As India strides purposefully towards its vision of becoming a truly developed nation by 2047, the infrastructure wave sweeping the country is both daunting and full of promise. At the heart of this transformation lies the cement industry, which is indispensable to growth yet in urgent need of reinvention. For the 39th anniversary edition of ICR, our focus is squarely on this paradox. The stakeholders of the industry are contributing towards the 3Cs of sustainability – Cutting emissions, Cementing innovation and capturing Carbon.
India’s cement sector is projected to surge from approximately 445 million tonne in 2024 to around 670 million tonne by 2030, driven by massive infrastructure programmes, urbanisation, housing and expressway projects. At the same time, the industry is responsible for an estimated 177 million tonne of CO2 in 2023, about 8 per cent of the nation’s total. This dual reality, which is essential for development yet emission-intensive, places the industry at a defining moment.
The path ahead is clear. The sector must cut emissions at source through smarter fuel use, process optimisation and higher thermal substitution with biomass and waste-derived fuels. It must reimagine what cement is and how it’s made, by embracing low-clinker technologies, expanding the use of industrial by-products, and strengthening circular economy linkages. And finally, for emissions that cannot yet be eliminated, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) will play a decisive role. The recent launch of five CCU test-beds in the cement sector signals India’s growing seriousness about deep decarbonisation.
In this issue, industry stalwarts, from manufacturers to technology providers, research institutions and policy makers, share insights into how these transitions are taking shape. We explore innovations in low-carbon binders, the evolution of alternative fuels, the business case for CCUS and policies that are steering the sector’s sustainability journey.