Concrete

Decarbonise or Die?

Published

3 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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Cement Firms to Invest Rs. 130 bn in Green Energy by FY28

Cement companies plan to expand clean energy capacity to 6 GW by FY28

Published

2 days ago

September 17, 2026

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India’s major cement companies are set to raise their clean energy capacity to 6 GW by March 2028 from around 4 GW at the end of March 2026, according to ratings agency ICRA. The planned expansion is expected to involve investments of Rs. 130 bn over the next two years.

The additional capacity could generate annual savings of Rs. 62 bn to Rs. 67 bn, resulting in an estimated payback period of 1.8 to 2.2 years. Cement is an emission-intensive industry, and leading producers have established net-zero roadmaps covering the next 15 to 20 years.

The calcination process accounts for 57 to 60 per cent of the sector’s total emissions, while fuel combustion contributes 27 to 30 per cent and electricity consumption accounts for 10 to 13 per cent. ICRA said the figures highlighted the need for a broad decarbonisation strategy involving green power, blended cement, alternative fuels and improvements in clinker efficiency.

Green energy is considered one of the most commercially attractive decarbonisation options because it can reduce emissions while lowering operating costs. Every 5 per cent increase in green power replacement can reduce power and fuel costs by Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per tonne. A 25 per cent replacement level could therefore save Rs. 75 to Rs. 80 per tonne and expand operating margins by 140 to 160 basis points.

Cement producers are also assessing carbon capture, utilisation and storage, although high implementation costs, energy requirements and limited transport and storage infrastructure are expected to slow commercial adoption. The government has proposed Rs. 200 bn over five years to support deployment across key sectors. Meanwhile, companies are targeting thermal substitution rates of 10 to 15 per cent over the next three to five years, compared with the current industry level of around 6 per cent.

Concrete

Centre Defers Clearance for Limestone Mine Near Bustard Habitat

Panel seeks revised mining plan and safeguards for pipelines and wildlife

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2026

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The Centre has deferred environmental clearance for a proposed limestone mine near a Great Indian Bustard habitat in Ramgarh, Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district. The critically endangered species has an estimated wild population of about 130 in India.

Concrete

Telangana to Supply Subsidised Cement for Indiramma Houses

Poor families allotted Indiramma houses to receive cement at Rs. 230 per bag

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2026

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The Telangana government will supply cement at a subsidised price of Rs. 230 per 50-kg bag to poor and low-income families allotted Indiramma houses. The prevailing market price is between Rs. 310 and Rs. 320 per bag, the Assembly was informed on Thursday.