Concrete

We help in reducing the carbon footprint

Published

4 years ago

April 12, 2023

admin

Anup Nair, Managing Director – India and South Asia, Martin Engineering, speaks about the key role their products play in making cement processes more efficient.

Tell us about the role that your products and technology play in the cement industry.
We are into bulk material handling products. In the cement industry, our products are used in two different areas – in the plants and at the mines. In the mines, there are conveyor belts that help move the bulk material and these conveyor belts need lot of maintenance. If the conveyor belt stops, the entire mine will stop. Our products improve the efficiency of the conveyors by a great extent. This is one part of our offerings.
The second one, which is a major influencer for the cement industry, is within the plant. Cement plants have kilns and preheats. A lot of material blockages happen in them. Our air cannons blast and push this material out. It helps in bringing down plant maintenance considerably. You don’t have to shut down the plant to deal with the blockages. This process is becoming more and more significant today as cement companies are using alternative fuels. So, more blasting is required.
Conventional compressors or blasting cylinders are available but compared to them, we have a greater advantage because we have the better technology. We help in reducing the carbon footprint and also give huge savings in energy. With our technology, not only is carbon footprint reduced but energy costs also come down.

Elaborate on how carbon footprint is reduced?
A conventional blasting requires a 300-litre tank, whereas our modern technology gives the same or more blasting force using a 70-litre tank. The compress is considerably reduced and this is important because compress making requires energy or electricity. When electricity or energy usage is reduced, carbon footprint is reduced, too. It can be said that one blaster reduces about 70,000 kg of carbon per year. So, a typical cement plant kiln requires about a hundred blasters. Now, you can imagine the reduction in carbon.

With such advantage of cost efficiency and reduction in carbon footprint,
shouldn’t all cement companies be looking at this product?
The cement companies are definitely looking at our product. Earlier they used to manage it manually and then they moved to traditional modes such as large tanks. Now they are turning to us for modern technology. Our products may be priced higher when compared to the conventional modes but once the traditional methods are removed and only our product is made to perform, the cost is recovered by energy saving itself. The cost of the product is realised in a year’s time. One year is the payback period.

What innovations should we expect from Martin Engineering in the near future?
At Martin Engineering, apart from the air blasters that I spoke about we also have nozzles for the cement industry. These nozzles come with a different type of technology, which gives all round blasting
inside the refractory areas. It also requires less maintenance and are much more efficient. These nozzles can also be replaced without stopping the equipment. So, it is both safe and economical for the cement manufacturer.
As far as innovations in our conveyor products are concerned, we have a remote monitoring system called N2, which enables the customer to sit anywhere in the world and oversee the progress on their mobile phone or device, like a live feed. This remote monitoring system uses the latest modern technology.

Are all these products and technologies exclusive to the cement industry?
No, we are very much present in the steel sector, too. We are also present in power plants, ports, food verticals such as sugar and several other industries. Wherever there’s a need for bulk material handling, Martin Engineering is present. And this is in India. In other countries, we are present in many applications such as quarry aggregates. In all the other sectors, too, our deliverables are focussed on cost efficiency and reduction of carbon footprint.

With regards to the cement industry in India, what kind of future do you envision over the next 10 years?
Our tagline is ‘Problem Solved Guaranteed.’ So, we are not just product sellers. We solve our customers’ problems and address their pain points. Today, the pain points are energy efficiency and carbon footprint, and we are solving them. We are looking at a long-term partnership with our customers as they will definitely require solutions that reduce costs and help them make their processes more modern and competitive. Our philosophy is well-matched with their philosophy in this regard.
We have a full-fledged plant in Pune, and we are moving ahead with ‘Make in India’ initiative.
We also have the capacity to expand in Pune. We are spreading out by adding more team members and with the help of our dealer network across the country. We are trying to be as close to our customers as possible.

-Kanishka Ramchandani

Up Next

Dust can adversely affect living organisms

Don't Miss

Innovation to Drive Efficiency

Concrete

Dhanekula Institute Signs MoU with Adani Cement

Agreement to expand internships, industrial visits and practical learning

Published

13 hours ago

November 5, 2026

admin

The Department of Civil Engineering at Dhanekula Institute of Engineering & Technology, Ganguru, organised an industrial interaction programme under the Adani FutureX Programme on Thursday. The programme focused on strengthening engagement between the institute and the cement industry while giving students greater exposure to professional practices.

Yedukondalu, technical head for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at Adani Cement, delivered a technical lecture on concrete as a man-made material. The session covered the importance of concrete in construction, its properties and applications, and its significance in modern infrastructure development.

The lecture also addressed the role of quality cement and suitable concrete technology in supporting durable and sustainable construction. The discussion connected classroom learning with the technical considerations involved in infrastructure projects and construction practices.

A key part of the programme was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Department of Civil Engineering and Adani Cement under the Adani FutureX Partnership Agreement. The agreement is intended to strengthen industry-academia collaboration through opportunities for student internships and industrial visits.

The initiative is expected to provide students with practical exposure, improve their understanding of industrial practices and help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. Dhanekula Institute Chairman Dhanekula Ravindranath Tagore, Secretary Dhanekula Venkata Bhavani Prasad and Director DKRK Ravi Prasad supported the initiative, with the institute leadership highlighting the importance of industry-institution interaction in enhancing students’ technical employability.

Concrete

JK Lakshmi Cement Begins Rs. 110 bn Assam Plant Project

Project Kamakshi will produce 2.5 mn t of cement annually by FY2029.

Published

13 hours ago

November 5, 2026

admin

JK Lakshmi Cement has laid the foundation stone for Project Kamakshi, its first integrated cement manufacturing facility in Assam, marking the company’s entry into Northeast India. The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Umrangso village in Dima Hasao district in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The project involves an investment of Rs. 110 bn, including the mining lease. It will have annual cement production capacity of 2.5 mn t and a 1 mn t clinkerisation unit, with completion scheduled for FY2029.

The facility is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and will primarily serve the growing Northeast market. It will also include dedicated railway sidings for transporting raw materials and finished cement, supporting supply chain reliability and regional distribution.

Chairperson and Managing Director Vinita Singhania said the project represented the beginning of a long-term relationship with Assam and the wider Northeast. She said the plant would help provide locally produced cement, employment and dependable supplies as the region’s infrastructure development accelerated, while enabling the company to grow alongside the communities it serves.

The investment supports JK Lakshmi Cement’s strategy of expanding into high-growth markets beyond its established presence in Northern, Western and Eastern India. The company expects the project to contribute to regional economic development and infrastructure growth while pursuing its long-term objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2047.

Concrete

Kshatriya Engineering College Signs MoU with Adani Cement

Agreement to provide students with industrial exposure and training

Published

13 hours ago

November 5, 2026

admin

The civil engineering department of Kshatriya Engineering College in Nizamabad has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Adani Cement to provide students with industry-oriented training and practical exposure. The agreement is intended to connect classroom learning with workplace requirements in the construction sector.

Under the partnership, students will receive opportunities to take part in industrial visits and internships. The arrangement will also include guest lectures by industry experts and guidance on live projects, allowing students to gain first-hand understanding of industry practices and emerging construction technologies.

College secretary and correspondent Aljapur Devender said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between academic instruction and industry expectations. He said the collaboration would help students develop practical skills and improve their employment prospects after completing their studies.

Principal Dr Katakam Srinivas said exposure to industrial practices was important for civil engineering students and would complement their academic learning. He said the MoU would support the development of their technical knowledge and confidence through greater familiarity with professional work environments.

Administrative officer B. Narender said the collaboration would familiarise students with modern construction technologies, quality standards and project management practices. Civil engineering department head N. Deepika said the agreement would help students understand recent developments in the construction sector and prepare for professional careers. The college said the partnership would give learners a broader view of the processes and standards followed in the industry, while helping them relate their academic studies to practical project requirements.