Concrete

Dust Control: Balancing Health and Sustainability

Published

3 years ago

April 12, 2023

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With governmental norms for reduction of dust emissions and technological advancements for dust control, the Indian cement industry is geared up to reduce the environmental and health hazards of dust emissions and to make cement processing more sustainable.

Dust emissions from cement plants can have significant environmental and health impacts, as well as affecting nearby communities. Cement plants generate dust during the production process, which can include raw material grinding, blending, preheating, kiln processes, clinker cooling and cement grinding.
Dust emitted from cement plants is a significant environmental and health concern in India, where the cement industry is a major contributor to air pollution. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the cement industry is one of the top five polluting industries in India, and dust emissions are a major contributor to this pollution. To address this issue, the Indian government has set emissions standards for the cement industry under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Environment Protection Act (EPA). The standards set limits on particulate matter (PM) emissions, which include dust particles, from cement plants.
The Indian cement industry has also implemented measures to reduce dust emissions such as using modern filters and control technologies, optimising production processes and providing training to employees on dust control practices. However, despite these efforts, the industry still faces challenges in meeting emissions standards, particularly for smaller, older plants. To further address the issue of dust emissions, the Indian government has launched initiatives such as the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), which aim to reduce air pollution and improve environmental cleanliness.
“We have addressed fugitive emissions in the clinker tunnels at the cement plant where the clinker is stored in the silos and a lot of dust comes out when it is discharged onto the conveyor belts. Conventionally cement plants have used back filters which are connected to exhausts located besides the discharge point, but it is common knowledge that these systems were not entirely effective, resulting in a lot of dust in the tunnels. It also made it very difficult to get maintenance done in these tunnels because anyone who enters would have to breathe dust and that is a health hazard,” says Venkatesh Ravula, CEO, DCL Bulk Technologies.

DUST EMISSION HAZARDS
Dust hazards are a significant concern in Indian cement plants due to the high levels of dust generated during production processes. Exposure to cement dust can have negative health effects on workers, including respiratory issues such as bronchitis and asthma, as well as skin and eye irritation. Some of the major sources of dust hazards in Indian cement plants include raw material handling, clinker production, and cement grinding processes. Dust can also be generated during maintenance activities such as cleaning, repair, and replacement of equipment.
To address these hazards, Indian cement plants have implemented a variety of measures, including using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators, dust masks, and goggles, as well as installing dust collection and control systems. In addition, training programs for employees on the safe handling and control of dust are often provided. The Indian government has also established regulations and guidelines to protect workers from dust hazards in the workplace. The Factories Act, 1948 and the Mines Act, 1952 set standards for occupational health and safety, including measures to control dust emissions and protect workers from exposure to hazardous materials.
“For achieving effective prevention and control of potential fugitive emission sources in cement manufacturing plants, specific requirements along with guidelines have been evolved by the central government. For the Indian cement industry, the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change has notified the norms for reduction of dust emission from cement plants, which includes Particulate Matter, SOx and NOx. The notification clearly defines the limits for above mentioned emissions, particulate matter should be <30 milligram, SOx should be <100 milligram, NOx should be <1000, 800, 600 milligrams. It depends on the age of the plant or we can say that on the commissioning date of the plant,” says Anil Gupta, Technical Head – Nimbahera Plant, JK Cement.
It is important for Indian cement plants to prioritise the implementation of dust control measures and training programmes to protect the health and safety of their workers and nearby communities.

FILTRATION TECHNIQUES AT CEMENT PLANTS
Cement plants use various types of dust filtration equipment and techniques to control dust emissions and improve air quality. Some of the common methods used include:

Bag filters: Bag filters are commonly used in Indian cement plants to capture dust particles from the production process. These filters consist of bags made of fabric material that trap dust particles as air passes through them.
Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs): ESPs are another type of dust filtration equipment used in Indian cement plants. They use an electrostatic charge to attract and trap dust particles.
Cyclones: Cyclones are a type of mechanical separator that can be used to remove larger dust particles from the air. They work by creating a cyclonic effect that causes particles to be separated from the air stream.
Wet scrubbers: Wet scrubbers are used in some Indian cement plants to capture and remove dust particles from the air. They work by spraying water onto the particles, causing them to stick to surfaces and be removed from the air.
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters: HEPA filters are highly efficient filters that can remove up to 99.97 per cent of particles as small as 0.3 microns. They are commonly used in cleanrooms and other sensitive environments.

In addition to these filtration techniques, Indian cement plants also use various operational and maintenance practices to reduce dust emissions, such as regular equipment cleaning and maintenance, optimising production processes to reduce dust generation, and providing training to employees on dust control practices.
“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,” says Pankaj Kejriwal, Whole Time Director, Star Cement.
“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,” he adds.

DUST CONTROL NORMS IN INDIA
The Indian government has established norms and regulations to control dust and fugitive emissions from cement plants. Some of the key norms include:

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): The NAAQS set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) establish limits on air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) emissions, from all industries, including cement plants.
Environment Protection Act (EPA): The EPA provides guidelines and regulations for controlling emissions from industries, including the cement industry.
Cement Industry (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 2013: These rules set specific emission limits for cement plants in India. For example, the rules specify that PM emissions should not exceed 30 mg/Nm3 for dry kilns and 50 mg/Nm3 for wet kilns.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) guidelines: There are guidelines for the installation of pollution control equipment in cement plants, including bag filters, electrostatic precipitators and wet scrubbers.
State pollution control boards: State pollution control boards are responsible for enforcing the norms and regulations related to dust and fugitive emissions at cement plants.

Cement plants in India are required to comply with these norms and regulations to minimise their impact on the environment and public health. Failure to comply can result in fines, legal action and suspension of operations.

Exposure to cement dust may lead to health hazards for workers like respiratory issues, and skin and eye irritation.

It is important for cement plants to prioritise reducing dust emissions to protect both the environment and nearby communities from potentially harmful effects. The future of dust emission in the Indian cement industry is likely to see a continued focus on reducing emissions to improve air quality and protect public health. The industry is under increasing pressure to adopt cleaner technologies and more sustainable production processes, and there is a growing demand for environmentally friendly cement.
To meet these challenges, Indian cement plants are likely to adopt a range of strategies and technologies to reduce dust emissions, such as using low-emission fuels, implementing more efficient production processes, and investing in advanced dust filtration and control technologies. There is also likely to be increased focus on recycling and reusing waste materials to reduce environmental impact.
The Indian government is also expected to continue to play an active role in regulating dust emissions from the cement industry. This may include strengthening existing regulations and standards, as well as developing new policies and initiatives to encourage the industry to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
Overall, while the Indian cement industry faces significant challenges in reducing dust emissions, there are also many opportunities for innovation and progress. With continued investment in new technologies and sustainable production processes, the industry can help to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for all.

–Kanika Mathur

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Concrete

The primary high-power applications are fans and mills

Published

1 day ago

October 10, 2025

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Alex Nazareth, Whole-time Director and CEO, Innomotics India, explains how plants can achieve both cost competitiveness and sustainability by lowering emissions, reducing downtime and planning for significant power savings.

As one of the most energy-intensive industries, cement manufacturing faces growing pressure to optimise power consumption, reduce emissions and improve operational reliability. Technology providers like Innomotics India are enabling this transformation by combining advanced motors, AI-driven digital solutions and intelligent monitoring systems that enhance process stability and reduce energy costs. From severe duty motors built for extreme kiln environments to DigiMine AI solutions that optimise pyro and mill operations, Alex Nazareth, Whole-time Director and CEO, Innomotics India, explains how the company is helping cement plants achieve measurable energy savings while moving closer to their sustainability goals.

How does your Energy Performance Contracting model typically reduce power consumption in cement plants—e.g., MWh saved?
Our artificial intelligence-based DigiMine AI Pyro and Mill solutions developed specifically for the cement industry, supports our customers in improving their process stability, productivity and process efficiency. In Pyro, this is achieved by optimising fuel consumption (Coal / AFR), reducing Specific Heat Consumption and reduction in emissions (CO2, SOx and NOx) through continuous monitoring of thermodynamics in pyro and recommending set-points of crucial parameters in advance for maintaining stable operations.
Within the mill, this is achieved by improving throughput, reduce energy / power consumption and maintaining stable operations on a continuous basis. Our ROI-based value proposition captures the project KPIs like reduction of coal usage, increase of AFR, reduction of specific heat consumption (Kcal / Kg), reduction of specific power consumption (KWH / tonne), reduction of emissions, etc., by a specific percentage. This gives clarity to our customers to understand the investment vis-à-vis savings and estimate the recovery time of their investment, which typically is achieved within one year of DigiMine AI Pyro and Mill solutions implementation.

What role do digitalisation and motor monitoring play in overall plant energy optimisation?
Motors are being used extensively in cement production, and their monitoring play crucial role in ensuring continuous operation of applications. The monitoring system can automatically generate alerts for any anomaly / abnormalities in motor parameters, which allows plant team to take corrective actions and avoid any major equipment damage and breakdown. The alerts help maintenance team to plan maintenance schedule and related activity efficiently. Centralised and organised data gives overview to the engineers for day-to-day activities. Cement is amongst the top energy intensive industries in comparison to other industries. Hence, it becomes critically important to optimise efficiency, productivity and up-time of plant equipment. Motor monitoring and digitalisation plays a vital role in it. Monitoring and control of multiple applications and areas
within the plant or multiple plants becomes possible with digitalisation.
Digitalisation adds a layer on top of OT systems, bringing machine and process data onto a single interface. This solves the challenges such as system silo, different communications protocol, databases and most importantly, creates a common definition and measurement to plant KPIs. Relevant stakeholders, such as engineers, head of departments and plant heads, can see accurate information, analyse it and make better decisions with appropriate timing. In doing so, plant teams can take proactive actions before machine breakdown, enable better coordination during maintenance activities while improving operational efficiency and productivity.
Further using latest technologies like Artificial Intelligence can even assist operators in running their plant with minimal requirement of human intervention, which allows operators to utilise their time in focusing on more critical topics like analysing data to identify further improvements in operation.

Which of your high-efficiency IEC low-voltage motors deliver the best energy savings for cement mills or fans?
Innomotics India offers a range of IEC-compliant low-voltage motors engineered to deliver superior performance and energy savings, particularly for applications such as cement mills, large fans, and blowers. Innomotics has the complete range of IE4 motors from 0.37kW to 1000kW to meet the demands of cement industry. The IE5 range is also available for specific requirements.

Can safe area motors operate safely and efficiently in cement kiln environments?
Yes, safe area motors are designed to operate reliably in these environments without the risk of overheating. These motors have ingress protection that prevents dust, moisture ingress and can withstand mechanical stress. These motors are available in IE3 / IE4 efficiency classes thereby ensuring lower energy consumption during continuous operation. These motors comply with relevant Indian as well as international standards.

How do your SD Severe Duty motors contribute to lower emissions and lower cost in heavy duty cement applications?
Severe duty motors enhances energy efficiency and durability in demanding cement applications, directly contributing to lower emissions and operational costs. With high-efficiency ratings (such as IE3 or better), they reduce power consumption, minimising CO2 output from energy use. Their robust design handles extreme heat, dust and vibration—common in cement environments—ensuring reliable performance and fewer energy losses.
These motors also lower the total cost of ownership by reducing downtime, maintenance and replacement frequency. Their extended service life and minimal performance degradation help cement plants meet sustainability targets, comply with emissions regulations and improve overall energy management—all while keeping production consistent and cost-effective.

What pump, fan or compressor drive upgrades have shown approximately 60 per cent energy savings in industrial settings and can be replicated in cement plants?
In the cement industry, the primary high-power applications are fans and mills. Among these, fans have the greatest potential for energy savings. Examples, the pre-heater fan, bag house fan, and cooler fans. When there are variations in airflow or the need to maintain a constant pressure in a process, using a variable speed drive (VSD) system is a more effective option for starting and controlling these fans. This adaptive approach can lead to significant energy savings. For instance, vanes and dampers can remain open while the variable frequency drive and motor system manage airflow regulation efficiently.

Concrete

We conduct regular internal energy audits

Published

1 day ago

October 10, 2025

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Shaping the future of low-carbon cement production involves integrating renewables, digitalisation and innovative technologies. Uma Suryam, SVP and Head Manufacturing – Northern Region, Nuvoco Vistas, gives us a detailed account of how.

In an industry where energy consumption can account for a significant portion of operating costs, cement manufacturers are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices without compromising efficiency. Nuvoco Vistas has taken a decisive step in this direction, leveraging digitalisation, renewable energy and innovative technologies to drive energy efficiency across its operations. In this exclusive conversation, Uma Suryam, SVP and Head Manufacturing – Northern Region, Nuvoco Vistas, shares its approach to energy management, challenges of modernising brownfield plants and its long-term roadmap to align efficiency with India’s net-zero vision.

How has your company improved energy efficiency over the past five years?
Over the past five years, we have prioritised energy conservation by enhancing operational efficiency and scaling up renewable energy adoption. Through strategic fuel mix optimisation, deployment of cleaner technologies, and greater integration of renewables, we have steadily reduced our environmental footprint while meeting energy needs sustainably.
Technological upgrades across our plants have further strengthened efficiency. These include advanced process control systems, enhanced trend analysis, grinding media optimisation and the integration of solar-powered utilities. Importantly, grid integration at our key plants has delivered significant cost savings and streamlined energy management.
A notable milestone has been the expansion of our solar power capacity and Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS). Our solar power capacity has grown from 1.5 MW in FY 2021–22 to 5.5 MW, while our WHRS capacity has increased from 44.7 MW to 49 MW, underscoring our commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

What technologies or practices have shown the highest energy-saving potential in cement production?
One of our most significant achievements in advancing energy efficiency has been the successful commissioning of a 132 KV Grid Integration Project, which unified three of our major manufacturing units under a single power network. This milestone, enabled by a dedicated transmission line and a state-of-the-art Line-In Line-Out (LILO) substation, has transformed our energy management and operational capabilities.
With this integration, we have substantially reduced our contract demand, eliminated power disruptions, and enhanced operational continuity. Supported by an optical fibre network for real-time communication and automation, this project stands as a testament to our innovation-led manufacturing excellence and underscores Nuvoco’s vision of building a safer, smarter, and sustainable world.

What role does digitalisation play in achieving energy efficiency in your operations?
Digitalisation plays a transformative role in driving energy efficiency across our operations. At Nuvoco, we are leveraging cutting-edge technologies and advanced digital tools to enhance productivity, optimise energy consumption and strengthen our commitment to sustainability and employee safety.
We are developing AI-enabled dashboards to optimise WHRS and kiln operations, ensuring maximum efficiency. Additionally, our advanced AI models evaluate multiple operational parameters — including fuel pricing, moisture content and energy output — to identify the most cost-effective fuel combinations in real time. These initiatives are enabling data-driven decision-making, improving operational excellence and reducing our environmental footprint.

What is your long-term strategy for aligning energy efficiency with decarbonisation goals?
As part of India’s climate action agenda, the cement sector has laid out a clear decarbonisation roadmap to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2070. At Nuvoco, we view this as both a responsibility and an opportunity to redefine the future of sustainable construction. Our long-term strategy focuses on aligning energy efficiency with decarbonisation goals by embracing innovative technologies, alternative raw materials and renewable energy solutions.
We are making strategic investments to scale up solar power installations and enhance our renewable energy mix significantly by 2028. These initiatives are a key part of our broader vision to reduce Scope 2 emissions and strengthen our contribution to India’s net-zero journey, while continuing to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to our customers.

How do you measure and benchmark energy performance across different plants?
We adopt a comprehensive approach to measure and benchmark energy performance across our plants. Key metrics include Specific Heat Consumption (kCal/kg of clinker) and Specific Power Consumption (kWh/tonne of cement), which are continuously tracked against Best Available Technology (BAT) benchmarks, industry peers and global standards such as the WBCSD-CSI and CII benchmarks.
To ensure consistency and drive improvements, we conduct regular internal energy audits, leverage real-time dashboards and implement robust KPI tracking systems. These tools enable us to compare performance across plants effectively, identify optimisation opportunities and set actionable targets for energy efficiency and sustainability.

What are the key challenges in adopting energy-efficient equipment in brownfield cement plants?
Adopting energy-efficient technologies in brownfield cement plants presents a unique set of challenges due to the constraints of working within existing infrastructure. Firstly, the high capital expenditure and relatively long payback periods often require careful evaluation before investments are made. Additionally, integrating new technologies with legacy equipment can be complex, requiring significant customisation to ensure seamless compatibility and performance.
Another major challenge is minimising production disruptions during installation. Since brownfield plants are already operational, upgrades must be planned meticulously to avoid affecting output. In many cases, space constraints in older facilities add to the difficulty of accommodating advanced equipment without compromising existing layouts.
At Nuvoco, we address these challenges through a phased implementation approach, detailed project planning and by fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration across our plants. This helps us balance operational continuity with our commitment to driving energy efficiency and sustainability.

Concrete

Enlight Metals Supplies 3,200 Tonne of Steel for Navi Mumbai Airport

The airport is set to become Asia’s largest air connectivity hub.

Published

1 day ago

October 10, 2025

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Enlight Metals has supplied 3,200 metric tonne of steel for the newly inaugurated Navi Mumbai International Airport, marking a major contribution to one of India’s largest infrastructure projects and reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting national development.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport, developed under a Public-Private Partnership led by the Adani Group, was inaugurated today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The airport is set to become Asia’s largest air connectivity hub, enhancing regional connectivity, boosting economic growth, and expanding trade opportunities. Prime Minister Modi described the project as a “glimpse of Viksit Bharat,” highlighting its transformative impact on infrastructure and development in the region.

“The supply of 3,200 metric tonne of steel for this key project aligns with our focus on supporting critical infrastructure development through reliable and timely metal sourcing. Enlight Metals is committed to enhancing transparency and efficiency in the steel supply chain, contributing to projects integral to India’s growth objectives,” said Vedant Goel, Director, Enlight Metals.

Enlight Metals has implemented technology-driven solutions to strengthen supply chain efficiency, ensuring consistent availability of construction materials for large-scale projects nationwide. Its contribution to the Navi Mumbai International Airport underscores the company’s growing role in supporting India’s infrastructure development initiatives.

This milestone reflects Enlight Metals’ ongoing engagement in delivering quality materials and timely services for major national projects, further cementing its position as a reliable partner in India’s infrastructure sector