Harjot Singh Chatha, Director, Alfa Therm talks about empowering India’s cement sector with scalable, compliant and efficient AFR solutions.

As India accelerates its shift toward sustainable cement production, Alfa Therm is playing a pivotal role in enabling this transformation through innovative RDF and AFR solutions.
In this interview, Harjot Singh Chatha, Director, Alfa Therm, outlines how it is driving circular economy practices, improving regulatory compliance, and future-proofing operations for the green transition.

How is Alfa Therm enabling cement companies to adopt AFR and RDF solutions?
Alfa Therm has been at the forefront of helping Indian cement companies transition from conventional fossil fuels to Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR) through robust Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) processing and handling solutions. Our engineered RDF plants are designed to deliver consistent fuel quality, customised to kiln specifications, ensuring seamless integration into existing fuel lines.
Additionally, our shredders and pre-processing systems help cement plants optimise calorific value, reduce feed variability and manage a wide range of waste streams, thereby accelerating the shift towards a more sustainable fuel mix.
How does Alfa Therm’s engineering approach ensure efficiency, safety and environmental compliance?
Our engineering philosophy centres on designing robust, modular systems built for India’s demanding industrial environments. We prioritise process efficiency through automated control systems, in-built safety interlocks and dust/fume extraction mechanisms that ensure safe operation and regulatory compliance. Our machines are built with high-grade, corrosion-resistant materials to ensure durability and minimal downtime. Regular customer training and remote monitoring further bolster safety and performance outcomes.

What role do you see waste co-processing and RDF adoption playing in India’s journey towards achieving a circular economy?
Waste co-processing and RDF adoption are key pillars in building India’s circular economy. By diverting non-recyclable waste streams from landfills to cement kilns, the industry not only substitutes fossil fuels for resource conservation. Cement kilns offer an ideal environment for complete thermal destruction of waste residues with zero secondary waste. As regulations tighten around landfill disposal and the cost of waste management rises, RDF-based co-processing will become a cornerstone of India’s waste-to-energy transition.

How is Alfa Therm positioned to support this transformation at scale?
With over 35 years of experience and a nationwide presence, Alfa Therm is uniquely positioned to support the cement industry at scale. We have the capacity to design and deliver turnkey RDF lines, shredding systems, and fuel feeding solutions customised to plant requirements. Our in-house R&D and fabrication units ensure rapid delivery and serviceability. By partnering closely with cement producers, we tailor our offerings for each project’s technical, regulatory and commercial context, helping clients meet
rising demand for alternative fuels while reducing operational risks.

How is Alfa Therm helping cement manufacturers improve their sustainability performance and meet evolving compliance norms?
As ESG reporting and emissions compliance tighten, Alfa Therm provides end-to-end solutions that help cement manufacturers track, measure and reduce their environmental impact. Our equipment is designed with emissions control in mind, including advanced dust extraction and filtration systems.
We also support clients with data-driven process optimisation and reporting tools that ease compliance documentation. Our team actively monitors regulatory shifts and shares knowledge with clients to future-proof their operations against emerging norms.

How do you see the AFR market evolving in India over the next decade?
The AFR market in India is poised for significant growth as regulations around waste disposal and emissions tighten and as cement players aim to meet ambitious TSR targets. We expect greater integration of digital tools for fuel tracking and optimisation, increased investment in localised RDF pre-processing infrastructure and broader acceptance of diverse waste streams including industrial and hazardous waste. Over the next decade, we anticipate TSR in India to grow from single digits to levels comparable with European benchmarks, driven by policy push and growing climate-consciousness across the industry.