Concrete

Our belts are likely to give the best efficiency to plants

Published

2 years ago

October 19, 2023

admin

AP Singh, Executive Director, Continental Conveyors, discusses the role of conveyor belts in material transportation.

What is the role of the conveyor belt in the transportation of material for cement manufacturing?
The main role of conveyor belts in the cement manufacturing process is transportation of material. From transportation of raw materials to the loading of end products into the trucks, all materials are transported by conveyor belts only.

What are the grades of conveyor belt materials that you have and supply to cement plants?
There are many grades for the conveyor belt materials. The first one is the M-24 grade, which is widely used. These are general UT Belts. The second one is Super Heat Resistant (SHR) grade, which are heat resistant belts. The third kind or grade of material is Ultra Heat Resistant (UHR) material, which can resist heat up to 220OC to 250OC.
We also have belts made of chevron material, also known as wavy belts, that are used for loading bags of cement in the trucks during despatch.

How are the above mentioned belts used for different functions at a cement plant?
Basically, the basic concept is the same but the application is different. Any normal belt can sustain up to 70oC temperature. The SHR belts can sustain up to 150oC temperature of the material being transported, while, the UHR belts can sustain up to 220oC to 250oC. This kind of belt is usually used to transport clinker, which has a very high temperature.
Likewise, the function of the chevron belts and wavy top belts is to create an anti-slippage surface for smooth loading of bags of cementin trucks.
We design conveyor belts according to customer’s requirements.

Tell us about the quality standards maintained for the conveyor belts. How often do they need change for maintenance?
We have a process of quality checking for every belt that is manufactured at our end. The key to maintaining quality is inspection of every belt that is despatched from our company. Our
in-house laboratory helps us keep a check on quality maintenance.
Maintenance of the belts or requirement of change differs from plant to plant. If the establishment is good and follows all protocol, the requirement for changing the belts is less frequent. If the maintenance of systems and processes are not good, then the requirement of changing or getting maintenance done for the belts is high as they are made of softer materials and may be classified as one of the weakest materials in the cement plants.

What is the impact of the conveyor belts on the efficiency of cement plants?
With a properly maintained conveyor belt system and process following, our belts are likely to give the best efficiency to plants by performing their function with the right speed and accuracy.

Which are the most challenging installations and wear and tear points in a cement plant?
In mine areas, when raw material i.e., limestone or coal is transported, the lump sizes are large and have sharp edges which may lead to high wear and tear of the belts. Secondly, it is the hot clinker, which causes the most wear and tear of the belts.

Tell us about the changes and innovations happening that the cement industry can look forward to?
At Continental Conveyors, we are involved in regular research and development to make more material grades for belts based on the various applications and requirements of cement manufacturers.

–Kanika Mathur

Up Next

Revolutionising Material Movement

Don't Miss

Consistent flow of materials is a critical aspect

Concrete

Adani Cement to Deploy World’s First Commercial RDH System

Adani Cement and Coolbrook partner to pilot RDH tech for low-carbon cement.

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2025

admin

Adani Cement and Coolbrook have announced a landmark agreement to install the world’s first commercial RotoDynamic Heater (RDH) system at Adani’s Boyareddypalli Integrated Cement Plant in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative aims to sharply reduce carbon emissions associated with cement production.

This marks the first industrial-scale deployment of Coolbrook’s RDH technology, which will decarbonise the calcination phase — the most fossil fuel-intensive stage of cement manufacturing. The RDH system will generate clean, electrified heat to dry and improve the efficiency of alternative fuels, reducing dependence on conventional fossil sources.

According to Adani, the installation is expected to eliminate around 60,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, with the potential to scale up tenfold as the technology is expanded. The system will be powered entirely by renewable energy sourced from Adani Cement’s own portfolio, demonstrating the feasibility of producing industrial heat without emissions and strengthening India’s position as a hub for clean cement technologies.

The partnership also includes a roadmap to deploy RotoDynamic Technology across additional Adani Cement sites, with at least five more projects planned over the next two years. The first-generation RDH will provide hot gases at approximately 1000°C, enabling more efficient use of alternative fuels.

Adani Cement’s wider sustainability strategy targets raising the share of alternative fuels and resources to 30 per cent and increasing green power use to 60 per cent by FY28. The RDH deployment supports the company’s Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-validated commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Concrete

Birla Corporation Q2 EBITDA Surges 71%, Net Profit at Rs 90 Crore

Stronger margins and premium cement sales boost quarterly performance.

Published

4 days ago

November 12, 2025

admin

Birla Corporation Limited reported a consolidated EBITDA of Rs 3320 million for the September quarter of FY26, a 71 per cent increase over the same period last year, driven by improved profitability in both its Cement and Jute divisions. The company posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 900 million, reversing a loss of Rs 250 million in the corresponding quarter last year.

Consolidated revenue stood at Rs 22330 million, marking a 13 per cent year-on-year growth as cement sales volumes rose 7 per cent to 4.2 million tonnes. Despite subdued cement demand, weak pricing, and rainfall disruptions, Birla Jute Mills staged a turnaround during the quarter.

Premium cement continued to drive performance, accounting for 60 per cent of total trade sales. The flagship brand Perfect Plus recorded 20 per cent growth, while Unique Plus rose 28 per cent year-on-year. Sales through the trade channel reached 79 per cent, up from 71 per cent a year earlier, while blended cement sales grew 14 per cent, forming 89 per cent of total cement sales. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan remained key growth markets with 7–11 per cent volume gains.

EBITDA per tonne improved 54 per cent to Rs 712, with operating margins expanding to 14.7 per cent from 9.8 per cent last year, supported by efficiency gains and cost reduction measures.

Sandip Ghose, Managing Director and CEO, said, “The Company was able to overcome headwinds from multiple directions to deliver a resilient performance, which boosts confidence in the robustness of our strategies.”

The company expects cement demand to strengthen in the December quarter, supported by government infrastructure spending and rural housing demand. Growth is anticipated mainly from northern and western India, while southern and eastern regions are expected to face continued supply pressures.

Concrete

Ambuja Cements Delivers Strong Q2 FY26 Performance Driven by R&D and Efficiency

Company raises FY28 capacity target to 155 MTPA with focus on cost optimisation and AI integration

Published

6 days ago

November 10, 2025

admin

Ambuja Cements, part of the diversified Adani Portfolio and the world’s ninth-largest building materials solutions company, has reported a robust performance for Q2 FY26. The company’s strong results were driven by market share gains, R&D-led premium cement products, and continued efficiency improvements.

Vinod Bahety, Whole-Time Director and CEO, Ambuja Cements, said, “This quarter has been noteworthy for the cement industry. Despite headwinds from prolonged monsoons, the sector stands to benefit from several favourable developments, including GST 2.0 reforms, the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), and the withdrawal of coal cess. Our capacity expansion is well timed to capitalise on this positive momentum.”

Ambuja has increased its FY28 capacity target by 15 MTPA — from 140 MTPA to 155 MTPA — through debottlenecking initiatives that will come at a lower capital expenditure of USD 48 per metric tonne. The company also plans to enhance utilisation of its existing 107 MTPA capacity by 3 per cent through logistics infrastructure improvements.

To strengthen its product mix, Ambuja will install 13 blenders across its plants over the next 12 months to optimise production and increase the share of premium cement, improving realisations. These operational enhancements have already contributed to a 5 per cent reduction in cost of sales year-on-year, resulting in an EBITDA of Rs 1,060 per metric tonne and a PMT EBITDA of approximately Rs 1,189.

Looking ahead, the company remains optimistic about achieving double-digit revenue growth and maintaining four-digit PMT EBITDA through FY26. Ambuja aims to reduce total cost to Rs 4,000 per metric tonne by the end of FY26 and further by 5 per cent annually to reach Rs 3,650 per metric tonne by FY28.

Bahety added, “Our Cement Intelligent Network Operations Centre (CiNOC) will bring a paradigm shift to our business operations. Artificial Intelligence will run deep within our enterprise, driving efficiency, productivity, and enhanced stakeholder engagement across the value chain.”