Concrete

Customised Solutions for Alternative Solid Fuels

Published

1 year ago

June 12, 2023

admin

Looking at the properties of secondary fuels and other parameters in a bid to understand the correct technical solutions required for handling ASF.

WALTER Materials Handling division of ATS Group-France, is a globally renowned brand in the field of design, manufacturing machines for Alternative Solid Fuels (ASF) handling systems since 1990s. In 2005, ATS Group established a state-of-art facility in India at Chakan MIDC of Pune, registered with the name, ATS Conveyors India Pvt Ltd and this facility serves as a global manufacturing hub for the products of WALTER Materials Handling Division.
Properties of secondary fuels, conditions of materials supply, requisite precision of processing, feed position in the kiln, automation requirements as well as the specific operating conditions at cement works all these have to be considered while working out a successful technical solution for handling ASF. It is well known that the properties of the secondary fuels are never constant and are heterogeneous in nature. This requires the use of equipment that is very flexible in operation. Walter Materials Handling division of ATS with its decades of experience in design, manufacturing of ASF handling systems for cement plants has therefore developed suitable equipment specifically for safe and reliable feeding of alternative fuels such as Municipal Waste, RDF, Shredded tires, impregnated saw dust, shredded plastics etc. As a rule the alternative fuels, which are just listed above as examples, all tend to bridge when stored in hoppers or silos and, as lightweight materials, often have bulk densities as low as 0.1 t/m3 or in some cases even less.
After the multiple successfully operating installations, of ATS designed Extractors and Double Flap Valves throughout the Globe in various Cement plants, we are delighted to announce the launch of our below listed new innovative products designed dedicated for addressing very specific customised site requirements evolved in the field of ASF handling based on feedback from different clients.
Major Indian customers of ATS in Cement industry include UltraTech, Dalmia, Birla Corporation, Ambuja, ACC, JK Lakshmi, JSW and many more.

TWIN DOSEAHORSE: This is a unique solution by ATS for Extraction cum Dosing system, used for controlled Dosing of Alternate Solid Fuels in two different feeding points. Additional advantage of this system is that it can be installed in the preheater tower of a cement kiln, very close to the inlet point for excellent dosing response, which is one of the key factors required for the substitution of fossil fuel. Using this system avoids the need of Flow Diverter and Weigh Belt Feeders for dosing in two different feeding point. Side Walls Conveyor: Transfer solution to the Pre-Heater building with a Side Walls conveyor for ASF conveying in a customised route. This can be used to convey AFR material on a high inclination and even for vertical conveying. Air Floating Conveyor: Air Floating Conveyor of ATS is very useful to convey ASF material with zero spillage up to long distances using the minimum investment of time and cost for project installation as well as operation maintenance.

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Construction Costs Rise 11% in 2024, Driven by Labour Expenses

Cement Prices Decline 15%, But Labour Costs Surge by 25%

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

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The cost of construction in India increased by 11% over the past year, primarily driven by a 25% rise in labour expenses, according to Colliers India. While prices of key materials like cement dropped by 15% and steel saw a marginal 1% decrease, the surge in labour costs stretched construction budgets across sectors.

“Labour, which constitutes over a quarter of construction costs, has seen significant inflation due to the demand for skilled workers and associated training and compliance costs,” said Badal Yagnik, CEO of Colliers India.

The residential segment experienced the sharpest cost escalation due to a growing focus on quality construction and demand for gated communities. Meanwhile, commercial and industrial real estate remained resilient, with 37 million square feet of office space and 22 million square feet of warehousing space completed in the first nine months of 2024.

“Despite rising costs, investments in automation and training are helping developers address manpower challenges and streamline project timelines,” said Vimal Nadar, senior director at Colliers India.

With labour costs continuing to influence overall construction expenses, developers are exploring strategies to optimize operations and mitigate rising costs.

Concrete

Swiss Steel to Cut 800 Jobs

Job cuts due to weak demand

Published

3 days ago

November 18, 2024

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Swiss Steel has announced plans to cut 800 jobs as part of a restructuring effort, triggered by weak demand in the global steel market. The company, a major player in the European steel industry, cited an ongoing slowdown in demand as the primary reason behind the workforce reduction. These job cuts are expected to impact various departments across its operations, including production and administrative functions.

The steel industry has been facing significant challenges due to reduced demand from key sectors such as construction and automotive manufacturing. Additionally, the broader economic slowdown in Europe, coupled with rising energy costs, has further strained the profitability of steel producers like Swiss Steel. In response to these conditions, the company has decided to streamline its operations to ensure long-term sustainability.

Swiss Steel’s decision to cut jobs is part of a broader trend in the steel industry, where companies are adjusting to volatile market conditions. The move is aimed at reducing operational costs and improving efficiency, but it highlights the continuing pressures faced by the manufacturing sector amid uncertain global economic conditions.

The layoffs are expected to occur across Swiss Steel’s production facilities and corporate offices, as the company focuses on consolidating its workforce. Despite these cuts, Swiss Steel plans to continue its efforts to innovate and adapt to market demands, with an emphasis on high-value, specialty steel products.

Concrete

UltraTech Cement to raise Rs 3,000 crore via NCDs to boost financial flexibility

UltraTech reported a 36% year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit, dropping to Rs 825 crore

Published

3 days ago

November 18, 2024

admin

UltraTech Cement, the Aditya Birla Group’s flagship company, has announced plans to raise up to Rs 3,000 crore through the private placement of non-convertible debentures (NCDs) in one or more tranches. The move aims to strengthen the company’s financial position amid increasing competition in the cement sector.

UltraTech’s finance committee has approved the issuance of rupee-denominated, unsecured, redeemable, and listed NCDs. The company has experienced strong stock performance, with its share price rising 22% over the past year, boosting its market capitalization to approximately Rs 3.1 lakh crore.

For Q2 FY2025, UltraTech reported a 36% year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit, dropping to Rs 825 crore, below analyst expectations. Revenue for the quarter also fell 2% YoY to Rs 15,635 crore, and EBITDA margins contracted by 300 basis points. Despite this, the company saw a 3% increase in domestic sales volume, supported by lower energy costs.

In a strategic move, UltraTech invested Rs 3,954 crore for a 32.7% equity stake in India Cements, further solidifying its position in South India. UltraTech holds an 11% market share in the region, while competitor Adani holds 6%. UltraTech also secured $500 million through a sustainability-linked loan, underscoring its focus on sustainable growth driven by infrastructure and housing demand.