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We focus on delivering ‘solutions’ rather than ‘products’

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Anant Pokharna, CEO, Unisol Inc, speaks at length about bespoke grinding aid formulations that are helping cement companies meet their carbon emissions targets.

Tell us about the cement additives,grinding aids and construction chemicals provided by your organisation to the cement industry.
Our product range includes bespoke grinding aid formulations, quality improvers and other relevant high-impact chemical additives that find application in cement manufacturing. Our products help cement producers in a range of applications including:

  • Increased cement mill throughput and reduced specific power consumption
  • Reduced clinker factor (content) in blended cements and corresponding increment in ecologically friendly and cheaper substitutes such as fly ash, slag, pond ash etc.
  • Increased cement quality and strengths
  • Special application premium cements
  • Hydrophobic cements
  • Increased raw mill throughput and reduction on power consumption
  • Substitution of mineral gypsum with chemical / phosphor gypsum

Leveraging our extensive research and domain expertise, we design products that precisely meet our customers’ strategic and technical objectives.

How does your bespoke approach help your clients bring efficiency in their operations?
Every cement plant is a unique case, when it comes to its requirement for grinding aids and/or chemical additives. Before proposing the right chemical additive / grinding-aid, we comprehensively understand specific needs of each plant covering aspects
such as:

  • Strategic and business needs
  • Mineralogy, chemical, and physical properties of input materials such as clinker, gypsum, fly ash, slag etc.
  • Baseline quality parameters such as compressive strengths, setting times, PSD, blaines and residues
  • Process parameters and underlying process equipment etc.


Subsequently, an initial hypothesis is developed and multi-component blends (grinding-aid formulations) are prepared. Extensive trials and iterations are undertaken for assessing the impact of these formulations.
The best formulation(s) is/are tested at plant scale and validated for the impact in a full scale environment. Optimisations and fine-tuning efforts are undertaken to ensure maximum value delivery at plant scale. In a nutshell, we focus on delivering ‘solutions’ rather than ‘products’.

Why does your organisation pioneer the concept of open-sourcing of chemicals and on-site blending?
On-site blending is a leaner, better and more flexible approach to delivering grinding-aids and such chemical additives to remote cement factories.
Most legacy grinding aids (commercially available chemical additives typically supplied to cement producers) contain > 50 per cent water. Such high content of a low-value, high-volume ingredient, as water, leads to significantly higher costs associated with freight, duties and handling of pre-blended liquid solutions.
In addition, such pre-blended, ready-to-use chemical additives offer considerably diminished possibility of modifying concentration and formulation for different cement grades or for different objectives or for different process conditions.
The concept of on-site blending allows for a significantly improved model that involves:

  • Delivery of chemical components of grinding-aid formulations to the cement factories in concentrated form (zero to very low water content)
  • Addition of water on-site (at the cement factory)
  • On-site blending of chemical components and water using mixing tanks
  • Dosing of blended solutions into cement (or raw) mills

The above model allows for:

  • Reduced costs of freight, packaging and handling
  • Lower carbon footprint
  • Higher transparency
  • Greater flexibility in modifying products and formulations for mapping to different needs and objectives

What are the key factors of your products that help the cement industry reduce their carbon emission?
The most significant and primary contributor to CO2 and GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions during the cement manufacturing process is clinker production. Each tonne of clinker emits 800-890 kg of CO2 during the production process.
Clinker content in cements varies from 98 per cent in pure OPC (ordinary portland cement or pure cement) to 30 per cent in PSC (portland slag cement or blended slag cement).
Our grinding-aids and high-impact-strength-enhancers can help reduce clinker content in cement by 3 per cent to 10 per cent (depending on the compatibility and conditions). This reduction can therefore help lowering CO2 emissions between 30 kg to 80 kg per tonne of cement.
Assuming a total cement production of 400 million tonnes in India and about 4 billion tonnes worldwide, bespoke grinding aids with the right impact can help reduce carbon footprint by >10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in India alone and >100 million tonnes per annum worldwide.

What role does technology play in providing better solutions to your clients?
Technology underpins our entire approach to design, delivery, and deployment of solutions for cement producers. Designing of these products is undertaken at our cutting-edge research centre in Noida, where we focus on developing advanced and bespoke products for our customers. Our dedicated team of cement scientists, engineers and chemists are conducting >100 trials (lab and plant scale) every year, in the process developing an in-depth domain and technology know-how.
Further, the deployment of these products / solutions at the cement plants in an optimised manner involves extensive experience in cement manufacturing process as well as the know-how around interaction of various chemical additives with the regular input materials and cement plant equipment.

How can your product help in achieving cost efficiency in the cement manufacturing process?
Our products help cement manufacturers in achieving greater cost efficiency through one or more of the following ways.
a) Reducing clinker factor in blended cements: Clinker contributes most significantly to the variable cost of cement production. One tonne of clinker ranges between Rs 2,200 to 3,500 in variable costs. Our products can help reduce clinker content in blended cements by 3 per cent to 10 per cent without affecting the strength and quality of final cement. The more expensive clinker can be replaced with cheaper ingredients such as fly ash (Rs 400-1200 per tonne) and slag (Rs 600-1500 per tonne).
b) Reducing specific power consumption: Our grinding aids help increase cement mill throughput with the same power consumption, in turn delivering reduced specific power consumption per tonne of cement. This helps reduce 2-3 KWH/tonne of cement production, leading to significant cost savings in the long run.
c) Replacement of expensive mineral gypsums with cheaper chemical / phospho gypsums: By increasing cement compressive strengths and accelerating setting times, our products allow for reducing / eliminating usage of mineral gypsums while increasing / replacing with chemical / phosphor gypsums that are much cheaper.

What are the major challenges you face while providing solutions to the Indian cement industry?

  • Remote locations of the cement plant sites: Involves extensive travel by our team and
  • associated hardships.
  • Constantly changing quality of input materials, leading to a possible change in impact of our products and subsequent modification of the formulations to keep aligned with the objectives of the customer.
  • Ever evolving needs of the customers: Strategic objectives keep changing and it is imperative for us to keep evolving with the needs of the customers.
  • Cost-value trade-off: Not all cement plants have a direct use case of deployment of premium chemical additives. In such instances we have to ensure that the trade-off between cost and value delivery is appropriately balanced.

Tell us about ongoing innovations and research that the Indian Cement industry can look forward to?
One of the most significant research exercises that we are undertaking currently is development of high impact chemical additives, which would eventually help reduce clinker factor by up to 15 per cent in certain blended cements (such as PSC and PCC) without any reduction in final cement quality. The work is being undertaken not just for the Indian cement industry but for the global industry and we are keen on taking these solutions to our
clients worldwide.

How do you envision your contribution to the cement industry in the years to come?
We envision ourselves as a significant player in the cement manufacturing ecosystem, where all stakeholders would aggressively work towards a more sustainable and carbon neutral industry. Our products, solutions and approach will help the cement industry in producing leaner, greener and better cements, sustainably.
As the limestone reserves across the country face sustained pressure in terms of both life of the deposits as well as the quality of limestone being mined, there would be an ever-increasing role that we would need to play in deriving more cements with limited resources. Sustainability in cement production would be driven by increasing usage and deployment of chemical additives.
Additionally, pressure on cement producers will continue to grow exponentially to reduce their CO2 and GHG emissions. This in turn, would also enhance the potential contribution of our products and solutions in the ecosystem.

-Kanika Mathur

Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

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FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

 

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Concrete

Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

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Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

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Concrete

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

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Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

To read the full article Click Here

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