Economy & Market

We deploy carbon capture solutions

Published

10 months ago

January 13, 2026

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Yash Agarwal, Co-Founder, Carbonetics Carbon Capture, positions CCUS as a practical, scalable solution to tackle cement’s unavoidable calcination emissions while safeguarding productivity and profitability.

As India’s cement industry grapples with the challenge of cutting unavoidable calcination emissions without disrupting productivity, indigenous CCUS solutions are gaining prominence. In this interview, Yash Agarwal, Co-Founder, Carbonetics Carbon Capture speaks to Kanika Mathur explaining how low-cost, AI-enabled carbon capture technologies are being tailored for Indian kiln conditions.

Tell us about your organisation and its association with the cement industry.
We are a completely indigenously developed carbon capture technology company based in Noida. What we offer is state-of-the-art performance at Indian prices, along with Indian support.
We have pioneered low-cost carbon capture solutions for three industries—steel, cement, and power—and we offer specialised solutions tailored for each industry.

How is Carbonetics adapting its carbon-capture technology specifically for cement kiln flue-gas conditions?
In the case of the cement industry, the flue gas contains a significant amount of dust that needs to be captured, along with nitrates and SOx. This combination poses a major technical challenge for the carbon capture industry. What we have pioneered is a pretreatment process specifically designed for cement industry operations, which allows us to purify the flue gas before carbon capture treatment.
When we deploy carbon capture solutions for cement companies, we also enable them to comply with PCB norms, effectively allowing them to hit two birds with one stone. We are able to offer the world’s lowest capture costs. For a typical cement lime kiln, the cost is around US$ 25 to 30 per tonne, whereas companies from Europe and Japan offer solutions at around US$ 70 per tonne. This makes us approximately 50 per cent more price-competitive compared to Japanese players.

Is there a particular USP in your process and technology?
Absolutely. Our AI platform is a key differentiator that helps us reduce costs. It enables faster project execution and makes our projects more robust, allowing plants to run for longer durations, which directly improves return on investment. Digitalisation and automation are core aspects of our offering, and they significantly enhance operational efficiency and reliability.

What is the role of digitalisation automation and AI, of course, in bringing better technology to the cement industry, especially in relation to CCUS?
We are fully focused on CCUS, and for us, a running plant is a profitable plant. What we have done is created digital twins that allow operators to simulate and resolve specific problems in record time. In a conventional setup, when an issue arises, plants often have to shut down operations and bring in expert consultants. What we offer instead is on-the-fly consulting. As soon as a problem is detected, the system automatically provides a set of potential solutions that can be tested on a running plant. This approach ensures that plant shutdowns are avoided and production is not impacted.

How does your solution address calcination-related CO2, which is unique to cement production?
Calcination is a core part of the cement manufacturing process and cannot be abated through renewable energy sources like solar or wind, or through simple process optimisation. While clinker factor reduction is possible, any clinker that is produced will inevitably generate emissions. As mentioned earlier, we offer a specialised solution that delivers the lowest cost of carbon capture globally. We capture this CO2 and convert it into food-grade CO2. In the future, when you drink a bottle of Coca-Cola, it could very well contain CO2 captured from a
cement plant.

What modular or small-footprint capture units can be deployed easily at cement sites?
Modularity and a smaller footprint are paramount for any plant that is currently operational, as cement plants were not originally designed to accommodate carbon capture units. To address this, we offer a containerised carbon capture plant that can be used to test the technology. In addition, we are working on process amplification solutions that are part of our R&D pipeline. While these are not available today, they are expected to reduce the size of a carbon capture plant by half. This will allow us to serve operational plants where space is already at a premium.

How does your OmniSense® system improve monitoring and reliability of CCUS in cement operations?
In a typical carbon capture plant, there are several high-value assets, such as CO2 compressors. A single CO2 compressor can account for around 25 per cent of the total project cost, and procurement lead times can be as long as eight months.
If a carbon capture plant operates 24/7, redundancy becomes critical. Traditionally, this would require having multiple backup compressors. With OmniSense®, we enable predictive maintenance. If you know six months in advance that a compressor is likely to fail, your redundancy requirements decrease significantly.
For example, if you operate three plants, instead of maintaining six redundant compressors, you could manage with two, rotating them as needed. This significantly reduces capital expenditure while maintaining reliability.

What kind of policy support help you better your operations in the Indian sector?
Cement is a major contributor to India’s total GHG emissions, and it is also a highly price-sensitive product. If the government wants the cement industry to decarbonise rapidly in line with net-zero goals, incentives will be essential, along with mechanisms to absorb increases in final product prices.
For instance, if the cost of cement increases by Rs.10 per unit, the government should work to absorb this through measures such as tax breaks. These are approaches that have been successfully implemented in the US under the Inflation Reduction Act.
There is already a positive push, such as DST’s efforts to set up innovation centres. However, what is truly needed is real funding support for pilot projects—not just from institutions, but also specifically for India’s startup ecosystem.

What is Carbonetics’ roadmap for large-scale CCUS deployment in Indian cement plants by 2030?
Our plan is straightforward. Fortunately, the cement industry already understands the importance of CCUS. We offer a rental-based demo unit to reduce the risk associated with adopting new technology. Any new technology involves risk, and our approach focuses on de-risking adoption.
We provide a comprehensive feasibility report along with real, credible plant data generated from our mobile testing units. This significantly reduces uncertainty and cost. When a cement company makes the financial decision to deploy a full-scale plant, they can be assured of performance. Additionally, we offer operations and maintenance services, meaning we run the plant ourselves. When the technology designer is also responsible for operating the plant, it ensures optimal performance. These are the strategies we are using to scale CCUS deployment.

– Kanika Mathur

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Economy & Market

Leonard Unveils Dual-Head Robotic Arm for Hazardous Industrial Demolition

Published

2 hours ago

October 30, 2026

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Leonard unveils Descender Duo, a dual-head robotic demolition arm designed to improve industrial safety and reduce shutdown time by up to 50 per cent.

Industrial robotics and refractory services specialist Leonard has launched Descender Duo, a dual-head robotic demolition arm designed to improve safety, accelerate maintenance and reduce shutdown times in hazardous industrial environments. The system made its debut at Lisahally Power Station in Northern Ireland, removing 25 tonnes of slag material within hours.

Developed for the cement, metals, waste-to-energy and petrochemical industries, Descender Duo enables remote-controlled refractory demolition, anchor cutting and welding, and refractory spraying inside boilers, calciners and silos. Its vertical-access design eliminates the need for personnel to enter confined, high-risk spaces during these operations.

Weighing less than two tonnes, the pre-assembled system requires an access opening of just 1.2 m². Supported by an external overhead hoist, it uses electrically operated hydraulic stabilising legs to secure itself inside vessels. The robotic arm offers 360-degree rotation and is suited to vessels approximately 9 m in diameter, with its operating reach extendable through strategically positioned access points.

Equipped with two independently controlled robotic heads, Descender Duo can perform identical or different tasks simultaneously, including refractory demolition, anchor cutting and spraying. Its remote-control system incorporates live camera feeds, allowing operators to monitor operations without entering hazardous environments.

According to Leonard, the technology can deliver time savings of up to 50 per cent compared with manual methods. Its ability to operate at temperatures exceeding 100°C allows maintenance to begin as early as 24 hours after burner shutdown. An all-electric power supply further supports cleaner and more cost-efficient operations.

First Deployment Demonstrates Shutdown Efficiency

The system was first deployed at Burmeister & Wain Scandinavian Contractor’s (BWSC) Lisahally Power Station in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The facility generates electricity from grade C waste wood, supplying approximately 40,000 homes and businesses.

Leonard and BWSC collaborated to develop a customised solution for the plant’s 26-metre furnace, where extensive external pipework created significant access challenges.

Mark Leonard, Managing Director, Leonard, said, “It required new thinking and rather than step away from the problem we were committed to solving it for the customer, with the customer. We’re relentless in our approach to tackling complex challenges, head-on. We took our years of cement plant experience, coupled with our working knowledge of the BWSC plant, and designed, engineered and tested a completely new vertical solution within just seven weeks from that initial conversation with the customer. That solution was the Descender Duo as we know it today.”

Traditionally, the furnace required a cooling period of up to 36 hours before preparatory work could begin, followed by manual slag removal using rope-access personnel. With Descender Duo, work commenced just 24 hours after shutdown, reducing downtime by up to one day.

The deployment removed 25 tonnes of slag within hours, eliminated the need for at least six workers to enter the hazardous furnace interior and saved 26 hours in the shutdown programme.

“The effectiveness exceeded expectation,” said Martin Doran, Plant Manager at Lisahally Power Station.

“When the Descender Duo concept was first discussed, we had to spend some time with the team from Leonard looking at how it was going to be moved into the furnace. Every site is different and that presented its own challenges, but nothing that the team couldn’t overcome. Once it was installed we were hugely impressed by its efficiency.”

Expanding Industrial Robotics Applications

Descender Duo joins Leonard’s existing portfolio of robotic maintenance solutions, including the Axis horizontal-access arm, Nano confined-space access arm, Charger cement mill media recharging system and Calibre cement mill media grading system.

Headquartered in Northern Ireland, Leonard provides robotic refractory demolition, installation, inspection and industrial maintenance services across the cement, metals, energy, biomass, glass and civil engineering sectors.

Formerly known as G Leonard, the company has more than 35 years of industry experience and operates across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

The latest innovation reinforces Leonard’s focus on replacing hazardous manual processes with robotic systems that improve workforce safety, enhance operational efficiency and minimise industrial downtime.

Concrete

Martin Engineering Appoints Ashwini Khunte as India General Manager

Published

9 hours 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.

Concrete

Fornnax Wins AIRIA’s Special Export Award for Rubber Machinery in 2025-26

Published

2 weeks ago

October 19, 2026

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Fornnax Technology Pvt. Ltd. has been honoured with the Special Export Award – Rubber Machinery for 2025–26 by the All-India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA), in recognition of its highest exports of tyre recycling plants to the European region.

With more than a decade of experience in India’s tyre recycling industry, Fornnax has contributed to the development of advanced recycling technologies and infrastructure. The company currently holds a 90% market share in India’s domestic tyre recycling sector, while exports account for 30% of its business, spanning markets such as Europe, Australia and the GCC.

The award marks another milestone for Fornnax, whose tyre recycling lines and advanced shredding technologies are supporting the growth of the circular economy in India and international markets.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Founder and Director of Fornnax, said:

“This honour from AIRIA is a reflection of an incredible journey we have undertaken over the years. When we started Fornnax, there was no established recycling industry in India to follow. We chose to build for the future instead. Today, when you see India’s tyre recycling sector, it has already transformed into a dynamic, high-growth industry and we are extremely proud to have played our part in building it.”

Unlike standalone equipment suppliers, Fornnax focuses on developing complete, high-capacity recycling infrastructure. Its integrated systems combine multiple stages of shredding and size reduction to enable efficient, continuous operations. This system-level engineering approach helps recycling operators improve throughput, equipment reliability and operational consistency.

The recognition reinforces Fornnax’s commitment to developing engineering technologies that contribute to a more efficient and circular recycling ecosystem.

Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its international presence while continuing to develop advanced shredding and recycling solutions to address the growing volumes and evolving requirements of the global recycling industry.

For more information, visit: www.fornnax.com