Concrete

A cornerstone of the Indian cement industry

Published

1 year ago

October 16, 2024

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Some things are changing at FLSmidth Cement, but most remain the same, as the company’s Indian head, Manoj Taneja, explained to Indian Cement Review.

FLSmidth Cement is changing. Over recent years, the company’s pureplay strategy has separated its cement and mining businesses, and the cement business is now undergoing divestment: news that was met by some with uncertainty. However, according to Manoj Taneja, Head of India Cluster and Designated Partner in FLSmidth Cement India LLP, this has all been a “good move” that allows the cement business to “take control of our future”.
Taneja began his professional career as a service engineer at EEL India Ltd, a manufacturer of various material handling and bag packing systems acquired by FLSmidth in 2009. He has led the company’s Indian operations since 2022. “It is an exciting time at FLSmidth Cement. With pureplay and the divestment, we can now chart our own course. The most obvious example of this in our Indian business is consolidating our manufacturing footprint into a single facility near our corporate headquarters in Chennai. This allows us to focus exclusively on our cement clients, improving efficiency and responsiveness, simplifying logistics, and centralising our expertise into a single point of excellence. Chennai also offers good access to the rest of the country, making it easier for clients to visit our factory for inspections and performance testing.”
The corporate headquarters is also moving as the company seeks offices that better match its needs. “As we continue to embrace a flexible post-COVID working model, finding a workspace that supports this shift and provides our employees with a favourable working environment is essential,” Taneja explained. “We are staying in Chennai, however, and currently undertaking a site selection process that aims to limit the inconvenience caused to employees.”

A name you can rely on
Some things, however, remain constant. “We are still delivering the same industry-leading equipment and services as we have always done,” according to Taneja. Nowhere is this more obvious than the record-setting new clinker line at Shree Cement Ltd’s Nawalgahr plant in Rajasthan. Inaugurated in December 2023 with a guaranteed capacity of 11,500 tph, the plant is averaging daily clinker production of 13,695 tonnes. The line features a four-string preheater with low-NOX calciner, a 6m dia. x 88m long kiln, and the largest Cross Bar® Cooler ever delivered, with a grate area of over 325m2.
Shree Cement Ltd also recently signed their first group-level PlantLine™ service agreement in India, covering all current and future FLSmidth Cement automation solutions across seven plants. “PlantLine agreements aim to maintain the operational excellence of digital and automation solutions through a comprehensive, customisable range of services,” explained Tanega. “The Shree Cement agreement puts us just shy of 300 PlantLine agreements globally and shows the increasing significance of services that help improve and maintain plant performance.”
“One of the main benefits of our services is access to specialist (and potentially hard-to-acquire) skills and experience,” continued Taneja. “Our global network offers 24/7 access to support from a world-leading team of experts in all aspects of the cement-making process, plant, equipment, and automation systems, wherever you are in the world.”

Renewed focus on cement
Another outcome of the company’s pureplay transition is “keeping our cement clients front and centre of our activities; there is no competition with mining,” emphasised Taneja. “For example, here, in India, we recently ran nine client-focused webinars on diverse topics, all on the theme of enhancing equipment reliability. These sessions received an overwhelming response, attracting over 100 participants each, from all levels of client organisations, which indicates the widespread interest and engagement in the topics discussed.”
Webinars are a “great way to exchange and foster closer collaboration between us and our clients,” Taneja added. “However, we also understand the importance of face-to-face meetings and will attend several upcoming in-person conferences.”
This includes the upcoming 18th NCB International Conference and Exhibition in New Delhi, where FLSmidth Cement will present papers on various topics, including a paper on alternative fuels. “We are particularly excited about the impending commercial launch of our new FUELFLEX® Pyrolyzer, which uses hot meal from the lower preheater cyclones to dry and pyrolyze hard-to-burn refuse-derived fuels or biomass,” said Taneja. This innovative new equipment enables cement plants to achieve up to 100% fossil fuel replacement in the calciner, cutting CO2 emissions, diverting waste from landfills, and reducing fuel costs.
Other topics to be presented include a paper on the digital cement plant and another on supplementary cementitious materials, focusing on calcined clay. “We see growing interest in technologies that reduce the carbon intensity of cement,” explained Taneja. “Part of our core mission is to help the cement industry address and reduce its environmental impact. We are also fortunate to have some of the industry’s true sustainability leaders here in India, opening the way for collaborative innovation to solve these most pressing issues.”

A past to build the future on
“Change is a fact of life,” concluded Taneja. “This is particularly true in a dynamic and changing market such as the Indian cement industry. However, there are some things you can rely on throughout all the changes. One of those cornerstones is FLSmidth Cement. We remain committed to supplying equipment, services, and solutions that
improve the cement industry – just as we have always done.”

(Communication by the management of the company)

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AFCM Unveils 2035 Regional Decarbonisation Roadmap for Cement Sector

AFCM launches world’s first regional decarbonisation plan for cement at Brunei meet.

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

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The ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM) has formally launched the 2035 AFCM Decarbonisation Roadmap, becoming the first regional bloc in the world to introduce a unified decarbonisation strategy for the cement sector. The announcement was made at the 46th AFCM Council Meeting in Brunei Darussalam, chaired by Dr Chana Poomee, and attended by leaders and representatives of cement associations from all eight AFCM member countries. The launch comes as global attention intensifies ahead of COP30 in Brazil, where climate action is expected to be a central priority.

Cement production remains integral to infrastructure and economic development across the ASEAN region, yet it is also a major contributor to CO? emissions. The 2035 AFCM Decarbonisation Roadmap signals a collective regional commitment to accelerating emissions reduction in alignment with national climate policies and global sustainability goals, reinforcing AFCM’s leadership in the transition to low carbon cement production.

Dr Chana Poomee, AFCM President and Chairman of the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), described the roadmap as a landmark achievement for the region’s cement industry. He noted that the shared framework would support systematic CO? reduction, strengthen regional competitiveness and enhance ASEAN’s contribution to global climate objectives.

Developed with strong support from the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the 2035 Roadmap sets out a comprehensive transition pathway anchored around four strategic pillars:

• Expansion of low carbon cement enabled by performance-based standards;

• Transition to clean and renewable energy across production processes, alongside improved thermal and electrical efficiency;

• Deployment of advanced decarbonisation technologies, including Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS); and

• Development of new supplementary cementitious materials to support next-generation low carbon cement products.

Dr Chana urged all AFCM members to treat the roadmap as a coordinated regional strategy for sustainable growth. At the ASEAN level, the measures outlined have the potential to reduce up to 38 million tonnes of CO2 by 2035. While the roadmap sets a collective vision, it acknowledges the diversity of national conditions, recognising that each member country will set its own targets based on regulatory frameworks, industrial maturity and technological capacity. One key early-action priority is the reduction and phasedown of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), providing an immediate opportunity for substantial emissions cuts.

Cement associations from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam expressed strong support for the roadmap and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing decarbonisation within their national contexts. Members emphasised the need for supportive policies, expanded use of alternative fuels, improved energy efficiency, accelerated adoption of advanced technologies and greater promotion of low carbon cement and concrete solutions. They also recognised that specific decarbonisation pathways will vary based on each country’s energy mix, material availability, policy environment and market readiness.

“The 2035 AFCM Decarbonisation Roadmap presents a significant opportunity to enhance regional competitiveness, drive sustainable development and unlock substantial economic benefits. Government support, including policy adaptation, will be essential for effective implementation. Through collaboration, innovation and collective action, AFCM can accelerate the adoption of low carbon technologies, attract green investment, create new economic opportunities and build a resilient, future-ready cement industry that contributes meaningfully to global decarbonisation,” Dr Chana concluded.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Concrete

Cement Makers Positive on H2 Demand Outlook

Major producers expect stronger sales in the second half of FY26.

Published

5 days ago

December 3, 2025

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The leading cement producers have posted high single-digit volume growth and better sales realisation in the July–September quarter, setting a positive tone for the second half of FY26. Companies are upbeat on demand prospects, supported by a strong housing sector and continued government spending on major infrastructure projects.

UltraTech, Ambuja Cement, Shree Cement, Dalmia Bharat and Nuvoco Vistas recorded revenue growth of up to 18 per cent in the September quarter. The rise was driven by firm realisations, softer input costs and an increased share of premium products.

With coal prices easing and diesel rates remaining stable year-on-year, companies expect margins to improve further in the coming months despite a rise in petcoke costs. In recent earnings calls, cement makers highlighted that the individual home builders segment across rural and urban markets is likely to drive demand, aided by favourable monsoon conditions, recent tax benefits and GST reforms.

Concrete

Fornnax Unveils the World’s Largest NPD and Demo Centre to Accelerate Global Recycling Innovation

Published

5 days ago

December 3, 2025

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A 12-acre innovation campus enables Fornnax to design, test and validate high-performance recycling solutions at global standards in record time.

Fornnax has launched one of the world’s largest New Product Development (NPD) centres and demo plants, spanning more than 12 acres, marking a major step toward its vision of becoming a global recycling technology leader by 2030. Designed to accelerate real-world innovation, the facility will enable faster product design cycles, large-scale performance validation, and more reliable equipment for high-demand recycling applications.

At the core of the new campus is a live demo plant engineered to support application-specific testing. Fornnax will use this facility to upgrade its entire line of shredders and granulators—enhancing capacity, improving energy efficiency, and reducing downtime. With controlled test environments, machines can be validated for 3,000 to 15,000 hours of operation, ensuring real-world durability and high availability of 18–20 hours per day. This approach gives customers proven performance data before deployment.

“Innovation in product development is the key to becoming a global leader,” said Jignesh Kundariya, Director and CEO of Fornnax. “With this facility, we can design, test and validate new technologies in 6–8 months, compared to 4–5 years in a customer’s plant. Every machine will undergo rigorous Engineering Build (EB) and Manufacturing Build (MB) testing in line with international standards.”

Engineering Excellence Powered by Gate Review Methodology

Fornnax’s NPD framework follows a structured Gate Review Process, ensuring precision and discipline at every step. Projects begin with market research and ideation led by Sales and Marketing, followed by strategic review from the Leadership Team. Detailed engineering is then developed by the Design Team and evaluated by Manufacturing, Service and Safety before approval. A functional prototype is built and tested for 6–8 months, after which the design is optimised for mass production and commercial rollout.

Open-Door Customer Demonstration and Material Testing

The facility features an open-door demonstration model, allowing customers to bring their actual materials and test multiple machines under varied operating conditions. Clients can evaluate performance parameters, compare configurations and make informed purchasing decisions without operational risk.

The centre will also advance research into emerging sectors including E-waste, cables, lithium-ion batteries and niche heterogeneous waste streams. Highly qualified engineering and R&D teams will conduct feasibility studies and performance analysis to develop customised solutions for unfamiliar or challenging materials. This capability reinforces Fornnax’s reputation as a solution-oriented technology provider capable of solving real recycling problems.

Developing Global Recycling Talent

Beyond technology, the facility also houses a comprehensive OEM training centre. It will prepare operators and maintenance technicians for real-world plant conditions. Trainees will gain hands-on experience in assembly, disassembly and grinding operations before deployment at customer sites. Post-training, they will serve as skilled support professionals for Fornnax installations. The company will also deliver corporate training programs for international and domestic clients to enable optimal operation, swift troubleshooting and high-availability performance.

A Roadmap to Capture Global Demand

Fornnax plans to scale its offerings in response to high-growth verticals including Tyre recycling, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), E-waste, Cable and Aluminium recycling. The company is also preparing solutions for new opportunities such as Auto Shredder Residue (ASR) and Lithium-Ion Battery recovery. With research, training, validation and customer engagement housed under one roof, Fornnax is laying the foundation for the next generation of recycling technologies.

“Our goal is to empower customers with clarity and confidence before they invest,” added Kundariya. “This facility allows them to test their own materials, compare equipment and see real performance. It’s not just about selling machines—it’s about building trust through transparency and delivering solutions that work.”

With this milestone, Fornnax reinforces its long-term commitment to enabling industries worldwide with proven, future-ready recycling solutions rooted in innovation, engineering discipline and customer collaboration.