Economy & Market

ICR Annual Awards and Conference

Published

3 years ago

April 10, 2023

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As our team started gearing up for the Indian Cement Review annual awards and conference, we went through a series of interactions with industry leaders as they came on board with us as jury members and panel of experts. One of the key takeaways was decarbonisation of cement. It is non-negotiable and imminent. However, the major challenge for cement companies in decarbonisation is maintaining a healthy profit margin.
During its G20 presidency this year, India is pitching for an ‘Energy Efficiency Partnership for 2030′ initiative. This involved energy transition and energy security, and a feasible plan to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030. This means that India cannot afford to lag behind in its efforts or results, as the world is looking at us not only to follow global standards of carbon emissions but also to lead the fray.
Automation is the major driving force that can help cement companies reduce its carbon footprint. Apart from innovative technology, a change in mindset is required to help the industry adapt to automated formats of production rather than the age-old methods of manual interventions.
Turning a hard-to-abate industry such as cement into a sustainable one is not a short-term goal. It is an interconnected and interdependent enterprise that needs to be executed every day, in every department, at every level. Sustainable protocols have to be implemented from mining to usage stages, from sourcing of raw materials and fuels to automation of systems and from packaging to bulk distribution. Carbon capture, utilisation and storage has to be integrated without exception. And there should be open dialogues between the industry and the government on questions about carbon tax and carbon credit.
Given the governmental urban and housing development schemes that are underway, the demand for cement is set on its upward trajectory. It is, therefore, important to make this growth a sustainable one with due allegiance to the cause of climate change and carbon emissions. With ICR, the exchange of ideas will continue unabated as we help the industry steer its course with reduced carbon footprints towards Net Zero targets.

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WCA Welcomes SiloConnect as associate corporate member

Published

11 hours ago

April 13, 2026

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The World Cement Association (WCA) has announced SiloConnect as its newest associate corporate member, expanding its network of technology providers supporting digitalisation in the cement industry. SiloConnect offers smart sensor technology that provides real-time visibility of cement inventory levels at customer silos, enabling producers to monitor stock remotely and plan deliveries more efficiently. The solution helps companies move from reactive to proactive logistics, improving delivery planning, operational efficiency and safety by reducing manual inspections. The technology is already used by major cement producers such as Holcim, Cemex and Heidelberg Materials and is deployed across more than 30 countries worldwide.

Concrete

TotalEnergies and Holcim Launch Floating Solar Plant in Belgium

Published

11 hours ago

April 13, 2026

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TotalEnergies and Holcim have commissioned a floating solar power plant in Obourg, Belgium, built on a rehabilitated former chalk quarry that has been converted into a lake. The project has a generation capacity of 31 MW and produces around 30 GWh of renewable electricity annually, which will be used to power Holcim’s nearby industrial operations. The project is currently the largest floating solar installation in Europe dedicated entirely to industrial self-consumption. To ensure minimal impact on the surrounding landscape, more than 700 metres of horizontal directional drilling were used to connect the solar installation to the electrical substation. The project reflects ongoing collaboration between the two companies to support industrial decarbonisation through renewable energy solutions and innovative infrastructure development.

Concrete

Cortec® Corporation applauded for its strong safety performance

Published

11 hours ago

April 13, 2026

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Cortec® Corporation has been recognised for its strong safety performance, receiving its sixth Governor’s Workplace Safety Award for its outstanding performance in 2025. As a Silver Achievement recipient, the company continues to maintain safety metrics well above national industry averages, an impressive accomplishment for a chemical manufacturing organisation. This achievement reflects Cortec’s proactive approach to workplace safety, focused on early hazard detection and employee involvement. The company will be formally recognised at the Minnesota Safety and Health Conference in May, highlighting how industrial companies are effectively strengthening workplace safety standards.