Economy & Market

Strategising Dust Management

Published

2 years ago

April 17, 2024

admin

ICR delves into the multifaceted aspects of dust control in cement manufacturing, from environmental and health hazards to regulatory standards and innovative technologies. By exploring dust generation sources, control technologies and regulatory frameworks, it highlights the critical importance of effective dust management practices.

Dust control is a critical aspect of cement manufacturing, essential for both environmental stewardship and ensuring the health and safety of workers and nearby communities. The cement industry is inherently dusty due to the various processes involved in raw material handling, grinding, and clinker production. However, effective dust control measures are indispensable for mitigating the adverse impacts associated with dust emissions.
Environmental hazards: Dust emissions from cement plants contribute significantly to air pollution, releasing particulate matter (PM) and various pollutants into the atmosphere. These particles can travel over long distances, affecting air quality in surrounding areas and even beyond. PM10 and PM2.5, particles smaller than 10 and 2.5 micrometers respectively, are of particular concern as they can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to respiratory problems and exacerbating existing health conditions. Additionally, dust deposition can contaminate soil and water bodies, posing risks to ecosystems and biodiversity.
Health hazards: Workers in cement plants are exposed to high levels of dust, which can lead to respiratory illnesses such as silicosis, a debilitating lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. Prolonged exposure to cement dust can also result in other respiratory ailments, including bronchitis and asthma. Furthermore, communities residing near cement plants are at risk of exposure to dust emissions, potentially leading to similar health issues and compromising their quality of life.
Niranjan Kirloskar, Managing Director, Fleetguard Filters, says, “Better filtration can improve the quality of application performance in multiple ways. Filtration improves the engine performance as it filters and prevents dirt, dust, and debris from entering into the engine. This ensures that the quality of air or fluid that reaches the combustion chamber is as per the specific requirements of optimal performance of the engine. It also extends the engine life by filtering out contaminants. Efficient filtration ensures optimal performance of the engine/equipment over its entire operating life. Filtration also improves fuel efficiency as a clean filter allows for a better air-fuel mixture in the engine, thus improving combustion efficiency, which in turn results in better fuel economy. It keeps emissions under control as fuels burn more efficiently, leading to lesser harmful residue in the environment. Thus, to sum up, an optimal filtration solution ensures better performance, prolonged engine life and less hazardous waste in the environment.”
Effective dust control in cement manufacturing is paramount for safeguarding the environment, protecting public health, and ensuring sustainable operations. By implementing robust dust mitigation measures and adhering to regulatory standards, cement plants can minimise their environmental footprint and create safer working environments for employees. Furthermore, investing in advanced dust control technologies not only reduces emissions but also enhances operational efficiency and strengthens corporate social responsibility initiatives. Thus, prioritising dust control is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral imperative for the cement industry.

Dust generation in cement manufacturing
Cement manufacturing involves several processes, each contributing to the generation of dust emissions. Understanding the primary sources of dust generation is crucial for implementing effective control measures and mitigating environmental and health risks associated with dust exposure.
In the initial stage of cement production, raw materials such as limestone, clay, shale, iron ore, and sand are crushed into smaller particles. Crushing operations typically involve the use of crushers and impactors, which break down the raw materials into finer sizes suitable for further processing. However, these mechanical actions can result in the generation of significant dust emissions due to the fragmentation of materials and the handling of dusty feedstock.
Grinding of raw materials and clinker accounts for a considerable portion of dust emissions in cement plants. Raw materials and clinker are ground to a fine powder in cement mills, using ball mills, vertical roller mills or other grinding equipment. During grinding operations, friction between the grinding media and the raw materials generates heat and abrasion, leading to the formation of dust particles. Additionally, the handling and transportation
of pulverised materials further contribute to dust emissions.
Material handling processes, including conveying, transferring, and storage of raw materials and finished products, are another significant source of dust generation in cement manufacturing. Conveyor belts, bucket elevators, and pneumatic conveying systems are commonly used to transport bulk materials within the plant. These operations can generate dust through material transfer points, spillage and fugitive emissions from open storage piles. Furthermore, loading and unloading activities during transportation of bulk materials can also release dust into the atmosphere.
By identifying these sources and implementing appropriate dust control measures, cement plants can minimise emissions and mitigate the adverse impacts on air quality and worker safety. Strategies such as dust suppression, enclosure of equipment, ventilation systems, and proper maintenance practices are essential for controlling dust emissions throughout the production process. Moreover, investing in advanced technologies and best practices for dust management can contribute to sustainable and responsible cement manufacturing practices.

Dust control tech
Dust suppression systems are vital in physically controlling dust emissions. Some of the key technologies that help in dust suppression in the cement plants include:

Wet scrubbers: Some cement mills utilise wet scrubbers to capture and remove dust particles from the air. They operate by spraying water on the particles, causing them to adhere to surfaces and be cleared from the air.
Bag filters: Bag filters are extensively used in Indian cement factories to capture dust particles generated during manufacturing. These filters are made of cloth bags that trap dust particles when air travels through them.
Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs): ESPs are another type of dust filtration equipment used in Indian cement plants. They use an electrostatic charge to attract and trap dust particles.
Cyclones: Cyclones are mechanical separators that can remove larger dust particles from the air. They work by creating a cyclonic effect that causes particles to be separated from the air stream
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters: HEPA filters are highly efficient filters that can remove up to 99.97 per cent of particles as small as 0.3 microns. They are commonly used in cleanrooms and other sensitive environments.

In addition to these filtration techniques, Indian cement plants also use various operational and maintenance practices to reduce dust emissions, such as regular equipment cleaning and maintenance, optimising production processes to reduce dust generation, and providing training to employees on dust control practices.
“Techflow’s air pollution control systems seamlessly integrate into your existing cement plant. Our pulse jet bag filters fit effortlessly downstream of grinding mills and packing stations, effectively capturing fine dust particles generated during these processes. Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) excel in kiln exit gas streams, working alongside existing cyclones to achieve ultra-fine particulate control, a critical step in maintaining clean air emissions,” says Arpit Kantia, Head – Marketing and Business Development, Techflow Enterprises.
“Techflow’s comprehensive offering of centrifugal fans ensures a perfect fit for any application. Our ID fans seamlessly integrate into the kiln system, creating the necessary draft to pull exhaust gases through the air pollution control equipment. Process fans, strategically placed throughout the plant, efficiently convey dust-laden air from various generation points, like clinker coolers and raw material handling, towards the filtration units. This modular approach minimises disruption during installation and ensures optimal dust collection across your entire cement production process,” he adds.
Dust control technologies in cement manufacturing each come with their own set of advantages and limitations. Bag filters are efficient and versatile, but they require frequent maintenance and have limited tolerance to high temperatures. Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) are effective for high-temperature applications and require minimal maintenance, but they may be less effective for capturing fine particles and involve higher initial capital investment. Wet scrubbers are effective for both particles and gases, with high removal efficiencies, but they demand higher water consumption and maintenance, as well as complex design and integration requirements. Choosing the most suitable technology depends on specific needs and operating conditions, weighing the pros and cons of each option carefully.

Control and regulations
The Indian government has established norms and regulations to control dust and fugitive emissions from cement plants. Some of the key norms include:
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): The NAAQS set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) establish limits on air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) emissions, from all industries, including cement plants.
Environment Protection Act (EPA): The EPA provides guidelines and regulations for controlling emissions from industries, including the
cement industry.
Cement Industry (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Rules, 2013: These rules set specific emission limits for cement plants in India. For example, the rules specify that PM emissions should not exceed 30 mg/Nm3 for dry kilns and 50 mg/Nm3 for wet kilns.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) guidelines: There are guidelines for the installation of pollution control equipment in cement plants, including bag filters, electrostatic precipitators and wet scrubbers.
State pollution control boards: State pollution control boards are responsible for enforcing the norms and regulations related to dust and fugitive emissions at cement plants.
Cement plants in India are required to comply with these norms and regulations to minimise their impact on the environment and public health. Failure to comply can result in fines, legal action and suspension of operations.

Preventive measures for dust
Controlling dust accumulation is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy working environment in cement manufacturing plants. Implementing effective strategies and preventive maintenance measures, along with adopting appropriate housekeeping practices, can significantly reduce dust emissions and mitigate associated risks.
Regular inspection and maintenance routines for equipment, including crushers, mills, and conveyors, are essential to identify and rectify potential sources of dust emissions promptly. Employing dust suppression techniques, such as water sprays and fogging systems, during material handling operations can significantly reduce airborne dust.
Enclosing processing equipment and material transfer points, coupled with robust ventilation systems equipped with dust collectors, ensures the containment and capture of airborne particles. Proper material handling and storage practices, along with comprehensive employee training on safety protocols and dust control procedures, further contribute to minimising dust generation and exposure risks.
Additionally, maintaining cleanliness through regular housekeeping schedules, employing appropriate cleaning equipment, and fostering a culture of awareness among workers are vital aspects of effective dust management. By integrating these measures into their operations, cement plants can uphold clean and safe working environments, mitigate environmental impact, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, thereby fostering sustainable and responsible practices within the industry.

Case Study: Dust monitoring solutions for cement plants

Particulate emissions from cement kilns have been reduced significantly over the last few decades due in part to ever-tightening regulatory controls including the lowering of emission limit values (ELVs) and the associated increase in installations of highly effective filtration systems which require higher quality monitoring.

Main emissions to air are from the kiln system
Additional potential sources include crushing plant, coal mills, clinker mills and silos
Recognising differing environmental conditions and process applications require different particulate emission measurement technology options, ENVEA offers an extensive technology range including Light Scatter, Probe Electrification, Opacity and Ratiometric Opacity for regulatory compliance and to facilitate filter and process optimisation.
Stack particulate emissions compliance measurement
Baghouse chamber and filter performance monitoring
Predictive bag filter row monitoring

PM CEMS IN THE KILN STACK: TECHNOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS
Technology choice is based on regulatory requirements including normal dust operating levels and filter type. As ELVs decrease, installations of Scatter-based systems (forward or back) are more common due to a measurement capability at very low dust concentrations. Systems are approved to the latest MCERTS and TUV standards with extensive quality assurance and audit features for ongoing quality assurance. Systems can be calibrated to provide a mg/m3 measurement in comparison to a standard reference (isokinetic) test.

MONITORING BEYOND THE MAIN KILN STACK
Bag filters are widely used as the preferred emission abatement for cement plants and there is a growing need for continuous monitoring to understand how the arrestment plant is working. Monitoring on individual compartment outlets provides data to Plant Operators which enables the location of faulty and failing filter media before gross failure occurs. This in turn ensures efficient operation and control of bag filter arrestment plant and considerably reduces maintenance costs and expensive process downtime.
Bag filter arrestment plants can be monitored by a networked system of ElectroDynamic™ Probe Electrification instruments, certified to TUV and MCERTS performance standards with patented features to a high performance under a wide range of process conditions.

Crushing Plant: ElectroDynamic™ technology-based systems suitable for relatively small diameter stacks with low dust loads, typically <5mg/m3
Silo Filters: Single sensor units or multi-channel networked systems for earlyarning of silo filter leakage or rupture preventing environmental impact and product loss
Coal Mills: Filter condition assessed remotely utilising PC-ME Dust Tools software
Clinker Mills: Fully insulated ElectroDynamic™ sensor for effective monitoring in humid conditions.

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Filtration Technology is Critical for Efficient Logistics

Published

4 days ago

May 15, 2026

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Niranjan Kirloskar, MD, Fleetguard Filters, makes the case that filtration technology, which has been long treated as a routine consumable, is in fact a strategic performance enabler across every stage of cement production and logistics.

India’s cement industry forms the core for infrastructure growth of the country. With an expected compound annual growth rate of six to eight per cent, India has secured its position as the second-largest cement producer globally. This growth is a result of the increasing demand across, resulting in capacity expansion. Consequently, cement manufacturers are now also focusing on running the factories as efficiently as possible to stay competitive and profitable.
While a large portion of focus still remains on production technologies and capacity utilisation, the hidden factor in profitability is the efficiency of cement logistics. The logistics alone account for nearly 30 per cent to 40 per cent of the total cost of cement, making efficiency in this segment a key lever for profitability and reliability.
In the midst of this complex and high-intensity ecosystem, filtration often remains one of the most underappreciated yet essential enablers of performance.

A demanding operational landscape
Cement production and logistics inherently operate in some of the harshest industrial environments. With processes such as quarrying, crushing, grinding, clinker production, and bulk material handling expose the machinery to constant high temperatures, heavy loads, and dust, often the silent destructive force for engines.
The ecosystem is abrasive, and often one with a high contamination index. These challenging conditions demand equipment such as the excavators, crushers, compressors, and transport vehicles to perform and perform efficiently. The continuous exposure to contamination across every aspect like air, fuel, lubrication, and even hydraulic systems causes long-term damage. Studies have also shown that 70 to 80 per cent of hydraulic system failures are directly linked to contamination, while primary cause of engine wear is inadequate air filtration.
For engines as heavy as these, even a minor contaminant has a cascading effect; reducing efficiency, performance and culminating to unplanned downtime. Particles as small as 5 to 10 microns, far smaller than a human hair (~70 microns), can cause significant damage to critical engine components. In an industry where margins are closely linked to operational efficiency, such disruptions can significantly affect both cost structures and delivery timelines.

Dust management: A persistent challenge
Dust is a natural by-product in cement operations. From drilling and blasting in the quarries to packing in plants, this fine particulate matter does occupy a large space in operations. Dust concentration levels in quarry and crushing zones often create extremely high particulate exposure for equipment. These fine particles, when enter the engines and critical systems, accelerates the wear and tear of the component, affecting directly the operational efficiency. Over time every block fall; engine performance declines, fuel consumption rises, and maintenance cycles shorten. In this case, effective air filtration is the natural first line of defence. Advanced filtration systems are designed to capture high volumes of particulate matter while maintaining consistent airflow, ensuring that engines and equipment operate under optimal conditions.
In high-dust applications, as in cement production, even the filtration systems are expected to sustain performance over extended periods without the need of frequent replacement. This becomes crucial in remote quarry locations where access to frequent maintenance may be limited.

Fluid cleanliness and system integrity
Beyond air filtration, fluid systems also play a crucial role for equipment reliability in cement operations. Fuel systems are required to remain free from contaminants for efficient working of combustion and injection protection. Additionally, lubrication systems also need to maintain the oil purity to reduce friction and prevent any premature wear of moving parts. The hydraulic systems, which are key to several heavy equipment operations, are especially sensitive to contamination.
If fine particles or water enters these systems, it can lead to reduced efficiency, erratic performance, and eventual failure of the system. Modern filtration systems are designed with high-efficiency media capable of removing extremely fine contaminants, with advanced fuel and oil filtration solutions filtering particles as small as two to five microns. Multi-stage filtration systems further ensure that fluid performance is maintained even under challenging operating conditions.
Another critical aspect of fuel systems is water separation. Removing moisture helps prevent corrosion, improves combustion efficiency and enhances overall engine reliability. Modern water separation technologies can achieve over 95 per cent efficiency in removing water from fuel systems.

Ensuring reliability across the value chain
Filtration plays a critical role across every stage of cement logistics:
• Quarry operations: Equipment operates in highly abrasive environments, requiring strong protection against dust ingress and hydraulic contamination.
• Processing units: Crushers, kilns, and grinding mills depend on clean lubrication and cooling systems to sustain continuous operations.
• Material handling systems: Pneumatic and mechanical systems rely on clean air and fluid systems for efficiency and reliability.
• Transportation networks: Bulk carriers and trucks must maintain engine health and fuel efficiency to ensure timely deliveries.
Across these operations, filtration plays a vital role; as it supports consistent equipment performance while reducing the risk of unexpected failures.
Effective filtration solutions can reduce unscheduled equipment failures by 30 to 50 per cent across heavy-duty operations.

Uptime as a strategic imperative
In cement manufacturing, uptime is currency. Downtime not only delays the production, but it also greatly impacts the supply commitments and logistics planning. With the right filtration systems, contaminants are kept at bay from entering the
critical systems, and they also significantly extend the service intervals.
Optimised filtration can extend service intervals by 20 to 40 per cent, reducing maintenance frequency while maintaining consistent performance across demanding operating conditions. Filtration systems designed for heavy-duty applications sustain efficiency throughout their lifecycle, ensuring reliable protection with minimal interruptions. This leads to improved equipment availability, lower maintenance costs, and more predictable operations, with well-maintained systems capable of achieving uptime levels of over 90 to 95 per cent in challenging cement environments.

Supporting emission and sustainability goals
With the rising environmental awareness, the cement industry too is aligning with the stricter norms and sustainability targets. In this scenario, the operational efficiency is directly linked to emission control.

Air and fuel systems that are clean enable
much more efficient combustion. They also reduce emissions from both the stationary equipment and transport fleets. Similarly, with a well-maintained fluid cleanliness, emission systems function better. Poor combustion due to contamination can increase emissions by 5 to 10 per cent, making clean systems critical for compliance.
Additionally, efficient and longer lasting filtration systems significantly reduce any waste generation and contribute to increased sustainable maintenance practices. Extended-life filtration solutions can reduce filter disposal and maintenance waste by 15 to 20 per cent. Smart and efficient filtration in this case plays an important role in meeting the both regulatory and environmental objectives within the industry.

Advancements in filtration technology
Over the years, there has been a significant evolution in the filtration technology to meet the modern industrial applications.
Key developments include:
• High-efficiency filtration media capable of capturing very fine particles without restricting flow
• Compact and integrated designs that combine multiple filtration functions
• Extended service life solutions that reduce replacement frequency and maintenance downtime
• Application-specific engineering tailored to different stages of cement operations
Modern multi-layer filtration media can improve dust-holding capacity by up to two to three times compared to conventional systems, while maintaining consistent performance. These advancements have transformed filtration from a basic maintenance component into a critical performance system.

Adapting to diverse operating conditions
The cement industry of India operates across diverse geographies. Spanning across regions with arid regions with higher dust levels, to the coastal areas with higher humidity, challenges of each region pose different threats to the engines. Modern filtration systems are thus tailored to address these unique challenges of each region.
Indian operating environments often range from 0°C to over 50°C, with some of the highest dust loads globally in mining zones.
Additionally, filtration technology can also be customised to variations which then align the system design with factors like dust load, temperature, and equipment usage patterns. Equipment utilisation levels in India are typically higher than global averages, making robust filtration even more critical. This approach ensures optimal performance and durability across different operational contexts.

Impact on total cost of ownership
Filtration has a direct and measurable impact on the total cost of ownership of equipment.
Effective filtration leads to:
• Lower wear and tear on critical components
• Reduced maintenance and repair costs
• Improved fuel efficiency
• Extended equipment life
• Higher operational uptime
Effective filtration can extend engine life by 20 to 30 per cent and reduce overall maintenance costs by 15 to 25 per cent over the equipment lifecycle. These benefits collectively enhance productivity and reduce lifecycle costs. Conversely, inadequate filtration can result in frequent breakdowns, increased maintenance expenditure, and reduced asset utilisation.

Building a more efficient cement ecosystem
With the rising demand across various sectors, the cement industry is expected to expand at an unprecedented rate. This growth is forcing the production to move towards a more efficient and resilient system of operations. This requires attention not only to production technologies but also to the supporting systems that enable consistent performance. Filtration must be viewed as a strategic investment rather than a routine consumable. By ensuring the cleanliness of air and fluids across systems, it supports reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.

The road ahead
The future of cement logistics will be shaped by increasing mechanisation, digital monitoring, and stricter environmental standards. The industry is also witnessing a shift towards predictive maintenance and condition monitoring, where filtration performance is increasingly integrated with real-time equipment diagnostics.
In this evolving landscape, the role of filtration will become even more critical. As equipment becomes more advanced and operating conditions more demanding, the need for precise contamination control will continue to grow. From quarry to construction site, filtration technology underpins the performance of every critical system. It enables equipment to operate efficiently, reduces operational risks, and supports the industry’s broader goals of growth and sustainability. In many ways, it is the unseen force that keeps the cement ecosystem moving, quietly ensuring that every link in the value chain performs as expected.

About the author
Niranjan Kirloskar, Managing Director, Fleetguard Filters, is focused on driving innovation, operational excellence, and long-term business growth through strategic and people-centric leadership. With a strong foundation in ethics and forward-thinking decision-making, he champions a culture of collaboration, accountability, and technological advancement.

Concrete

Cement’s Next Fuel Shift

Published

4 days ago

May 15, 2026

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Jignesh Kindaria highlights how Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR) is emerging as a critical lever for cost savings, decarbonisation and competitive advantage in the cement industry.

India is simultaneously grappling with two crises: a mounting waste emergency and an urgent need to decarbonise its most carbon-intensive industries. The cement sector, the second-largest in the world and the backbone of the nation’s infrastructure ambitions, sits at the centre of both. It consumes enormous quantities of fossil fuel, and it has the technical capacity to consume something else entirely: the waste our cities cannot get rid of.
According to CPCB and NITI Aayog projections, India generates approximately 62.4 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, with that figure expected to reach 165 million tonnes by 2030. Much of this waste is energy-rich and non-recyclable. At the same time, cement kilns operate at material temperatures of approximately 1,450 degrees Celsius, with gas temperatures reaching 2,000 degrees. This high-temperature environment is ideal for co-processing, ensuring the complete thermal destruction of organic compounds without generating toxic residues. The physics are in our favour. The infrastructure is not.
Pre-processing is not the support act for co-processing. It is the main event. Get the particle size wrong, get the moisture wrong, get the calorific value wrong and your kiln thermal stability will suffer the consequences.

The regulatory push is real
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules 2026 mandate that cement plants progressively replace solid fossil fuels with Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), starting at a 5 per cent baseline and scaling to 15 per cent within six years. NITI Aayog’s 2026 Roadmap for Cement Sector Decarbonisation targets 20 to 25 per cent Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR) by 2030. Beyond compliance, every tonne of coal replaced by RDF generates measurable carbon reductions which is monetisable under India’s emerging Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS). TSR is no longer a sustainability metric. It is a financial lever.
Yet our own field assessments across multiple Indian cement plants reveal a sobering reality: the primary barrier to scaling AFR adoption is not waste availability. It is the fragmented and under-engineered pre-processing ecosystem that sits between the waste and the kiln.

Why Indian waste is a different engineering problem
Indian municipal solid waste is not the material that imported shredding equipment was designed for. Our waste streams frequently exceed 40 per cent to 50 per cent moisture content, particularly during monsoon cycles, saturated with abrasive inerts including sand, glass, and stone. Plants relying on imported OEM equipment face months of downtime awaiting proprietary spare parts. Machines built for segregated, low-moisture waste fail quickly and disrupt the entire pre-processing operation in Indian conditions.
The two most common failures we observe are what I call the biting teeth problem and the chewing teeth problem. Plants relying solely on a primary shredder reduce bulk waste to large fractions, but the output remains too coarse for stable kiln combustion. Others attempt to use a secondary shredder as a standalone unit without a primary stage to pre-size the feed, leading to catastrophic mechanical failure. When both stages are present but mismatched in throughput capacity, the system becomes a bottleneck. Achieving the 40 to 70 tonnes per hour required for meaningful coal displacement demands a precisely coordinated two-stage process.

Engineering a made-in-India answer
At Fornnax, our response to these challenges is grounded in one principle: Indian waste demands Indian engineering. Our systems are built around feedstock homogeneity, the holy grail of kiln stability. Consistent particle size and predictable calorific value are the foundation of stable kiln combustion. Without them, no TSR target is achievable at scale.
Our SR-MAX2500 Dual Shaft Primary Shredder (Hydraulic Drive) processes raw, baled, or loosely mixed MSW, C&I waste, bulky waste, and plastics, reducing them to approximately 150 mm fractions at throughputs of up to 40 tonnes per hour. The R-MAX 3300 Single Shaft Secondary Shredder (Hydraulic Drive), introduced in 2025, takes that primary output and produces RDF fractions in the 30 to 80 mm range at up to 30 tonnes per hour, specifically optimised for consistent kiln feeding. We have also introduced electric drive configurations under the SR-100 HD series, with capacities between 5 and 40 tonnes per hour, already operational at a leading Indian waste-processing facility.
Looking ahead, Fornnax is expanding its portfolio with the upcoming SR-MAX3600 Hydraulic Drive primary shredder at up to 70 tonnes per hour and the R-MAX2100 Hydraulic drive secondary shredder at up to 20 tonnes per hour, designed specifically for the large-scale throughput that higher TSR ambitions require.

The investment case is now
The 2070 Net-Zero target is not a distant goal for India’s cement sector. It starts today, with decisions being made on the plant floor.
The SWM Rules 2026 are already in effect, requiring cement plants to replace coal with RDF. Carbon credit markets are opening up, and coal prices are not going to get cheaper. Every tonne of coal a cement plant replaces with waste-derived fuel saves money on one side and generates carbon credit revenue on the other. Pre-processing infrastructure is no longer just a compliance requirement. It is a business investment with a measurable return.
The good news is that nothing is missing. The technology works. The waste is available in every Indian city. The government has provided the policy direction. The only thing standing between where the industry is today and where it needs to be is the commitment to build the right infrastructure.
The cement companies that move now will not just meet the regulations. They will be ahead of every competitor that waits.

About the author
Jignesh Kundaria is the Director and CEO of Fornnax Technology. Over an experience spanning more than two decades in the recycling industry, he has established himself as one of India’s foremost voices on waste-to-fuel technology and alternative fuel infrastructure.

Concrete

Dalmia Bharat Cement launches water repellent cement brand Weather 365 in Eastern India

Published

4 days ago

May 15, 2026

admin

The company has introduced water repellent cement to target rising consumer demand for weather-resilient housing solutions.

New Delhi, May 15, 2026

Dalmia Bharat Cement, one of India’s leading cement manufacturing companies, has launched Weather 365, a new super-premium water repellent cement brand aimed at addressing growing consumer demand for durable, weather-resistant construction materials in Eastern India. The product is positioned as a high-performance offering for consumers seeking long-term protection against seepage, dampness and moisture damage. The launch marks a strategic push by Dalmia Bharat Cement into the fast-growing premium cement segment, where consumer preference is increasingly shifting from price-led purchases to specialised, performance-oriented building materials.

Reinforcing its super-premium positioning, the product will be available in premium-quality water-resistant and tamper-proof BOPP packaging. ‘Weather 365’ will be introduced across its retail markets in West Bengal and Bihar.

In addition to the product rollout, the company will provide on-site technical support through its engineering and technical services teams to guide customers on best construction practices and improve long-term building performance.

Speaking on the launch, company spokesperson from Dalmia Bharat Cement said: “Weather 365 is a testament to Dalmia Bharat Cement’s relentless pursuit of innovation. Eastern India experiences prolonged monsoons, high humidity and challenging weather conditions that significantly impact the life of buildings and homes. Consumers today are actively looking for solutions that offer long-term protection and lower maintenance costs. Weather 365 is our answer to that need – a differentiated premium product that combines structural strength with advanced moisture protection that safeguards homes at every level, every season. We believe this category will see strong growth in the coming years.”

Weather 365 is a specialised cement product developed to meet the rigorous demands of modern construction in regions exposed to high humidity, heavy rainfall and extreme weather cycles. Designed for roofs, columns and foundations, it delivers end-to-end moisture protection across the entire home from the structure’s core to its visible surfaces. Its proprietary uniform water repellent technology helps reduce water penetration, minimize steel corrosion in RCC structures while preventing efflorescence and damp patches, thereby ensuring stronger concrete, improved paint life and long-lasting structural health. Positioned as a super-premium product in Dalmia Bharat Cement’s portfolio, Weather 365 targets discerning homeowners, contractors and builders who seek the best-in-class protection for their construction investments.

With a strong manufacturing and market presence across Eastern India, Dalmia Bharat Cement continues to strengthen its footprint in one of its key strategic markets. As the company advances towards its vision of becoming a pan-India cement leader, it remains focused on delivering innovative, premium construction solutions tailored to evolving consumer needs.

Dalmia Bharat Cement, a subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat Limited, is a leading player in the cement manufacturing segment and has been in existence since 1939. It is the first cement company to commit to RE100, EP100 & EV100 (first triple joiner) – showing real business leadership in the clean energy transition by taking a joined-up approach. With a growing capacity, currently pegged at 49.5 million tonne, Dalmia Bharat Cement is the fourth-largest cement manufacturing group in India by installed capacity. Spread across ten states and fifteen manufacturing units, the company is a category leader in super-specialist cement used for oil well, railway sleepers and airstrips and is the country’s largest producer of Portland Slag Cement (PSC).