Concrete

Cementing a Sustainable Future

Published

2 years ago

January 12, 2024

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Anuj Khandelwal, Business Head, JK Cement, discusses his company’s technological odyssey in environmental stewardship, and how it changed the thought process of India’s cement sector.

In the realm of global construction, the cement industry stands as a vital pillar, albeit one burdened with a significant environmental footprint, contributing to 5-8 per cent of global emissions. JK Cement recognises the imperative role it must play in fostering sustainability, understanding that our long-term growth is intricately linked to advancing the sustainability agenda.

Commitment to Sustainability
JK Cement has undertaken a proactive stance by signing up for Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-based goals, committing to a robust 21.7 per cent reduction in specific gross CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to the 2020 baseline. These ambitious targets, already validated and approved by SBTi, signify a substantial stride toward a greener future. Remarkably, we have exceeded expectations, achieving a 16.3 per cent reduction in H1FY24 and poised to surpass our FY25 commitments of a 7.2 per cent reduction.

Challenges in the Industry
Understanding the unique challenges of the cement and lime industry is pivotal. Unlike many other industries, the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in cement production emanate not from energy use but from the raw materials themselves. Approximately 60 per cent of CO2 emissions result from limestone processing, necessitating a nuanced approach to sustainability across four dimensions:

Reduce the need for energy-intensive materials
Improve energy intensity
Greenify sources
Prevent release at the source

A Catalyst for Sustainability
Embracing the philosophy that technology is pivotal in the road to sustainability, JK Cement has strategically invested in technological advancements. Our sustainability journey revolves around three key technological pillars:

Technological upgrades for lower energy intensity
Upgrading manufacturing technologies and equipment has been instrumental in achieving lower energy intensity. Notable examples include the upgrade of older plants and kilns, such as Nimbahera L3 and Mangrol L2, with ongoing projects in Mangrol L1 and deployment of state-of-the-art Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS) ensures maximal green power output across all our integrated units.
Technological innovations for enabling usage of greener sources
The substitution of traditional fuels and raw materials with green sources demands technological innovations. JK Cement has taken the lead in deploying a chlorine bypass system at our Muddapur plant to achieve over 35 per cent Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR). Upgrades in feeding systems across kilns facilitate higher TSR levels.
These innovations are integral to our circularity agenda. By harnessing cutting-edge technology, we are redefining our processes, ensuring a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to cement production.
Unlocking scale and navigating challenges with technology
Scaling sustainability initiatives requires automation and digital solutions. This is a critical part of our capability build as we move towards the new clean-tech solutions offered.
For instance, real-time power balancing solutions address the variability in green power generation profiles. Digital load and demand balancing solutions have increased the usage of green power, helping us achieve a remarkable 48 per cent+ green power mix for JK Cement in H1FY24.
Similarly addressing challenges associated with quality variance in alternate fuels and impact on stable kiln operations required innovative solutions. NIR sensors for online quality testing enable precise control over the alternative fuel blend. In parallel, automated feedback loops helped ensure stable kiln operations even at higher TSR levels.
Investments in digital quality control systems enable the incorporation of higher alternate raw materials, crucial for maintaining product quality amid the variability of alternate materials.
Our investment in digital solutions not only underscores our commitment to sustainability
but also positions us as industry leaders. By leveraging automation, we not only achieve environmental goals but also enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness. These technological interventions also showcase our dedication to overcoming challenges.
The Road Ahead
Technological innovation remains central to JK Cement’s future sustainability initiatives.
After evaluating the underlying physical and technical limits of available technologies, our
findings are that the three technologies available today can have a material impact on driving
down carbon emissions from cement production by 2030. Therefore, our short-term focus is on the three groups of cost-saving technologies to drive the focus further:
• Substitute Cementitious Materials (SCM), including LC3 Cement
• Biomass and waste alternative fuels
• AI for energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, quality improvement and cement logistic and fleet optimisation
Similarly exploring avenues such as hydrogen (H2) utilisation and electrification, Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), carbon-neutral transport, CO2 capture in the built environment, and efficient concrete use will be pivotal in achieving our long-term goals and the basis of technological evolution in these.
As we look to the future, the role of technology in sustainability cannot be overstated. Our commitment to exploring innovative solutions aligns with the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable practices, positioning JK Cement as a beacon of environmental responsibility in the cement industry.

Conclusion
In conclusion, JK Cement views technology as a catalyst for not only meeting but exceeding sustainability targets. As we navigate the complexities of the cement industry, we remain dedicated to pioneering sustainable solutions that redefine the role of technology in our environmental stewardship. Our endeavours are not just about cement; they are about shaping a sustainable future for generations to come.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Anuj Khandelwal, Business Head, JK Cement, has about 15 years of experience across industry, consulting and strategy roles. He is an MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow and also has a Chartered Accountancy (CA) degree.

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1 week ago

April 1, 2026

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The need of present time is stronger buildings, industrial or common utility buildings, such as Malls, Railway stations, hospitals, offices, bridges etc. For this, there is need of long durable, tough and stable concrete, which could stand under normal and seismic conditions. Tough railway bridges are required for bullet trains to pass without any damage. Railway tunnels, sea-links, coastal roads, bridges and multistorey buildings, are the need of the hour. The question comes, is the normal cement called OPC is sufficient to take care of such requirements or better combination of cements and sand mixtures is required?

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A good stable building structure can be made with a good quality of cement+sand+water system. Its quality can be enhanced by keeping the density of admixture higher (varies from 30 in normal buildings to bridges etc to 80). Further enhancement in the properties of various cements admixtures is made by adding several additives which give additional strength, waterproofing, flexibility etc. These are called construction chemicals…

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Concrete

NCB Signs MoU With Cement Manufacturer To Boost Construction Skills

Partnership to deliver nationwide training and certification

Published

1 week ago

March 31, 2026

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The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) has signed a memorandum of understanding with a leading cement manufacturer to strengthen skill development and capacity building in the construction sector. The agreement was formalised at NCB premises in Ballabgarh and was signed by the Director General of NCB, Dr L. P. Singh, and the head of technical services at UltraTech Cement Limited, Er Rahul Goel. The collaboration seeks to bring institutional resources and industry expertise into a structured national training effort.

The partnership will deliver structured training and certification programmes across the country aimed at enhancing the capabilities of civil engineers, ready?mix concrete (RMC) professionals, contractors, construction workers and masons. Programme curricula will cover material quality testing, concrete mix proportioning, durability assessment and sustainable construction practices to support improved construction outcomes. Emphasis is to be placed on standardised assessment and certification to raise practice levels across diverse construction roles.

Practical learning elements will include workshops, site demonstrations, technical seminars and exposure visits to plants and RMC facilities to strengthen applied skills and on?site decision making. The Director General indicated confidence that a large number of professionals and workers would be trained over the next three to five years under the initiative. The partnership is designed to complement flagship government schemes such as the Skill India Mission and to align training outputs with national infrastructure priorities.

By combining the council’s technical mandate with industry experience, the initiative aims to develop a more skilled and quality?conscious workforce capable of meeting rising demand in infrastructure and housing. NCB will continue to coordinate programme delivery and quality assurance while industry partners provide practical exposure and technical inputs. The collaboration is expected to support long?term capacity building and more sustainable construction practices nationwide.

Concrete

JSW Cement Commissions Nagaur Plant, Enters North India

New Rajasthan unit boosts capacity to 24.1 MTPA and expands reach

Published

1 week ago

March 30, 2026

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JSW Cement has strengthened its national presence by commencing production at its greenfield integrated cement plant in Nagaur, Rajasthan, marking its entry into the north Indian market.

With this commissioning, the company’s installed grinding capacity has increased to 24.1 MTPA, while total clinker capacity, including its joint venture operations, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

The Nagaur facility comprises a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and a 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit, with an additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity currently under development. Strategically located, the plant is positioned to serve high-growth markets across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR.

The project has been funded through a mix of equity and long-term debt, with Rs 800 crore allocated from IPO proceeds towards part-financing the unit.

Parth Jindal, Managing Director, JSW Cement, stated that the commissioning marks a key milestone in the company’s ambition to become a pan-India player. He added that the project was completed within 21 months and positions the company to achieve its targeted capacity of 41.85 MTPA by FY29.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, highlighted that the expansion aligns with the company’s strategy to tap into rapidly growing northern markets driven by infrastructure development. He noted that the company remains focused on delivering high-quality, eco-friendly cement solutions while progressing towards its long-term capacity goal of 60 MTPA.

The Nagaur plant has been designed with sustainability features, including co-processing of alternative fuels and a 7 km overland belt conveyor for limestone transport to reduce road emissions. The facility will also incorporate a 16 MW Waste Heat Recovery System to improve energy efficiency and lower its carbon footprint.

JSW Cement, part of the JSW Group, operates across the building materials value chain and currently has eight plants across India, along with a clinker unit in the UAE through its joint venture.