Concrete

I foresee a good future for the cement market

Published

3 years 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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Jammu Division Begins First Cement Rail Traffic to Anantnag

Cement Loading From Kathua for Anantnag to Begin on September 14

Published

2 days ago

September 21, 2026

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Jammu Railway Division has placed an indent for the first movement of cement by rail within the division, linking Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station with Anantnag Railway Station. Loading for the consignment is scheduled to begin on September 14.

Concrete

Hard Worker Wins Three Honours at Kyoorius Design Awards

Ramco Cements’ brand secures Grand Prix and two Blue Elephant honours.

Published

2 days ago

September 21, 2026

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The Ramco Cements Limited’s construction chemicals brand, Hard Worker, has won three honours at the Kyoorius Design Awards 2026, including the Grand Prix – Grey Elephant in the Design in Action category.

The brand also secured two Blue Elephant honours, one for Design in Action and another for Packaging, recognising the design approach behind its brand identity and packaging.

Launched in 2025, Hard Worker entered the construction chemicals segment with the brand promise, “Hard-working products for hardworking people.” Its visual identity uses animals and birds to represent product benefits. The camel represents the water-retention capability of Hard Worker Eco Plaster, while the cheetah represents the speed and performance of Hard Worker Block Fix.

The visual language has been extended across packaging, retail, communication, literature, digital platforms and other brand touchpoints. Hard Worker uses bold colours, distinctive animal illustrations and simple visual storytelling to communicate product benefits across markets and audiences, including construction workers and applicators.

“For Hard Worker, design was never an afterthought. It was fundamental to how we wanted to build the brand. In a category that is largely functional, we wanted to create a brand that people could recognise, understand and remember instantly. The Kyoorius recognition is a wonderful validation of this design-led approach,” said Mr. AV Dharmakrishnan, CEO, The Ramco Cements Limited.

Mr. Balaji K. Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, Ramco Cements said “In a category where communication has traditionally been product-led and functional, we wanted Hard Worker to stand apart by making design an integral part of the brand experience. From the distinctive animal-led packaging to our communication across consumer and trade touchpoints, every element was designed to make the brand more memorable and the product benefits easier to understand.”

Within its first 12 months, Hard Worker crossed Rs 3.5 bn in sales. The latest recognition follows six honours secured by the brand’s campaign at the Kyoorius Creative Awards earlier in 2026, including the Grey Elephant Grand Prix for its Eco Plaster film.

The Kyoorius Design Awards recognise outstanding design work in India’s visual communications sector across multiple categories and platforms. The 2026 awards were announced on 12 September in Goa.

The Ramco Cements Limited is part of the Ramco Group and operates across cement and allied building-material solutions. Hard Worker is its construction chemicals brand, offering solutions across key construction applications.

Concrete

Cement Firms to Invest Rs. 130 bn in Green Energy by FY28

Cement companies plan to expand clean energy capacity to 6 GW by FY28

Published

6 days ago

September 17, 2026

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India’s major cement companies are set to raise their clean energy capacity to 6 GW by March 2028 from around 4 GW at the end of March 2026, according to ratings agency ICRA. The planned expansion is expected to involve investments of Rs. 130 bn over the next two years.

The additional capacity could generate annual savings of Rs. 62 bn to Rs. 67 bn, resulting in an estimated payback period of 1.8 to 2.2 years. Cement is an emission-intensive industry, and leading producers have established net-zero roadmaps covering the next 15 to 20 years.

The calcination process accounts for 57 to 60 per cent of the sector’s total emissions, while fuel combustion contributes 27 to 30 per cent and electricity consumption accounts for 10 to 13 per cent. ICRA said the figures highlighted the need for a broad decarbonisation strategy involving green power, blended cement, alternative fuels and improvements in clinker efficiency.

Green energy is considered one of the most commercially attractive decarbonisation options because it can reduce emissions while lowering operating costs. Every 5 per cent increase in green power replacement can reduce power and fuel costs by Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per tonne. A 25 per cent replacement level could therefore save Rs. 75 to Rs. 80 per tonne and expand operating margins by 140 to 160 basis points.

Cement producers are also assessing carbon capture, utilisation and storage, although high implementation costs, energy requirements and limited transport and storage infrastructure are expected to slow commercial adoption. The government has proposed Rs. 200 bn over five years to support deployment across key sectors. Meanwhile, companies are targeting thermal substitution rates of 10 to 15 per cent over the next three to five years, compared with the current industry level of around 6 per cent.