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Achieving Net Zero is an inspiring challenge

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Jayaram S Reddy, CMD, Promac India delves into their pioneering technologies, sustainability initiatives and their role in driving decarbonisation within the cement industry while aligning with the Net Zero mission.

Your collaboration has been long-standing. How has it impacted EPC solutions, and what has been its broader impact on the cement industry?
Our collaboration began in 1987, making it nearly 35 years of a productive partnership. This long-standing relationship has allowed us to bring world-class, cutting-edge technologies to Indian projects as well as international markets. By manufacturing all our equipment in India, in alignment with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, we ensure that our solutions are both technologically advanced and cost-effective. This has not only benefited Indian customers but has also supported our exports to regions like the Middle East and Africa, providing these markets with affordable yet state-of-the-art equipment.
Our collaboration has had a transformative impact on the cement industry by offering efficient, reliable, and sustainable solutions. This partnership ensures that our clients access innovative and economically viable technology, improving their operations while contributing to global industrial advancements.

Could you highlight any specific features of the bioprocessing units you offer and explain how they benefit the cement industry, particularly in the context of decarbonisation?
Decarbonisation in the cement industry can be achieved through several approaches, with the reduction of reliance on fossil fuels being the most effective. Our bioprocessing solutions, such as the Taiheiyo Thermal Reactor (TTR), play a crucial role in this process. The TTR technology allows for the efficient use of alternative fuels, such as waste materials from other industries with calorific value. These fuels, including plastics, paper waste, and Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), are gassified in the TTR to harness their energy potential.
This process not only substitutes traditional fossil fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas but also optimises the burning conditions in the pyroprocessing unit. By reducing fossil fuel dependency and utilising waste, the TTR significantly aids in decarbonisation efforts while ensuring process efficiency.

How does your technology adapt to the evolving use of alternative fuels and raw materials in the cement industry?
Our TTR technology is designed with inbuilt adaptability, making it compatible with various types of alternative fuels. Whether it’s plastics, paper waste, or RDF, the system efficiently handles these materials. A key advantage of the TTR is its ability to pre-dry these fuels, enhancing their calorific value before they enter the pyroprocessing stage.
This flexibility ensures that cement plants can effectively transition to new fuel sources as they become available, maintaining operational efficiency and environmental compliance. The adaptability of our system helps clients respond to the evolving demands of the industry while continuing to prioritise sustainability.

What contributions do vertical roller mills and triangle mills make to energy and production efficiency?
Vertical roller mills (VRMs) serve two critical purposes in cement production. First, they efficiently grind materials, reducing large lumps of raw material into the fine powder necessary for processing. Second, they handle materials with high moisture content, drying them during the grinding process. This capability is particularly advantageous in regions with high rainfall or during the monsoon season, where raw materials often have elevated moisture levels. Compared to traditional ball mills, VRMs are significantly more energy-efficient, reducing power consumption while maintaining high productivity. This dual functionality—grinding and drying—makes VRMs an indispensable tool for improving both energy and production efficiency in cement plants.

Could you elaborate on your sustainability initiatives, particularly those contributing to the Net Zero mission?
Sustainability is central to our operations, and we address it through multiple avenues. One of our primary efforts is the use of alternative fuels to replace conventional fossil fuels. Additionally, we focus on minimising fuel consumption in our pyroprocessing systems through highly efficient designs for cyclones, calciners, and combustion systems.
Our vertical roller mills contribute by enhancing grinding and drying efficiency, reducing overall energy consumption. Moreover, our efforts to optimise the clinker-to-cement ratio include integrating supplementary materials like fly ash and slag, which reduces the reliance on raw clinker. These measures collectively help us align with the Net Zero mission by decreasing energy use, emissions, and natural resource consumption.

What makes Tahiyo Engineering’s designs and technologies unique compared to your competitors?
The primary differentiator is that Taiheiyo Engineering is part of Taiheiyo Cement, Japan’s largest cement company. This affiliation gives us a unique perspective, allowing us to develop technologies tailored to the specific needs and goals of cement producers. Our solutions are not only innovative but also practical, as they are tested extensively in our own plants before being offered to the market.
This approach ensures that every technology we provide is proven, reliable, and effective, giving customers confidence in its performance. Unlike traditional equipment manufacturers, we prioritise client needs, offering customised solutions instead of generic products.

What are your individual perspectives on the Net Zero mission and the innovations required to achieve it?
Achieving Net Zero is an inspiring challenge, particularly for foundational industries like cement, steel and power. As one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, the cement industry is focused on reducing its environmental impact through various measures. These include improving the raw material-to-clinker ratio, using industrial by-products like fly ash and slag, and adopting alternative fuels to replace fossil fuels.
From our perspective, innovations like the Taiheiyo Thermal Reactor (TTR), which enhances the use of alternative fuels, and ongoing developments in carbon capture and clinker factor reduction technologies are essential. By rigorously testing these technologies in our plants before market deployment, we ensure their efficacy and contribute meaningfully to the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.

– Kanika Mathur

Concrete

UltraTech Cement Ventures into Wires and Cables with Rs 18 Bn Plan

The New Gujarat Plant Marks Expansion in Construction Value Chain.

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UltraTech Cement has announced its foray into the wires and cables segment, further expanding its footprint in the construction value chain. The Aditya Birla Group company will invest Rs 18 billion in setting up a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near Bharuch, Gujarat, which is expected to commence operations by December 2026. An initial investment of Rs 1 billion has already been made towards the project.

The UltraTech board of directors approved the strategic expansion, reaffirming the company’s commitment to strengthening its position as a comprehensive building solutions provider. This move follows last year’s entry into the decorative paints sector with the launch of Birla Opus, signalling the company’s diversification beyond its core cement business.

Strategic Market Entry and Growth Potential
UltraTech Cement aims to tap into the growing demand for wires and cables across residential, commercial, infrastructure, and industrial sectors. The wires and cables industry in India has witnessed a robust revenue growth of approximately 13% between FY2019 and FY2024, driven by rising urbanisation, infrastructure development, and increasing adoption of branded products over unorganised players.

UltraTech believes its entry into this high-growth sector will be value accretive for its shareholders, presenting a compelling opportunity to establish a credible, large-scale presence in the organised market.

Core Cement Business Remains a Priority
Despite this diversification, UltraTech Cement remains firmly committed to its core cement business. The company recently achieved a milestone cement production capacity of over 175 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in India. It continues to strengthen its leadership position through strategic acquisitions and capacity expansions, especially amid intense competition from Ambuja Cements, owned by the Adani Group.

Industry Outlook: A Diversified Future for Construction Materials
The construction materials industry in India is witnessing rapid evolution, with companies increasingly diversifying their portfolios to cater to a growing and dynamic market. With infrastructure development and urbanisation on the rise, demand for complementary building materials such as wires, cables, and paints is expected to surge. UltraTech’s strategic expansion aligns with this trend, positioning it to capitalise on emerging opportunities while reinforcing its leadership in cement manufacturing.

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Concrete

Star Cement to Invest Rs 32 Bn in Assam for New Clinker Plant

The MoU was signed at Advantage Assam 2.0 to boost state’s industrial growth.

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In a significant boost to Assam’s industrial expansion, Star Cement Ltd has announced a Rs 32 billoninvestment to establish a state-of-the-art cement clinker and grinding plant in the region. The commitment was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Assam government and the company on the concluding day of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the gathering, lauded the commitment of leading investors towards the state’s economic progress. He underscored that such projects reinforce Assam’s position as an emerging industrial hub. “The investment commitments we have received reflect Assam’s potential as a centre for industries and innovation. These projects will significantly contribute to our vision of a developed and self-reliant Assam,” he stated.

This ambitious proposal by Star Cement aligns with Assam’s broader vision of fostering large-scale industrialisation, particularly in key sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and green energy. The project is expected to create significant employment opportunities and contribute to the state’s economic landscape.

Surge in Investments Across Sectors
Beyond Star Cement’s investment, the Assam government secured several other strategic MoUs during the summit. Among them was an agreement with Matheson Hydrogen Lvt Ltd, which will set up a Rs 15 billion hydrogen and steam generation facility, marking a crucial step in Assam’s transition towards clean energy.

Additionally, the state signed a Rs 5 billion MoU with Global Health Ltd to bolster healthcare infrastructure, while ITE Education Services partnered with the government to enhance educational facilities through two non-financial agreements.

Over the two-day event, Assam witnessed the signing of a record-breaking 164 MoUs spanning 15 sectors, reinforcing its status as a promising investment destination. The chief minister hinted at further agreements being finalised, underscoring the growing confidence of investors in Assam’s potential.

Market Outlook: Assam’s Industrial and Economic Trajectory
The surge in investments at the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit highlights the state’s evolving business landscape. With an emphasis on industrial diversification, infrastructure development, and sustainable energy solutions, Assam is poised to emerge as a key player in India’s economic growth story. The increasing participation of major companies across various sectors signals a robust economic trajectory, further solidifying Assam’s reputation as a preferred destination for investors seeking growth and innovation.

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Concrete

Kaushalya Logistics Expands with New Varanasi Depot for Adani Cement

Kaushalya Logistics has been actively expanding its depot network to support cement manufacturers with faster turnaround times.

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Kaushalya Logistics, a diversified conglomerate specializing in logistics for the cement industry, has expanded its operations with the commencement of services at the Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) depot of ACC, a part of the Adani Cement Group. This development aligns with the company’s strategic growth objectives, aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiencies and streamlining cement distribution across key regions in India.

The Varanasi depot, established under the CCFA model, marks the company’s sixth location and eighth depot under this framework. Designed to manage over 20,000 metric tons of cement per month, the facility will contribute to improved inventory management and timely deliveries. As the cement industry experiences strong demand growth, efficient distribution networks play a critical role in ensuring seamless supply chain operations.

Kaushalya Logistics has been actively expanding its depot network to support cement manufacturers with faster turnaround times, optimized inventory management, and cost-effective logistics solutions. Through automation, digital tracking systems, and operational excellence, the company continues to enhance its service offerings, aligning with the evolving needs of the industry.

The launch of the Varanasi depot is part of Kaushalya Logistics’ aggressive expansion strategy, which has seen the establishment of 19 new depots in FY 2024-25. With this addition, the company’s total network has grown to 93 depots, significantly strengthening its market presence. This expansion further reinforces Kaushalya Logistics’ role as a key logistics partner for leading cement manufacturers, ensuring efficient and uninterrupted cement distribution across diverse regions in India.

News source: ANI

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