Concrete

The market is moving towards a precast prestressing system.”

Published

3 years ago

October 19, 2023

admin

Rais Khan, CEO, Dynamic Precast, talks about catering to the changing demands of designers and architects with innovative solutions in precast shapes to take India’s construction industry onto the next level.

Tell us about the process of casting concrete in shapes.
In precast, with the help of mould, concrete and steel skeleton, any shape can be cast as required. It may be a designer flower pot, fountain, pole, pillars, drain, covers, garden benches, paving tiles, column, beam, roof, boundary wall or even a complete house. For precasting, the mould could be of cement, wood, Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRP), aluminium and mild steel.
Concrete mix is prepared in a mixer and then poured in mould, and it vibrates on a vibrating table or by surface and needle vibrator. Demoulding process is done after some time or after complete setting in 24 hours.

Are concrete shapes made with a variety of concrete grades?
Yes. It depends on the product’s quality. As per standard of BIS precast products, cast in different concrete grades from M-10 to M-50 grade.

What are the standard sizes and shapes of precast made by your organisation?
We make paver blocks and chequered tiles as well as cable covers, which are smaller products. Other products are kerbstone, dividers SFRC frame cover, gratings of different sizes, drain with covers of any size, precast and prestressed wall panel with columns, hollow core slabs in heavy and light duty in imported semi-automatic plant, precast toilets, house, prestressed electric poles and spun pipes with septic tank, etc.

Explain the moulds used to make these shapes. Do you customise moulds if the requirement arises?
Always! As our products are for roads, infrastructure and housing, customers have different choices for size, shapes and shades. For that we customise the size and shape of moulds as per choice and selection of the customer. All designers and architects want innovation in their projects. We create as per their requirement.

What are the quality standards followed while making precast shapes?
We have a Quality Manual Plan in our system. Presently, a testing laboratory is active in our manufacturing premise. Regular tests for raw materials and concrete and quality checks are done here using tools, equipment and calibrated testing machines.
Quality checks in our factory starts from system update, raw materials, measurements and weighing process, compaction and ultimately in finished goods. The required curing process used for these products is standard. Channels and sections are not compromised with quality aspects. Quality fabrication is an important part, where we follow the standards.

How does automation and technology contribute towards this process and does that make it less labour intensive?
Automation and technology are very important for the precast industry. Today, there are labour crises in each industry, but in the precast industry, it is too much because of its heavy elements and mostly working in open areas.
While we have a lot of shaded areas in our production premises and many mobile and lifting equipment, it’s necessary to make the system more and more automated.

What are the major challenges you face in the process of making precast shapes and in their transportation?
Major challenges in this industry that we face are in making proper mould to make good quality products or elements as per required by the customer. Secondly, availability of proper raw materials and procurement of subsidiary materials are useful for quality. No doubt packing and transportation of finished products are tough jobs in the precast industry.

How do precast shapes help in the profitability of a construction activity?
In the construction industry, precast elements and products have a big contribution in speedy completion of projects. Projects get finished before time because of precast and prestressed elements. Columns, beams and slabs have a bigger role to play in fast construction and economic growth. In India, acceptability for precast housing is quite slow, but only this industry can fulfil the requirement of infrastructure and housing sector in the country.

What kind of innovations can be seen in the near future in your industry?
The market is moving towards a precast, prestressing system. Systems and equipment are becoming available in the market. High grade concrete and PC wire will change the scenario of this industry. We are preparing for mass housing elements for the middle and low class on a priority basis, especially in towns and rural sectors.

-Kanika Mathur

Up Next

Effective communication is essential in precast detailing

Don't Miss

Precast concrete allows for elaborate and customised designs

Concrete

JSW Cement Commissions 1 MTPA Unit in Rajasthan

Rajasthan grinding capacity rises to 3.50 MTPA after commissioning

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

admin

JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 MTPA cement grinding unit in Nagaur, Rajasthan, taking the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.1 MTPA. The commissioning was announced on Tuesday, October 6.

The company said the new unit had increased the total cement grinding capacity at its Rajasthan plant to 3.50 MTPA. The expansion adds to JSW Cement’s production infrastructure as it continues to build capacity across its operating network.

The company’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including capacity at its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA. Clinker is an intermediate material used in cement production, and its availability supports the company’s grinding operations.

JSW Cement is also pursuing a proposed merger of its listed subsidiary Shiva Cement with the company. The scheme, approved by the boards of the respective companies, involves issuing five fully paid-up JSW Cement equity shares for every 41 shares held by Shiva Cement shareholders other than JSW Cement.

The arrangement remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. JSW Cement currently holds 66.23 per cent of Shiva Cement’s paid-up equity share capital, and the shares held by JSW Cement in the subsidiary will be cancelled under the proposal without any issue of JSW Cement shares against that holding.

The scheme has an appointed date of April 1, 2026, and the company has indicated that completion could take 12 to 14 months, depending on the receipt of approvals. These include clearances from stock exchanges, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the National Company Law Tribunal and other applicable authorities, along with approvals from shareholders and creditors where required. JSW Cement shares closed at Rs. 113.15 on the BSE, up Rs. 2.05, or 1.85 per cent.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

admin

Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit in Rajasthan

The Nagaur expansion takes JSW Cement’s total grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

Published

3 days ago

October 8, 2026

admin

JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) cement grinding unit at its Nagaur Integrated Plant in Rajasthan. The commissioning takes the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

JSW Cement’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, now stands at 9.74 MTPA.

The company began operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and a 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the latest expansion, the plant’s total grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA.

The additional capacity will cater to cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a combination of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2026, JSW Cement also commissioned an Alternate Fuel Handling System and a Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS) at the Nagaur plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said the additional grinding capacity was a strategic priority for the company’s expansion in North India. He added that the Alternate Fuel Handling System and WHRS were expected to reduce production costs.