Concrete

TOSYALI SULB Awards Order to Midrex and SMS for DRI Complex

First phase with 2.5 million tons of CDRI capacity in Libya

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2025

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Libya intends to become a supplier of direct reduced iron (DRI) in the Mediterranean basin and beyond with the announcement of a DRI complex based on MIDREX Flex® technology to be built in the Benghazi region. TOSYALI SULB Steel Industries, which was formed by TOSYALI and Libya United Steel Company for Iron & Steel Industry (SULB) to lead the development of the iron and steel sector in Libya, will immediately commence the first phase with construction of a 2.5-million-tonne cold DRI (CDRI) plant.

TOSYALI SULB will utilise MIDREX® technology similar to what equips the two DRI plants owned and operated by TOSYALI Algerie in Bethioua (Oran), Algeria. With MIDREX Flex®, the plants can operate initially with natural gas and transition to using hydrogen, as it becomes available, making them leading contributors to green steel production. The Libyan plant will supply CDRI to meet the needs of the nearby region. When this investment is completed, TOSYALI SULB will be one of the key suppliers of DRI in the world.

Fuat Tosyal?, Chairman of TOSYALI Holding, said: “We are excited to use our expertise in DRI plant operation and value-added steel production to transform the Libyan steel industry into an ecosystem that produces high-quality green steel products with low carbon emissions. At TOSYALI, we place environmental sustainability at the core of our operations and work tirelessly to develop innovative solutions that reduce carbon emissions. With MIDREX technology, we will leverage the flexible use of natural gas and hydrogen to support the production of low-carbon, high-quality steel, creating value for both the region and the world. As TOSYALI SULB, we are committed to leading the way in green steel production while building a sustainable future.”

Ahmed Gadalla, Chairman of Libya United Steel Company for Iron and Steel Industry (SULB), said: “TOSYALI SULB’s first project will greatly expand the DRI export capability of Libya and position the nation as a significant contributor to green steelmaking and decarbonization. This investment is not just a production facility but a strategic contribution to Libya’s economic development and industrial infrastructure.”

The DRI plant will be supplied by Midrex Technologies, Inc. (Midrex) and its consortium partner, Paul Wurth, part of SMS group, which supplied both HDRI (hot DRI)/CDRI plants for TOSYALI Algerie. TOSYALI 1 commenced production in November 2018 and TOSYALI 2 began production in December 2024.

K.C. Woody, President & CEO of Midrex, said: “We are thankful for TOSYALI’s trust in our company and our technology as we continue our partnership in another investment. Midrex is proud of our market leadership in the production of green iron and looks forward to conducting another project with TOSYALI. Midrex remains committed to helping our clients succeed in their decarbonization goals.”

Thomas Hansmann, Chief Technology Officer of SMS group, said: “Being part of this new project is a privilege for SMS group. It acknowledges the strong collaboration between our teams. This marks our third project with TOSYALI, highlighting our long-standing partnership. As we continue to turn metals green, we remain committed to advancing sustainable practices in the industry.”

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UltraTech Cement Expands Into Wires and Cables with Kesoram Deal

Concrete

Aditya Birla Group Launches Ultravolt Wires And Cables Business

UltraTech extends building solutions into electrical wiring

Published

2 days ago

September 9, 2026

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Aditya Birla Group has entered the wires and cables market through Ultravolt, extending UltraTech’s move from building materials into building solutions. The shift builds on UltraTech Building Solutions, a multi-category platform that already addresses customers across different stages of construction and extends beyond cement into ready-mix concrete, waterproofing, tile-fixing solutions and mortars.

The company intends to enter with scale, seeking presence across 100,000 retailers in more than 500 districts and availability through 5,000 plus UltraTech Building Solutions (UBS) outlets. The portfolio spans house wires, light-duty cables, communication cables, solar cables and low-tension and industrial cables to meet changing electrical requirements driven by solar installations, communications infrastructure and industrial automation.

An upstream advantage begins in the Group’s metals ecosystem, with conductor quality central to product performance. Ultravolt wires will use TruePure Copper, defined as 99.97 per cent pure electrolytic-grade annealed copper sourced from Hindalco, providing greater control over raw material quality and provenance and supporting electrical performance, safety and durability.

The business also targets the electrician community as a decisive influence on product choice and installation quality. The Wires and Cables Business has launched a Skill India Electrician Training Programme in partnership with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India that aims to train and certify more than 40,000 electricians across India over the next year, focusing on safe wiring practices, correct installation and advanced wire technologies and offering Skill India-aligned certification and identification credentials.

The move combines market opportunity, UltraTech’s construction ecosystem, manufacturing capability and Group-level resources. A large Gujarat facility, advanced machinery and in-house testing and research and development underpin the product strategy, which is designed for both traditional and emerging applications. The ambition is to build a scaled national brand and become one of the top two players within five years, making the Group an integral participant in modern building infrastructure.

Concrete

Ramco Cements Mine Restoration Gets Global Biodiversity Certification

Pandalgudi mine restoration receives Advanced Certification from TGBS

Published

2 days ago

September 9, 2026

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The ecological restoration of Ramco Cements’ limestone mine at Pandalgudi in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, has received international recognition with the site being awarded Advanced Certification by The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS). The recognition makes Pandalgudi the first site in Peninsular India to receive the certification and places it among globally recognised biodiversity restoration projects.

TGBS, recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), assesses biodiversity restoration projects based on scientific evaluation and their contribution to ecosystem recovery and local communities. The certification is supported by more than 250 scientists and academics worldwide.

Spread across over 500 acres of worked-out mine areas, the restoration project includes a certified 234-acre site. Initiated in 2018 with technical support from Auroville Botanical Gardens, the project began plantation activities in 2019 and is expected to be completed by 2027. More than 430,000 native trees and shrubs belonging to 150 ecologically significant species have been planted at the site.

The restored mine, which was once a barren landscape with limited biodiversity, has recorded over 72 bird species and 53 butterfly species. The project has also captured an estimated 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the past seven years, supporting broader sustainability and carbon reduction goals.

Opened officially in 2022, the site has attracted more than 13,000 visitors through educational programmes for schools, colleges and training institutions. The restoration initiative has also contributed to the development of the Rajapalayam Masterplan and supported Tamil Nadu’s carbon neutrality ambitions.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr P. R. Venketrama Raja, Chairman, Ramco Group, said the company aims for the Pandalgudi restoration project to serve as an inspiration and blueprint for the mining industry in India. Dr David Bartholomew, CEO, The Global Biodiversity Standard, highlighted the project’s long-term commitment to biodiversity recovery and independent assessment of ecological outcomes.

The certification reinforces Ramco Cements’ focus on sustainable mining practices and ecological restoration as part of its commitment towards a carbon-neutral future.

Concrete

Central Technical Team To Survey Sites For Bhadradri Kothagudem Airport

Delegation to assess feasibility and ground conditions

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2026

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A central technical team will visit possible sites identified for the Bhadradri Kothagudem airport in Telangana to assess their suitability for airport development. The team will conduct on-site inspections to evaluate terrain, accessibility and existing infrastructure and will examine factors relevant to safe operations and construction feasibility. The exercise is being carried out in coordination with the state government and local administration to ensure alignment with regional planning objectives.

Members will survey topography, drainage patterns, soil conditions and potential approach paths and will note proximity to habitations and transport corridors. The inspection team will interact with revenue officials, the public works department and representatives of the civil aviation authority to collect technical inputs and records. Satellite imagery and prior site reports will be reviewed alongside ground observations to develop a comprehensive assessment.

Environmental considerations will form a central part of the review, with attention to forest patches, water bodies and biodiversity corridors in and around shortlisted locations. The team will examine regulatory clearances required and will flag areas where detailed environmental impact assessment and mitigation planning are necessary. Land acquisition records and options for minimising displacement will be evaluated in consultation with district authorities.

Findings will be compiled into a technical report for submission to state and central agencies to inform subsequent decision making. The assessment is intended to support careful site selection and to identify infrastructure and connectivity requirements that would need to be addressed during project planning. Stakeholder consultations with local communities and businesses will be part of the follow up process to capture ground level concerns and logistical inputs. The state government will consider the technical report before taking further steps towards detailed design and approvals.