Economy & Market

Oil and grease barrels should be kept indoors

Published

2 years ago

June 14, 2024

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In this insightful interview, KB Mathur, Founder and Director, Global Technical Services, emphasises the importance of maintaining clean lubricants and leveraging advanced technologies for optimal plant operations and cost efficiency.

How is the Total Lubrication Management system relevant for the Indian cement industry?
Lubricating oil in a machine is like blood in the human body. Cement industry in India or anywhere in the world operates in dust conditions and their mines operate under heavier dust conditions. Keeping lubricants (oil and grease) clean as possible is the prime requirement for the machine’s operations and maintenance. This is our fundamental approach for providing services of ‘Total Lubrication Management’ to the cement industry.
Hence, a major factor for keeping lubricants in good condition and clean starts from storage, handling and dispensing of lubricants in a cement plant.
Our company, Global Technical Services (GTS) is working at several sites to ensure clean lubricating oil and grease are fed to machines. This is a primary requirement of machine life, reliability and continuous production.
We have developed special containers with colour coding to feed clean and uncontaminated oils to various machines in plants and mines. We call these containers ‘Dust Free Containers’ and they are colour coded for various families of lubricating oils – such as hydraulic oils, gear oils, etc.
We work according to our standard operating procedures (SOP) and the main activity is to keep the oil / grease clean, so that we achieve improved reliability in the plant operation and improved mechanical maintenance. This is of great importance and shall lead to productivity and improved profitability to our customers operating cement plants and mines.

How does automation and technology come handy in setting up the lubrication process at a cement plant?
Cement plants operate under very stringent conditions as they are process plants – working continuously for months or years. A dedicated team of lubrication technicians is required to keep and adopt good lubrication practices and lubricants in clean condition. Periodical testing of lubricants is required to ensure lubricating oils are in good condition. This is done at an oil testing laboratory.
When a used oil sample is sent to an oil testing laboratory, the test report is normally received after 7 to 10 days. However, in case the test report is not received within 48 hours – the mechanical damage can set into the machines, hence GTS has a site oil testing laboratory at all sites where GTS is working and implements Total Lubrication Management. The site oil testing laboratory provides the test report within 36 hours and corrective maintenance action can be taken. This is a vital need of Lubrication Management Services at cement plants and mines.
To keep oil clean, fifth generation oil filtration systems are required. The new technology for oil filtration for removing water/moisture, besides contamination, is adopted by GTS in the filtration machine. Used oil is filtered and produced oil free of moisture and cleanliness can be measured by ISOVG 4406 Spec., which needs hydraulic oil to be cleaned to NASS 6-7 values, the need for hydraulic oil cleanliness.
With the arrival of Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), the oil analysis can lead to meaningful results through ICP, which can give accurate reports on wear metals and total contamination besides additive depletion in the oil. With this, we can adopt a proper filtration system cleaning the oil and bring it to the level of ‘As New Oil’. Once this is adopted it can lead to oil conservation of oil to the extent of 30 to 40 percent. Oil conservation is an important need of the day, as we at GTS always work towards – ‘Save Oil – Oil will not last forever’.

What impact can proper lubrication create on the cost efficiency and productivity of cement plants?
Good lubrication practices are very important for cement plants and their mining operations for the following reasons:

They are continuous process plants, and run for a year continuously and stop only during scheduled shut down
They operate under very dusty conditions
All cement plants have heavy rotary equipment such as raw mills, kiln, cement mills, etc.
The operating conditions are stringent like high temperature, dusty environment, etc.

The above operating facts offer challenges for establishing ‘good lubrication practices’, so that cement plant’s reliability can be maintained. Hence, good lubrication is of paramount importance for operation of cement plants.
A basic requirement is to maintain quality of lubricants and greases manufactured by standard and reputed oil companies. The specification of the oil is therefore to be maintained and oil to be kept in clean condition to avoid any contamination with dust, dirt or moisture. This contamination has to be kept under control for good mechanical maintenance. Any breakdown in cement plant operation is very costly, affecting production.
Therefore, it is essential for cement plants to invest in good lubrication practices by having dedicated manpower, doing lubrication, keeping oil clean by use of filtration machines, oil testing laboratory at site, to ensure quality of oil as per specifications and take corrective action, when required.

How do you maintain quality for the lubricant products provided to the cement manufacturers?
Oil and grease barrels should be kept indoors. If space limitations make it impossible to keep all the oil barrels indoors, then the grease barrels must be kept indoors. The oil stored in outdoor barrels should be kept between 30°C and 90°C, covered with tarpaulin, or placed under a shed specifically developed for outdoor oil storage. Grease barrels cannot be kept outdoors because grease is a suspension of oil in soap. If grease barrels are stored outdoors, the heat will cause the oil and soap to separate, making the grease unfit for use.
Oil received from suppliers should be handled carefully at the site to prevent any barrels from being damaged during unloading. If barrels are not carefully unloaded, they can be damaged, causing oil to spill. GTS takes utmost care to ensure that the oil in service is as clean as possible, without any contamination. This ensures good maintenance practices and the reliability required in any industry, especially in cement plants, which operate in dusty environments.
The storage, handling and dispensing of lubricants and greases are very important because the oil is produced under high-quality control by the oil companies. After the oil is received and stored carefully, ensure there is no contamination from barrel breathing. The oil should then be dispensed to the machines using suitable containers, preferably dust-free containers with colour coding. Cement plants should not use open-mouth conical containers, as these can accumulate dust from the cement industry environment.
GTS has specifically developed containers called ‘Dust-free Containers’, which are colour-coded for different families of oil: hydraulic oil (blue), gear oil (green), and engine oil (red), among others. GTS uses its own colour-coding system to ensure that the lubricating oils, which are fed to the machines, are contamination-free.

How often do you audit or review your implemented systems?
We conduct regular reviews of each site where we provide Total Lubrication Management Services:

Greasing in the plant is a major activity. Greasing schedules are monitored daily, and any deviations must be corrected the next day.
Oil sample testing is done at the site laboratory and the main laboratory for detailed analysis, where ICP testing is required. The number of samples to be tested depends on the size of the plant and mines, and these samples are audited monthly.
Total oil filtration is performed and used in plant machines after testing (weekly review).
Oil conservation is important as it helps control oil wastage.
Oil and grease consumption is reviewed on a weekly and monthly basis, with trend analysis conducted.

The above parameters are reviewed at the site on a weekly and monthly basis as well as at our Mumbai office.
The GTS Site In-charge provides this information to the TLM Coordinator at the site on a daily basis. We provide weekly and monthly reports to the entire Plant Management team, which we call the Monthly Technical Activity Report (MTAR).
We work in association with the TLM Coordinator on a daily basis. The TLM Coordinator serves as the primary contact person from the mechanical and maintenance department of each plant where we provide our services. Additionally, we have Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that detail every activity to be performed at the site. A copy of the SOP is available at every plant with the unit head, mechanical head, and TLM Coordinator. The SOP incorporates every system of our work, ensuring smooth implementation of lubrication management at the plants and their mines.

How do you incorporate sustainability in your process and operations?
Sustainability is one of the most important requirements today in any industry. We have mentioned earlier that ‘Oil Never Dies’ and also ‘Oil will not last forever’. Hence, handling oil carefully without any spillage or wastages or leakages is of paramount importance while handling and dispensing of lubricants into the machines. In case the oil is not handled with utmost care as per the prescribed norms, it can lead to spilling, which will lead to loss of oil and slippery floors.
One of the major requirements today for technicians using lubricants, whether petroleum-based or synthetic, is to completely eliminate oil spillage through careful handling, in order to achieve sustainability. We place a significant emphasis on oil conservation and also adopt the principles of Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. Implementing these practices could result in saving at least 30 per cent to 40 per cent of lubricants in any industry.
We must do used oil filtration and test filtered oil within the site laboratory and accordingly using it for top-up or any other use as per the test report, will save considerable number of lubricants in the industry. In future, oil recycling is going to be the major activity and will be required to be done at all the plants. A cost reduction is important to save lubricants for sustainability.
We cannot afford to throw out oil due to ecological/environmental reasons and therefore reclamation of used oil is a highly focused area and will have a big effect on sustainability, besides reducing costs in manufacturing.
We make best efforts to save lubricating oil by testing oils regularly in the laboratory. In the cement industry, there are many locations where loss of application is required using oils / greases such as chain, pulleys, etc. and where used oil beyond filtration can be used for all loss applications.

What are the major challenges that you have had to face and overcome in terms of lubrication for the cement industry?
We initiated Total Lubrication Management Services for the cement industry approximately
23 years ago, in the year 2001-02. It is now well-established, and we do not face any major challenges in the cement industry because the personnel working in the industry understand the importance of Total Lubrication Management on a Single Window Basis at their plants.
Initially, our challenges included setting up a robust Central Lubrication Cell (CLC), which serves as a single location for carrying out the work of Total Lubrication Management for the entire plant. Now, these facilities are standardised and accepted by most plants. For mines included in our scope, we set up a separate CLC due to distance.
The CLC is where we operate Lubrication Management services for the entire plant (or mines). We maintain a 15-day inventory of oil and grease at the CLC. Handling and dispensing of lubricating oils or greases are conducted from this location, along with the setup of an Oil Testing Laboratory at the site for the Central Lubrication Cell of the Plant. Hence, this area is specially built to cater to all our activities. We prioritise maintaining ‘good housekeeping’ at the CLC to ensure clean oil is fed to machines.
Maintaining good housekeeping at the CLC is our prime requirement. Additionally, our next challenge is manpower. We have to train them according to our needs, and finding competent manpower has become increasingly difficult. Sometimes, our manpower has to work for 14 to 16 hours. Apart from this, we have no other major problems in implementing Total Lubrication Management at various sites.

Tell us about the innovations that can be seen in the near future by Global Technical Services.
We wish to achieve the following in the cement industry in the near future.

We have already initiated a training programme for GTS personnel/technicians at sites to enhance the quality of our day-to-day services in providing Total Lubrication Management as per our SOP.
The cement industry utilises large quantities of lubricating oils, primarily gear oil and hydraulic oils. These oils can be regenerated to the level of ‘As-New Oil.’ Since we have an on-site oil testing laboratory, the regenerated lubricants/oils can be tested and reused. This will provide a significant and cost-effective service, allowing us to save a considerable amount of lubricating oil in the industry. To achieve this objective, we will utilise 5th generation oil filtration systems. These systems absorb water/moisture as well as all suspended impurities, wear debris, etc.
With the availability of sensors and software, we aim to implement online oil condition monitoring for all critical and major equipment in the cement plant. This will enhance mechanical maintenance as a continuous process, which is a major expense in any industry.

– Kanika Mathur

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Economy & Market

The Road Ahead Begins Here

Published

2 days ago

August 11, 2026

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The future of India’s roads took centrestage at RAHSTA Expo 2026, where policymakers, contractors and industry leaders came together under one roof. The event blended thought leadership, technology showcase and industry recognition into a single powerful platform.

India’s roads and highways community gathered in full strength at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, for the 16th edition of the RAHSTA Expo (Roads and Highways Sustainable Technologies & Advancement). Over two action-packed days, the event brought together policymakers, contractors, consultants, developers, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, technology providers and investors to deliberate on the future of India’s ,infrastructure while showcasing the latest innovations driving the sector.

The event culminated in the prestigious RAHSTA Awards, where Shri. Ajay Tamta, Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, felicitated organisations and professionals for their outstanding contributions to road construction, engineering, safety, sustainability and technology. With leading contractors, senior government officials, industry veterans and technology providers under one roof, the event reaffirmed RAHSTA’s position as one of India’s most influential platforms for the roads, highways, bridges and tunnels ecosystem.

Organised by FIRST Construction Council in association with ASAPP Info Global Group, RAHSTA has steadily evolved beyond an exhibition into a platform where policy, technology, engineering and business converge to address the opportunities and challenges shaping India’s next generation of transport infrastructure.

Beyond expansion, towards value

The conference opened with a thought-provoking address by Pratap Padode, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Construction World, who observed that India’s highways sector has reached an important inflection point. Introducing this year’s theme – ‘From Expansion to Value: The Next Phase of India’s Highways’ – he noted that while the country has successfully expanded its road network over the past two decades, the industry’s priorities are now shifting towards building infrastructure that delivers greater lifecycle value, durability, safety and operational efficiency. With funding pressures, asset monetisation and evolving project models changing the sector’s dynamics, he said the focus must now move beyond kilometres constructed to the quality and long-term performance of every asset.

Dr Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), reminded delegates that successful infrastructure delivery is ultimately a collective effort. Emphasising on collaboration between government, industry and engineering professionals, he remarked, “There is no loser in a winning team, and there is no winner in a losing team,” urging stakeholders to work together to deliver projects with quality, financial sustainability and technological excellence.

Delivering the keynote address, Bidur Kant Jha, Director, New Technologies for Highway Development, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), outlined the Government’s long-term vision for India’s highway network. Highlighting the country’s 6.26 million km roads network, he spoke about the growing adoption of digital planning tools such as BIM and GIS, bridge health monitoring systems and Integrated Smart Transport Corridors under the Vision 2047 roadmap. He emphasised that while India remains open to global innovations, every new technology must be adapted to Indian conditions before large-scale deployment.

Addressing the gathering during the awards ceremony, Tamta underlined the increasing role of specialised equipment and modern construction technologies in executing complex infrastructure projects across diverse terrains. Referring to challenging tunnel projects in Uttarakhand, he noted how advanced machinery has transformed execution capabilities, while also acknowledging the rapid evolution of Indian contractors into globally competitive infrastructure companies. Recognising excellence through industry awards, he said, motivates organisations to continually raise performance standards and embrace innovation.

Meanwhile, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, highlighted that infrastructure development must increasingly focus on integrated urban mobility. Reflecting on Mumbai’s engineering journey – from its historic underground utility network to the Coastal Road and other transformative projects – he underlined that future infrastructure planning must seamlessly integrate roads, metro systems and public transport to create efficient, multimodal cities.

Uttar Pradesh takes centrestage

One of the highlights of the second day was Uttar Pradesh’s comprehensive presentation on its infrastructure-led industrial transformation.

Srihari Pratap Shahi, IAS, Additional CEO, Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), demonstrated how the state’s expanding expressway network is evolving into a catalyst for industrial development through integrated manufacturing and logistics clusters. Expressways, he noted, are no longer merely transport corridors but engines of economic competitiveness.

Building on this narrative, Deeksha Jain, IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), showcased the state’s rapidly expanding industrial ecosystem supported by extensive expressway connectivity, dedicated freight corridors, airports, industrial townships and investor-friendly policies. She highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s strong manufacturing growth, expanding industrial land bank, plug-and-play infrastructure and increasing use of digital governance to facilitate investments.

Further underlining the significance of the platform, Deepak Kumar, IAS, Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh, remarked, “RAHSTA provides an excellent platform for states to showcase our infrastructure progress and investment ecosystem. Uttar Pradesh has transformed significantly over the past decade, backed by more than 34 investor-friendly industrial policies, and platforms like RAHSTA help communicate these developments to industry stakeholders from across the country.”

Ideas that shaped the industry conversation

The two-day conference featured seven panel discussions, each examining a critical dimension of India’s evolving roads and highways sector.

The opening discussion on ‘Financing Roads & Highways in a Capital-Constrained Era’ brought together experts from Cube Highways, NIIF, SBI Capital Markets, Centrum Capital and Bandhan Infra Fund, who examined how the financing landscape is changing. Discussions revolved around asset monetisation, InvITs, institutional investments and new funding structures, with panellists agreeing that better project preparation, transparent governance and predictable returns will be crucial for attracting long-term capital into infrastructure.

Attention then shifted to execution realities during the panel on ‘Contractors’ Perspective: Execution Realities, Risks & the Quality Imperative.’ Representatives from GHV Infra Projects, PNC Infratech, NCC and Maccaferri candidly discussed the challenges of delivering projects amid contractual complexities, land acquisition delays, rising costs and tight timelines. While execution pressures remain significant, the discussion reinforced that better collaboration across the project value chain is essential for achieving both speed and quality.

Day 2 opened with a technically rich discussion on ‘Designing Roads for Sustainability, Durability & Climate Resilience’. Experts from CSIR-CRRI, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, Zydex Group and SRMB Steel explored advanced pavement technologies, recycled materials, climate-resilient designs and scientific construction practices that can significantly improve durability while lowering lifecycle costs. Sustainability, they agreed, must become an integral part of road design rather than an afterthought.

The subsequent session on ‘Bridges & Tunnels: Complex Engineering, Safety & Future Readiness’ highlighted the growing complexity of India’s infrastructure projects. Panellists discussed advances in structural engineering, digital monitoring, risk management and safety practices that are enabling the successful delivery of increasingly ambitious bridge and tunnel projects across the country.

Technology remained a recurring theme during the discussion on ‘Technology as a Risk-Mitigation Tool for Developers & Investors’. Experts explained how AI, BIM, drones, predictive analytics, digital twins and intelligent monitoring systems are helping improve project planning, minimise execution risks, strengthen quality assurance and enhance asset management throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.

The construction equipment panel brought together leading industry experts to examine how technology, sustainability and digitalisation are redefining construction equipment in an era of rising cost pressures. Discussions centred on enhancing productivity, reducing lifecycle costs and preparing the industry for India’s infrastructure ambitions leading up to 2047.

The conference concluded with an engaging CXO Forum on ‘Rebuilding Confidence in India’s Roads & Highways Sector’, where senior industry leaders emphasised that stronger governance, better project preparation, digitalisation, transparent contracting and closer public-private collaboration will be essential to sustain India’s infrastructure growth over the coming decades.

Technology and recognition under one roof

Beyond the conference halls, RAHSTA Expo reflected the technological transformation underway across India’s road infrastructure ecosystem. Leading equipment manufacturers, technology companies and material suppliers showcased advanced construction equipment, intelligent digital platforms, pavement technologies, structural materials and productivity-enhancing solutions designed to improve project efficiency and asset performance. The exhibition created valuable opportunities for contractors, consultants, government agencies and project developers to evaluate new technologies while interacting directly with solution providers.

The event also served as a celebration of excellence through the RAHSTA Awards 2026, which recognised outstanding achievements across road construction, contracting, materials, equipment, technology, safety, sustainability and infrastructure development. Presented by Minister Tamta, the awards honoured organisations that are setting new benchmarks for quality, innovation and execution across India’s roads sector.

RAHSTA Expo 2026 also received extensive support from across the infrastructure ecosystem. Alongside leading corporate sponsors, the event was backed by industry bodies including the Builders Association of India (BAI), Construction Equipment Rental Association (CERA), Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), International Road Federation (IRF), CSIR-CRRI, CILT India, All India Transporters Welfare Association, Hydraulic Trailer Owners Association (HTOA), Gujarat Contractors Association, Bitumen Forum, Fluid Power Society of India, Indian Institute of Material Management, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Mumbai First, reflecting the industry’s collective commitment to advancing India’s road infrastructure.

As the curtains came down on the two-day event, one message resonated throughout the conference: India’s highways story is entering a new chapter. While expansion will continue, the future will increasingly be defined by smarter planning, stronger partnerships, digital transformation, sustainable engineering and long-term value creation. By bringing together the entire infrastructure value chain on a single platform, RAHSTA Expo 2026 once again demonstrated why it has become one of the country’s most influential forums for shaping the future of roads, highways, bridges and tunnels.

Economy & Market

Fornnax Names Lukas Baur as Authorised Service Partner to Bolster EU Operations

Published

3 weeks ago

July 23, 2026

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Strapline: Fornnax Technology has appointed NOBA Maschinenservice’s Lukas Baur as its authorised service partner for the European Union, strengthening its commitment to delivering fast, reliable, and localised after-sales support across the region.

Fornnax Technology, a leading manufacturer of industrial shredding solutions, has announced the appointment of Mr. Lukas Baur of NOBA Maschinenservice as its authorised service partner for the European Union. The partnership, formalised under the authorisation of Fornnax CEO Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, reinforces the company’s commitment to providing dependable, localised service support to its expanding customer base across Europe.

Strengthening Service Through Proven Expertise

With over two decades of experience in servicing, maintaining, and overhauling industrial shredders, Mr. Baur brings extensive technical expertise to the partnership. His capabilities span welding, hardfacing, shaft and knife rebuilding, complex assembly, hydraulics, and complete electrical engineering services, delivered in collaboration with a trusted partner company based in Halle/Saale.

Operating from Worbis, Germany, Mr. Baur is strategically positioned to provide emergency support across the European Union within 24 hours, covering an operational radius of approximately 1,000 kilometres.

Supporting this capability is a well-equipped service infrastructure comprising 12 Mercedes Sprinter service vans, a team of 24 skilled technicians, specialised bearing-change tools, a fully equipped hydraulic workshop, and a 1,000-square-metre facility with a five-ton crane track. Together, these resources position his team to manage the complete spectrum of Fornnax’s European service requirements efficiently and reliably.

Partnership Driven by Industry Insight

Having spent years servicing Eldan, Lindner, and Vecoplan shredders across the European recycling industry, Mr. Baur’s decision to collaborate with Fornnax is rooted in his understanding of market needs and customer expectations. His experience has provided valuable insight into what recycling plant operators require—not only from their machinery but also from the service teams supporting them.

According to Mr. Baur, Fornnax’s reputation for robust machine construction, superior wear protection, and maintenance-friendly design made the partnership a natural fit.

The collaboration comes at a time when Europe’s tyre recycling industry is facing mounting challenges, including rising cost pressures, shrinking margins, delayed investments, and a shortage of skilled labour. Mr. Baur believes these conditions reinforce the need for technically strong service partners capable of delivering rapid, dependable support.

Commenting on the partnership, he said, “Fornnax, with its exceptional price-performance ratio and superior quality, has the potential to become a market leader in Europe. We would like to be their service partner in this journey.”

Comprehensive Support Across the Equipment Lifecycle

As Fornnax’s authorised service partner, Mr. Baur will oversee the complete lifecycle support of the company’s equipment throughout the European Union. His responsibilities will include installation, commissioning, preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and spare parts support across mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems.

Looking ahead, he also plans to develop a centralised spare parts distribution hub for European customers, particularly if Fornnax establishes a warehouse facility in Worbis to facilitate faster deliveries. To further strengthen service coverage, Mr. Baur intends to expand operations by adding two to three additional service teams and vehicles each year, progressively increasing capacity across the continent.

A Shared Commitment to Customer Excellence

Highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership, Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of Fornnax, said:

“We strongly believe that by continuously improving our service quality and customer satisfaction index, we can build long-term relationships with our customers. Higher customer satisfaction leads to greater trust, which significantly increases repeat orders and ultimately drives sustained growth in our sales revenue.”

This customer-first philosophy underpins Fornnax’s strategy of building a dedicated European service partner network instead of relying solely on remote support. With Mr. Baur joining this network, customers across the European Union will benefit from faster response times, expert technical assistance, and dedicated on-ground support from a partner with extensive experience in high-throughput shredding operations.

Mr. Baur’s appointment also reflects Fornnax’s broader ambition to establish itself as the preferred shredding solutions provider for the European recycling industry, marking another important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.

Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas launches Limla cement plant, expands Gujarat footprint

Published

1 month ago

July 13, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas opens a 2 MMTPA grinding unit at Limla, entering Gujarat and advancing its target of 35 MMTPA capacity by FY 2028.

Surat (Gujarat)

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Ltd, a part of Nirma Group and one of India’s leading building materials company, has inaugurated the Limla Cement Plant in Surat (Gujarat), one of Vadraj Cement Limited’s (VCL) principal manufacturing facilities. The commissioning represents a key milestone in Nuvoco’s acquisition and restoration of VCL, while supporting the company’s expansion across the Western Indian cement market.

Vadraj Cement Limited is a subsidiary of Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited and has installed cement capacity of 6 MMTPA across its assets. The Limla inauguration therefore represents the first operational step in the acquired platform’s wider revival, while the Kutch facilities provide clinker supply, mineral security and coastal logistics support for the western business.

Nuvoco completed its acquisition of Vadraj Cement Limited, then under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, after paying a consideration of Rs 1,800 crore in June 2025. VCL’s asset portfolio comprises a clinker unit at Kutch and a grinding unit at Limla in Surat. It also includes high-quality captive limestone reserves and a captive jetty at Kutch, supporting more efficient logistics. Following the takeover, Nuvoco began an extensive programme of restoration, refurbishment and expansion at both locations, leading to the commissioning of the Limla plant.

The Limla Cement Plant is expected to support a phased increase in sales volumes across Gujarat. It will also help Nuvoco supply neighbouring markets in Western Maharashtra and release cement capacity from its northern plants, which can consequently be redirected towards markets in North India. The plant will manufacture a full portfolio comprising Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Slag Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement and Portland Composite Cement. It will additionally produce the complete Nuvoco Duraguard range, including the premium Nuvoco Duraguard Microfibre product. The acquisition is also expected to generate operational synergies with Nuvoco’s existing plants at Nimbol and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, improving logistics optimisation and market reach across important regional markets.

The grinding unit at the Limla Cement Plant was completed ahead of schedule, with 2 MMTPA of capacity now inaugurated to expand Nuvoco’s operating scale and customer reach. After Vadraj Cement’s assets become fully operational, plants in North and West India are expected to account for nearly 40 per cent of Nuvoco’s total cement capacity. This will broaden the company’s manufacturing network, strengthen access to high-growth markets and support its plan to increase consolidated cement capacity to 35 MMTPA by FY 2028, reinforcing its longer-term growth strategy.

Commenting on the development, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, said: “The inauguration of the Limla Grinding Unit in Surat is an important milestone in Nuvoco’s growth journey and demonstrates our commitment to disciplined, value-accretive expansion. Gujarat is strategically significant for Nuvoco, with substantial opportunities arising from infrastructure investment, industrial growth, rapid urbanisation and continuing demand from the housing and construction sectors. The facility strengthens our regional footprint, improves operational flexibility and increases our ability to serve customers across northern and western markets with greater reliability and efficiency.”

He added: “Through the Vadraj acquisition, we have refurbished and restarted a strategically important asset, returning it to operations in record time through strong execution and collaboration between teams. The achievement demonstrates our ability to create value from acquired assets, fulfil our commitments and retain the confidence of stakeholders. It also highlights the strength of our project delivery capabilities and our continued focus on building sustainable, profitable growth over the long term.”

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited is a building materials company whose vision is to build a safer, smarter and more sustainable world. It is among the leading players in East India and has a significant presence across North and West India. Nuvoco began operations in 2014 with a greenfield cement plant at Nimbol, Rajasthan. It later acquired Lafarge India Limited, which had entered India in 1999, followed by Emami Cement Limited in 2020 and Vadraj Cement Limited in April 2025. The company has also announced an expansion in eastern India through a new grinding mill at the Arasmeta Cement Plant, supported by several debottlenecking programmes involving equipment upgrades, process improvements and internal capacity initiatives. These developments place Nuvoco on track to achieve total cement capacity of approximately 35 MMTPA. The company reported total income of Rs 11,362 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting its continuing growth trajectory.

Nuvoco operates a diversified portfolio across three segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete and Modern Building Materials. Its cement portfolio includes Concreto, Duraguard, Double Bull, PSC, Nirmax and Infracem, covering Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Slag Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement and Portland Composite Cement. Its pan-India RMX business provides value-added products under Concreto for performance concrete, Artiste for decorative concrete, InstaMix for ready-to-use bagged concrete, X-Con covering M20 to M60 grades, and Ecodure for specialised green concrete. Nuvoco has supplied materials to projects including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Aquatic Gallery at Science City in Ahmedabad, and metro railway projects in Delhi, Jaipur, Noida and Mumbai.