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Dust can adversely affect living organisms

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Pankaj Kejriwal, Whole Time Director and COO, Star Cement, shares how dust pollution is a severe problem and the efforts that are required to keep dust emissions in check.

What are the key areas where dust emission is prominent in cement manufacturing?
In the cement industry, dust is emitted from mining, transportation and many processes such as crushing of limestone, clinker production and storage, cement grinding and packing and power utilities (the coal mill and the power generators).

What are the measures taken to control the dust emissions at the cement plant?
Cement industry is one of the few industries where the dust generated is a value-added raw material and hence all cement manufacturers try to arrest the dust as it has its own pay back.
Generation of dust is being reduced by modification of transfer points, installation of efficient separators, modern cyclones, etc. Dust generation during mining and transportation is being reduced by effective water / mist / fog spraying. Modern mining equipment is deployed with dedicated dust separation systems. Electric/hydraulic equipped mining machinery is also being used to minimise the dust.
The cement industry has been modernised by introducing specific dedusting equipment used in the production, transport and storage processes. The installation is equipped with specific filters (bag filters or electrostatic filters). This has reduced the flue gas emission and amount of dust released into the atmosphere. The main dedusting machine is the state-of-the-art bag filter, which is available and guarantees a maximum emission of 10 mg/Nm3.
Truck mounted road/area sweeping machines are also operated to clean the dusty area. High pressure water spray systems are used to clean the tyres of vehicles moving inside the plant to minimise the fugitive dust emission.

Tell us about the regulations and compliance issued by the government for emission of dust particles in a cement plant.
In India, regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the respective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) deal with environmental issues. SPCB regularly inspects the cement plants/limestone quarries to verify compliance with emission norms. CPCB also inspects the cement plants to check compliance with emission standards under environmental surveillance squad activities. Cement plants also have to comply with the charter on Corporate Responsibility for Environment Protection (CREP).
The Indian cement industry must comply with the various environmental acts and regulations notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), etc., which covers different spheres of the environment, encompassing emissions of air pollutants, consumption of water, generation and discharge of trade effluents, utilisation and storage of hazardous waste, noise generation, utilisation of forest land and wildlife areas. For dust emissions, the following are applicable:

  • Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA)
  • The Factories Act, 1948
  • The Mines Act, 1952. Mines Rule 1955 and the Metallic Ferrous Mines Regulation 1961

These Acts/Regulations, together with some of the stringent conditions that are relevant for environment protection from industrial pollution are imposed by the pollution control boards. The government has made norms stricter for the cement industry, capping the stack emissions of PM to not more than 30 milligrams per cubic metre from 200 milligrams per cubic metre earlier. The 24-hour safe limits for ambient PM 2.5 and PM 10 are 60 ug/m3 and 100 ug/m3 respectively.

Tell us about the role of dust collectors in cement production?
Dust collector systems (Bag Filters, Electrostatic Precipitator, etc.) control the dust and gases from various sources during process at various stages, which helps to provide the factory with cleaner air that can provide numerous benefits. A dust collection system works by sucking air in from a given application and processing it through a filtering system so that particulate matter can be deposited into a collection area. Then the cleaned air is either returned to the facility or exhausted to the environment.

Where is the collected dust discarded?
After dust-filled air has been captured by a dry dust collection system, dust must be separated, collected, and disposed of. The dust collector separates dust particles from the airstream and discharges cleaned air either into the atmosphere or back into the workplace. The collected dust goes back into the process system as it is a value added product to cement. Nearly 100 per cent collected dust is recycled.

What is the impact of dust emission on the environment in and around the cement plant?
Dust pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matter or biological materials that cause harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms or cause damage to the natural environment.
Dust can adversely affect living organisms. Increased concentration of cement dust pollutants causes invisible injuries like progressive decline in the physiological process such as photosynthetic ability and respiration rate.

Can dust emission be qualified as a health hazard at a cement plant?
The point source emissions from the cement industry include particulate matter and gaseous emissions. Since the cement industry deals with various size reduction operations from limestone crushing to clinker grinding, dust emissions are a major pollutant. Gaseous emissions such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), etc., are generated during pyro processing. All of these are major health hazards at a cement plant, if not controlled and minimised.

How can automation and technology contribute towards reduction of dust emission?
It is necessarily required to put in place the latest technology, management systems and continuous online monitoring system that helps to routinely implement the activities that facilitate adherence to the emission norms prescribed under the pollution control legislation The real time data of online stack monitoring and Ambient Air Quality Management Systems (AAQMS) is published on the web for better monitoring and controlling.

Tell us about newer innovations that the cement industry is adapting to reduce the emission of dust and control the same.
Some of the sustainable new innovations for air pollution control methods followed by the Indian cement industry are:

  1. In bag filters, use of low air to cloth ratio and use of latest filter media/fabric in pleated/cartridge shaped filter bags. For bag filters, the use of membrane filter bags is a useful innovation.
  2. Installation of hybrid bag filter and electrostatic preceptors for more effective control of
    dust emission.
  3. Substituting clinker with fly ash/blast furnace slag/limestone, which is readily available and reduces dust emissions and fuel consumed for producing clinkers.
  4. Using alternative fuel resources.
  5. Co-processing, i.e., using waste materials as fuel by burning them in the high temperature of the kilns. This also effectively disposes of solid waste.
  6. Installation of Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS), in clinker production units.

-Kanika Mathur

Concrete

India Sets Up First Carbon Capture Testbeds for Cement Industry

Five CCU testbeds launched to decarbonise cement production

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The Department of Science and Technology (DST) recently unveiled a pioneering national initiative: five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector, forming a first-of-its-kind research and innovation cluster to combat industrial carbon emissions.
This is a significant step towards India’s Climate Action for fostering National Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets and to achieve net zero decarbonisation pathways for Industry Transition., towards the Government’s goal to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2070.
Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) holds significant importance in hard-to-abate sectors like Cement, Steel, Power, Oil &Natural Gas, Chemicals & Fertilizers in reducing emissions by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial processes and converting it to value add products such as synthetic fuels, Urea, Soda, Ash, chemicals, food grade CO2 or concrete aggregates. CCU provides a feasible pathway for these tough to decarbonise industries to lower their carbon footprint and move towards achieving Net Zero Goals while continuing their operations efficiently. DST has taken major strides in fostering R&D in the CCUS domain.
Concrete is vital for India’s economy and the Cement industry being one of the main hard-to-abate sectors, is committed to align with the national decarbonisation commitments. New technologies to decarbonise emission intensity of the cement sector would play a key role in achieving of national net zero targets.
Recognizing the critical need for decarbonising the Cement sector, the Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division of Department launched a unique call for mobilising Academia-Industry Consortia proposals for deployment of Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) in Cement Sector. This Special call envisaged to develop and deploy innovative CCU Test bed in Cement Sector with thrust on Developing CO2 capture + CO2 Utilisation integrated unit in an Industrial set up through an innovative Public Private Partnership (PPP) funding model.
As a unique initiative and one of its first kind in India, DST has approved setting up of five CCU testbeds for translational R&D, to be set up in Academia-Industry collaboration under this significant initiative of DST in PPP mode, engaging with premier research laboratories as knowledge partners and top Cement companies as the industry partner.
On the occasion of National Technology Day celebrations, on May 11, 2025 the 5 CCU Cement Test beds were announced and grants had been handed over to the Test bed teams by the Chief Guest, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh in the presence of Secretary DST Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
The five testbeds are not just academic experiments — they are collaborative industrial pilot projects bringing together India’s top research institutions and leading cement manufacturers under a unique Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Each testbed addresses a different facet of CCU, from cutting-edge catalysis to vacuum-based gas separation.
The outcomes of this innovative initiative will not only showcase the pathways of decarbonisation towards Net zero goals through CCU route in cement sector, but should also be a critical confidence building measure for potential stakeholders to uptake the deployed CCU technology for further scale up and commercialisation.
It is envisioned that through continuous research and innovation under these test beds in developing innovative catalysts, materials, electrolyser technology, reactors, and electronics, the cost of Green Cement via the deployed CCU technology in Cement Sector may considerably be made more sustainable.
Secretary DBT Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Dr Ajai Choudhary, Co-Founder HCL, Dr. Rajesh Pathak, Secretary, TDB, Dr Anita Gupta Head CEST, DST and Dr Neelima Alam, Associate Head, DST were also present at the programme organized at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

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Concrete

JK Lakshmi Adopts EVs to Cut Emissions in Logistics

Electric vehicles deployed between JK Puram and Kalol units

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JK Lakshmi Cement, a key player in the Indian cement industry, has announced the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in its logistics operations. This move, made in partnership with SwitchLabs Automobiles, will see EVs transporting goods between the JK Puram Plant in Sirohi, Rajasthan, and the Kalol Grinding Unit in Gujarat.
The announcement follows a successful pilot project that showcased measurable reductions in carbon emissions while maintaining efficiency. Building on this, the company is scaling up EV integration to enhance sustainability across its supply chain.
“Sustainability is integral to our vision at JK Lakshmi Cement. Our collaboration with SwitchLabs Automobiles reflects our continued focus on driving innovation in our logistics operations while taking responsibility for our environmental footprint. This initiative positions us as a leader in transforming the cement sector’s logistics landscape,” said Arun Shukla, President & Director, JK Lakshmi Cement.
This deployment marks a significant step in aligning with India’s push for greener transport infrastructure. By embracing clean mobility, JK Lakshmi Cement is setting an example for the industry, demonstrating that environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with operational efficiency.
The company continues to embed sustainability into its operations as part of a broader goal to reduce its carbon footprint. This initiative adds to its vision of building a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
JK Lakshmi Cement, part of the 135-year-old JK Organisation, began operations in 1982 and has grown to become a recognised name in Indian cement. With a presence across Northern, Western, and Eastern India, the company has a cement capacity of 16.5 MTPA, with a target to reach 30 MT by 2030. Its product range includes ready-mix concrete, gypsum plaster, wall putty, and autoclaved aerated fly ash blocks.

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Concrete

Holcim UK drives sustainable construction

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Holcim UK has released a report titled ‘Making Sustainable Construction a Reality,’ outlining its five-fold commitment to a greener future. The company aims to focus on decarbonisation, circular economy principles, smarter building methods, community engagement, and integrating nature. Based on a survey of 2,000 people, only 41 per cent felt urban spaces in the UK are sustainably built. A significant majority (82 per cent) advocated for more green spaces, 69 per cent called for government leadership in sustainability, and 54 per cent saw businesses as key players. Additionally, 80 per cent of respondents stressed the need for greater transparency from companies regarding their environmental practices.

Image source:holcim

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