Concrete

Ignore at Your Own Peril

Published

3 years ago

May 16, 2023

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ICR looks at the impact of various methods such as use of alternative fuel and raw materials, tackling the emissions issue and encouraging carbon capture in a bid to make green cement and progress towards Net Zero goals.

The analytical journey is long past its prime when it comes to diagnosing the emission problem pertaining to cement and concrete. There is no denying the fact that the problem is too big.
If concrete was a country, it would be the biggest production centre as all other commodities put together will not even come close to the 30 billion tonnes of concrete that the world produces every year. If cement was a country, it would be the third highest emitter of CO2 in the world. But the efforts have been to find an approach that would force corporations to either limit and progressively reduce over time the impact on the environment through a slew of measures directed at reducing the carbon footprint of cement.
The chart attached shows the distribution of the CO2 emission based on the processing steps for making cement from limestone.

United efforts
The last five years has seen acceleration in the efforts towards finding significant pathways for reducing carbon footprint in cement production around the world. The progress on substantial reduction has been positive with concentration in the following areas:

Focus on Calcination Emission: Reducing clinkering by adding alternative materials that can replace clinker
Focus on Fossil Fuel Emission: Efficiency improvement in a number of areas that reduce the use of fossil fuels per unit of cement output, together with the use of alternative fuel.
Under the first category, we see a rise in the use of fly ash from the coal-based power plants that replace clinker during grinding and the percentage increase in the last five years on this count would be around 2 per cent (31 per cent moving to 33 per cent with the balance being clinker). Alternatively, the use of blast furnace slag has seen a rise of 5 per cent (50 per cent moving to 55 per cent with the balance being clinker). Both of these actions have taken the total CO2 emission to 860 kg per tonne for some of the best operating plants of the world.
The challenges for the future in this regard is that fly ash will remain a constantly depleting resource as all fresh investments into coal fired power plants are scrutinised and it is most likely that the current generation of fly ash will not move up in the coming years. This poses some challenges for the future as the emission pathways that consider use of fly ash as a potential lever for replacing clinker would have to find new pathways as a countermeasure. The use of blast furnace slag also has the same problem brewing at large as steel production is slated for overall sustainability improvement measures, which ordains reduced output of blast furnace slag as a definitive measure.

Tackling the emissions issue
This leaves the focus on alternative use of other non-fossil fuels for producing cement, where the actual progress is almost entirely hinged on renewable sources producing electricity that would be used for clinkerisation as well as for grinding. While the latter has progressed well, the former is still at a stage where a handful of cement units have signed up for the alternative technology in kilns.
Most of the technologies so far have progressed little towards solving the real issue of emission stemming from the clinkerisation process itself, as the molecular structure change from limestone to clinker involves generation of CO2 quite inevitably. The solutions therefore looked at ways of capturing carbon from the emission process, somewhat similar to the photo-synthesis process in plants as Professor Dr Aldo Seinfeld from ETH Zürich has shown. However, the progress is still at a laboratory scale and to find an economic solution will still take some time. For example, most cement kilns today produce close to 2.5 million tonnes of clinker and the sizing is only moving up, which means the amount of CO2 generation from these kilns per year would be close to 2 million tonnes. To get CO2 capturing systems to scale up to these levels would need many years.

Putting carbon to good use
The question is how can we help to scale up the capacity to sequester and store carbon from the emissions from cement kilns? The problem needs to be approached scientifically to make the process economical, which is where the current focus is. But more than the laboratories where this progress is well grounded, we need the cement corporations to set aside funds for investments that need to be made for all future kilns that have the provisions for carbon capture.
The next question is to look at how the stored carbon can be put to use in production of concrete? This requires more than the usual scientific research, as the supply chain of concrete making must factor in ways and means of finding pathways for using stored carbon in the concrete making. The Economist reports that companies like CarbonCure, a Canadian firm, are doing this. They have fitted equipment, which injects CO2 into ready-mixed concrete to more than 400 plants around the world. Its system has been used to construct buildings that include a new campus in Arlington, Virginia, for Amazon, an online retailer (and also a shareholder in CarbonCure), and an assembly plant for electric vehicles, for General Motors in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Piloting new technologies
One of the other areas of focus has been to find an alternative route to clinkerisation that is based on electricity.
Calix, based in Sydney, Australia, is working on an electrically powered system, which heats the limestone indirectly, from the outside of the kiln rather than the inside. That enables pure CO2 to be captured without having to clean up combustion gases from fuel burnt inside the kiln—so, if the electricity itself came from green sources, the resulting cement would be completely green.
A pilot plant using this technology has run successfully as part of a European Union research project on a site in Belgium operated by Heidelberg Cement, a German firm that is one of the world’s biggest cement-makers. A larger demonstration plant is due to open in 2023, in Hanover, to help scale up the technology.
Almost all of this would need sacrifice from many stakeholders, as the cost of making cement and concrete will rise as investments have to be made in new technology. Bill Gates’ book, ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,’ projected an increase of the cement making cost from the current $125 per tonne to a range of $219 to $300 if the CO2 emissions have to be taken care of for achieving Net Zero. However, the price of cement is already much above $125 per tonne even without factoring any of the carbon capture and sequestration measures, so the real rise could be much more.
A community of stakeholders, starting with the corporation making cement, the community near the cement kilns, the customers, the suppliers and the government, all have a role to play to find a solution how this increase in costs would have to be borne and distributed. Carbon taxes have always been the time-tested path to decarbonisation. Stringent use of taxes as a potent tool has seen better progress, especially in Europe, where some serious progress has happened. Recycling of cement from the demolition waste is one great example.
The best example of coordination and collaboration is captured in the initiatives of the world’s largest kiln near Wuhan, where one would witness how the city municipality came forward to proactively recycle the entire city municipal waste into the kiln of the cement unit situated on the Yangtze river. The waste is transported by barges and through a pipeline taken directly into the cement kiln. Such collaboration could replace the hard stand of putting penalties, which after all could be regressive at times.

-Procyon Mukherjee

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Concrete

JSW Cement Begins Production At Nagaur Rajasthan Plant

Greenfield integrated cement plant begins operations in Rajasthan

Published

10 hours ago

March 23, 2026

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JSW Cement has started production at a new greenfield integrated cement plant in Nagaur, Rajasthan, marking its first integrated facility in north India. The commissioning advances its national expansion and raises cement grinding capacity to 24.1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and clinker manufacturing capacity to nine point seven four MTPA including joint venture capacity. The plant is strategically located to serve high growth markets in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region.

The Nagaur plant comprises a three point three MTPA clinkerisation unit and a two point five MTPA cement grinding unit, with an additional one MTPA grinding unit under construction. The facility’s capacity additions enable it to meet regional demand and support infrastructure development. The project was funded by equity and long term debt and the company allocated Rs 8 bn from IPO proceeds to part finance the unit.

Company leadership said commissioning was completed within 21 months and that the expansion advances its aim to become a pan India player, with a mid term target of 41.85 MTPA and a long term vision of 60 MTPA. The plant includes sustainability features such as co processing of alternative fuels and a seven kilometre overland belt conveyor to transport limestone from the mines, reducing road transport impacts. The operation is expected to support economic growth and provide supplies for construction projects across the north.

The site will incorporate a 16 megawatt (MW) Waste Heat Recovery System to capture and reuse process heat, reducing the carbon footprint. JSW Cement’s operations include eight plants in India and a clinker unit in the UAE through a joint venture, providing a presence across the building materials value chain. The company emphasised use of industrial by products in manufacture and focus on producing eco friendly building materials.

Concrete

MAPEI India Celebrates 15 Years of Building Excellence

MAPEI India celebrates 15 years with growth, expansion and CSR impact

Published

10 hours ago

March 23, 2026

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MAPEI India marks its 15th anniversary, celebrating a journey defined by innovation, trust, and continuous growth. Beginning in 2011 with just four employees and a single manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, the company has evolved into a key player in India’s construction chemicals industry, now employing over 380 professionals across the country. Over the past 15 years, MAPEI India has delivered strong performance with a sales CAGR of 31 per cent. From zero production in its early years, the company shipped 1,71,000 metric tonnes of materials in 2025, demonstrating robust operational capabilities and rising market acceptance.

To support expanding demand, MAPEI India has steadily scaled its manufacturing footprint. Following the Bengaluru plant in 2011, new facilities were launched in Vadodara in 2016 and Kosi (Mathura) in 2022. A fourth facility in Kharagpur is set to go live in 2026, strengthening the company’s nationwide supply network.

As part of its commitment to global standards, MAPEI India operates under an Integrated Management System (IMS) certified for ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment) and ISO 45001 (Health & Safety). These certifications reinforce its dedication to delivering safe, sustainable, and high quality solutions.

With a diverse portfolio of over 20 product lines, MAPEI India has supported iconic projects such as the Atal Tunnel, the Statue of Unity, and major airport and metro developments. The company has also invested Rs 3.2 crore in CSR initiatives focused on education, women’s empowerment, and rehabilitation. As it steps into the future, MAPEI India remains committed to excellence, sustainability, and customer trust.

Mapei hai to bharosa hai.

Concrete

Material Flow Efficiency

Published

5 days ago

March 18, 2026

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We explore how material handling systems are becoming strategic assets in cement plants, enabling efficient movement of raw materials, clinker and finished cement. Advanced conveying, automation and digital technologies are improving plant productivity while supporting energy efficiency and sustainability goals.

Material handling systems form the operational backbone of cement plants, enabling the efficient movement of raw materials, clinker and finished cement across complex production networks. With India’s cement industry producing over 391 million tonnes of cement in FY2024 and possessing an installed capacity of around 668 mtpa, according to the CRISIL Research Industry Report, 2025, efficient material logistics have become critical to maintaining plant productivity and cost competitiveness. At the same time, cement production is highly energy intensive and contributes around 7 per cent to
8 per cent of global CO2 emissions, making efficient material flow and logistics optimisation essential for reducing operational inefficiencies and emissions states the International Energy Agency Cement Technology Roadmap, 2023. As plants scale capacity and integrate digital technologies, modern material handling systems, ranging from automated conveyors to intelligent stockyards, are increasingly recognised as strategic assets that influence plant stability, energy efficiency and environmental performance.

Strategic role of material handling
Material handling is no longer viewed as a secondary utility within cement plants; it is now recognised as a strategic system that directly influences production efficiency and process stability.
Cement manufacturing involves the continuous movement of large volumes of limestone, clay, additives, clinker and finished cement across multiple production stages. Even minor disruptions in conveying systems or storage infrastructure can lead to kiln feed fluctuations, production delays and significant financial losses. According to Indian Cement Industry Operational Benchmarking Study, 2024, unplanned downtime in large integrated cement plants can cost between Rs.15–20 lakh per hour, highlighting the economic importance of reliable material handling systems.
Modern cement plants are therefore investing in advanced mechanical handling systems designed for high throughput and operational reliability. Large integrated plants can process over 10,000 tonnes per day of clinker, requiring highly efficient conveying systems and automated stockyards to maintain continuous material flow, suggests the International Cement Review Industry Analysis, 2024. Efficient material handling also reduces spillage, minimises dust emissions and improves workplace safety. As cement plants become larger and more technologically advanced, the role of material handling is evolving from simple transport infrastructure to a critical operational system that supports both productivity and sustainability.

From quarry to plant
The transport of raw materials from quarry to processing plant represents one of the most energy-intensive stages of cement production. Traditionally, limestone and other raw materials were transported using diesel-powered trucks, which resulted in high fuel consumption, dust generation and increased operational costs. However, modern plants are increasingly adopting long-distance belt conveyors and pipe conveyors as a more efficient alternative. These systems allow continuous material transport over distances of 10–15 kilometres, significantly reducing fuel consumption and operating costs while improving environmental performance, states the FLSmidth Cement Industry Technology Report, 2024.
Milind Khangan, Marketing Manager, Vertex Market Research & Consulting, says, “Efficient and enclosed handling of fine materials such as cement, fly ash and slag requires modern pneumatic conveying systems. By optimising the air-to-material ratio, these systems can reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent to 15 per cent while ensuring smooth material flow. Closed-loop conveying further minimises dust loading and improves the performance of bag filters, supporting cleaner plant operations. In addition, flow-regulated conveying lines help prevent clogging and maintain reliable dispatch performance. Overall, automation in pneumatic conveying delivers immediate operational benefits, including improved equipment uptime, lower energy use, reduced material spillage and more stable kiln and mill performance.”
Pipe conveyor systems are particularly gaining traction because they provide a completely enclosed transport system that prevents material spillage and dust emissions. According to global cement engineering studies, conveyor-based transport can reduce energy consumption by up to 30 per cent compared to truck haulage, while also improving operational reliability. Several cement plants in India have already implemented such systems to stabilise quarry-to-plant logistics while reducing carbon emissions associated with diesel transport.

Stockyard management and homogenisation
Stockyards play a critical role in maintaining raw material consistency and stabilising kiln feed quality. Modern cement plants use advanced stacker and reclaimer systems to ensure efficient storage and blending of raw materials before they enter the grinding and pyroprocessing stages. Automated stacking methods such as chevron or windrow stacking enable uniform distribution of materials, while bridge-type or portal reclaimers ensure consistent extraction during kiln feed preparation. These systems are essential for maintaining stable chemical composition of raw meal, which directly influences kiln efficiency and clinker quality. The Cement Plant Operations Handbook, 2024 indicates that advanced homogenisation systems can reduce raw mix variability by up to 50 per cent, significantly improving kiln stability and energy efficiency. Integrated stockyard management systems also incorporate sensors for monitoring bulk density, moisture levels and stockpile volumes, enabling real-time control over material blending processes.

Clinker and cement conveying technologies
Once clinker is produced in the kiln, it must be efficiently transported to storage silos and subsequently to grinding and packing units. Modern cement plants rely on high-capacity belt conveyors, bucket elevators and pneumatic conveying systems to manage this stage of material flow. Steel-cord belt bucket elevators are now capable of lifting materials to heights exceeding 120 metres with capacities reaching 1,500 tonnes per hour, making them suitable for large-scale clinker production lines, states the European Cement Engineering Association Technical Paper, 2023.
For fine materials such as cement, fly ash and slag, pneumatic conveying systems provide a reliable and dust-free solution. These systems transport powdered materials using controlled airflow, ensuring enclosed and contamination-free movement between grinding units, silos and packing stations. Optimised pneumatic systems can reduce energy consumption by 10 per cent to 15 per cent compared to older conveying technologies, while also improving plant cleanliness and environmental compliance, according to the Global Cement Technology Review, 2024.

Automation and digitalisation
Digitalisation is transforming material handling systems by introducing real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance and automated control. Advanced sensors and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms enable plant operators to track conveyor health, stockpile levels and equipment performance in real time. Predictive maintenance systems analyse vibration patterns, temperature fluctuations and equipment load data to detect potential failures before they occur. According to McKinsey’s Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Report, 2023, for heavy industries, digital monitoring and predictive maintenance technologies can reduce equipment downtime by up to 30 per cent and increase productivity by 10 per cent to 15 per cent. Digital control centres also integrate data from conveyors, stacker reclaimers and dispatch systems, enabling centralised management of material flows from quarry to dispatch.

Handling of AFR
The growing adoption of Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR) has introduced new challenges and opportunities for material handling systems in cement plants. AFR materials such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF), biomass and industrial waste often have irregular particle sizes, variable moisture content and lower bulk density compared to conventional fuels. As a result, specialised storage, dosing and feeding systems are required to ensure consistent kiln combustion. According to the Cement Sector Decarbonisation Roadmap published by NITI Aayog in 2026, increasing the use of AFR could enable India’s cement sector to achieve thermal substitution rates of around 20 per cent in the coming decades. To support this transition, plants are investing in automated receiving stations, shredding units, drying systems and precision dosing equipment to stabilise AFR supply and combustion performance.

Energy efficiency and dust control
Material handling systems also play a crucial role in improving plant energy efficiency and environmental performance. Modern conveyor systems equipped with variable speed drives and energy-efficient motors can significantly reduce electricity consumption. Permanent magnet motors used in conveyor drives can deliver 8 per cent to 12 per cent energy savings compared to conventional induction motors, improving overall plant energy efficiency according to the IEA Industrial Energy Efficiency Study, 2023. Dust control is another major concern in cement plants, particularly during material transfer and storage operations. Enclosed conveyors, dust extraction systems and advanced bag filters are widely used to minimise particulate emissions and improve workplace safety.

Future trends in material handling
The future of material handling in cement plants will be shaped by automation, digitalisation and sustainability considerations. Emerging technologies such as AI-driven logistics optimisation, autonomous mobile equipment and digital twins are expected to further improve plant efficiency and operational visibility. Digital twin models allow engineers to simulate material flow patterns, optimise stockyard operations and predict equipment performance under different operating conditions. According to the International Energy Agency Digitalisation and Energy Report, 2024, the adoption of advanced digital technologies could improve industrial energy efficiency by up to 20 per cent in heavy industries such as cement manufacturing. As cement plants expand capacity and adopt low-carbon technologies, intelligent material handling systems will play a critical role in maintaining productivity and reducing environmental impact.

Conclusion
Material handling systems have evolved from basic transport infrastructure into strategic operational systems that directly influence plant efficiency, reliability and sustainability. From quarry transport and automated stockyards to digital dispatch platforms and advanced conveying technologies, modern material handling solutions enable cement plants to manage large production volumes while maintaining process stability.
As India’s cement industry continues to expand to meet infrastructure and urban development demands, investments in advanced material handling technologies will become increasingly important. By integrating automation, digital monitoring and energy-efficient systems, cement manufacturers can improve operational performance while supporting the industry’s long-term sustainability and decarbonisation goals.