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In India, waste management is a complex issue

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Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, Fornnax Technology, discusses revolutionising waste management with cutting-edge shredding technology.

Fornnax Technology is driving sustainability in the Indian cement industry by providing advanced shredding and recycling solutions. By enabling efficient processing of alternative fuels and raw materials, the company helps cement plants reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO, sheds light on how they are supporting the industry’s goal of achieving a 30 per cent Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR) by 2030.

How does Fornnax Technology’s expertise in shredding and recycling equipment enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in the cement industry?
Fornnax Technology is accelerating the Indian cement industry’s goal of reaching up to 30 per cent by 2030 TSR from the current four to six per cent by setting up alternative fuels and raw materials and refuse derived fuel plants, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Our expertise in developing robust shredding and recycling machinery directly addresses this need.
By providing advanced solutions for processing AFR, we enable cement plants to efficiently utilise waste materials.
Our SR-MAX series primary and R-Max series secondary shredders, for example, are engineered to handle challenging waste streams, including contaminated municipal solid waste, transforming them into valuable alternative fuels for cement kilns.
This will not only enhance operational efficiency by optimising waste processing but also significantly contributes to sustainability by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a greener approach to cement production.
Essentially, we empower the cement industry to close the gap between current AFR usage and its potential, driving them towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

What role does advanced technology play in optimising waste recycling for cement production, and how does Fornnax ensure its solutions contribute to energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction?
Advanced technology is pivotal in optimising waste recycling for cement production. The cement industry’s carbon footprint is substantial, and technology offers the means to significantly reduce it.
At Fornnax, we are at the forefront of this innovation. Our inhouse expert research and development teams are focused on creating cutting-edge recycling solutions that address the specific challenges of waste processing in the cement sector with customised approach.
Our shredders, for instance, are specifically designed to efficiently process heterogeneous and unorganised waste materials and capable of operating for over 200 to 100 tonne per day ensuring consistent and high-quality outputs suitable for AFR and RDF Plants.
This extended operational capacity has given us a distinct advantage over many of our European, American and Chinese competitors.
We believe that innovative recycling technology is the key to providing effective and economical solutions, thus we constantly upgrade our technology as per the evolving regulations and industry standards, ensuring our solutions not only meet but exceed expectations for energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.

How does Fornnax differentiate itself from competitors in providing tailored shredding and recycling solutions for cement plants, and what level of customisation do you offer to meet industry-specific requirements?
Fornnax distinguishes itself by offering a comprehensive range of modern, robust, and large-capacity recycling solutions that are specifically tailored to the unique needs of the cement industry.
Our deep understanding of the cement industry’s challenges, combined with our expertise in advanced shredding and recycling technologies, allows us to provide efficient and sustainable solutions.
We prioritise a customer-centric approach, embodied in our Customer-Based Product Development Process (CBPD). This involves close collaboration with clients to understand their specific pain points and develop solutions that meet their exact requirements.
We offer a high level of customisation – from the design and configuration of our shredders to additional features and services that enhance performance and efficiency.
Our highly qualified engineering team works closely with clients to address their specific needs, including production capacity, waste type, desired output size and power constraints.
This ensures that our machinery aligns perfectly with their distinct visions and operational requirements. We also provide robust after-sales support across India, ensuring prompt and timely resolution of any issues.

Can you share insights into any recent innovations by Fornnax that have the potential to transform waste management and alternative fuel processing in the cement industry?
Our recent launch of the SR-MAX2500 primary shredder at IFAT 2024 Mumbai marks a significant innovation with the potential to transform waste management and alternative fuel processing in the cement industry.
This hydraulic drive motor-powered shredder is specifically designed to efficiently shred challenging materials into manageable sizes. The application areas include municipal solid waste (MSW), industrial and commercial waste, bulky waste, construction and demolition debris, wood waste and more.
The SR-MAX2500 Primary Shredder is designed with ease of maintenance in mind, featuring specially designed knives with hard face multiple times for low-cost operations. Additionally, the replaceable cartridge assembly eliminates the need to change the full cutting chamber in case of a worn-out cartridge, reducing downtime and increasing overall efficiency.
In terms of the longevity, the SR-MAX2500 is built to last, boasting a completely hard-faced shaft knives assembly, hard-faced knives and replaceable wear plates to increase the durability of the cutting chamber. Furthermore, the hydraulic hoses are always connected to the motors, ensuring oil cleanliness and prolonging the lifespan of the motors. The heavy-duty, open-grate cartridge and static knives/fingers placement also ensure that abrasives, including aggregate, sand, soils and metal fragments, will fall directly through the cartridge, reducing wear and operating costs. This robust design ensures that the SR-MAX2500 will provide years of reliable service, even in the toughest operating conditions.
Therefore, by prioritising sustainability and aligning with the vision of achieving Net Zero emissions, we believe the SR-MAX2500 primary shredder has the potential to revolutionie waste management and alternative fuel processing in the cement industry, and we are excited to see the impact it will have.

Concrete

Aditya Birla Group Launches Ultravolt Wires And Cables Business

UltraTech extends building solutions into electrical wiring

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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.

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Concrete

Ramco Cements Mine Restoration Gets Global Biodiversity Certification

Pandalgudi mine restoration receives Advanced Certification from TGBS

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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.

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Concrete

Central Technical Team To Survey Sites For Bhadradri Kothagudem Airport

Delegation to assess feasibility and ground conditions

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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.

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