Economy & Market

Safety is a top priority when handling alternative fuels

Published

2 years ago

March 11, 2025

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Indrendra Singh Raghuwanshi, Sales Head – Cement Division, ATS Conveyors talks about how advanced bulk material handling solutions enables cement plants to optimise alternative fuel integration, enhance efficiency and drive sustainability.

As the cement industry transitions toward sustainability, efficient handling of alternative fuels has become a critical focus. In this interview, ATS experts share insights into their cutting-edge technologies, safety measures, and future-focused developments that are transforming bulk material handling in the cement sector.

Can you summarise ATS Group’s expertise in bulk material handling for the cement industry?
ATS Group is a recognised leader in bulk material handling solutions for the cement industry, offering a comprehensive range of services and equipment designed to optimise the efficiency and safety of cement production. Our expertise lies in providing innovative, reliable, and cost-effective systems for storage, dosing, conveying and feeding a wide range of AFR materials. Providing support at every stage, from engineering and design to installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance. With decades of experience in the cement industry, ATS Group’s innovative material handling technologies enable cement manufacturers to achieve smoother operations, higher Thermal Substitution Ratio (TSR) and long-term operational success.

How does your WMH department help cement plants adopt alternative fuels effectively?
The Walter Material Handling Division of ATS Group plays a crucial role in helping cement plants adopt alternative fuels by providing tailored solutions that ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective handling of these materials. As the industry moves towards sustainability, alternative fuels such as Municipal solid waste (MSW), Biomass and Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) are used more commonly in cement production processes. Our expertise enables cement plants to incorporate these fuels with minimal disruption and maximum benefits by the Customised Fuel Handling Systems, AFR storage handling solutions, safety and environmental, expert consultation and support provided by ATS team.

What innovations set your bulk material handling solutions apart in addressing challenges like precision dosing and storage?
Our bulk material handling solutions stand out due to several innovations that address key challenges such as precision dosing and storage. These innovations are designed to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility, ensuring optimal performance even in complex and demanding environments like cement production. Precise dosing is done using equipment like Weigh Belt Feeder and TWIN Doseahorse whereas storage challenges are easily addressed by the fully automated Grab Crane of ATS.

How do you ensure your systems handle diverse alternative fuels reliably?
Ensuring that our systems handle diverse alternative fuels reliably is at the core of our engineering approach. Alternative fuels, such as biomass, MSW, RDF and industrial waste vary significantly in terms of composition, size, moisture content, and combustibility. All our systems are designed with flexibility and robustness to meet the unique challenges posed by these heterogeneous fuels while maintaining operational efficiency and safety. Also, before deployment to site, we conduct extensive testing for our equipment to ensure that they can reliably handle alternative fuels under a variety of conditions. This includes testing different fuel types, moisture levels, and feeding rates to identify any potential challenges. Our systems are then fine-tuned during the commissioning phase to ensure optimal performance in real-world conditions.

What safety measures are in place for secure alternative fuel handling and kiln feeding?
Safety is a top priority when handling alternative fuels, especially given the potential hazards such as dust generation, flammability and variations in material properties. Our systems are designed with comprehensive safety measures to ensure the secure handling of alternative fuels throughout the entire process, from storage and transport to kiln feeding. The key safety measures foreseen in ATS machines include provision for ATEX components, Temperature sensors, sprinklers and using high temperature material of construction as and where required. Also, ATS supplied machines are integrated with the central control room of cement plants for centralised monitoring, control and diagnosis on real time basis.

How does ATS Group’s material handling support sustainability goals in the cement sector?
The cement industry is energy-intensive and traditionally relies on fossil fuels, but ATS Group’s material handling systems are designed to help cement plants transition to more sustainable practices while maintaining operational efficiency. ATS systems plays a key role in supporting sustainability goals within the cement sector through innovative solutions that optimise alternative fuels handling and integration to maximise energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental responsibility by waste reduction to contribute for the circular economy.

What future trends in bulk material handling is ATS Group focusing on for the cement industry and have you designed any new innovative product to meet the futuristic demands?
ATS Group, through its Walter Material Handling division, is focused on several key trends in AFR material handling for the cement industry to stay ahead of evolving industry demands, technological advances, and sustainability goals. As cement plants increasingly shift towards more sustainable practices, the efficient handling of AFR materials is becoming more important. By focusing on these trends, ATS Group is actively developing solutions that not only support cement industry’s shift toward sustainable practices but also enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact these solutions include Walt’Air (Air Floating Belt Conveyor). This machine is engineered to address some unique challenges like, accommodating a new conveying system using minimal space utilisation and with minimum changes in the existing plant infrastructure, ensuring safe and spillage-free transportation of AFR for long distances with reduced power consumption as well as low CAPEX and OPEX. Additionally, ATS has developed TWIN Doseahorse which was awarded with the prestigious Product of the year Award in 14th Cement EXPO 2023. This is a specialised solution having common inlet and dual outlet for consistent and accurate division of AFR material to feed in, two different feeding points for individual Kiln or for dual kiln feed, enhancing both economic and environmental performance in cement plants.

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Concrete

Fornnax Wins AIRIA’s Special Export Award for Rubber Machinery in 2025-26

Published

1 day ago

October 19, 2026

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Fornnax Technology Pvt. Ltd. has been honoured with the Special Export Award – Rubber Machinery for 2025–26 by the All-India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), in recognition of its highest exports of tyre recycling plants to the European region.

With more than a decade of experience in India’s tyre recycling industry, Fornnax has contributed to the development of advanced recycling technologies and infrastructure. The company currently holds a 90% market share in India’s domestic tyre recycling sector, while exports account for 30% of its business, spanning markets such as Europe, Australia and the GCC.

The award marks another milestone for Fornnax, whose tyre recycling lines and advanced shredding technologies are supporting the growth of the circular economy in India and international markets.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Founder and Director of Fornnax, said:

“This honour from AIRIA is a reflection of an incredible journey we have undertaken over the years. When we started Fornnax, there was no established recycling industry in India to follow. We chose to build for the future instead. Today, when you see India’s tyre recycling sector, it has already transformed into a dynamic, high-growth industry and we are extremely proud to have played our part in building it.”

Unlike standalone equipment suppliers, Fornnax focuses on developing complete, high-capacity recycling infrastructure. Its integrated systems combine multiple stages of shredding and size reduction to enable efficient, continuous operations. This system-level engineering approach helps recycling operators improve throughput, equipment reliability and operational consistency.

The recognition reinforces Fornnax’s commitment to developing engineering technologies that contribute to a more efficient and circular recycling ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its international presence while continuing to develop advanced shredding and recycling solutions to address the growing volumes and evolving requirements of the global recycling industry.

For more information, visit: www.fornnax.com

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

2 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

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Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

Published

2 weeks ago

October 8, 2026

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With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA,
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”