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The use of AFR has a bright future

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Pankaj Kejriwal, Whole Time Director and COO, Star Cement, delves into their innovative strategies and commitment towards embracing alternative fuels and raw materials in their production processes.

What are the alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR) used in your organisation?
Presently we are using bamboo chips as alternative fuel and raw material. However, we are setting up an AFR feeding system in our new plant and after that we will go for RDF, MSW, rice husk etc., as per availability in our region.

Tell us about the quality standards for AFR.

What factors do you consider while selecting AFR?
Factors to consider before selection of alternative fuels and raw materials are as follows:

  • Calorific value
  • Ignition temperature
  • Volatility
  • Flash point
  • Products of combustion
  • Chemical composition
  • Cost per NCV

Tell us about the impact created on the environment by use of AFR in your organisation.
Use of alternative fuels and raw materials creates an impact in many ways for us. Some of the notable contribution of AFR is as follows:

  • Reduce fossil fuels consumption
  • Reduction in CO2 emission
  • Contribution to local waste management
  • Lower energy costs
  • Lower NOx emission in the environment

How are you supporting the circular economy in context to AFR?
Reusing of waste material such as plastic waste, MSW in manufacturing of cement and thereby helping the environment and also generating revenue is a massive contribution in the circular economy.

Have you faced any challenges or barriers when using alternative fuels and raw materials in cement production, and if so, how have you overcome them?
Main challenges faced during the usage of AFR are as follows:

  • Handling of high moisture and of different size material
  • Mixing of heterogeneous AFR
  • High Chloride in AFR
  • Volatility of the AFR

To overcome these, proper co-processing is required, and chemical analysis and mix design needs to be assured from QC. Continuous monitoring of the pyro system helps us to overcome the hurdles.

What role can technology plan in further implementation of AFR?
Many plants in India and abroad are using different technology for utilising AFR. Preprocessing and co-processing of material is very important in this respect. Use of a high precision shredder is important for size reduction. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used in detecting proper material and usage in cement kilns.

How do you see the use of AFR in cement production evolving in the future, and what role do you think your company will play in this process?
The use of AFR has a bright future. Due to scarcity of fossil fuel, it is the need of the century to increase the use of AFR. The cement industry globally is in line with it and is continuously working towards maximising use of AFR. This will help the society to decrease waste dump in soil and reduce emission of CO2 and NOx in the environment. In some cement industries in Asia Pacific and Europe, they are taking it as a CSR (corporate social responsibility) to clean the environment. In India, too, the Government is encouraging use of MSW in cement plants. Our organisation is also aligned in the same path. After commissioning of our AFR feeding system, we also have a way forward towards the usage of AFR in our cement plant and have a target of 15-20 per cent TSR by 2026 depending on the availability in the northeast.

  • –Kanika Mathur

Concrete

JSW Cement Commissions 1 MTPA Unit in Rajasthan

Rajasthan grinding capacity rises to 3.50 MTPA after commissioning

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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.

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Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication 

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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. 

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JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit in Rajasthan

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

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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.

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