Concrete

Achieving net zero requires a multifaceted approach

Published

1 year ago

January 15, 2025

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Mahendra Singhi, Member of Board of Governors and Strategic Advisor, Dalmia Cement (Bharat), shares insights into India’s Net Zero mission with Kanika Mathur.

India’s path to Net Zero is full of challenges. As a hard-to-abate industry, the cement sector needs to chart out strategies for achieving carbon neutrality. Discover how innovative approaches and policy support are shaping a sustainable future in this exclusive and insightful interview.

What is your view on the net zero mission, and how do we plan to achieve it?
The net zero mission is not merely a necessity for the cement sector or any specific industry but a global imperative. Every sector, whether service or manufacturing, must strive for net zero to address climate change and ensure a safe future for subsequent generations. The cement industry, in particular, has a significant role to play since it accounts for approximately 7-8 per cent of global CO2 emissions.
CO2 is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, and the cement industry’s contribution to these emissions is substantial. However, the good news is that the cement industry, especially in India, has been proactive. Over the years, it has explored and implemented strategies to lower carbon emissions. Initially, the focus was on low-carbon technologies. By adopting these technologies, the industry has already achieved significant reductions in CO2 emissions. Moreover, companies have begun integrating net-zero strategies into their business models, recognising that climate strategies are also sound business strategies. For example, the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) report recently highlighted the top 10 global cement companies prepared for a low-carbon transition, and five of these were Indian companies. This reflects a mindset shift towards sustainability, with Dalmia Cement leading the pack.
At Dalmia Cement, we believe in the philosophy that clean and green practices are both sustainable and profitable. Over the last decade, this philosophy has translated into a 33 per cent reduction in our CO2 emissions while simultaneously increasing revenue and profits. Such achievements demonstrate that net zero is not only achievable but also beneficial for business.

Alternative fuels and raw materials, digitalisation, technology, and Industry 4.0 are seen as crucial. Which plays the most significant role, or are they equally important?
Achieving net zero requires a multifaceted approach, and in the context of the cement industry, four key levers are critical. First, reducing the clinker content in cement production is essential. Clinker production is a major source of emissions due to the calcination of limestone. To mitigate this, we are focusing on producing blended cements such as PPC, PSC, PCC, and the newer L3 cement. Currently, India produces 73 per cent low-carbon blended cement. However, there is a need to eliminate the production of OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement), which emits around 900 kg of CO2 per tonne, compared to 400-500 kg for blended cements. Government policies, as well as support from the real estate and construction sectors, are essential for this transition.
Secondly, the use of alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR) offers a significant opportunity to reduce emissions. Transitioning to non-fossil fuels has shown promising results in regions like Europe and Japan, where AFR usage has reached 70-80 per cent, aided by strict regulations and quality waste management. In India, while progress is evident, AFR usage currently stands at around 10-15 per cent. Scaling this up will significantly contribute to emission reductions, as AFR accounts for approximately 20 per cent of total emissions.
Third, the transition to renewable energy sources is imperative. Transitioning to 100 per cent renewable energy through waste heat recovery systems, solar, wind, or hydro power is vital. Many companies have set ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption. However, supportive government regulations, such as banking facilities for renewable power, are necessary to accelerate this shift.
Finally, carbon capture technology (CCU/CCS) represents one of the most challenging yet impactful levers for achieving net zero. Capturing and either utilising or storing CO2 emissions can address roughly 50 per cent of emissions. While successful pilot projects are underway in Europe and the US, widespread adoption in India requires cost reductions and government support through incentives similar to the PLI scheme.

How can policymakers balance urban infrastructure development with carbon emission reduction?
As a developing country, India must prioritise growth to provide essential resources and amenities. However, this growth must be decoupled from emissions. Policymakers can achieve this by mandating the use of low-carbon technologies in new infrastructure projects and promoting blended cements over OPC through procurement policies. Additionally, supporting renewable energy adoption by providing banking facilities for renewable power and enhancing waste management practices to improve AFR quality are crucial steps. Introducing a polluter-pay policy can further offset the additional costs incurred by the cement industry. The Indian government’s commitment to maintaining a lower per-capita emission level compared to developed nations underscores its resolve to achieve sustainable growth.

How do you see the journey towards net zero unfolding?
The journey towards net zero is advancing steadily. In 2018, we at Dalmia Cement announced our carbon-negative and net zero roadmap during COP24. This commitment inspired other companies worldwide to adopt similar strategies. By COP26 in Glasgow, the Global Cement and Concrete Association committed to achieving net zero cement and concrete by 2050.
The global cement sector has been proactive, embracing new technologies and sustainability practices. Indian companies, too, are leading the way with innovative strategies and strong commitments. I am optimistic that within the next 10-25 years, the Indian cement industry will make significant strides towards achieving net zero, setting a benchmark for other industries globally.

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Concrete

JSW Cement Commissions Nagaur Plant, Enters North India

New Rajasthan unit boosts capacity to 24.1 MTPA and expands reach

Published

3 hours ago

March 30, 2026

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JSW Cement has strengthened its national presence by commencing production at its greenfield integrated cement plant in Nagaur, Rajasthan, marking its entry into the north Indian market.

With this commissioning, the company’s installed grinding capacity has increased to 24.1 MTPA, while total clinker capacity, including its joint venture operations, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

The Nagaur facility comprises a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and a 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit, with an additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity currently under development. Strategically located, the plant is positioned to serve high-growth markets across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR.

The project has been funded through a mix of equity and long-term debt, with Rs 800 crore allocated from IPO proceeds towards part-financing the unit.

Parth Jindal, Managing Director, JSW Cement, stated that the commissioning marks a key milestone in the company’s ambition to become a pan-India player. He added that the project was completed within 21 months and positions the company to achieve its targeted capacity of 41.85 MTPA by FY29.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, highlighted that the expansion aligns with the company’s strategy to tap into rapidly growing northern markets driven by infrastructure development. He noted that the company remains focused on delivering high-quality, eco-friendly cement solutions while progressing towards its long-term capacity goal of 60 MTPA.

The Nagaur plant has been designed with sustainability features, including co-processing of alternative fuels and a 7 km overland belt conveyor for limestone transport to reduce road emissions. The facility will also incorporate a 16 MW Waste Heat Recovery System to improve energy efficiency and lower its carbon footprint.

JSW Cement, part of the JSW Group, operates across the building materials value chain and currently has eight plants across India, along with a clinker unit in the UAE through its joint venture.

Concrete

Cement Prices Likely To Rise As Petcoke Costs Increase

Nuvama warns input costs may lift prices by early April 2026

Published

3 days ago

March 27, 2026

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A report by Nuvama Wealth Management said cement prices in India could rise by the end of March or early April 2026 as producers face higher input costs linked to crude oil. The report identified rising petroleum coke and packaging material costs as principal drivers of upward pressure on production expenses. Petroleum coke, a fuel used in cement manufacturing, rose by about 13 per tonne (t) in US dollar terms in February 2026, a change that could be passed on to buyers. Producers may adjust prices later in the quarter to protect margins.

Cement demand remained stable during February and March 2026, supported by ongoing construction and infrastructure activity, and earlier price increases on non-trade sales were largely reversed by the end of February. Retail prices remained broadly steady through March in most regions. The persistence of demand may allow firms to manage price adjustments rather than apply uniform increases. Market responses will vary by region and logistical cost pressures.

Nuvama said that stock performance of cement companies will likely be influenced by the path of cement prices and petroleum coke costs in the coming weeks. Rising input costs including crude linked fuels and packaging may squeeze profit margins and prompt firms to monitor pricing and demand closely. The balance between input inflation and end demand will determine whether companies absorb costs or transfer them to customers. Analysts will watch forthcoming quarterly results for evidence of margin pressure or successful cost pass through.

Government capital expenditure showed moderation, with overall capex declining 24 per cent year-on-year to around Rs 2 trillion (Rs 2 tn) in January 2026 and cumulative capex from April 2025 to January 2026 at about Rs 20 trillion (Rs 20 tn), up eight per cent year-on-year. The report noted that real estate launches fell 44 per cent year-on-year in January 2026, and overall healthy demand could still be offset by rising crude linked input costs that may push cement prices higher by late March or early April 2026.

Concrete

IIT Guwahati Develops Radiation-Resistant Cement Mortar

Modified mortar offers structural strength and radiation shielding

Published

3 days ago

March 27, 2026

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have developed a cement mortar that is stronger, more durable and more effective at blocking harmful radiation for nuclear facilities. The modified mortar is designed to act as both a structural component and a radiation shielding barrier by increasing density and durability to limit radiation penetration. Concrete made with the enhanced mortar is expected to reduce the risk of radiation leakage and to support protective structures over extended periods.

To achieve this, the team incorporated four types of microparticles into the cement mortar: boron oxide, lead oxide, bismuth oxide and tungsten oxide. These microparticles were added in small quantities to assess their impact on compressive strength after 28 days and on the material’s ability to shield mixed radiation fields comprising gamma rays and neutrons. The study reported distinct effects for each microparticle, indicating trade-offs between mechanical strength, workability and radiation attenuation.

Professor Hrishikesh Sharma of the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Guwahati said the safety of nuclear infrastructure depends on the performance of containment materials under extreme mechanical and radiation environments and that the study showed microparticle modifications can improve structural integrity and shielding. The research offers a framework for developing cement-based materials for nuclear power plants, small modular reactors and medical radiation facilities by enhancing resistance to heat, structural loads and radiation. The study was published in Materials and Structures and was co-authored by Professor Sharma, research scholar Sanchit Saxena and Dr Suman Kumar of CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee.

Future work will scale up the developed mortar to a full concrete mix design, conduct structural-level testing of reinforced concrete elements and optimise microparticle dosage to balance mechanical strength, workability, durability and shielding performance. The team is seeking collaborations with nuclear energy agencies, material manufacturers and infrastructure firms for real-world testing and pilot applications. These steps aim to validate performance under simulated field conditions and support safer, more resilient nuclear infrastructure.