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We are committed to eco-friendly mining practices

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Shubham Choudhari, Chief Technology Officer, SBL Energy, explains how their technologies help reduce the environmental impact of the mining process.

Sustainable mining is increasingly critical across various industries. How does SBL Energy contribute to sustainability in mining, particularly with the use of industrial explosives in sectors like cement production?
At SBL Energy, sustainability is a core value, and we are committed to eco-friendly mining practices. Our contribution to sustainability is centred on developing and supplying high-quality, efficient explosives that optimise resource extraction while minimising environmental disruption. By utilising advanced bulk emulsion explosives and precision blasting techniques, we reduce over-blasting and material waste, which directly contributes to a lower environmental footprint in cement production. This approach supports sustainable mining by ensuring more efficient use of resources and reducing energy consumption.

What are the key environmental challenges associated with the use of industrial explosives in mining, and how is SBL Energy working to minimise the environmental impact of these explosives?
The use of industrial explosives presents key environmental challenges, including ground vibrations, air pollution from dust and gas emissions, and excessive material fragmentation. SBL Energy addresses these challenges by:

  • Developing low-emission explosives, such as bulk emulsions, that reduce the release of harmful gases like NOx.
  • Promoting the use of controlled blasting techniques to minimise ground vibrations and ensure precision in fragmentation, leading to less environmental disruption.
  • Innovating non-electric detonators for more accurate blast timing, which reduces the risk of unwanted side effects such as excessive noise or ground instability (SBL version).

In the context of cement manufacturing, which relies heavily on raw material extraction, how can innovative blasting techniques help reduce the environmental footprint of quarrying operations?
Innovative blasting techniques play a significant role in reducing the environmental footprint of quarrying for cement manufacturing. At SBL Energy, we provide customised blasting solutions that:

  • Optimise fragmentation to ensure that the extracted material is of the required size, which reduces the need for secondary crushing and lowers
    energy consumption.
  • Reduce waste by minimising over breaks and ensuring that the maximum amount of usable material is extracted, decreasing the environmental burden of discarded materials.
  • Lower emissions by using advanced bulk explosives that reduce the release of harmful gases and by employing more precise timing through electronic detonators, minimising the total number of blasts needed.

Could you elaborate on the role of non-electric detonators and bulk emulsion explosives in optimising energy efficiency and reducing emissions in mining operations for cement production?
Non-electric detonators provide precise timing control, ensuring that the blast sequence is synchronised, which helps achieve better fragmentation and reduces energy usage in post-blast processing like crushing and milling. They also reduce the need for complex wiring, making operations more efficient and reducing the risk of misfires.
Bulk emulsion explosives are another critical component. These explosives have a higher energy output compared to traditional explosives, enabling more effective blasts with less explosive material. This reduces the number of blasts required and thus cuts down emissions from multiple detonations. Additionally, bulk emulsions tend to be more environmentally friendly, as they produce fewer toxic gases and dust emissions.

The cement industry is a significant user of raw materials from mining.
How does SBL Energy’s technology improve resource recovery during blasting, ensuring more efficient extraction for
cement production?
At SBL Energy, we leverage advanced technology to improve resource recovery during blasting. Our precision blasting techniques ensure optimal rock fragmentation, minimising the need for re-blasting and ensuring that a higher proportion of extracted material is of high quality and ready for processing. This approach delivers several key benefits:

  • Higher recovery rates: Less material is left in the ground, and more is recovered for cement production.
  • Reduced material loss: By controlling the blast size and reducing overbreak, we minimise the amount of unusable material, ensuring that raw material extraction is more efficient and cost-effective.
  • Increased operational efficiency: More accurate blasting translates to reduced transportation and processing costs, further lowering the environmental impact.What role does SBL Energy’s R&D play in innovating eco-friendly explosives or reducing the carbon footprint of mining operations in sectors like cement manufacturing?
    SBL Energy’s R&D division is deeply committed to the development of eco-friendly explosives and techniques that reduce the carbon footprint of mining operations. Our focus areas include:
  • Developing biodegradable and low-toxicity materials in explosives to reduce environmental contamination.
    Advancing emulsion-based explosives that are more energy-efficient and produce fewer harmful by-products.
    Collaborating with our clients to integrate blasting optimisation software that calculates the most effective blast design, reducing fuel use, emissions, and overall environmental impact. Our R&D efforts continuously explore innovative materials and methods that contribute to greener mining practices

Sustainability often requires a holistic approach. How does SBL Energy assist its clients in developing comprehensive strategies for sustainable mining practices, from product usage to waste management, particularly in industries like cement?
At SBL Energy, we partner with our clients to create customised, sustainable mining strategies that extend beyond product application. We assist in:

  • Optimising blasting operations to reduce waste, conserve energy, and enhance resource recovery.
  • Implementing best practices for waste management, focusing on minimising the generation of unusable material during blasting.

This comprehensive approach helps our clients achieve greater sustainability throughout their operations, from raw material extraction to waste management.

Looking forward, what are some of the most promising trends or innovations in sustainable mining that SBL Energy is exploring, and how do you foresee these benefiting the cement industry?
SBL Energy is actively exploring several promising trends in sustainable mining, including:

  • Electronic detonators: We are advancing the use of electronic detonators that enable more precise blast control, resulting in reduced energy consumption and improved blast efficiency.
  • Automation and smart blasting: Utilising data analytics and machine learning to optimise blast designs for efficiency and environmental impact reduction. These innovations are expected to greatly benefit the cement industry by reducing operational costs, lowering emissions, and enhancing the overall sustainability of quarrying operations.

Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

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FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

 

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Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

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Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

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Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

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Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

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