Concrete

Supporting Technology with Regulation

Published

3 years ago

April 7, 2023

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Sridhar S Sundaram, Vice President, Head of Global Product Line – Grinding and Gears, FLSmidth explains the role of technology in enhancing cement manufacturing processes to enable bigger and faster strides towards net zero targets.

Productivity growth through automation in the cement industry has grown from use of technology in the old physiological days to Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered softwares today. Cement plants operate in an automated way but there are still manual interventions that happen in an operating plant. These variations are also controlled now with AI powered softwares. This is helping customers have minimum manual intervention in the operation of the cement plants and increase production up to 5 per cent. However, when productivity increases, the energy consumption also decreases since the systems are automated to use only the optimum amount of energy. FLSmidth has an optimisation software called Process Expert Controller (PXC), which does the trick for cement manufactures and helps them enhance their production and productivity levels.
Data is meant to enable better decision making. There is a control system, optimisation software and apart from these systems, there is also an application called Site Connect. Data from the control system is available at the head office in a monitor, tablet and mobile phone that enables better decision making and managerial interventions, which in due course of time better production and profits. This kind of digitalisation is at a nascent stage. The aim is to get as many plants connected as possible. Data from this software goes to the cloud, then back to the stakeholders i.e., FLSmidth headquarters, customer headquarters, and to all those who need the data to make better decisions.
Work is also in progress on the backend algorithms for data collection. Based on these algorithms, there can be alarms, flags etc., enabling predictive interventions of plant maintenance.

No Alternative to Safety
There are quite a few experts who have spoken about how to reduce CO2. OxyRich fuel and Green Hydrogen are the next generation topics as we exhaust the existing alternative fuel options. When we go from the present 15 per cent use of alternative fuels to 50 to 60 per cent use of alternative fuels, that itself will take care of the sustainability aspect of the cement industry. Beyond this, when CO2 capture is thought of then OxyRich and Green Hydrogen come into play. This technology is evolving and will eventually benefit all industries that have a high emission rate.
The industry must use alternative fuels. Agriculture wastes can contribute up to 10 per cent of alternative fuels. Now, the industry is targeting 30 to 50 per cent use of alternative fuels, which comes out as waste derived fuels. Feedback that has come from the cement plants states that the odour and other problems associated with these fuels could be hazardous to the health. While it is encouraged for cement plants to use alternative fuels, the challenge is to safeguard every employee at the plant and surroundings with the other harmful effects of the waste derived fuels. The approach towards the use of waste derived fuels should be in a manner that all aspects of its use and safety should be taken care of before its implementation.

Technology at its best
The industry has an intention to reduce its carbon footprint and make cement production friendly for the environment. However, without governance and regulation, the implementation will be a challenge and there will be no standard practice. If you go back 30 years when stacks in cement plants had a lot of dust, it was the government that made the norms and kept making them stricter, which has led to a highly reduced dust emission from cement plants. Similarly, usage of technology for reduction of carbon footprint will require intervention and regulation for cement players.
In Europe, there is a penalty known as carbon tax while the talk of Indian industry is Sustainability Incentive. Either way, there needs to be an intervention to bring down emission levels in any industry.

Future Collaborations
FLSmidth is always with its customers. And the company has a mission zero roadmap, too. The strategy and aim are to design a plant with zero emission by 2030. There are steps involved to this.
The first step is to modernise old plants, which will have a huge impact on reducing carbon emission and energy consumption. Second step would be to collaborate with new technologies and make them available in the market in an accelerated manner. For this, a deal has been signed with Dalmia Cement that both companies will collaborate in pushing the sustainability agenda at a much larger scale than before. With Dalmia Cement as a partner, FLSmidth can immediately test its new technologies. Once that is successful, it can be taken to the market faster than before.
The company is looking at partnerships with leading players to help bring better technology to the industry. Their role, too, is key in bringing a change and FLSmidth is looking forward to collaborating with all players of the Indian cement industry.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sridhar S Sundaram, VP & Head of Global Product Lines – Grinding and Gears, holds managerial expertise with varied and international experience in Technical, Sales and O&M functions.

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NDMC Rolls Out Intensive Sanitation Drive Across Lutyens Delhi

Municipal body intensifies cleaning and monitoring across the capital

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21 hours ago

March 13, 2026

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The New Delhi Municipal Council has launched an intensive sanitation drive across Lutyens’ Delhi, aiming to raise cleanliness standards in the capital’s central precincts. The programme will combine enhanced manual sweeping with mechanised cleaning and systematic waste removal to cover parks, heritage precincts and prominent thoroughfares. Authorities described the initiative as a sustained effort to improve public hygiene and reduce environmental hazards while maintaining the area’s civic image.

Operational teams have been instructed to prioritise drain clearing and litter hotspots, with special attention to markets and transit nodes that attract heavy footfall. Coordination with city utilities and waste processing units will be stepped up to ensure timely collection and disposal, and supervisory rounds will monitor adherence to cleaning schedules. Officials also intend to use data-driven planning to deploy resources efficiently and to identify recurring problem areas.

The council plans to engage resident welfare associations and business stakeholders to foster community participation in maintaining cleanliness and to support behavioural change campaigns. Public communication will be amplified through notices and outreach to encourage responsible waste handling and to inform residents about collection timings and segregation norms. Enforcement measures for littering and unauthorised dumping will be reinforced as part of a broader strategy to deter violations and sustain cleanliness gains.

The move reflects a focus on urban sanitation that officials link to public health priorities and to the city administration’s commitment to maintaining civic amenities. Monitoring mechanisms will include regular reporting and inspections to review outcomes and to recalibrate operations where necessary, according to municipal sources. The council emphasised that continued community cooperation will be essential for the drive to deliver lasting improvements in the appearance and hygiene of the capital’s core areas.

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UltraTech Appoints Jayant Dua As MD-Designate For 2027

Executive named to succeed current managing director in 2027

Published

4 days ago

March 10, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has appointed Jayant Dua as managing director (MD) designate who will take charge in 2027, the company announced. The appointment signals a planned leadership transition at one of the country’s largest cement manufacturers. The board has set a clear timeline for the handover and has framed the move as part of a structured succession plan.

Jayant Dua will be referred to as MD after assuming the role and will be responsible for overseeing operations, strategy and growth initiatives across the company’s network. The company said the designation follows established governance norms and aims to ensure continuity in executive leadership. The appointment is expected to allow a phased transfer of responsibilities ahead of the formal changeover.

The decision is intended to provide strategic stability as UltraTech Cement navigates domestic infrastructure demand and evolving market dynamics. Management will continue to focus on operational efficiency, capacity utilisation and cost management while aligning investments with long term objectives. The board will monitor the transition and provide further information on leadership responsibilities closer to the effective date.

Investors and market observers will have time to assess the implications of the announcement before the change is effected, and analysts will review the company’s outlook in the context of the succession. The company indicated that it will communicate any additional executive appointments or organisational changes as they are finalised. Shareholders were advised to refer to formal filings and company releases for definitive details on governance or remuneration.

The leadership change will be managed with attention to stakeholder interests and operational continuity, and the company reiterated its commitment to delivery on ongoing projects and customer obligations. Senior management will engage with employees and partners to ensure a smooth handover while maintaining focus on safety and compliance. Further updates will be provided through official investor communications in due course.

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Merlin Prime Spaces Acquires 13,185 Sq M Land Parcel In Pune

Rs 273 crore purchase broadens the developer’s Pune presence

Published

1 week ago

March 6, 2026

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Merlin Prime Spaces (MPS) has acquired a 13,185 sq m land parcel in Pune for Rs 273 crore, marking a notable expansion of its footprint in the city.

The transaction value converts to Rs 2,730 mn or Rs 2.73 bn.

The parcel is located in a strategic area of Pune and the firm described the acquisition as aligned with its growth objectives.

The deal follows recent activity in the region and will be watched by investors and developers.

MPS said the acquisition will support its planned development pipeline and enable delivery of commercial and residential space to meet local demand.

The company expects the site to provide flexibility in product design and phased development to respond to market conditions.

The move reflects an emphasis on land ownership in key suburban markets.

The emphasis on land acquisition reflects a strategy to secure inventory ahead of demand cycles.

The purchase follows a period of sustained investor interest in Pune real estate, driven by expanding office ecosystems and residential demand from professionals.

MPS will integrate the new holding into its existing portfolio and plans to engage with local authorities and stakeholders to progress approvals and infrastructure readiness.

No financial partners were disclosed in the announcement.

The firm indicated that timelines will depend on approvals and prevailing market conditions.

Analysts note that strategic land acquisitions at scale can help developers manage costs and timelines while preserving optionality for future projects.

MPS will now hold an enlarged land bank in the region as it pursues growth, and the acquisition underlines continued corporate appetite for measured expansion in second tier cities.

The company intends to move forward with detailed planning in the coming months.

Stakeholders will assess how the site is positioned relative to existing infrastructure and connectivity.