Concrete

Decarbonise or Die?

Published

2 years ago

May 16, 2023

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With the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) making it mandatory for the top 1000 listed companies to submit a Business Responsibility Report (BRR) to the stock exchanges as part of their annual reports, ‘going green’ is no longer a voluntary act for cement manufacturers. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is much more than a trending hashtag on social media or jargon to be flaunted at climate summits. It is the tangible reality that cement companies are required to tabulate statistically and present as hard facts to the governing authorities. As cement is one of the seven hard-to-abate industries for carbon emissions, contributing about 70 per cent to India’s CO2 emissions, we are expecting the leash of accountability to tighten around the sector with stringent practices and laws coming into force in the near future.
Given the resource and labour-intensive nature of production, curtailing carbon emissions at a single node is not likely to have any impact on the overall picture. Measures are to be taken at every step of the way – from mining and sourcing of raw materials to last mile connectivity – in order to lower carbon emissions. Green cement is an undeniable reality, and a lot is required in terms of customer education, governmental norms and industry regulations, to make green cement a norm rather than an exception.
Going green is certainly an uphill task but there’s one key term that can ease the process for cement manufacturers. And that term is collaboration. UltraTech has collaborated with Green Planet Logistics, an LNG-fuelled heavy trucking logistics company, to cater to the company’s bulk terminal. Dalmia Cement has signed a long-term partnership with Vedanta Aluminium for supply of industrial wastes such as fly ash for manufacturing low carbon cement. It is such initiatives between cement and other sectors that will help the industry reduce its carbon footprint. Being a crucial contributor towards the country’s Net Zero goals is what we are expecting of the Indian cement industry. Time and impartial analysis will lead us to the conclusion whether the efforts taken are truly paying off or is all this a mere ‘greenwashing’ endeavour.

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Concrete

GMDC Inks Long-Term Limestone Supply Deal With JK Cement

The agreement has been signed for supply of 250 million tonne.

Published

6 hours ago

February 3, 2025

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State-owned GMDC said it has entered into a long-term pact with JK Cement Ltd for the supply of limestone from its upcoming mine in Gujarat.

The agreement has been signed for supply of 250 million tonnes of limestone over a period of 40 years from its upcoming Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine in Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch district in Gujarat.

This agreement will help JK Cement Ltd in setting up an integrated mega-capacity cement plant, fostering industrial growth in the region.Kutch’s coastal proximity, improved access to domestic and international markets, and cost-efficient logistics position it as an ideal hub for cement production.

The state-owned company has five operational lignite mines in Kutch, South Gujarat, and Bhavnagar region.

Concrete

GMDC, J K Cement Ltd. Tie-up for Limestone from Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine

This agreement underscores GMDC Ltd.’s commitment to fostering industrial growt

Published

14 hours ago

February 3, 2025

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Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (GMDC) has signed a Long-Term Supply Agreement (LSA) with JK Cement Ltd. for the supply of 250 million tonnes of limestone over a period of 40 years from its upcoming Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine in Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch District in Gujarat. The signing event was chaired by the Chairman of GMDC Ltd. Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, IAS (Retd.) on January 29, 2025 and the agreement was officially formalised by Roopwant Singh, IAS, Managing Director of GMDC Ltd., and Anuj Khandelwal, Business Head – Grey Cement of JK Cement Ltd., representing their respective organisations.

This agreement marks a strategic partnership towards monetising the large limestone asset of GMDC Ltd. and benefiting both the partners. It will support J K Cement Ltd. in setting up a greenfield integrated mega-capacity cement plant, fostering industrial growth in the region. The collaboration will stimulate investment, enhance industrial development, and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in Kutch, contributing significantly to the socio-economic progress of Gujarat. Kutch’s coastal proximity, improved access to domestic and international markets, and cost-efficient logistics position it as an ideal hub for cement production. Furthermore, this initiative will contribute substantially to the State Exchequer through revenue generation in the form of Royalty, National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) contributions, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, and Goods & Services Tax (GST) on both limestone and cement production.

This agreement underscores GMDC Ltd.’s commitment to fostering industrial growth while ensuring the sustainable utilization of mineral resources, thereby strengthening Gujarat’s position as a leading industrial and economic State.

Concrete

JK Cement Acquires Majority Stake in Saifco Cement to Expand in J&K

Saifco has an annual turnover of around Rs 860 million.

Published

2 days ago

February 1, 2025

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JK Cement has made a significant move in its growth strategy by acquiring a 60% equity stake in Saifco Cement, a cement manufacturer based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The acquisition, valued at approximately Rs 1.74 billion, was approved during a board meeting on January 25, 2025.

Located in Khunmoh, Srinagar, Saifco’s integrated manufacturing unit, which includes both clinker and grinding capacities, aligns with JK Cement’s expansion plans. Saifco has an annual turnover of around Rs 860 million, and this acquisition not only strengthens JK Cement’s presence in the region but also offers a strategic advantage in the competitive Indian cement industry.

Saifco’s facility, spread across 54 acres, has a clinker capacity of 0.26 million tonnes per annum and a grinding capacity of 0.42 million tonnes per annum. The site also holds captive limestone reserves across 144.25 hectares, with a mineable reserve of 129 million tonnes.

This deal, which is expected to close after receiving regulatory approvals, allows JK Cement to tap into Saifco’s established infrastructure, sidestepping the time-consuming process of greenfield expansion. The acquisition will also position JK Cement to benefit from Saifco’s established market presence and supply chain.

The move signals JK Cement’s ambition to expand further in the Jammu and Kashmir market and beyond, positioning Saifco as a key regional player under JK Cement’s umbrella. The acquisition could also lead to potential job creation and greater economic opportunities for local suppliers. As part of the integration, JK Cement is expected to bring operational synergies, improving production efficiency and cost management.

This deal is seen as a model for regional consolidation in India’s growing cement industry, with JK Cement’s established brand and distribution network poised to enhance Saifco’s operations and product offerings in the region.

(Greater Kashmir)