Concrete

The need for more capacity is urgent

Published

3 months ago

November 17, 2025

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Frank Ormeloh, Business Unit Manager – Cement, HAVER & BOECKER, defines the correlation between innovation, material science and digital intelligence, resulting in sustainable process engineering that link productivity with responsibility.

Innovators are continuously pushing into new frontiers in cement manufacturing, for better efficiency and sustainability. In this conversation, Frank Ormeloh, Business Unit Manager – Cement, HAVER & BOECKER, brings forth the company’s philosophy, which is rooted in flow optimisation across every stage—from packing
to filtration—blending engineering precision with digital foresight.

How does your motto ‘Perfect Flow’ translate into breakthrough solutions for cement plants?
Since the inception of business, the measure of success has been the profit a company generates. The dictionary defines profit as ‘the ratio of pecuniary gain compared to the amount of capital invested.’ At HAVER & BOECKER, we believe that the key to maximising this ratio lies in perfecting the quality of a company’s flow, both in terms of product and process. We are convinced that a single ‘perfect flow’ — applicable to any and every product or process — does not exist. Instead, we’re driven to identify this ideal for each product, customer and operation. In essence, at HAVER & BOECKER, we are a family of flow designers and engineers. The foundation for this is our premium technologies, which can be combined to form complete systems of flow. From processing and materials handling to mixing, packing and filling to palletising, loading and automating, HAVER & BOECKER can partner with you in all aspects of your business. With W.S. Tyler, IBAU Hamburg, The Portland Company and, of course, HAVER & BOECKER itself, we have assembled a brand powerhouse to ensure that you will not make any compromises when it comes to your ‘perfect flow.’

Which module from the QUAT²RO® suite has had the biggest impact in cement operations?
QUAT²RO® Connect System has the biggest and most immediate impact on cement producers. This comprehensive analysis tool offers a secure, flexible and scalable approach to optimise your production processes. QUAT²RO® Connect provides you with a clear overview of your entire production line’s performance, enabling you to maximise machine productivity, identify bottlenecks and implement continuous improvements.
By centrally collecting machine data from all your production sites and saving it to the cloud, you have access to relevant information anytime and anywhere. This forms the basis for advanced applications such as the ‘Q-Dashboard’ for customisable real-time alerts of machine events and ‘Q-Insights’ for analysing downtime and production metrics. QUAT²RO® Connect can be upgraded by
the QUAT²RO® AI (Artificial Intelligence) Product Suite.

How is your PROcheck life-cycle approach helping plants continuously innovate and upgrade?
If ‘Perfect Flow is the destination, then PROcheck is the road to get there. Maximising profits is only possible if you look after your packing process throughout its entire lifecycle. The key ingredients are your product, the bag you wish to pack in, and the packing technology. Mastering the product, bag and technology is the basis of our expertise and the starting point for achieving perfect flow. With our PROcheck lifecycle approach, we accompany you on the way to your goal. PROcheck includes: diagnostics, equipment, consumables, original parts, rebuilds and upgrades, service, plants and systems and process engineering.
With PROcheck, we show you how you can sustainably maximise your productivity and results over the entire life cycle of your plants, systems and machines. If you do that, you will get as close to ‘Perfect Flow’ as possible.

In retrofits or modernisation of old plants, which HAVER & BOECKER innovations offer the most value today?
The answer depends on the producer’s specific situation. If the desire is to maximise the efficiency of the entire packing and logistics operations, then HAVER & BOECKER offers the Plant Optimisation Plan (POP). POP involves HAVER & BOECKER’s system specialists inspecting your entire line — from product storage and handling to packing and bag transport to palletising and loading, as well as surrounding equipment and environmental factors in the plant. We look behind the scenes at every individual machine to assess how the packing system integrates into the overall process. Our system specialists provide a detailed report to customers with a current operation overview, areas of improvement and recommendations, classified by level of urgency.
If the end goal is automation, we suggest an upgrade in robotics using the AMICUS® technology. The AMICUS® DEPAL Edition eliminates the need for operators to feed packing machines with empty bag bundles. This allows producers to redesign their intralogistical processes. The AMICUS® can be configured to palletise and depalletise full bags, providing 24/7 functionality and ensuring maximum uptime for the line.
If the producer is looking to reduce material waste through clean, weight-accurate filling technology, and increase efficient material recirculation using return screws and ideal protection of the filled product, there are upgrade options specific to these goals. Innovative solutions for clean filling in the HAVER & BOECKER product range include the patented ROTO-LOCK® dosing unit, ROTO-FEED® silo filling system and SEAL® technology, which welds filled bags shut using ultrasonics.

How are you combining wire mesh / filter media innovations with plant-level process engineering to push boundaries?
Every cement plant requires water. We also understand what bigger role cement plants play in India to support local municipalities. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) face significant pressure to upgrade their facilities due to population growth, industrial expansion and tightening regulations. Building a new plant, or upgrading an existing one, is not done overnight. The need for more capacity is urgent.
To not just talk about sustainability, but to create it, we have invested in a startup company called Renasys. Renasys is truly pushing boundaries in making clean water more affordable. At the inception of our cooperation with Renasys, HAVER & BOECKER’s Wire Weaving Division provided 3D woven filtration medium — our RPD HIFLO — for their water filtration systems, which outperform conventional systems in both durability and precision. Together, this technology makes an impact very quickly, reducing the use of chemicals in wastewater treatment by up to 95 per cent.
Economically, municipalities seldom have the funds needed to build new plants or upgrade current plants with expensive equipment. That’s why the Renasys model is leasing-based. Wastewater operations only pay for the water that the system cleans,
leading to the end goal of transforming wastewater management worldwide.

What role does AI / computer vision play in your diagnostics, e.g. in your QUAT²RO® ‘Valve Check / Bag Check /Seal Check’ solutions?
All four of the new QUAT²RO® AI products use high-definition cameras and self-programmed algorithms to create fully automated monitoring for the packing line.
• QUAT²RO® BAGcheck uses image recognition to verify that the correct bags are placed into closed, automated packing machines, like our INTEGRA® IV series. If the system flags a bag as the incorrect type, the packing line stops to allow operators to replace it. This safeguards against the wrong bags being filled with product, ending a longstanding challenge our customers have faced — and one that can be incredibly costly if bags are shipped before the error is caught.
• QUAT²RO® VALVEcheck detects improperly opened bags and drops them to the machine floor for manual rework before grabbing a new one. The elimination of improperly opened bags or T-applications can increase production by an average of 10 per cent.
• QUAT²RO® MATEXcheck — short for material explosion check — monitors the bag being filled and detects possible bursts or leaks. In the case of detection, the camera signals the packing machine to stop the filling process immediately. Compared to standard packing machines that monitor bag filling by weight, MATEXcheck increases operator safety and eliminates cleanup time and product loss.
• QUAT²RO® SEALcheck bookends the packing line by detecting improperly closed bags. Today’s industry standard requires valves to be sealed with ultrasonic sealing technology. However, depending on the bag, the welding unit and the product volume found in the valve,
some seals may not close 100 per cent. SEALcheck monitors every bag on the
conveyor to ensure no bag leaves the facility improperly closed. When an issue with the seal is detected, the bag is diverted off the line to a separate area.

How do you manage to stay ahead in materials (mesh, filters) innovations while also scaling digital/automation tech?
We achieve this goal through dedicated teams and budgets. We have special woven wire product development teams as well as an extremely focused AI/digital product team. These experts develop solutions independently but come together regularly for knowledge exchange. We call these gatherings HAVERTHONS. In these dedicated meetings, innovation is created in short periods of time.

Over the next decade, which radical or disruptive technologies do you see HAVER & BOECKER leading (in cement / bulk materials)?
Well, we don’t want to spoil it too much now, but we can play a bit of buzzword bingo. Our innovation / disruption strategy for the future is based on the following pillars:
• Application expansion: We plan to help cement producers not only pack their existing products but also add to their product portfolio using ingredients, which today they considering as waste.
• Operator focus: Developing new AIR (artificial intelligence and robotics) solutions, we are striving to change the role of the operator within the packing industry. Rather than being a necessary element to complete the value chain, HAVER & BOECKER’s vision of the operator is that she or he becomes the conductor of the complete value stream. This will make their role more exciting and make their job more attractive.
• Packaging revolution: We are developing new types of packaging, including how they interact with the packing machine, which will change the way we think about the packing process. We intend to completely redesign the overall packing process of cement producers by introducing sustainable packaging and new handling technologies, both for empty and full bags.

– Kanika Mathur

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Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

Published

2 weeks ago

February 5, 2026

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FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

Concrete

Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

Published

2 weeks ago

February 2, 2026

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Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

Concrete

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

Published

2 weeks ago

January 31, 2026

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Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

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