Concrete

I foresee a good future for the cement market

Published

1 year ago

October 19, 2023

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Rajesh Pathak, Managing Director, Schenck Process Solutions India, talks about how kiln performance can be improved with the use of advanced technology.

Tell us about the MULTICOR® processing system by Schenck Process.
MULTICOR® is a weighing and feeding equipment. The highlight of this system is its high accuracy and consistency. This system helps to improve and better the kiln performance in cement industries. It is a German technology, which is being used for various cement plants, and fits best with the demand of accuracy that is a prerequisite for the cement manufacturers. Our system helps better the
kiln process.

How does MULTICOR® help cement plants to achieve high accuracy in feeding?
In the past, obtaining precise results using mechanical equipment was a challenge. Today MULTICOR® uses a unique measuring system based upon Coriolis Principle, wherein a constant speed motor is used to drive the MULTICOR®. Any variation in feed rate results in change in motor torque, which is measured by loadcell fitted with specially designed mechanism. This input is given to the controller DISOCONT TERSUS, which controls the pre-feeder to nullify the variation in MULTICOR® output thereby resulting in constant feed rate. Whenever it comes to continuous metering, controlling and feeding of significant material amounts, we offer MULTICOR® mass flow meters and feeders to our customers. For example: The heating of the raw meal to make cement clinker takes place in rotary kilns at a temperature of around 1450° C. The raw meal is fed into the kiln by MULTICOR® mass flow feed devices, which exploit the Coriolis effect, works as per the pull principle. Further the MULTICOR® mass flow meters are also used for coal dosing into the kiln and calciners.

Are your systems tailor made to customer requirements?
Since our core value is to meet customer expectations, we meet and understand customer requirements and make alterations in the system for it to fit suitably in their process. There are two different types of MULTICOR® systems for Pyro; (a) For Coal-Schenck offers combination of MULTICELL® (pre-feeder) + MULTICOR® K (Measuring Unit) (b) For Raw Meal- Schenck offers combination of Dosing Valve (pre-feeder) + MULTICOR® S (Measuring Unit).

What impact does your system create on the cost efficiency for cement manufacturers?
• Assists in meeting CO2 reduction targets.
• Better ROI.
• Retrofitting of solutions into existing plants.
• Co-operation with a global solution provider, who understands the market and production
needs.
• Enabling cement producers to reduce their investment levels in capital equipment and operating costs, utilising the MULTICOR® systems.
It is simple to install due to its in-line implementation and compact construction. Maintenance and repair costs are both very low.

How does your equipment incorporate eco-friendly measures?
Our equipment operates in a manner that uses power optimally. Believing in the principle that power saved is power generated, we contribute towards a greener future for cement.

How do you envision your future with the Indian cement industry?
I hope that in the coming years, the market will keep looking for advanced technology roadmap. With improvement in the infrastructure development, our equipment and system/solutions will be an integral part of the growth journey of cement industry. I foresee a good future for the cement market.
Schenck Process has more than 200 installations of MULTICOR® systems in India and the numbers are growing with high degree of customer satisfaction. The repeat orders from the major cement OEMs are a vote of confidence for Schenck Process for high quality, performance and best services.

-Kanika Mathur

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Concrete

Jefferies’ Optimism Fuels Cement Stock Rally

The industry is aiming price hikes of Rs 10-15 per bag in December.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 4, 2024

admin

Cement stocks surged over 5% on Monday, driven by Jefferies’ positive outlook on demand recovery, supported by increased government capital expenditure and favourable price trends.

JK Cement led the rally with a 5.3% jump, while UltraTech Cement rose 3.82%, making it the top performer on the Nifty 50. Dalmia Bharat and Grasim Industries gained over 3% each, with Shree Cement and Ambuja Cement adding 2.77% and 1.32%, respectively.

“Cement stocks have been consolidating without significant upward movement for over a year,” noted Vikas Jain, head of research at Reliance Securities. “The Jefferies report with positive price feedback prompted a revaluation of these stocks today.”

According to Jefferies, cement prices were stable in November, with earlier declines bottoming out. The industry is now targeting price hikes of Rs 10-15 per bag in December.

The brokerage highlighted moderate demand growth in October and November, with recovery expected to strengthen in the fourth quarter, supported by a revival in government infrastructure spending.
Analysts are optimistic about a stronger recovery in the latter half of FY25, driven by anticipated increases in government investments in infrastructure projects.
(ET)

Concrete

Steel Ministry Proposes 25% Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports

The duty aims to counter the impact of rising low-cost steel imports.

Published

3 weeks ago

December 4, 2024

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The Ministry of Steel has proposed a 25% safeguard duty on certain steel imports to address concerns raised by domestic producers. The proposal emerged during a meeting between Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi, attended by senior officials and executives from leading steel companies like SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and AMNS India.

Following the meeting, Goyal highlighted on X the importance of steel and metallurgical coke industries in India’s development, emphasising discussions on boosting production, improving quality, and enhancing global competitiveness. Kumaraswamy echoed the sentiment, pledging collaboration between ministries to create a business-friendly environment for domestic steelmakers.

The safeguard duty proposal aims to counter the impact of rising low-cost steel imports, particularly from free trade agreement (FTA) nations. Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik noted that 62% of steel imports currently enter at zero duty under FTAs, with imports rising to 5.51 million tonnes (MT) during April-September 2024-25, compared to 3.66 MT in the same period last year. Imports from China surged significantly, reaching 1.85 MT, up from 1.02 MT a year ago.

Industry experts, including think tank GTRI, have raised concerns about FTAs, highlighting cases where foreign producers partner with Indian firms to re-import steel at concessional rates. GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava also pointed to challenges like port delays and regulatory hurdles, which strain over 10,000 steel user units in India.

The government’s proposal reflects its commitment to supporting the domestic steel industry while addressing trade imbalances and promoting a self-reliant manufacturing sector.

(ET)

Concrete

India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Solar Panel Aluminium Frames

Move boosts domestic aluminium industry, curbs low-cost imports

Published

3 weeks ago

December 4, 2024

admin

The Indian government has introduced anti-dumping duties on anodized aluminium frames for solar panels and modules imported from China, a move hailed by the Aluminium Association of India (AAI) as a significant step toward fostering a self-reliant aluminium sector.

The duties, effective for five years, aim to counter the influx of low-cost imports that have hindered domestic manufacturing. According to the Ministry of Finance, Chinese dumping has limited India’s ability to develop local production capabilities.

Ahead of Budget 2025, the aluminium industry has urged the government to introduce stronger trade protections. Key demands include raising import duties on primary and downstream aluminium products from 7.5% to 10% and imposing a uniform 7.5% duty on aluminium scrap to curb the influx of low-quality imports.

India’s heavy reliance on aluminium imports, which now account for 54% of the country’s demand, has resulted in an annual foreign exchange outflow of Rupees 562.91 billion. Scrap imports, doubling over the last decade, have surged to 1,825 KT in FY25, primarily sourced from China, the Middle East, the US, and the UK.

The AAI noted that while advanced economies like the US and China impose strict tariffs and restrictions to protect their aluminium industries, India has become the largest importer of aluminium scrap globally. This trend undermines local producers, who are urging robust measures to enhance the domestic aluminium ecosystem.

With India’s aluminium demand projected to reach 10 million tonnes by 2030, industry leaders emphasize the need for stronger policies to support local production and drive investments in capacity expansion. The anti-dumping duties on solar panel components, they say, are a vital first step in building a sustainable and competitive aluminium sector.