Concrete

How Technology Helps Building Materials

Published

3 years ago

May 10, 2023

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Vishal Kanodia, Managing Director, Kanodia Cement, explains the role technology plays in making the building material segment more sustainable.

In today’s world, sustainability has become a key concern for businesses across all sectors. The building material segment is no exception. With the rapid pace of urbanisation and the increasing demand for housing, commercial complex and infrastructure segments, it is high time for the construction industry to look for alternative, sustainable building materials that can meet the growing demand for construction without degrading the environment.
The good news is that technology has the potential to play a significant role in making the building material segment more sustainable. Let’s explore how different technological elements can help us achieve this goal.

Traditional Technology Elements
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and Enterprise Reporting have been around for a while and are widely used in the building material industry. These technologies help in streamlining operations, improving customer engagement, better feedback from the last mile customers and providing real-time visibility into business processes, which ultimately augment customer satisfaction.
Industry 3.0, which refers to the third wave of the industrial revolution that started in the 1960s, brought about the automation of production processes. It enabled the industry to produce goods at scale, reducing production costs and increasing efficiency. While Industry 3.0 technologies are still prevalent, it is time for the building material segment to embrace newer technologies that can help them become more cost effective and sustainable.

Green Building and Sustainability
The use of alternative sustainable building materials is one way to make the industry more sustainable. Technologies such as modular building design and precast construction can help in the faster construction of buildings while reducing the wastage of materials. The use of renewable energy, such as solar panels, can reduce the dependence on non-renewable sources of energy.
Carbon credits, wastewater treatment and reuse of water and material reuse are some other sustainability initiatives that can be taken up by the building material industry.

Digital Disruption
Digital commerce, big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are some of the newer technologies that can disrupt the building material industry. They can help in the optimisation of production processes, reduce energy and water consumption and enable the industry to produce goods at scale with minimal human intervention.
Industry 4.0, which is the fourth wave of the industrial revolution, refers to the integration of technologies such as AI, machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create smart factories. These factories can operate with minimal human intervention and can optimise production processes based on real-time data.

Smart Supply Chain
A smart supply chain can enable the building material industry to optimise logistics and reduce the wastage of materials. Technologies such as autonomous mobile robots (AMR), indoor drones, and visual AI can help in the automation of material handling and warehouse operations. IoT-based asset tracking can provide real-time visibility into the location of materials, enabling better inventory management.
Smart last-mile logistics can enable the industry to enhance the transportation of goods to their final destination. Technologies such as vehicle telemetry, geo-fencing, and drones can help in the optimisation of last-mile delivery.

What Lies Ahead
The building material industry is at a crossroads. The industry needs to embrace newer, sustainable technologies that can enable it to produce goods at scale without degrading the environment.
With the help of technologies such as AI,machine learning, and the IoT, the industry can optimise production processes, reduce energy and water consumption and automated material handling and warehouse operations. The role of technology in the sustainability of building materials is significant and has played a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of the building materials segment.
However, it is not just about using technology to scale up the supply chain and manufacturing processes. The use of technology in the sustainability of building materials also involves the use of green building materials and renewable energy sources.
Alternative sustainable building materials such as bamboo, straw bale and recycled plastic are becoming more popular due to their low environmental impact and their ability to reduce energy consumption. Moreover, the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind power, and geothermal energy has become more common, as it helps reduce the reliance on non-renewable energy sources. The use of green building materials, renewable energy sources, carbon credits and digital disruption has helped companies reduce waste, optimise resource usage and lower their carbon footprint, leading to a more sustainable future. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions that will help the building materials segment become even more sustainable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vishal Kanodia is the Managing Director of Kanodia Cement. He has a rich experience in the cement manufacturing industry and a leadership flair.

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World Cement Association Annual Conference 2026 in Bangkok

Global leaders to focus on decarbonisation and digitisation

Published

16 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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The World Cement Association (WCA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference from 19–21 April 2026 at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The two-day programme will convene global cement industry leaders, policymakers, technology providers and stakeholders to examine strategic, operational and sustainability challenges shaping the sector’s next phase of transformation. The conference theme of shaping a sustainable future through digitisation, innovation and performance will frame sessions and networking opportunities across the event.\n\nThe programme will open with a comprehensive assessment of the global economic environment and its impact on cement markets, alongside regional outlooks across Asia and Europe. Speakers will address regulatory developments including carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM) in Europe, progress in China’s carbon trading system and market dynamics in Thailand and South East Asia, and will outline practical decarbonisation pathways such as alternative fuels, next-generation supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and calcined clay developments. Sessions will also examine AI-enabled kiln optimisation and other digital approaches to improve plant performance.\n\nDay two will focus on overcapacity challenges and industry restructuring, using case studies and regional perspectives to provide delegates with practical insights into unlocking performance while accelerating decarbonisation. Discussions will explore digital maturity and AI-driven plant operations, manufacturing optimisation, sustainable building solutions and circular concrete models, together with evolving customer requirements across the construction value chain. The event will include the WCA Awards Ceremony at the Awards Gala Dinner on 20 April to recognise excellence in sustainability, innovation, safety and leadership.\n\nPhilippe Richart, chief executive officer of the WCA, said the sector was navigating a period of profound transformation, from managing overcapacity and market volatility to deploying AI and delivering measurable decarbonisation, and that the Annual Conference would bring global leaders together to exchange practical solutions and strengthen collaboration. Registration is open and tickets include admission to the two-day event, all sessions, refreshments and lunch, exhibition access and the Awards Gala Dinner. Further information on the programme is available via the WCA Annual Conference 2026 event page and queries on sponsorship or exhibition may be directed to events@worldcementassociation.org.

Concrete

Assam Chief Minister Opens Star Cement Plant In Cachar

New plant aims to boost local industry and supply chains

Published

16 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Star Cement plant in Cachar on 28 February 2026, marking the opening of a manufacturing facility designed to serve the region. The event was attended by state officials and company representatives, and it was reported with inputs from ANI. The plant is positioned as a strategic addition to the industrial landscape of southern Assam and is expected to improve the availability of construction materials for local projects.

The establishment is expected to generate employment opportunities and to stimulate ancillary businesses in the supply chain, including transport and local vendors. State officials indicated that the plant will enhance logistical efficiency by reducing the need to transport cement over long distances, which may lower construction costs for public and private projects. Observers said the presence of a regional cement facility can support housing and infrastructure initiatives that are underway or planned.

Government representatives reiterated that the state seeks to attract responsible investment that complements regional priorities and that the administration will continue to facilitate infrastructure and connectivity to support industrial operations. The inauguration was presented as consistent with broader efforts to diversify the industrial base in the northeast and to create an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises that supply goods and services to larger manufacturers.

Company sources and the state leadership underlined the importance of maintaining environmental safeguards while pursuing industrial growth, and they signalled that compliance with applicable norms will be a priority at the new facility. The announcement was framed as a step towards balanced development that links job creation, regional supply chains and local economic resilience. The report was prepared by the TNM Bureau with inputs from ANI.

Concrete

Adani Cement, NAREDCO Form Strategic Alliance

Partnership to advance skills and sustainable construction

Published

16 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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Adani Cement has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) to support India’s expanding housing and infrastructure requirements aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The collaboration brings together Adani Cement’s building materials portfolio, research capabilities and technical expertise with NAREDCO’s network of over 15,000 member organisations. The partnership will focus on skill development, knowledge exchange, technology adoption and sustainable construction practices across the real estate ecosystem.

Joint initiatives will include certification programmes for masons and contractors, along with training modules for site supervisors from NAREDCO member organisations to strengthen execution standards and quality control. The partners will also promote modern construction technologies, green materials and integrated building solutions, including ready-mix concrete, while exploring support for affordable housing.

Vinod Bahety, CEO – Cement Business, Adani Group, said, “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to nation-building and to creating an ecosystem where quality, innovation, and sustainability are integral to every project. By working closely with NAREDCO, we aim to equip developers with advanced materials, deeper technical support, and structured knowledge platforms that can improve performance across the entire project lifecycle.”

Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO, stated that the association aims to encourage responsible construction practices and promote adoption of green building norms across expanding urban centres.