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Concrete

Reducing Carbon Emissions with SCMs

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Jens Mose and John Terembula, Product Line Management, FLSmidth A/S, introduce the type and availability of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in this first part of a three-part article about the potential to increase the use of SCMs to reduce carbon emissions from cement manufacture. You will find parts two and three in the September and October issues of Indian Cement Review.

While much has been done to reduce emissions from cement production, the calcination of limestone is still a major contributor of harmful pollutants and must be addressed if cement manufacturers are to meet their sustainability targets. Fortunately, a number of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) are available, which enable cement manufacturers to replace clinker and thus reduce CO2 emissions. However, adoption of these SCMs varies widely on a regional basis. In India and Brazil, for example, it is common to use fly ash and slag to reduce the clinker factor to as little as 65 per cent. In the US, however, the clinker factor remains high at around 95 per cent.
Worldwide, according to the Climate Technology Centre and Network, the ‘average clinker/cement ratio is about 0.81, with the balance comprising gypsum and additives such as blast furnace slag, fly ash, and natural pozzolana.’ The UNEP-sponsored white paper ‘Eco-efficient cements: Potential economically viable solutions for a low-CO2 cement-based materials industry’ suggests a reasonable worldwide average of 0.60 is achievable by 2050.
But how do we get to this figure? With many decades’ experience grinding a wide range of different materials in vertical roller mills, ball mills and hydraulic roller presses, FLSmidth is in a position to share our knowhow to help the industry make strides in reducing its carbon footprint.

Types of SCMs
SCMs include both naturally occurring materials and byproducts of other industrial processes. The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) groups SCMs according to how they harden : hydraulic SCMs harden in the presence of water (like Portland cement) and include granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and burnt shale oil. Pozzolanic materials require the additional presence of dissolved calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) – a byproduct of the hydration of Portland cement – in order to harden. These include fly ash, silica fume, calcined clays, burnt rice husk and natural pozzolans. Hydraulic cements have a higher early age strength, while pozzolans continue to gain strength for a longer period, giving a higher long-term concrete strength. Both have been proven in construction applications. Limestone is not classified as either hydraulic or pozzolanic but also contributes to the hardening of concrete, putting it in an SCM category all of its own.

Table 1: Common types of SCMs

Find parts two and three of this article in the September and October issues of Indian Cement Review:
Part 2: Equipment selection for SCM grinding, Indian Cement Review, September 2023
Part 3: Expanding SCM use in the future, Indian Cement Review, October 2023

1 https://www.ctc-n.org/technologies/clinker-replacement
2 https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/25281/eco_efficient_cements.pdf
3 https://gccassociation.org/sustainability-innovation/health-safety-cement-innovation/clinker-substitutes/

Concrete

Lower sales realization impacts margins for cement makers in Q2 FY25

The industry encountered several challenges, including an extended monsoon season.

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Major cement manufacturers reported a decline in margins for the September quarter, primarily due to lower prices, which led to decreased sales realization.

With the exception of three leading cement producers—UltraTech Cement, Ambuja Cement, and Dalmia Bharat—smaller companies, including Nuvoco Vistas Corp, JK Cement, Birla Corporation, and Heidelberg Cement, experienced a drop in both topline and sales volume during the second quarter of the current fiscal year.

The industry encountered several challenges, including an extended monsoon season, flooding, and a slow recovery in government demand, all contributing to weak overall demand.

Despite these challenges, power, fuel, and other costs largely remained stable across the industry. The all-India average cement price was approximately Rs 348 per 50 kg bag in June 2024, which represented an 11 per cent year-on-year decrease to Rs 330 per bag in September, although it saw a month-on-month increase of 2 per cent.

In the first half of FY25, cement prices declined by 10 per cent year-on-year, settling at Rs 330 per bag. This decline was notable compared to the previous year’s average prices of Rs 365 per bag and Rs 375 per bag in FY23, as reported by Icra.

Leading cement manufacturer UltraTech reported a capacity utilization rate of 68 per cent, with a 3 per cent growth in volume. However, its sales realization for grey cement declined by 8.4 per cent year-on-year and 2.9 per cent quarter-on-quarter during the July-September period.

In response to a query regarding cement prices during the earnings call, UltraTech’s CFO Atul Daga indicated that there had been an improvement in prices from August to September and noted that prices remained steady from September to October. He mentioned that the prices had risen from Rs 347 in August to approximately Rs 354 currently.

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Concrete

Steel companies face Rs 89,000 crore inventory crisis

Steel firms grapple with Rs 89,000 crore stockpile amid import surge.

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Steel companies in India are facing a significant challenge as they contend with an inventory crisis valued at approximately Rs 89,000 crore. This situation has arisen due to a notable increase in steel imports, which has put pressure on domestic producers struggling to maintain sales in a competitive market.

The surge in imports has been fueled by various factors, including fluctuations in global steel prices and increased production capacities in exporting countries. As a result, domestic steel manufacturers have found it difficult to compete, leading to rising stock levels of unsold products. This inventory buildup has forced several companies to reassess their production strategies and pricing models.

The financial impact of this inventory crisis is profound, affecting cash flows and profitability for many steel firms. With domestic demand remaining volatile, the pressure to reduce prices has increased, further complicating the situation for manufacturers who are already grappling with elevated production costs.

Industry experts are urging policymakers to consider measures that can support local steel producers, such as imposing tariffs on imports or enhancing trade regulations. This would help to protect the domestic market and ensure that Indian steel companies can compete more effectively.

As the steel sector navigates these challenges, stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation, hoping for a turnaround that can stabilize the market and restore confidence among investors. The current dynamics emphasize the need for a robust strategy to bolster domestic production and mitigate the risks associated with excessive imports.

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Concrete

JSW and POSCO collaborate for steel plant

JSW Group and POSCO ink MoU for steel project.

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JSW Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s POSCO Group to develop an integrated steel plant in India. This collaboration aims to enhance India’s steel production capacity and contribute to the country’s growing manufacturing sector.

The agreement was formalized during a recent meeting between executives from both companies, highlighting their commitment to sustainable development and technological innovation in the steel industry. The planned facility will incorporate advanced manufacturing processes and adhere to environmentally friendly practices, aligning with global standards for sustainability.

JSW Group, a leader in the Indian steel industry, has expressed confidence that the joint venture with POSCO will bolster its position in the market and accelerate growth. The project is expected to attract significant investments, generating thousands of jobs in the region and contributing to local economies.

As India aims to boost its steel output to meet domestic demand and support infrastructure projects, this partnership signifies a crucial step toward achieving those goals. Both companies are committed to leveraging their expertise to develop a state-of-the-art facility that will produce high-quality steel products while minimizing environmental impact.

This initiative also reflects the increasing collaboration between Indian and international firms to enhance industrial capabilities and foster economic growth. The MoU sets the stage for a promising future in the Indian steel sector, emphasizing innovation and sustainability as key drivers of success.

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