” said Badal Yagnik, CEO of Colliers India.

The residential segment experienced the sharpest cost escalation due to a growing focus on quality construction and demand for gated communities. Meanwhile, commercial and industrial real estate remained resilient, with 37 million square feet of office space and 22 million square feet of warehousing space completed in the first nine months of 2024.

“Despite rising costs, investments in automation and training are helping developers address manpower challenges and streamline project timelines,” said Vimal Nadar, senior director at Colliers India.

With labour costs continuing to influence overall construction expenses, developers are exploring strategies to optimize operations and mitigate rising costs.

Continue Reading

Concrete

Swiss Steel to Cut 800 Jobs

Job cuts due to weak demand

Published

on

By

Shares



Swiss Steel has announced plans to cut 800 jobs as part of a restructuring effort, triggered by weak demand in the global steel market. The company, a major player in the European steel industry, cited an ongoing slowdown in demand as the primary reason behind the workforce reduction. These job cuts are expected to impact various departments across its operations, including production and administrative functions.

The steel industry has been facing significant challenges due to reduced demand from key sectors such as construction and automotive manufacturing. Additionally, the broader economic slowdown in Europe, coupled with rising energy costs, has further strained the profitability of steel producers like Swiss Steel. In response to these conditions, the company has decided to streamline its operations to ensure long-term sustainability.

Swiss Steel’s decision to cut jobs is part of a broader trend in the steel industry, where companies are adjusting to volatile market conditions. The move is aimed at reducing operational costs and improving efficiency, but it highlights the continuing pressures faced by the manufacturing sector amid uncertain global economic conditions.

The layoffs are expected to occur across Swiss Steel’s production facilities and corporate offices, as the company focuses on consolidating its workforce. Despite these cuts, Swiss Steel plans to continue its efforts to innovate and adapt to market demands, with an emphasis on high-value, specialty steel products.

Continue Reading

Concrete

UltraTech Cement to raise Rs 3,000 crore via NCDs to boost financial flexibility

UltraTech reported a 36% year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit, dropping to Rs 825 crore

Published

on

By

Shares



UltraTech Cement, the Aditya Birla Group’s flagship company, has announced plans to raise up to Rs 3,000 crore through the private placement of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) in one or more tranches. The move aims to strengthen the company’s financial position amid increasing competition in the cement sector.

UltraTech’s finance committee has approved the issuance of rupee-denominated, unsecured, redeemable, and listed NCDs. The company has experienced strong stock performance, with its share price rising 22% over the past year, boosting its market capitalization to approximately Rs 3.1 lakh crore.

For Q2 FY2025, UltraTech reported a 36% year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit, dropping to Rs 825 crore, below analyst expectations. Revenue for the quarter also fell 2% YoY to Rs 15,635 crore, and EBITDA margins contracted by 300 basis points. Despite this, the company saw a 3% increase in domestic sales volume, supported by lower energy costs.

In a strategic move, UltraTech invested Rs 3,954 crore for a 32.7% equity stake in India Cements, further solidifying its position in South India. UltraTech holds an 11% market share in the region, while competitor Adani holds 6%. UltraTech also secured $500 million through a sustainability-linked loan, underscoring its focus on sustainable growth driven by infrastructure and housing demand.

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