Concrete

Weighing it Right

Published

3 years ago

April 10, 2023

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Rakesh Valeja, Director, Thames Side Sensors India, talks about the crucial role that weighing equipment plays at every stage of the cement manufacturing process.

Thames Side Sensors India provides weighing electronics for the cement industry. When there is manufacturing, there is a requirement of measuring and packing. Measuring happens at different parts of the cement manufacturing process.
Their equipment starts measuring from 300g to 1000 tonne capacity, thus, it can accommodate any weighing application in the cement industry. When raw material comes in from the mines, there is a requirement of weight bridges. When limestone comes to plant on conveyor belts, load needs to be measured there. In the weigh feeder application, raw material is weighed and at the end when the end product is packed that, too, is weighed and packed in respective bags. From raw material to when final packaging is out, their equipment is used in the cement industry at every stage.
Their system is one of the most accurate weighing systems worldwide and they have a presence in over 70 countries globally. Speaking about accuracy, their systems’ outputs are better than the industry standard. They also give excellent warranty support and due to their confidence in their products, they give a 5-year warranty, which is the highest amongst all competition in the market. Their customers also have confidence in the company and have shown their trust in them by making repeat purchases.

Improving Efficiency
Following are some of the important aspects of the systems provided by Thames Side Sensors India:
Their equipment gives the best in class accuracy, which leads the customer to avoid any losses. In this way, they help cement manufacturers save cost. The life of the equipment is 15-20 years, which reduces the need to replace and thus, giving a good return on investment.
They provide equipment use training to their customers.
Automation and technology part is executed by OEM partners. As the company supplies their load measurers through OEM system integrators. The OEM partners supply their tech and the company’s system as part of their package. They work on the system to integrate and interface their technology with the company’s product, which makes it suitable for the cement manufacturers.
If there’s reduced spillage and life of the product is high, it reduces environment pollution, need for replacement and money saving. This money saved can be put into making better innovations that will benefit the environment.
During the installation of silos, they need to provide dummy load measuring equipment. However, multiple processes like welding etc., are happening at that time, and so, the original load measurers cannot be installed. However, the company has come up with a product that can sustain harsh conditions and shock, and will not lead to any discrepancy in its readings.
All their products fall under the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OILM) code of standards. Only after the approval from this organisation, the products are released for market consumption. The company also has the highest standards of accuracy. In this way, it is a win-win for all the customers.
Thames Side Sensors India is getting to know more and more partners and competitors in the market as well as cement manufacturers and marking their footprint. The industry, too, getting to know them. They are currently working with some of the big names of the cement industry and would continue to do so.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rakesh Valeja, Director, Thames Side Sensors India, is responsible for providing the overall direction to the company and planning activities for high-level management and clientele alike and ensuring that clients, shareholders, and employees are all satisfied with their experiences with the company.

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Concrete

Andhra Pradesh Clears Rs. 30 bn My Home Cement Plant

Project receives incentives of up to Rs. 11.29 bn from state

Published

8 hours ago

September 30, 2026

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The Andhra Pradesh government has approved a greenfield cement project worth Rs. 30 bn by My Home Industries, along with incentives of up to Rs. 11.29 bn. The decision comes amid a political controversy in Telangana involving allegations about landholdings associated with My Home Group.

According to an Industries and Commerce Department order issued on September 25, 2026, the project is expected to create 2,000 jobs and begin commercial production by March 2029. The proposed facility will have capacity to produce 3.5 MTPA of clinker and 3.5 MTPA of cement.

The total investment includes fixed capital investment of Rs. 25.97 bn, pre-operative expenses of Rs. 2.23 bn, contingencies of Rs. 1.26 bn and working capital margin of Rs. 540 mn. The incentive package is capped at Rs. 11.29 bn, equivalent to up to 43.48 per cent of fixed capital investment, subject to completion of the committed investment by March 2029.

The package includes a capital subsidy of 39 per cent of eligible fixed capital investment, capped at Rs. 9.43 bn, payable over 10 years from the start of commercial production. It also provides reimbursement of Rs. 1 per unit on electricity purchased from distribution companies for 10 years, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 1.86 bn. A further incentive equivalent to 2 per cent of fixed capital investment is linked to the creation of the committed jobs and other policy conditions.

The state has approved the allotment of 27.19 acres through the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation at actual cost. The project also involves land linked to two temples and the realignment of a canal across approximately 9.93 acres, with conditions requiring alternative temple facilities and company-funded infrastructure work. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has separately raised allegations concerning land associated with My Home Group, including 2,463 acres near Shamshabad. The allegations remain subject to verification through official records and any investigations.

Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas, CleanMax Partner for Wind-Solar Hybrid Project in Rajasthan

Published

1 day ago

September 29, 2026

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The project – comprising 20 MW of wind and 26.4 MWdc of solar capacity – will support Nuvoco’s cement operations with cleaner power while strengthening its renewable energy and decarbonisation strategy.

Mumbai, September 29, 2026

Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, part of Nirma Group and one of India’s leading cement companies, has partnered with Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Limited (CleanMax), a renewable energy solutions provider for the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, to develop a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid renewable energy project in Rajasthan.

The project will support Nuvoco’s cement operations with cleaner power while strengthening its renewable energy and decarbonisation strategy. It is expected to increase the share of renewable energy in Nuvoco’s power mix, reducing fossil fuel consumption and associated emissions.

Developed by CleanMax, an Independent Power Producer (IPP), at Bhikamkhore, Rajasthan, the project will comprise 20 MW of wind capacity and 26.4 MWdc of solar capacity, along with a 2-MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Power generated from the facility will be supplied to Nuvoco through the State Transmission Utility (STU) Open Access network.

The hybrid project is expected to generate approximately 100 million units (MU) of renewable electricity annually and help avoid around 1,25,485 tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

The initiative supports Nuvoco’s ongoing efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of its manufacturing operations through renewable energy adoption, Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS), energy-efficiency measures and increased use of alternative fuels. It also aligns with the company’s DIRE (Digitalisation, Innovation and Renewables) agenda, which focuses on climate action, renewable energy transition, water stewardship, circularity and biodiversity conservation across its manufacturing ecosystem.

Commenting on the initiative, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, said, “This marks an important step in advancing Nuvoco’s journey towards more sustainable and resilient operations. Our collaboration with CleanMax will increase the share of renewable energy across our Rajasthan operations, strengthening our energy mix while improving long-term cost efficiency and reducing our dependence on conventional power sources. Initiatives such as these reinforce our commitment to operational excellence and responsible growth, while supporting our vision of Building a Safer, Smarter and Sustainable World.”

Kuldeep Jain, Founder and Managing Director, CleanMax, said, “Cement plants run continuously, so the power behind them has to be dependable for decades, not years. We’re seeing manufacturing industries view clean energy as an integral part of their core operations and long-term strategy. Our partnership with Nuvoco reflects that shift, and we’re pleased to support its decarbonisation journey. This wind-solar hybrid project is designed to deliver long-term cost certainty while supporting the Company’s transition to cleaner power.”

Nuvoco has been advancing its sustainability initiatives through renewable energy, operational efficiency and technology-driven solutions. The company operates across Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete (RMX) and Modern Building Materials (MBM) segments, with a presence across East, North and West India.

The company began operations in 2014 with a greenfield cement plant in Nimbol, Rajasthan, and later acquired Lafarge India Limited, which entered India in 1999, along with Emami Cement Ltd in 2020 and Vadraj Cement Limited in April 2025. With planned expansion initiatives, including a new grinding mill at the Arasmeta Cement Plant and multiple debottlenecking projects, Nuvoco aims to achieve a cement capacity of 35 MMTPA.

The company reported total income of Rs 113.62 billion in FY 2025-26, reflecting its continued growth trajectory. Its cement portfolio includes Concreto, Duraguard, Double Bull, PSC, Nirmax and Infracem brands, while its RMX business offers products under Concreto, Artiste, InstaMix, X-Con and Ecodure brands. Nuvoco also provides construction solutions under its Zero M range of modern building materials.

Concrete

UltraTech Unit Runs Entirely on Green Energy

Kukurdih Cement Works meets its full electricity needs through green energy.

Published

1 day ago

September 29, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has achieved a decarbonisation milestone, with its integrated Kukurdih Cement Works in Chhattisgarh meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through green energy every month since April 2026.

Commissioned in 2024, the plant has an installed grey cement capacity of 3.3 million tonnes per annum. It meets its entire electricity requirement through a combination of renewable power sourcing and Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS), while maintaining operational reliability.

Since April 2026, nearly a third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements. Five units, including Kukurdih Cement Works, have exceeded 95 per cent green energy utilisation.

UltraTech is also progressively deploying Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across its manufacturing network to enable deeper integration of renewable energy. The company has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

As of Q1FY27, UltraTech’s captive green energy capacity stood at 1,897 MW, comprising 1,463 MW of renewable capacity across solar, wind and hybrid sources, and 434 MW of WHRS capacity.

Under its RE100 commitment, UltraTech aims to increase green power’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2050.