Concrete
A Green Drive
Published
2 years agoon
By
admin
With electric vehicles (EVs) leading the green revolution, providing a cleaner and more sustainable transportation option, the supply chain of cement is getting redefined. Raman Bhatia, Founder and Managing Director, Servotech Power Systems, talks about the inherent challenges in this transformation.
India is currently witnessing a revolution in its transportation landscape, propelled by a unified commitment to combat climate change and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels. EVs are at the forefront of this revolution, offering a cleaner, more sustainable mode of transportation. The paradigm shift from internal combustion engine (ICE)-driven vehicles to EVs calls for smart and sustainable charging infrastructure development. Uncoordinated charging may result in serious consequences such as voltage stability, power losses, degradation of reliability indices and an increase in the peak load. At the same time, ensuring energy sustainability, the development of the renewable-based charging infrastructure, and an increase in the share of renewables in the national energy mix are given priority. Hence, planning smart and sustainable EV charging infrastructure and coordinating charging activities have emerged as prime concerns worldwide.
Sustainable EV Charging Infrastructure
Sustainable charging refers to the use of clean energy to power EV charging stations. Sustainable charging solutions deliver environmental benefits where EV owners can charge their vehicles without negatively affecting the environment. Apart from this, sustainable charging solutions also enable EV owners to charge their vehicles at low-cost rates, incentivising the adoption of electric vehicles over conventional vehicles. One such sustainable charging solution is solar-powered EV charging carport, which has managed to redefine the landscape of EV charging infrastructure with its innovative approach.
Solar carports are covered parking areas whose roof is made from PV panels and can be installed residentially and commercially. Positioned at the intersection of renewable energy and parking infrastructure, solar carports are harnessing the sun’s power to revolutionise electricity generation while simultaneously providing essential shade and shelter for parked vehicles. The electricity generated by the solar carports can be used to charge EVs or sent back to the grid.
Using solar energy to charge EVs amplifies the environmental impact of driving an EV. Rather than using electricity from the grid, which could be sourced from fossil fuels or a mix of clean and dirty sources, the EV is charged from clean, renewable energy. The amount of electricity generated by a solar carport depends on the size of the carport, the number of solar panels it has installed, as well as environmental factors, such as the number of daylight hours and the intensity of the light. However, on average, a solar carport can generate enough energy to charge several EVs per day and space using Level 2 chargers.
Advantages of Solar Carport Charging Stations
Solar Carport EV charging stations, with their multifaceted advantages, are revolutionising the electric vehicle charging landscape. They harness solar power for eco-friendly charging, reducing environmental impact. These structures also protect EVs from harsh weather, enhancing longevity. In urban areas, they optimise land use, offering both shelter and renewable energy. The integration of carport charging stations with the grid, with bi-directional energy flow capabilities, enhances grid stability and supports renewable energy integration. These stations, by generating their electricity, can potentially offer cost savings, making EV adoption more appealing. With scalability, carport charging stations are adaptable for individual homes or large-scale charging networks, offering a versatile and efficient solution for diverse environments.

Solar Carport Market
The solar carport market is witnessing significant growth due to the surging popularity of solar energy. The increased awareness of solar power as a renewable and free resource with diverse applications is driving the adoption of solar carports. These structures offer practical benefits, including the transformation of unproductive spaces into sustainable investments. Solar carports in off-grid areas, especially those with EV charging, significantly boost market growth by providing an environmentally responsible solution for sustaining EV charging infrastructure. Solar carports offer a dual benefit by reducing energy bills and carbon footprints and as energy costs continue to rise, businesses and individuals are adopting sustainable energy solutions. Various governments worldwide are providing incentives, tax credits, and rebates for solar power systems, including solar carports. These financial incentives enhance the attractiveness and accessibility of such projects. Advancements in solar technology, energy storage solutions, and smart grid systems have improved the efficiency and reliability of solar carport installations, further accelerating their adoption. Solar carport manufacturers and installers continually innovate, offering customisable solutions to meet the unique needs of clients, making them more appealing to businesses and individuals. Advances in materials and technology have made solar carports more cost-effective and efficient, thanks to lightweight and durable materials. These materials contribute to affordability and sustainability.
To enhance the reliability of renewable energy supply, some solar carport systems integrate energy storage solutions like batteries. These batteries store excess energy generated during the day for use at night or on cloudy days. Solar carports equipped with energy storage enhance grid resilience by providing backup power during grid outages, making them particularly attractive for regions prone to blackouts. Solar carports’ versatility allows them to be applied in various sectors, including commercial, residential, industrial, and public infrastructure, expanding their market potential.
Multi-Faceted Role of Solar Carports
The cement industry plays a significant role in infrastructure development worldwide. However, like any industrial sector, it faces the pressing challenges of sustainability and operational efficiency. As industries increasingly explore eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions, carports have emerged as a valuable addition to the cement manufacturing process since they offer multifaceted benefits to the cement industry. One of the most prominent and innovative applications of carports in the cement industry is turning them into solar power stations.

The clean solar energy generated from these power stations can be integrated into the cement production process, significantly reducing electricity costs and the surplus energy generated can be channelled back into the grid, contributing to a sustainable and cost-effective energy solution. The cement manufacturing process involves the storage of raw materials, equipment and finished products. Exposure to harsh weather conditions can lead to damage, loss, and deterioration of materials and equipment. Carports offer covered storage, protecting these valuable assets from rain, sun, and other environmental elements. This enables the cement industry to extend its products’ lifespan, reduce maintenance costs, and maintain product quality. Carports can also enhance the working environment for employees. When installed in employee parking areas, carports provide shade and protection from rain or extreme heat. This not only improves the overall well-being and comfort of the workforce but also boosts morale, job satisfaction, and productivity. The cement manufacturing process can generate dust and particulates, which pose environmental and health challenges. Strategically designed carports can incorporate filtration systems or be engineered to contain dust, helping control air pollution within the manufacturing facility. Cement production requires substantial amounts of water, making it a resource-intensive industry. Carports equipped with collection systems can harvest rainwater. This water can then be treated and used for various purposes within the manufacturing process, conserving water resources and reducing water supply costs.
Looking Forward
The global shift towards cleaner energy sources is fueling the demand for EVs. Solar carports are emerging as a promising solution to provide covered parking spaces equipped with canopies to shield EVs from sunlight. These carports offer an eco-friendly approach to EV charging by combining clean solar energy with user convenience. As the popularity of electric vehicles continues to grow, the installation and acceptance of solar carports are expected to rise in tandem to meet the energy demands of EVs. The flexibility and versatility of solar carports, which can generate electricity for domestic use and grid credits, are contributing to market expansion.
Solar energy is becoming an integral part of the energy mix, further propelling the market’s growth. Additionally, the optimal placement of solar panels in solar carports enhances their effectiveness, making them a preferred choice for sustainable energy solutions. Moreover, the integration of solar carports into the cement manufacturing process offers a versatile and sustainable solution. These structures not only generate clean energy but also provide valuable shelter and environmental benefits, contributing to overall efficiency, cost savings and environmental responsibility in the industry.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Raman Bhatia, the Managing Director of Servotech Power Systems, comes with over two decades of entrepreneurial experience. He spearheaded the company’s listing on NSE in 2017 and has been driving its growth and expansion ever since.
Concrete
FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe
Published
2 weeks agoon
February 5, 2026By
admin
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.
Concrete
Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook
Published
2 weeks agoon
February 2, 2026By
admin
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.
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.
Published
3 weeks agoon
January 31, 2026By
admin
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…
FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe
Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook
Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?
JK Cement Commissions 3 MTPA Buxar Plant, Crosses 31 MTPA
JK Cement Crosses 31 MTPA Capacity with Commissioning of Buxar Plant in Bihar
FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe
Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook
Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?
JK Cement Commissions 3 MTPA Buxar Plant, Crosses 31 MTPA


