Concrete

Revolutionary Belt Cleaning

Published

12 months ago

November 20, 2025

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Ashwini Khunte, Regional Head – Sales and Marketing, Martin Engineering, discusses conveyor maintenance with advanced belt cleaning technology, which delivers durability, efficiency and safety for cement plants.

In every cement plant, a conveyor belt system forms the critical artery that moves material from raw feed to end product. That means conveyor performance is key to productivity and profitability.
Given that a cement plant can have well in excess of 100 conveyors, keeping belts running efficiently demands that they are well-maintained and remain free from carry-back, spillage and build-up that would otherwise cause excess wear and unscheduled down time.
Conveyors are also among the most dynamic and hazardous machinery within any processing plant, and manually inspecting and maintaining each component of a conveyor belt system across a wide area can also be time-consuming, labor intensive and, crucially, involves significant exposure to risk.
Even though the entire cement operation depends on conveyor performance, the importance of clean belts to overall productivity is rarely understood or prioritized by busy plant maintenance teams. Fortunately help is at hand, with specialists from Martin Engineering in available to help Indian cement producers to identify the root causes of their pain points and recommend innovative solutions that are proven to work.
As the world leader in bulk handling solutions, Martin Engineering recently marked 80 years of product innovation, engineering expertise and global growth. The company’s flagship Center for Innovation in Neponset, Illinois, USA is a hothouse for engineering research and technological advancement. As a result, Martin Engineering has become synonymous with the development and manufacture of innovations that deliver cleaner, safer and more productive bulk materials processing.

Unmatched belt cleaning
One of the many products by Martin that’s unique in the marketplace is the revolutionary CleanScrape® range of primary and secondary belt cleaners. In virtually every situation, CleanScrape outperforms all conventional scrapers, setting unrivalled standards for endurance, efficiency and reliability.
Featuring unique patented technology, CleanScrape is the most durable belt cleaning system available, delivering superior cleaning, whole-life cost reductions, and guaranteed to last four times the service life of conventional cleaners with a fraction of the maintenance time. Indeed, there are many cases where a much longer performance lifespan is achieved.
Installed diagonally across the discharge pulley, the blade forms a three-dimensional helix with a highly-effective but low contact pressure between belt and cleaner. The ‘blade’ is comprised of a matrix of tungsten carbide tips and is tensioned against the belt by cables, typically resulting in the removal of up to 95 per cent of stubborn material stuck to the belt.
Engineered for belt widths up to 120 in. (up to 3000 mm), speeds up to 1500 fpm (7.5 m/s), and pulley diameters of up to 78 in. (2000 mm), the cleaner’s groundbreaking design mean it requires minimal space for installation and also make it suitable for use on mechanical splices – put simply it’s the best performing and most versatile belt cleaner on the market.
The CleanScrape® Secondary Cleaner is a fully stainless steel assembly featuring independent 6-inch-wide blades with carbide tips. Each tip is supported on spring-loaded arms at both ends. The load springs allow independent blade rotation back and forward as well as up and down. This range of motion provides equal load pressure across each blade, absorbs obstructions, conforms to ever-changing belt undulations, and is able to arc safely in the event of belt rollback.
When used in combination, the CleanScrape® range of primary and secondary belt cleaners offers unparalleled belt cleaning performance. Carry-back, spillage and build-up are virtually eliminated, ensuring plants can run for way longer without stoppages, and maintenance frequency is much reduced allowing teams to focus on other priorities. But before jumping to conclusions about material handling problems, it’s always best to take a holistic approach. Martin Engineering’s team of experts work alongside maintenance teams and contractors to identify the root causes, specify the right solutions and deliver a return on your investment in improvement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ashwini Khunte, Regional Head – Sales and Marketing, Martin Engineering, brings experience from previous roles at Martin Engineering and Move Tech Conveyors. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Mechanical Engineering.

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Concrete

JK Lakshmi Cement Begins Rs 110 Billion Assam Plant Project

The 2.5 MTPA integrated cement plant is expected to be completed by FY2029.

Published

8 minutes ago

October 31, 2026

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JK Lakshmi Cement has recently laid the foundation stone for Project Kamakshi, its first integrated cement manufacturing facility in Assam, marking its entry into Northeast India. The groundbreaking ceremony was held at Umrangso village in Dima Hasao district in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The project involves an investment of Rs 110 billion, including the mining lease, and will have an annual cement production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes, supported by a 1 million tonne clinkerisation unit. Scheduled for completion by FY2029, the facility is expected to generate employment for over 2,000 people while catering primarily to the growing Northeast market.

The integrated plant will feature dedicated railway sidings to facilitate efficient transportation of raw materials and finished cement, strengthening supply chain reliability and regional distribution.

Vinita Singhania, Chairperson and Managing Director, JK Lakshmi Cement, said, “”Project Kamakshi is the start of a long-term relationship with Assam and the wider North East. This is a region that is building fast, and it deserves quality cement made close to home. With this plant, we want to bring scale, jobs, and dependable supply to the region. At JK Lakshmi Cement, we believe that building a stronger India goes beyond infrastructure. It is also about growing together with the communities we serve.””

The investment aligns with the company’s strategy to expand into high-growth markets beyond its established presence in Northern, Western and Eastern India. The project is also expected to support regional economic development and infrastructure growth.

JK Lakshmi Cement aims to pursue its expansion plans while working towards its long-term target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2047.

Concrete

JK Lakshmi Cement to Expand EV Fleet to 120 Vehicles by March 2027

JK Lakshmi Cement has deployed more than 70 EVs across its logistics network.

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2026

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JK Lakshmi Cement has deployed more than 70 electric vehicles (EVs) across its logistics network and plans to increase the fleet to 120 vehicles by March 2027. The expansion is part of its decarbonisation strategy, which aims to reduce transport-related emissions and improve operational efficiency.

The company has achieved nearly 100 per cent EV-based clinker dispatches from its Sirohi plant in Rajasthan to the Kalol Grinding Unit in Gujarat. The transition marks an increased use of electric mobility for long-haul cement transportation and is intended to lower the environmental impact of logistics operations.

The existing fleet operates on routes connecting the Sirohi plant with the Kalol Grinding Unit, Palanpur Unit and Surat Grinding Unit. JK Lakshmi Cement is working with electric vehicle logistics providers SwitchLabs and Billion E to support fleet deployment and manage transportation requirements across these routes.

The company expects the planned expansion to increase the use of electric mobility throughout its logistics network for moving cement and clinker. Chairperson and Managing Director Vinita Singhania said the programme reflected the integration of sustainable practices with the company’s focus on long-term business efficiency, while describing the Sirohi–Kalol transition as an important step in its wider decarbonisation strategy.

The EV programme forms part of JK Lakshmi Cement’s green logistics and sustainability roadmap, alongside initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce emissions across its value chain. The company has set a long-term target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2047. It is part of the JK Organisation and operates integrated cement plants in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, along with grinding units in Gujarat, Haryana and Odisha. The company has an annual turnover of more than Rs. 60 bn, combined cement capacity of approximately 18 mn t per annum and a target to raise capacity to 30 mn t by 2030. Its portfolio includes ready-mix concrete, gypsum plaster, wall putty, primer, adhesives and fly ash blocks.

Concrete

Martin Engineering Appoints Ashwini Khunte as India General Manager

Published

1 day ago

October 30, 2026

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Martin Engineering names Ashwini Khunte India General Manager to strengthen operations and drive growth across key bulk material handling sectors.

Pune

Martin Engineering, a global provider of bulk material handling solutions, has appointed Ashwini Khunte as General Manager of its India business, strengthening its leadership as the company expands its presence across the country’s cement, mining, steel, power and infrastructure sectors.

Khunte brings more than a decade of experience with Martin Engineering, having joined its Indian operations in 2013 as a Design Engineer, shortly after the company established its presence in the country in 2012.

A mechanical engineer by qualification, she spent her initial five years developing bulk material handling solutions in collaboration with the company’s operations team. During this period, she gained extensive experience addressing operational challenges in the steel, cement and coal industries. She subsequently moved into project engineering, managing major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) projects from initial enquiry to commissioning. Her responsibilities later expanded to overseeing Martin Engineering’s conveyor product portfolio in India, involving customer engagement, technical presentations and site visits across heavy industries.

In 2024, Khunte was promoted to Head of Sales & Marketing for the company’s Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI) region. The position broadened her international market exposure and strengthened her strategic and commercial leadership capabilities.

Commenting on her appointment, Ashwini Khunte, General Manager, Martin Engineering India, said: “India represents a tremendous opportunity for Martin Engineering. The country’s continued investment in cement, mining, steel, power and infrastructure is creating increasing demand for safer, cleaner and more productive bulk material handling, and that’s exactly what we do. My priority will be to build on the strong foundations already established in India, while continuing to develop our people, strengthen customer relationships and bring practical solutions to the challenges faced by our industry.”

Robert Whetstone, Area Vice President – EMEAI, Martin Engineering, highlighted Khunte’s technical expertise, market understanding and leadership experience.

“Ashwini brings an exceptional combination of technical understanding, customer knowledge and commercial leadership. She has grown as Martin Engineering has grown, and has consistently demonstrated outstanding capability to transform her expertise into practical solutions. Her knowledge of the Indian market, together with her international experience, makes her ideally suited to lead our India business through its next stage of growth for years to come.”

Since establishing its Indian business in 2012, Martin Engineering has expanded its local workforce, manufacturing capabilities and dealership network. The company supplies conveyor products, transfer point solutions, material flow aids, training and technical support to bulk material handling industries. Khunte’s appointment positions the company to further strengthen customer relationships and expand its solutions portfolio in India’s growing industrial and infrastructure markets.