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Building a Safer, Smarter and Sustainable World

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Raju Ramchandran, SVP and Head Manufacturing – Eastern Region, Safety and Sustainability, Nuvoco Vistas, on the cement industry redefining growth through innovation, circularity and collective action toward a Net Zero future.

Every nation dreams of highways, bridges and cities that symbolise progress. Every individual dreams of a home they can call their own. Behind both these dreams stands one material — cement. It is the silent architect of our aspirations and the backbone of economies. From sheltering families to shaping skylines, cement has been at the heart of human advancement.
According to the World Economic Forum, cement and concrete are the world’s most widely used human-made materials. As the world continues to build, the role of cement is becoming even more crucial — not only in enabling growth but also in shaping a sustainable future. Today, it is imperative to align the vision of building developed nations and better lives with the responsibility of protecting our planet for generations to come. Achieving this balance requires a fundamental shift in how we produce, transport and consume cement.
This transition is far too significant for any single technology or organisation to achieve alone. Real progress will emerge when businesses, policymakers, investors, and communities move forward together. Building on this collective momentum, the Indian cement sector has outlined a clear pathway to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2070, under the Decarbonisation Roadmap for the Indian Cement Sector. This initiative underscores the industry’s shared responsibility to mitigate environmental impacts while supporting sustainable development.
Taking this vision a step further, the sector is complementing emission reduction with initiatives that restore nature and promote circularity. By advancing water stewardship, biodiversity protection and circular economy practices, the industry is embracing nature-based solutions that not only mitigate environmental impact but actively regenerate natural systems. These efforts position the cement sector to play a central role in halting and reversing nature loss by 2030, in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
The journey to decarbonise cement and concrete touches every link in the value chain — from sourcing raw materials to producing clinker, from pouring concrete on construction sites to rethinking design with reuse, recycling and 3D printing in mind. Each stage offers an opportunity to reduce emissions through innovation and collaboration.
In this context, Indian cement producers are expanding their portfolio of sustainable products. Almost all manufacturers today produce Portland Slag Cement (PSC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), and Portland Composite Cement (PCC) — each reducing clinker content while maintaining consistent quality and performance. This shift reflects the industry’s recognition that sustainability is not an option but a necessity.

Exploring sustainable alternatives
A key enabler of this transformation is the use of Alternative Raw Materials (ARMs) such as slag, fly ash and other industrial by-products. These materials partially replace limestone and clinker — the most carbon-intensive components of cement manufacturing. By integrating slag from steel plants or fly ash from power stations, producers not only cut emissions but also divert waste from landfills, helping preserve finite natural resources.
Equally critical is the adoption of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) like silica fume, calcined clay, rice husk ash, and natural pozzolans. Blending these materials with clinker reduces energy intensity while improving strength, durability, and workability, thus delivering both performance and sustainability gains.
Together, ARMs and SCMs foster a circular economy, transforming industrial waste into valuable inputs, conserving raw materials, and enabling sustainable construction.
Complementing these innovations are advanced manufacturing practices such as Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS), which capture excess heat from clinkerisation and convert it into clean power. Combined with renewable energy adoption, digital optimisation, and green logistics, these efforts are steering the sector toward Net Zero operations.
Sustainability, however, doesn’t end at production. It extends into packaging, transport, and consumption. The industry is increasingly using recyclable poly bags, bulk cement packaging and rail-based logistics to reduce carbon emissions. Further, CNG-powered trucks, Transition from Diesel based Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) to EV vehicles and GPS-enabled fleet monitoring are helping lower the carbon footprint across supply chains.
At the same time, end consumers — builders, contractors, and Individual Home Builders — play a crucial role. Choosing blended, eco-friendly cements, adopting responsible construction practices, and minimising material waste on sites can collectively make a meaningful impact.
Building sustainably is no longer only the producer’s responsibility; it is a shared duty across the value chain, from source to consumption. This holistic approach, where innovation meets accountability, defines the path forward.
From reducing emissions to restoring ecosystems, the cement industry is laying the foundation
for resilient infrastructure and a nature-positive, sustainable future.
As the Head of Manufacturing, Safety and Sustainability at Nuvoco Vistas Corp, I believe sustainability is not an initiative but a way of doing business. It is deeply embedded in every process and product, from co-processing waste and developing green cements to expanding WHRS capacity, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing logistics efficiency. In alignment with the cement industry’s 2070 Net Zero vision, Nuvoco has reduced its CO2 intensity to 453.8 kg per tonne of cementitious material, guided by our mission of ‘Building a Safer, Smarter and Sustainable World.’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Raju Ramchandran, SVP and Head Manufacturing – Eastern Region, Safety and Sustainability, Nuvoco Vistas, oversees multiple high-capacity plants, excelling in operations, project management, and team development across greenfield and brownfield projects.

Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

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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.

 

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Concrete

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

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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.

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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.

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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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