Concrete

We burn hundreds of tonnes of agro waste

Published

3 years ago

March 19, 2024

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Hari Mohan Bangur, Managing Director, Shree Cement, talks about the efforts they are putting in to reduce carbon emissions, utilise alternative fuels and raw materials and embrace cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency.

Tell us about the manufacturing capacity of your organisation and the various types of cement manufactured.
Our manufacturing capacity in India is 57 million tonnes (MT) and we manufacture four types of cements, namely, Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), composite cement and in a small fractional quantity, slag cement.

What are the key steps taken to reduce carbon emissions?
To reduce carbon emission, we have established a waste heat recovery system and we also utilise solar power and wind power as a source of energy in our plants. Of our entire consumption, 60 per cent comes from the waste heat recovery plants.
Up to the stage of clinker production, our carbon footprint is the lowest in the world.

What are the major alternative fuels and raw materials used in your organisation’s manufacturing process?
The major raw material used for manufacturing of cement is limestone at our plants. There is not a lot of variation done in the use of alternative materials for cement manufacturing.
However, if we consider alternative fuels, Shree Cement was the first to use pet coke, which in today’s time is not an alternative fuel. We use a small quantity of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and more quantities of agro waste as an alternative fuel. We burn hundreds of tonnes of agro waste as an alternative fuel in our plants. These agro wastes include waste from sugarcane factories, rice husk, saw dust, we utilise all kinds of agro waste as alternative fuel in our kilns.
Our plants are based in and around the NCR region in India where use of fossil fuel is prohibited for use as an effort to protect the environment. So, we modified our machinery to become compatible with agro waste as a fuel. The availability of agro waste is possible as our plants across India are located approximately 150 km to 200 km away from agricultural lands.

As part of the Net Zero goal, what are the major steps taken and what has been achieved so far?
I believe it is very difficult to achieve net zero because in the cement industry; the manufacturing process is such that there will be carbon emission. Even if there is use of 100 per cent alternative energy for the production of cement, there will still be emission. Therefore, achieving net zero is difficult to achieve in totality. However, we do take pride in being one of the organisations with the lowest carbon emission in the world.
We are committed to the reduction of carbon emission and we are always adapting new technologies that can help us achieve this goal.

What role does technology play in bringing efficiency to your plants?
Technology and digitalisation have improved the reporting and analysis of our plants. It helps
us get real time knowledge of the plant health and makes us aware of any upcoming issues, for which preemptive actions can be taken, reducing the downtime of the plants.
With older methods any measurement would be taken a couple of hours later and if there were inaccuracies or defects in the functions, efficiency for those hours would be wasted. Real-time reporting helps us attend to the slightest of inefficiencies and we don’t allow it to settle, leading to higher productivity.
With advancement of technology, cement plants are achieving efficiency in processes like grinding and clinkerisation. We function with a dry process today, which is a complete change from what it was 25 years ago. Technology is bringing about change in machine efficiency, manpower efficiency and power efficiency. Small steps are being taken by the industry to make improvements in their processes with time.

How do you foresee change in cement manufacturing in the near future?
The cement industry will be growing at the rate of 7 per cent to 8 per cent, this is what India needs. Earlier the bases were small and now the production capacity exceeds 430 million tonnes. In the next 5 years, we will be needing approximately 150 million tonnes cement production to meet the demand of the country and for that at least 200 million tonnes of production capacity will be needed to be installed at 75 per cent utilisation.
This is a huge requirement, and whatever new instalment the industry puts in, it will be absorbed in the demand of the rising urbanisation and construction of the nation.

–Kanika Mathur

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Concrete

Dhanekula Institute Signs MoU with Adani Cement

Agreement to expand internships, industrial visits and practical learning

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2026

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The Department of Civil Engineering at Dhanekula Institute of Engineering & Technology, Ganguru, organised an industrial interaction programme under the Adani FutureX Programme on Thursday. The programme focused on strengthening engagement between the institute and the cement industry while giving students greater exposure to professional practices.

Yedukondalu, technical head for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at Adani Cement, delivered a technical lecture on concrete as a man-made material. The session covered the importance of concrete in construction, its properties and applications, and its significance in modern infrastructure development.

The lecture also addressed the role of quality cement and suitable concrete technology in supporting durable and sustainable construction. The discussion connected classroom learning with the technical considerations involved in infrastructure projects and construction practices.

A key part of the programme was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Department of Civil Engineering and Adani Cement under the Adani FutureX Partnership Agreement. The agreement is intended to strengthen industry-academia collaboration through opportunities for student internships and industrial visits.

The initiative is expected to provide students with practical exposure, improve their understanding of industrial practices and help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. Dhanekula Institute Chairman Dhanekula Ravindranath Tagore, Secretary Dhanekula Venkata Bhavani Prasad and Director DKRK Ravi Prasad supported the initiative, with the institute leadership highlighting the importance of industry-institution interaction in enhancing students’ technical employability.

Concrete

JK Lakshmi Cement Begins Rs. 110 bn Assam Plant Project

Project Kamakshi will produce 2.5 mn t of cement annually by FY2029.

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2026

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JK Lakshmi Cement has laid the foundation stone for Project Kamakshi, its first integrated cement manufacturing facility in Assam, marking the company’s entry into Northeast India. The groundbreaking ceremony took place at Umrangso village in Dima Hasao district in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The project involves an investment of Rs. 110 bn, including the mining lease. It will have annual cement production capacity of 2.5 mn t and a 1 mn t clinkerisation unit, with completion scheduled for FY2029.

The facility is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and will primarily serve the growing Northeast market. It will also include dedicated railway sidings for transporting raw materials and finished cement, supporting supply chain reliability and regional distribution.

Chairperson and Managing Director Vinita Singhania said the project represented the beginning of a long-term relationship with Assam and the wider Northeast. She said the plant would help provide locally produced cement, employment and dependable supplies as the region’s infrastructure development accelerated, while enabling the company to grow alongside the communities it serves.

The investment supports JK Lakshmi Cement’s strategy of expanding into high-growth markets beyond its established presence in Northern, Western and Eastern India. The company expects the project to contribute to regional economic development and infrastructure growth while pursuing its long-term objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2047.

Concrete

Kshatriya Engineering College Signs MoU with Adani Cement

Agreement to provide students with industrial exposure and training

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2026

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The civil engineering department of Kshatriya Engineering College in Nizamabad has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Adani Cement to provide students with industry-oriented training and practical exposure. The agreement is intended to connect classroom learning with workplace requirements in the construction sector.

Under the partnership, students will receive opportunities to take part in industrial visits and internships. The arrangement will also include guest lectures by industry experts and guidance on live projects, allowing students to gain first-hand understanding of industry practices and emerging construction technologies.

College secretary and correspondent Aljapur Devender said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between academic instruction and industry expectations. He said the collaboration would help students develop practical skills and improve their employment prospects after completing their studies.

Principal Dr Katakam Srinivas said exposure to industrial practices was important for civil engineering students and would complement their academic learning. He said the MoU would support the development of their technical knowledge and confidence through greater familiarity with professional work environments.

Administrative officer B. Narender said the collaboration would familiarise students with modern construction technologies, quality standards and project management practices. Civil engineering department head N. Deepika said the agreement would help students understand recent developments in the construction sector and prepare for professional careers. The college said the partnership would give learners a broader view of the processes and standards followed in the industry, while helping them relate their academic studies to practical project requirements.