Concrete

Handling Clinker Efficiently

Published

4 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

Meghalaya Cabinet Approves MCCL Closure, Writes Off Rs. 244.3 mn

Cabinet approves winding up of state-owned cement company

Published

1 day ago

October 19, 2026

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The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the closure and winding up of Meghalaya Cherra Cement (MCCL), a state-owned cement company, with pending liabilities of approximately Rs. 244.3 mn to be written off as part of the process. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on October 13, 2026.

The approved write-off comprises about Rs. 89 mn in sales tax dues and Rs. 155.3 mn in royalty dues. The Cabinet’s decision addresses the liabilities that remained after the company’s operations and enables the government to proceed with its formal closure.

Sangma said employee dues owed by MCCL had been settled in line with the state government’s commitment. The settlement of employee-related liabilities is a key part of the winding-up process and removes outstanding obligations to the company’s workforce.

The Chief Minister explained that MCCL is owned by the government, meaning the pending liabilities would otherwise involve transfers between the state government and its departments. Writing off the dues is intended to simplify the accounting and administrative steps required to complete the closure.

The decision is also intended to ensure that the winding-up does not create an additional financial burden for the state government. With employee payments settled and the sales tax and royalty liabilities addressed through the approved write-off, the Cabinet’s approval marks a further step towards completing the formal closure of MCCL.

The action follows the state government’s decision to discontinue the company and resolve its outstanding obligations through an orderly winding-up process. The approved measures cover the principal liabilities identified for settlement and allow the government to advance the remaining formal procedures associated with closing the state-owned enterprise.

Concrete

Fornnax Wins AIRIA’s Special Export Award for Rubber Machinery in 2025-26

Published

1 day ago

October 19, 2026

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Fornnax Technology Pvt. Ltd. has been honoured with the Special Export Award – Rubber Machinery for 2025–26 by the All-India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), in recognition of its highest exports of tyre recycling plants to the European region.

With more than a decade of experience in India’s tyre recycling industry, Fornnax has contributed to the development of advanced recycling technologies and infrastructure. The company currently holds a 90% market share in India’s domestic tyre recycling sector, while exports account for 30% of its business, spanning markets such as Europe, Australia and the GCC.

The award marks another milestone for Fornnax, whose tyre recycling lines and advanced shredding technologies are supporting the growth of the circular economy in India and international markets.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Founder and Director of Fornnax, said:

“This honour from AIRIA is a reflection of an incredible journey we have undertaken over the years. When we started Fornnax, there was no established recycling industry in India to follow. We chose to build for the future instead. Today, when you see India’s tyre recycling sector, it has already transformed into a dynamic, high-growth industry and we are extremely proud to have played our part in building it.”

Unlike standalone equipment suppliers, Fornnax focuses on developing complete, high-capacity recycling infrastructure. Its integrated systems combine multiple stages of shredding and size reduction to enable efficient, continuous operations. This system-level engineering approach helps recycling operators improve throughput, equipment reliability and operational consistency.

The recognition reinforces Fornnax’s commitment to developing engineering technologies that contribute to a more efficient and circular recycling ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its international presence while continuing to develop advanced shredding and recycling solutions to address the growing volumes and evolving requirements of the global recycling industry.

For more information, visit: www.fornnax.com

Concrete

Cement Prices Likely to Rise Rs. 10-15 per Bag from Mid-October

Input costs and steady demand may drive cement price increases

Published

6 days ago

October 14, 2026

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Cement manufacturers in India are likely to raise prices by Rs. 10-15 per bag from mid-October, as they seek to offset persistent increases in power and fuel costs. Emkay Research said its channel checks indicated a high probability of an increase from October 12, supported by the start of the busy construction season and favourable demand-supply conditions.

The sector had implemented similar rate adjustments of Rs. 10-15 per bag during the first quarter, but the increases were insufficient to cover higher operating costs. Prices also softened during July and August because of the monsoon, widening the gap between realisations and input expenses. Delayed plant expansion programmes have pushed clinker utilisation rates towards 79 per cent by FY28, helping to balance market fundamentals.

Emkay Research said steady volume offtake was supporting cement consumption, with non-trade demand driving activity across regional markets. Industry volumes are expected to grow by 7-8 per cent year on year during the first half of FY27, while demand momentum is projected to remain firm over the following 18 months. The outlook includes the busy construction season in the second half of FY27 and infrastructure activity linked to general elections in the first half of calendar year 2029.

The brokerage expects overall cement demand to record a compound annual growth rate of about 7 per cent between FY26 and FY28. However, elevated operating expenses are likely to continue weighing on profitability. Input costs have risen by Rs. 300-400 per t over the past six to seven months, with the full impact expected to become visible in second-quarter earnings and remain persistent through the second half of FY27.

Spot prices for petcoke and imported coal are approximately 20 per cent and 16 per cent above their second-quarter averages, at USD 175 per t and USD 150 per t, respectively. Packing costs have also increased, with polypropylene granule prices rising above Rs. 135 per kg. Emkay Research estimated that second-quarter earnings could decline by Rs. 200-250 per t sequentially because of higher fuel bills and negative operating leverage, and said the sector requires sustained price increases of about Rs. 10 per bag to offset cost inflation.