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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

Organisations valuing gender diversity achieve higher profitability

Aparna Reddy, Executive Director, Aparna Enterprises talks about company plans.

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The building materials industry is projected to grow by 8-12 per cent over the next five years. How is Aparna Enterprises positioning itself to leverage this momentum and solidify its market presence?
The Indian construction and building materials industry is projected to witness significant expansion, with estimates suggesting an 8-12 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years. This growth is fuelled by rapid urbanisation, increased infrastructure investments and sustainability-focused policies. With India’s real-estate market expected to reach $ 1 trillion by 2030, the demand for high-quality building materials is at an all-time high.
The Government of India’s flagship programmes, such as PM Gati Shakti, the Smart Cities Mission and the Housing for All (PMAY-Urban) initiative, are key drivers of this surge. The infrastructure sector alone is expected to receive a budgetary push of over Rs 11 trillion in FY25, with enhanced capital expenditure allocation.
At Aparna Enterprises, we are proactively aligning with this momentum through capacity expansion, product diversification, and cutting-edge technological integration. 

Our key strategic priorities include:
  • Expanding operations in high-growth regions across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, ensuring access to quality building materials nationwide
  • Investing in automation, AI-driven quality control systems and digital integration, enhancing efficiency and precision in manufacturing
  • Scaling up production capabilities in our RMC, tiles, uPVC and other divisions to meet the anticipated surge in demand.

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Concrete

Global Start-Up Challenge Launched to Drive Net Zero Concrete Solutions

Innovandi Open Challenge aims to connect start-ups with GCCA members to develop innovations

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Start-ups worldwide are invited to contribute to the global cement and concrete industry’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and combat climate change. The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and its members are calling for applicants for the Innovandi Open Challenge 2025.

Now in its fourth year, the Innovandi Open Challenge aims to connect start-ups with GCCA members to develop innovations that help decarbonise the cement and concrete industry.

The challenge is seeking start-ups working on next-generation materials for net-zero concrete, such as low-carbon admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), activators, or binders. Innovations in these areas could help reduce the carbon-intensive element of cement, clinker, and integrate cutting-edge materials to lower CO2 emissions.

Thomas Guillot, GCCA’s Chief Executive, stated, “Advanced production methods are already decarbonising cement and concrete worldwide. Through the Innovandi Open Challenge, we aim to accelerate our industry’s progress towards net-zero concrete.”

Concrete is the second most widely used material on Earth, and its decarbonisation is critical to achieving net-zero emissions across the global construction sector.

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Concrete

StarBigBloc Acquires Land for AAC Blocks Greenfield Facility in Indore

The company introduced NXTGRIP Tile Adhesives alongside its trusted NXTFIX and NXTPLAST brands.

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StarBigBloc Building Material, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BigBloc Construction, one of the largest manufacturers of Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (AAC) Blocks, Bricks and ALC Panels in India has acquired land for setting up a green field facility for AAC Blocks in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Company has purchased approx. 57,500 sq. mts. land at Khasra No. 382, 387, 389/2, Gram Nimrani, Tehsil Kasrawad, District – Khargone, Madhya Pradesh for the purpose of AAC Blocks business expansion in central India. The total consideration for the land deal is Rs 60 million and Stamp duty.

StarBigBloc Building Material Ltd currently operates one plant at Kheda near Ahmedabad with an installed capacity of 250,000 cubic meters per annum, serving most part of Gujarat, upto Udaipur in Rajasthan, and till Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The capacity utilisation at Starbigbloc Building Material Ltd for the third quarter was 75 per cent. The planned expansion will enable the company to establish a stronger presence in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding regions. Reaffirming its commitment to the Green Initiative, it has also installed a 800 KW solar rooftop power project — a significant step toward sustainability and lowering its carbon footprint.

Narayan Saboo, Chairman, Bigbloc Construction said “The AAC block industry is set to play a pivotal role in India’s construction sector, and our company is ready for a significant leap forward. The proposed expansion in Indore, Madhya Pradesh aligns with our growth strategy, focusing on geographic expansion, R&D investments, product diversification, and strategic branding and marketing initiatives to enhance visibility, increase market share, and strengthen stakeholder trust.”

Bigbloc Construction has recently expanded into construction chemicals with Block Jointing Mortar, Ready Mix Plaster, and Tile Adhesives, tapping into high-demand segments. The company introduced NXTGRIP Tile Adhesives alongside its trusted NXTFIX and NXTPLAST brands, ensuring superior bonding, strength, and performance.

In May 2024, the board of directors approved fund-raising through SME IPO or Preferential issue to support expansion plans of Starbigboc Building Material subject to requisite approvals and market conditions, Starbigboc Building Material aims to expand its production capacity from current 250,000 cubic meters per annum to over 1.2 million cubic meters per annum in the next 4-5 years. Company is targeting revenues of Rs 4.28 billion by FY27-28, with an expected EBITDA of Rs 1.25 billion and net profit of Rs 800 million. In FY23-24, the company reported revenues of Rs 940.18 million, achieving a revenue CAGR of over 21 per cent in the last four years.

Incorporated in 2015, BigBloc Construction is one of the largest and only listed AAC block manufacturer in India, with a 1.3 million cbm annual capacity across plants in Gujarat (Kheda, Umargaon, Kapadvanj) and Maharashtra (Wada). The company, which markets its products under the ‘NXTBLOC’ brand, is one of the few in the AAC industry to generate carbon credits. With over 2,000 completed projects and 1,500+ in the pipeline, The company’s clients include Lodha, Adani Realty, IndiaBulls Real Estate, DB Realty, Prestige, Piramal, Oberoi Realty, Tata Projects, Shirke Group, Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Raheja, PSP Projects, L&T, Sunteck, Dosti Group, Purvankara Ltd, DY Patil, Taj Hotels, Godrej Properties, Torrent Pharma, GAIL among others.

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