Concrete

Handling Clinker Efficiently

Published

3 years ago

April 10, 2023

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Justus Von Wedel, Managing Director, IKN Engineering, discusses clinker handling and clinker cooling systems that are avenues for innovation in terms of sustainability.

I KN Engineering have had a big impact on the cost and quality of the clinker that discharges from the kiln and is then being quenched in the coolers. They also have lower electric power consumption as they are operating with an activated stratified layer of clinker bed, a unique feature of their clinker cooler. The drive for the most part can be hydraulic but for the smaller units is electronic, so there they transfer electrical energy in forward motion most efficiently.
Their impact in the cement industry, in terms of sustainability, has been very large. From the company’s perspective, they continue to work on maximum efficiency and recuperation. The clinker cooler is the recuperator for the most and they cool the clinker in the most effective and sustainable manner making them more competitive in the market.
The kiln situation has an impact on the kiln operation and that has an impact on the cooler operation. So, the cooler can look very good if the kiln is producing a homogenous clinker and the cooler can look challenged if the kiln is producing a high fraction of boulders and fines from the kiln.
For the most part, granulised clinker is needed. When alternative fuels like petcoke with a higher sulphur content are used or there are raw materials used, which are not conducive to producing well granulised clinker. The fines are the most critical and challenging for any cooler manufacturer to deal with. However, because of the resistance and integrity of IKN Engineering, they are suitable to handle a larger proportion of fine clinkers than competition.

Fine clinker is the most challenging to handle for clinker coolers.

Overcoming and Adapting
The most challenging part of handling clinker is the one with the highest fraction of fines. Fine clinker is the biggest challenge as it is harder to handle, to distribute and to classify and it is more abrasive to corrosion. It is definitely more difficult to control a pile of sand than a well granulised clinker.
However, generalisation is not possible. We see that the fraction of fine clinker of cement is increasing globally because of the alternative fuel situation. Cement producers are also using raw materials that are cost effective and this is something that’s needed to look at on a cooler to cooler basis.
With regards to pyrolines adapting to green cement, IKN Engineering operates in a competitive environment, not just locally but globally, too. It pushes them to find a window of opportunity and the basis for anyone to compete in this playing field is to have a solid base of technology.
They strive for efficiency. They like complications. They make sure that what is produced in the kiln is a competitive and quality product. This requires their preheater, calciner, alternative fuel perspective meets technical expectations of no pressure drop, complete combustion, low emission and everything else. In this window, they have to adapt their technology and are constantly doing so. Project and product cycles in the cement industry are very long. Feedback loops take a long time; however, a solid technological basis and human factor allows them to be competitive in the market and deliver a quality product.

Technological Advancements
It is all about availability and optimisation.
The keyword is big data and providing the hardware and software environment to digest the enormous amount of data that one can collect and to superimpose the algorithm to sort through the data and project a trend, which is relevant for decision makers.
It is going to be another playing field that the company is going to put more resources in.
The technology is there for the most part it is meant to be. It is required that the company finds a cost-effective solution that will help them improve efficiency and availability. It can help their customers make better decisions.
We live in a globalised world and benefit from one another. India can teach the world to focus on efficiency and the will to succeed and produce and take millions out of poverty. Where India can perhaps benefit from other parts of the world is the alternative fuel. It is a huge gate they need to walk through because it would require infrastructure and policy changes. It has no quick fix and will be addressed case by case. The Indian cement industry will develop the sourcing of the alternative fuels in a manner that is applicable to technology providers as well, so that they can bring in their ideas and approach and handle a higher substitution rate. It will depend on how you define alternative fuels, but 100 per cent of alternative fuel substitution is within the reach. We have the technology and just need better focus on the infrastructure side to achieve this.

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Concrete

Dalmia Bharat Acquires Jaiprakash Associates Cement Assets for ₹2,850 Crore

Published

16 hours ago

May 25, 2026

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Dalmia Cement executed a Business Transfer Agreement with Jaiprakash Associates and Adani Infra, to acquire 5.2 MnTPA of cement capacity across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Dalmia Cement (Bharat) announced on May 22, 2026 that it had signed a Business Transfer Agreement with Jaiprakash Associates Limited and Adani Infra (India) Limited for the acquisition of cement plants located at Rewa in Madhya Pradesh and Churk, Chunar and Sadwa in Uttar Pradesh. The deal was struck at an enterprise value of ₹2,850 crore and is expected to close within two weeks of execution.

The acquired assets from Jaiprakash Associates include 5.2 MnTPA of cement capacity and 3.3 MnTPA of clinker capacity. The package also covers 99 MW of thermal power capacity and railway sidings at Rewa, Chunar, and a common siding at Churk. This infrastructure gives the acquisition immediate operational utility beyond just production tonnage.

The transaction has a long backstory. Dalmia Cement had originally entered into a framework agreement with Jaiprakash Associates in December 2022, covering the sale of these business assets along with a long-term clinker supply arrangement. However, before the deal could be completed, Jaiprakash Associates was admitted to insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The earlier agreements could not be consummated as a result.

In an official statement, Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director & CEO, Dalmia Bharat, said, “I am very excited about addition of these assets in our portfolio. This serves as a great strategic fit for Dalmia. It helps us move forward in our journey to be a pan India player and provide a strong head start to serve the high potential markets in Central region. I am optimistic that the expansion potential of these assets along with close proximity with Dalmia’s captive mines will help us create a capacity hub for the future”.

Following the approval of Adani Group’s resolution plan for Jaiprakash Associates under the IBC framework, Dalmia approached the new management to revive discussions. The fresh Business Transfer Agreement was executed to settle all pending disputes, legal proceedings, and arbitration matters arising from the original framework agreement with Jaiprakash Associates.

Expanding market reach

Dalmia added, “Our familiarity with these assets under the earlier tolling arrangement gives us a deep understanding of the facilities and helps us establish strong connect with channel partners and vendors. We believe that this will help us in faster ramp up of capacities and quicker inroads into the market. As we look forward, I am very confident that we will be able to leverage the strengths of Dalmia to operate these assets in a manner where we can maximise value creation for all our stakeholders.”

With the addition of these plants, Dalmia Bharat’s total installed cement capacity will rise to 54.7 MnTPA upon consummation. The company has further expansion projects underway at Belgaum, Pune, and Kadapa, which are expected to take overall capacity to 66.7 MnTPA by Q2 to Q3 FY28.

The Central India location of the Jaiprakash Associates plants gives Dalmia Bharat faster access to markets in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh than a greenfield build would have allowed. The company also cited debottlenecking and brownfield expansion as near-term opportunities at the acquired sites. Dalmia Bharat said the assets were expected to contribute positively to EBITDA and overall returns, given the pricing environment in the region and the company’s cost structure.

Concrete

30-Day Traffic Diversion In Place For CC Road Works In Madhapur

Diversions in place from May 16 for cement concrete road works

Published

3 days ago

May 22, 2026

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The Cyberabad Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory as road works begin for the laying of a cement concrete (CC) road from Jaya Shankar Statue to RRR Restaurant at Parvathnagar in Madhapur limits. The advisory indicated that traffic diversions will be in place for 30 days from May 16 to ensure the smooth flow of vehicles and to minimise congestion on the affected stretch. The measure aims to balance uninterrupted construction activity with the movement needs of commuters.

Traffic moving from Toddy Compound towards Parvathnagar village will be diverted at Parvathnagar junction towards Sunnam Cheruvu and the 100 feet road. Local motorists and public transport operators have been advised to follow the diversionary route as directed by traffic personnel on duty. Alternate routes and signage have been planned to mitigate delays and to manage peak hour congestion.

Police officials said the diversion had been planned to facilitate uninterrupted road works while maintaining traffic movement in the area. Commuters were urged to plan their travel accordingly and to cooperate with traffic staff managing the stretch. Authorities indicated that enforcement of diversions would be active and that violations could attract penalties.

The 30 day schedule is intended to allow contractors to complete the laying and curing phases with minimal interruption to vehicular flow. Residents and businesses in adjacent localities have been advised to factor the diversion into deliveries and travel plans. The traffic police promised continuous monitoring of the works and the operational diversions and emphasised that temporary inconvenience was necessary for longer term improvement of the road network. Traffic personnel will be stationed at key junctions and additional signage and temporary markings will be displayed to guide motorists and pedestrians through the revised alignments while public transport services will follow the diversion where feasible and operators have been asked to adjust timetables to minimise disruption.

Concrete

HeidelbergCement India Receives Consent For Khandwa Grinding Unit

Consent granted by Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board

Published

4 days ago

May 21, 2026

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HeidelbergCement India (HeidelbergCement India) has received regulatory consent to establish a cement blending and grinding unit at Village Dongaliya, Tehsil Punasa, District Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh. The consent was granted by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and is dated 17 May 2026. The company disclosed the development in a filing made under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

The project plan envisages procurement of long term availability of fly ash and the allotment of land on lease for setting up the unit. The proposed facility is described as a blending and grinding installation which will process cementitious materials sourced from nearby operations and suppliers. Company filings state the measures required to secure raw material logistics and statutory compliance before commencing construction.

The addition of a grinding unit in Khandwa is intended to strengthen regional supply and improve logistical efficiency by reducing haulage distances for finished product. The unit is expected to complement existing capacities in central India and to offer flexibility in product mix through blending operations. The reliance on fly ash as a supplementary cementitious material will necessitate long term supply agreements with thermal power producers and coordination with waste utilisation policies.

The disclosure to the regulator and to the stock exchanges follows standard corporate governance practice and aims to keep investors apprised of capital expenditure initiatives. The company indicated that subsequent permits and clearances would be sought in accordance with applicable environmental and land use rules. The project is presented as part of HeidelbergCement India’s broader strategy to optimise capacity distribution and to respond to regional demand dynamics.