Concrete

The Collaborative Revolution

Published

11 months ago

August 5, 2025

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Dijam Panigrahi, Co-founder and COO, GridRaster, discusses how AI, digital twins and cobots are reshaping cement manufacturing.

The modern industrial landscape in cement production is changing, driven by the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins and collaborative robots (cobots). This trifecta is not only enhancing existing operations but fundamentally reimagining how cement manufacturing functions, creating a synergistic environment where human and machine capabilities are maximised.
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) notes that the global operational stock of industrial robots reached 4.2 million units in 2023, with cobots accounting for a considerable share. Furthermore, the global collaborative robot (Cobot) sales market, valued at $1,020 million in 2024, is projected to reach $2,199 million by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 11.8 per cent during the forecast period of 2025-2031.
At the heart of this evolution is AI, serving as the intelligent core that orchestrates a multitude of processes in cement production. Its capabilities span from optimising cobot control and predictive maintenance for kilns and grinding mills to ensuring stringent quality control of cement mixtures and streamlining complex supply chain management of raw materials like limestone, clay and gypsum.
AI empowers machines and robots with the ability to learn, adapt, and make real-time decisions, leading to significant improvements in operational efficiency and responsiveness across the board in cement plants. This intelligent automation is enabling the cement industry to achieve levels of precision and speed previously unattainable.

Digital twins: Virtual replicas for real-world optimisation
Complementing AI’s computational prowess are digital twins, which offer virtual replicas of physical assets and processes within a cement plant. These digital models provide an invaluable sandbox for businesses, allowing them to simulate and rigorously test new systems and workflows in a virtual environment before committing to costly physical implementation, such as optimising a new production line or a material handling system.
This capability is particularly crucial for optimising human-robot collaboration, as it allows for the fine-tuning of interactions and processes to ensure seamless integration and maximum output in potentially hazardous areas of a cement facility. The real-time monitoring capabilities of digital twins further enhance their utility, enabling continuous optimisation and proactive problem-solving, for example, by predicting equipment failure in a kiln. The synergy between AI and digital twins significantly reduces risks associated with new deployments and accelerates their time to market.

Empowering the human workforce: Upskilling and collaboration
While the focus on advanced automation might suggest a diminishing role for human workers, the reality is quite the opposite in cement manufacturing. Workforce enablement technologies are designed to empower and elevate the human element within this increasingly automated ecosystem.
These innovative tools facilitate comprehensive upskilling through immersive augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) training programmes, preparing the workforce for the demands of new technologies and roles, such as operating and maintaining cobots or analysing digital twin data. User-friendly interfaces are simplifying human-robot interaction, making it more intuitive and accessible for workers to collaborate directly with cobots in areas like quality control or material handling.
Furthermore, remote assistance capabilities provide on-demand expert support, ensuring that human workers have the resources they need to troubleshoot and optimise operations effectively in a cement plant.

A synergistic future: Boosting productivity, flexibility and safety
One of the most significant advantages of integrating cobots in cement manufacturing is their ability to offload repetitive, dangerous or physically demanding tasks from human workers, such as bagging cement, loading trucks, or operating in dusty environments. This frees up the human workforce to concentrate on higher-value activities that
demand critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity – uniquely human attributes that machines cannot replicate.
This integrated approach not only drives remarkable gains in productivity, flexibility and safety but also cultivates a truly synergistic relationship between cutting-edge technology and a skilled, adaptable human workforce.
The implications of this integrated approach extend across various facets of cement manufacturing. The precision and speed offered by AI-powered cobots, validated through digital twin simulations, lead to reduced errors in mixing, faster production cycles, and greater customisation capabilities for different cement types. This translates into higher quality products and the ability to respond more rapidly to market demands.
The optimisation of supply chains through AI and the efficient handling of raw materials and finished goods by cobots result in faster delivery times, reduced operational costs and enhanced inventory management in cement plants. The ability to simulate and optimise complex logistical networks with digital twins means that potential bottlenecks in material flow can be identified and resolved before they impact real-world operations, leading to a more resilient and responsive supply chain for cement.
Moreover, the emphasis on workforce enablement ensures that as technology advances, human workers are not left behind but rather become integral components of the new industrial paradigm in cement production. Upskilling initiatives, facilitated by AR/VR, allow for continuous learning and adaptation, creating a dynamic workforce capable of navigating technological shifts.
The simplified human-robot interfaces remove barriers to entry, making collaborative robotics accessible to a broader range of workers in
cement facilities. This human-centric approach to automation fosters a more engaged and empowered workforce, leading to increased job satisfaction and reduced turnover.
The combination of AI, digital twins and cobots today represents a fundamental modernisation of the cement manufacturing landscape. AI provides the intelligence, digital twins offer the foresight and cobots provide the physical execution, all while workforce enablement technologies ensure that humans remain at the center of innovation and decision-making in cement plants. This integrated approach promises a future where operations are more efficient, resilient and adaptive, ultimately leading to unprecedented levels of productivity and a more fulfilling work environment for all in the cement industry.

About the author:
Dijam Panigrahi is Co-Founder and COO of Gridraster with over 21 years of international experience in market development, business growth, and product management.

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Cement Prices To Hold Steady Amid Monsoon Slump

Centrum report says demand weakness will limit hikes

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July 6, 2026

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Centrum, a financial services firm, has reported that cement prices are likely to remain largely unchanged in July as weak demand during the monsoon season constrains pricing power. The report noted that construction activity remained subdued in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 owing to labour shortages and slower execution of government projects. While June showed some volume recovery driven by delayed monsoons and quarter end sales, dealers are cautious about sustaining any price increases.

The analysis suggested that seasonal slowdown related to monsoon will prolong demand and pricing challenges through the second quarter. Dealers saw most recent attempts at price hikes as protective measures rather than genuine shifts in market fundamentals. They signalled that pockets of demand in select regions could prompt isolated adjustments but that broad based increases were unlikely while construction activity remained weak. Market participants therefore expected a cautious stance on pricing.

The report highlighted that despite intermittent recovery in shipments during June, the underlying demand trajectory remained muted as monsoon hampered site level activity and logistics. Commercial builders and retail dealers both reported constrained order books and slower payment cycles, which in turn reduced room for margin expansion among manufacturers. Analysts noted that unless government project execution accelerates markedly, demand improvement would be gradual. Price setters were thus likely to focus on protecting market shares rather than pursuing aggressive increases.

Market watchers said the near term outlook would be shaped by monsoon progress and fiscal spending patterns, with any acceleration in public works offering the most tangible support. Traders expected that regional variations would persist and that trade flows between surplus and deficit centres would determine local price movements. The report concluded that stakeholders should prepare for a period of subdued pricing until demand signals strengthen.

Concrete

Cement Prices Set To Stay Under Pressure In July

Monsoon and weak demand keep prices under strain

Published

13 hours ago

July 6, 2026

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A report by Centrum said cement prices are expected to remain largely flat in July as the monsoon and weak demand weigh on the sector. The report said demand during the first quarter of FY27 remained range-bound and below expectations, with dealers across markets pointing to subdued construction activity, labour shortages, elections, heatwaves and slower execution of government projects as key reasons. It noted that some recovery was witnessed in June due to delayed onset of the monsoon and quarter-end volume push.\n\nDealers across most markets do not expect any meaningful price increases in July, the report said, adding that attempts to raise prices in some markets are aimed at defending existing levels rather than achieving significant gains. The sharp correction following the rollback of April hikes has largely played out across most regions, limiting scope for further immediate increases. Seasonal slowdown in construction activity during the monsoon is expected to continue affecting demand and pricing in the coming months.\n\nCentrum indicated that pricing pressure is likely to persist through the second quarter of FY27 as monsoon-related softness continues. Dealers remain cautious about sustainability of any price rise attempts and do not rule out further weakness during the peak monsoon period. The combination of subdued demand and seasonal factors is likely to constrain the industry’s ability to raise prices in the near term. While June saw some improvement in volumes because of delayed rains and quarter-end sales efforts, the broader demand environment remains challenging.\n\nCement companies are therefore expected to focus on maintaining current price levels rather than pursuing aggressive increases as the sector navigates weak demand and seasonal headwinds. The report suggested that unless demand conditions improve significantly, limited scope will exist for meaningful price recovery. Market participants remain watchful for any shifts in execution of infrastructure projects or construction activity that could alter the outlook.

Concrete

TARIL Secures Ultra Mega Transformer Order From PGCIL

Order for manufacturing transformers to be delivered in 30 months

Published

13 hours ago

July 6, 2026

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Transformers and Rectifiers (India) Limited has received Notifications of Awards from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for multiple contracts to manufacture transformers and undertake associated works. The company submitted the disclosure to BSE and the National Stock Exchange under Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations. The submission cited security code 532928 and trading symbol TARIL, and the filings cite the award reference and confirm execution in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the notifications.

The contracts are described as an Ultra Mega Order under the company classification, indicating a value at or above Rs 10 billion (bn) on conversion. The filing identifies the contracts as domestic orders and specifies a scheduled delivery period of 30 months. The scope covers manufacturing of transformers of various ratings together with all associated work. The order size places it in the highest project classification defined in the company’s disclosure.

The disclosure states that the promoter group and group companies have no interest in the awarding entity and that the contracts do not constitute related party transactions. The company noted that the awards will be executed in the normal course of business and not fall within related party transactions. The document reiterates that the company is committed to delivering high quality products and services and has established itself as a leading manufacturer of transformers in the country over time.

Chief Financial Officer Mehul Shah authorised the filing and requested the exchanges to take the information on record, with the company providing the requisite filing reference in its submission. The company indicated that the orders will be executed as per the notifications of awards and the applicable regulatory framework. The original filing is available on the stock exchange portal at the provided link.