Concrete

CemHack for Green Infra Hackathon

Published

9 months ago

June 17, 2025

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Organised by the National Council for Cement and Building Materials-Incubation Centre (NCB-IC), the CemHack for Green Infra hackathon was a first-of-its-kind event for the cement and construction sector.

A national-level hackathon called the ‘CemHack for Green Infra’ was launched to encourage innovation and ideation in the construction and cement industries. This unique initiative was inaugurated by Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, in presence of Professor KK Pant, Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee; Neeraj Akhoury, Chairman-NCB & MD-Shree Cement; and Dr LP Singh, Director General-National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB). The event took place on 20th May 2025 at NCB Ballabgarh, and was attended by research scholars, students, industry experts and NCB scientists and engineers.
Sanjiv, JS-DPIIT, complimented NCB Incubation Centre in organising the hackathon for cement and construction sector on the first anniversary of its establishment. He desired that the reputed institutes and colleges like IITs, NITs, technical universities and regional institutes, should be encouraged for maximum participation in this hackathon. He hoped to see success stories from startups incubated at NCB.
Professor Pant supported NCB’s effort in organising this hackathon as it brought a unique opportunity for students, research scholars and researchers. The participants got the opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas and get support from the industry. He informed that IIT Roorkee is collaborating with NCB on plasma-based electrification and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) in the cement sector.
In his speech, Akhoury emphasised that the Indian cement industry is at the forefront of adopting newer technologies and innovation. In the light of the MoU between Shree Cement signed MoU and StartUp India, which was signed last year, the company will continue to extend its support to NCB in organising this event and supporting the winners of the hackathon.
While speaking at the event Dr Singh stated that the purpose of organising hackathon to promote innovation in cement and construction sector. He also highlighted the endeavours of NCB towards Net Zero in cement industry including award of project grant to a consortium of NCB-IIT Roorkee-J K Cement, by Department of Science & Technology, Government of India on establishing CCU test beds in cement sector. He also showcased the outline to establish Centre of Excellence at NCB Ballabgarh on CCU in cement sector.
Dr SK Chaturvedi, Joint Director and Secretary-NCB, proposed vote of thanks on the occasion. He thanked DPIIT, Shree Cement, JSW Cement and J K Cement for supporting the hackathon.
The hackathon aims at fostering innovation and building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the cement, construction, building materials and allied sectors in India. NCB Incubation Centre serves as an umbrella platform providing comprehensive support from start to scale for entrepreneurship and start-ups. It facilitates the commercialisation of ground-level research by promoting innovation and product development.
Dr Kapil Kukreja, GM & Incharge-NCB Incubation Centre briefed about the hackathon ‘CemHack for Green Infra’ and informed that this has been organised to foster innovation and develop sustainable, technology-driven solutions in the cement ecosystem. There will be two tracks in this hackathon: First track for startups, professionals and individuals and second track for students, researchers and academia. Participating teams will address real-world challenges faced by the cement sector. There will be no participation fee.

There are six themes of hackathon as follows:
1. Green Cement (alternative raw materials, higher use and new types of supplementary cementitious materials, new binders, AI/ML application etc.)
2. Green Process (H2, solar thermal, micro grids, waste heat recovery, alternative fuels, AI/ML application etc.)
3. Green Concrete (sustainable and novel materials and special concrete application)
4. Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage in Cement Industry
5. Logistics and Supply Chain Management in Cement and Construction Industry
6. Achieving Net Zero and Sustainable Development Goals in Cement and Construction Industry

Rewards and benefits for the winners:

Track-1: Startup/professionals/individuals
First Place Winner: Rs.1,00,000
Second Place Winner: Rs.50,000/-
Third Place Winner: Rs.30,000/-

(With incubation opportunity at NCB-IC)

Track-2: Students/Research Scholars/Academia

First Place Winner: Rs.75,000/-
Second Place Winner: Rs.35,000/-
Third Place Winner: Rs.15,000/-

(With certificates and mentoring opportunity at NCB)

NCB is an apex research and development organisation under the administrative control of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. NCB is dedicated to research, technology development and transfer, education and industrial services for cement, allied building materials and construction industries. NCB’s areas of work span over the entire spectrum of cement manufacturing and usage-starting with geological exploration of raw materials through the processes, the machinery, the manufacturing aspects, energy and environmental considerations to the final utilisation of materials in actual construction, condition monitoring and rehabilitation of buildings and structures.

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World Cement Association Annual Conference 2026 in Bangkok

Global leaders to focus on decarbonisation and digitisation

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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The World Cement Association (WCA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference from 19–21 April 2026 at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The two-day programme will convene global cement industry leaders, policymakers, technology providers and stakeholders to examine strategic, operational and sustainability challenges shaping the sector’s next phase of transformation. The conference theme of shaping a sustainable future through digitisation, innovation and performance will frame sessions and networking opportunities across the event.\n\nThe programme will open with a comprehensive assessment of the global economic environment and its impact on cement markets, alongside regional outlooks across Asia and Europe. Speakers will address regulatory developments including carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM) in Europe, progress in China’s carbon trading system and market dynamics in Thailand and South East Asia, and will outline practical decarbonisation pathways such as alternative fuels, next-generation supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and calcined clay developments. Sessions will also examine AI-enabled kiln optimisation and other digital approaches to improve plant performance.\n\nDay two will focus on overcapacity challenges and industry restructuring, using case studies and regional perspectives to provide delegates with practical insights into unlocking performance while accelerating decarbonisation. Discussions will explore digital maturity and AI-driven plant operations, manufacturing optimisation, sustainable building solutions and circular concrete models, together with evolving customer requirements across the construction value chain. The event will include the WCA Awards Ceremony at the Awards Gala Dinner on 20 April to recognise excellence in sustainability, innovation, safety and leadership.\n\nPhilippe Richart, chief executive officer of the WCA, said the sector was navigating a period of profound transformation, from managing overcapacity and market volatility to deploying AI and delivering measurable decarbonisation, and that the Annual Conference would bring global leaders together to exchange practical solutions and strengthen collaboration. Registration is open and tickets include admission to the two-day event, all sessions, refreshments and lunch, exhibition access and the Awards Gala Dinner. Further information on the programme is available via the WCA Annual Conference 2026 event page and queries on sponsorship or exhibition may be directed to events@worldcementassociation.org.

Concrete

Assam Chief Minister Opens Star Cement Plant In Cachar

New plant aims to boost local industry and supply chains

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Star Cement plant in Cachar on 28 February 2026, marking the opening of a manufacturing facility designed to serve the region. The event was attended by state officials and company representatives, and it was reported with inputs from ANI. The plant is positioned as a strategic addition to the industrial landscape of southern Assam and is expected to improve the availability of construction materials for local projects.

The establishment is expected to generate employment opportunities and to stimulate ancillary businesses in the supply chain, including transport and local vendors. State officials indicated that the plant will enhance logistical efficiency by reducing the need to transport cement over long distances, which may lower construction costs for public and private projects. Observers said the presence of a regional cement facility can support housing and infrastructure initiatives that are underway or planned.

Government representatives reiterated that the state seeks to attract responsible investment that complements regional priorities and that the administration will continue to facilitate infrastructure and connectivity to support industrial operations. The inauguration was presented as consistent with broader efforts to diversify the industrial base in the northeast and to create an enabling environment for small and medium enterprises that supply goods and services to larger manufacturers.

Company sources and the state leadership underlined the importance of maintaining environmental safeguards while pursuing industrial growth, and they signalled that compliance with applicable norms will be a priority at the new facility. The announcement was framed as a step towards balanced development that links job creation, regional supply chains and local economic resilience. The report was prepared by the TNM Bureau with inputs from ANI.

Concrete

Adani Cement, NAREDCO Form Strategic Alliance

Partnership to advance skills and sustainable construction

Published

2 hours ago

March 2, 2026

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Adani Cement has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) to support India’s expanding housing and infrastructure requirements aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The collaboration brings together Adani Cement’s building materials portfolio, research capabilities and technical expertise with NAREDCO’s network of over 15,000 member organisations. The partnership will focus on skill development, knowledge exchange, technology adoption and sustainable construction practices across the real estate ecosystem.

Joint initiatives will include certification programmes for masons and contractors, along with training modules for site supervisors from NAREDCO member organisations to strengthen execution standards and quality control. The partners will also promote modern construction technologies, green materials and integrated building solutions, including ready-mix concrete, while exploring support for affordable housing.

Vinod Bahety, CEO – Cement Business, Adani Group, said, “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to nation-building and to creating an ecosystem where quality, innovation, and sustainability are integral to every project. By working closely with NAREDCO, we aim to equip developers with advanced materials, deeper technical support, and structured knowledge platforms that can improve performance across the entire project lifecycle.”

Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO, stated that the association aims to encourage responsible construction practices and promote adoption of green building norms across expanding urban centres.