Concrete

Towards Sustainability: Slag Grinding Circuits

Published

4 years ago

March 1, 2022

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A detailed explanation of the joint approach of JSW Cement and the KHD Group helps in a better understanding on the acceptance of roller press in slag grinding and finish grinding.

JSW Cement has a strong commitment towards innovation in sustainability and technology to offer environment-friendly construction and building solutions. It is one of India’s leading ‘Green Cement’ manufacturers, growing exponentially since its inception in 2009. Today, after reaching a production capacity of 14 MTPA with minimum industrial bye product over the past 13 years, the group has a vision to build a self-reliant India by boosting the colossal infrastructure and fast-growing economy through projects that set benchmarks. The group aims to increase its production capacity to 75 MTPA by 2030.
In 2009, JSW ordered a 6000 TPD pyroprocessing line along with 8 roller presses for JSW’s first cement production facility at Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, for raw material grinding, clinker grinding and slag grinding applications. This whole plant was ordered with a belief in KHD Technology. Since then the long continued association between the two companies has been a success story.
In 2015, JSW decided to increase capacity and ordered 16 roller presses for slag and clinker grinding (each unit comprising 2 RP @ 1.2 MTPA). Given the success of the Nandyal project and the market uptake in the use of roller press technology, JSW contracted KHD-HWI to execute the project, at the centre of which was the supply of KHD’s new-generation, energy-efficient roller press circuit. JSW Cement installed new slag grinding circuit at Jajpur plant, Odisha, India, with a KHD Humboldt Wedag roller press system.

Going the high-tech way
With over 160 years of experience in the cement industry, KHD is considered a global leader in cement plant technology. The system offered by KHD Humboldt Wedag for slag grinding is the most energy efficient grinding machine. Special features of the circuit include includes Roller Press (RP 16-170/180), V-separator (VS 80/20) and the well-proven SKS dynamic separator (SKS-V3000).The advantage of this system is that higher capacity requirements are met with lower specific power consumption. The offered system had a lot of innovative design features like, latest generation SKS dynamic separator at lower level to reduce the overall building height, reduced recirculation load on bucket elevator and reduced dust nuisance with the orientation of RP above V-separator. The fresh feed is put to RP first and the roller press discharge material enters the V-Separator. The material is then separated in SKS Separator, The very coarse fraction is discharged at the bottom end of the SKS separator, entering the feed bin of the roller press for further grinding.
The finished product is separated by SKS Rotor and collected in the baghouse. A reduced recirculation load on the bucket elevator, reduced dust nuisance with the orientation of the roller press above the V-separator, and less dedusting equipment due to the system’s self-venting mechanism in the riser of the separator. Figure 1 gives the configuration of the system offered and remains the key highlights of the system.
The focus to use roller press in finish grinding to get maximum energy advantage as compared to any other grinding technology is taking an edge day by day. Apart from electrical energy focus the offered roller press stud surface has minimum wear and offers trouble and maintenance free operation. The stud technology is a boon for slag grinding wherein Tungsten Carbide Studs are fixed on the roller surface by pressing in pre-drilled rollers, which offers autogenous grinding and minimum wear. The life expected out of these roller surfaces varies from 25000 to 40000 hours of operations without any surface maintenance. Figure 2 gives a picture of a stud surface roller.

Operational performance
The operating results of the slag grinding system with the roller press in finish mode are summarised in Figure 3. As can be seen, the very purpose of opting for roller press technology for slag finish grinding was significant savings in electrical energy consumption compared to other technologies and were successfully achieved. Furthermore, after stabilisation within months’ time the production figures recorded were higher than the original guaranteed parameters.

Conclusion
JSW Cement uses superior quality slag produced at its steel manufacturing plant, conforming to IS: 12089 standards for producing PSC. It is created with a combination of upto 45- 50 per cent slag, 45 per cent – 50 per cent clinker, and 3-5 per cent gypsum. PSC has been voted as the most suitable cement for mass construction because of its low heat of hydration. At present, carbon footprints of JSW are the lowest per tonne of cementitious products produced by the company.

During the year 2020-21, JSW Cement’s overall average net scope-1 CO2 emissions is 200 kg CO2/tonne of cementitious material, which is best in the industry. The steps to this achievement definitely goes to the meticulous approach of methodologies and technologies adopted to produce the desired quality of cementitious materials. Today, slag
grinding acceptance of roller press in finish grinding is well recognised throughout the cement industry. In the case of slag grinding, acceptance of roller press in finish grinding is well recognised. It offers a distinct advantage of saving of about 6-7 Kwh/t as compared to Vertical Roller Mill at 4200 Blaine. KHD has sold 27 Sag Grinding Circuits and maintains about 70 per cent market share in slag grinding in India. The advantage comes due to hardness of slag and pressure grinding in roller press instead of attrition and low pressure in Vertical Roller Press. The moisture issue is also tackled with the problem of coating by incorporating a V-separator below the roller press.

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Concrete

NDMC Rolls Out Intensive Sanitation Drive Across Lutyens Delhi

Municipal body intensifies cleaning and monitoring across the capital

Published

17 hours ago

March 13, 2026

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The New Delhi Municipal Council has launched an intensive sanitation drive across Lutyens’ Delhi, aiming to raise cleanliness standards in the capital’s central precincts. The programme will combine enhanced manual sweeping with mechanised cleaning and systematic waste removal to cover parks, heritage precincts and prominent thoroughfares. Authorities described the initiative as a sustained effort to improve public hygiene and reduce environmental hazards while maintaining the area’s civic image.

Operational teams have been instructed to prioritise drain clearing and litter hotspots, with special attention to markets and transit nodes that attract heavy footfall. Coordination with city utilities and waste processing units will be stepped up to ensure timely collection and disposal, and supervisory rounds will monitor adherence to cleaning schedules. Officials also intend to use data-driven planning to deploy resources efficiently and to identify recurring problem areas.

The council plans to engage resident welfare associations and business stakeholders to foster community participation in maintaining cleanliness and to support behavioural change campaigns. Public communication will be amplified through notices and outreach to encourage responsible waste handling and to inform residents about collection timings and segregation norms. Enforcement measures for littering and unauthorised dumping will be reinforced as part of a broader strategy to deter violations and sustain cleanliness gains.

The move reflects a focus on urban sanitation that officials link to public health priorities and to the city administration’s commitment to maintaining civic amenities. Monitoring mechanisms will include regular reporting and inspections to review outcomes and to recalibrate operations where necessary, according to municipal sources. The council emphasised that continued community cooperation will be essential for the drive to deliver lasting improvements in the appearance and hygiene of the capital’s core areas.

Concrete

UltraTech Appoints Jayant Dua As MD-Designate For 2027

Executive named to succeed current managing director in 2027

Published

4 days ago

March 10, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has appointed Jayant Dua as managing director (MD) designate who will take charge in 2027, the company announced. The appointment signals a planned leadership transition at one of the country’s largest cement manufacturers. The board has set a clear timeline for the handover and has framed the move as part of a structured succession plan.

Jayant Dua will be referred to as MD after assuming the role and will be responsible for overseeing operations, strategy and growth initiatives across the company’s network. The company said the designation follows established governance norms and aims to ensure continuity in executive leadership. The appointment is expected to allow a phased transfer of responsibilities ahead of the formal changeover.

The decision is intended to provide strategic stability as UltraTech Cement navigates domestic infrastructure demand and evolving market dynamics. Management will continue to focus on operational efficiency, capacity utilisation and cost management while aligning investments with long term objectives. The board will monitor the transition and provide further information on leadership responsibilities closer to the effective date.

Investors and market observers will have time to assess the implications of the announcement before the change is effected, and analysts will review the company’s outlook in the context of the succession. The company indicated that it will communicate any additional executive appointments or organisational changes as they are finalised. Shareholders were advised to refer to formal filings and company releases for definitive details on governance or remuneration.

The leadership change will be managed with attention to stakeholder interests and operational continuity, and the company reiterated its commitment to delivery on ongoing projects and customer obligations. Senior management will engage with employees and partners to ensure a smooth handover while maintaining focus on safety and compliance. Further updates will be provided through official investor communications in due course.

Concrete

Merlin Prime Spaces Acquires 13,185 Sq M Land Parcel In Pune

Rs 273 crore purchase broadens the developer’s Pune presence

Published

1 week ago

March 6, 2026

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Merlin Prime Spaces (MPS) has acquired a 13,185 sq m land parcel in Pune for Rs 273 crore, marking a notable expansion of its footprint in the city.

The transaction value converts to Rs 2,730 mn or Rs 2.73 bn.

The parcel is located in a strategic area of Pune and the firm described the acquisition as aligned with its growth objectives.

The deal follows recent activity in the region and will be watched by investors and developers.

MPS said the acquisition will support its planned development pipeline and enable delivery of commercial and residential space to meet local demand.

The company expects the site to provide flexibility in product design and phased development to respond to market conditions.

The move reflects an emphasis on land ownership in key suburban markets.

The emphasis on land acquisition reflects a strategy to secure inventory ahead of demand cycles.

The purchase follows a period of sustained investor interest in Pune real estate, driven by expanding office ecosystems and residential demand from professionals.

MPS will integrate the new holding into its existing portfolio and plans to engage with local authorities and stakeholders to progress approvals and infrastructure readiness.

No financial partners were disclosed in the announcement.

The firm indicated that timelines will depend on approvals and prevailing market conditions.

Analysts note that strategic land acquisitions at scale can help developers manage costs and timelines while preserving optionality for future projects.

MPS will now hold an enlarged land bank in the region as it pursues growth, and the acquisition underlines continued corporate appetite for measured expansion in second tier cities.

The company intends to move forward with detailed planning in the coming months.

Stakeholders will assess how the site is positioned relative to existing infrastructure and connectivity.