Concrete

WCA Annual Conference 2026 to Host Global Cement Leaders

Bangkok event to address sustainability, AI and decarbonisation.

Published

7 months ago

February 28, 2026

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World Cement Association (WCA) will organise its Annual Conference 2026 from April 19–21 at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, bringing together global cement industry leaders, policymakers and technology providers to address the sector’s evolving challenges.

Held under the theme ‘Shaping a sustainable future through digitization, innovation and performance,’ the event will focus on strategic, operational and sustainability priorities influencing the industry’s next phase of growth. The conference will begin with an assessment of global economic trends and their impact on cement markets, alongside regional outlooks for Asia and Europe.

Key discussions will examine regulatory developments, including carbon border adjustment mechanisms in Europe and progress in China’s carbon trading system, as well as market trends across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Industry specialists will also share insights on decarbonisation strategies aimed at maintaining competitiveness, covering alternative fuels, next-generation supplementary cementitious materials, calcined clay technologies and AI-enabled kiln optimisation.

The second day will address industry overcapacity and restructuring, supported by case studies and regional perspectives. Sessions will explore digital transformation and AI-driven plant operations, manufacturing efficiency, circular concrete models and sustainable construction solutions. Delegates will also review shifting customer expectations across the construction value chain.

The conference programme includes the WCA Awards Ceremony, recognising achievements in sustainability, innovation, safety and leadership across the global cement sector. The awards will be presented during the gala dinner on April 20.

“The cement industry is navigating a period of profound transformation. From managing overcapacity and market volatility to deploying AI and delivering measurable decarbonisation, the challenges are complex but so are the opportunities. Our Annual Conference will bring together global leaders to exchange practical solutions and strengthen collaboration, helping shape a sustainable and resilient future for cement worldwide,” commented Philippe Richart, CEO, World Cement Association.

Registration for the conference is currently open, with access covering all sessions, exhibition participation, refreshments, lunch and the Awards Gala Dinner. Further programme details are available through the official WCA conference platform.

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Jammu Division Begins First Cement Rail Traffic to Anantnag

Cement Loading From Kathua for Anantnag to Begin on September 14

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3 days ago

September 21, 2026

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Jammu Railway Division has placed an indent for the first movement of cement by rail within the division, linking Shaheed Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station with Anantnag Railway Station. Loading for the consignment is scheduled to begin on September 14.

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Hard Worker Wins Three Honours at Kyoorius Design Awards

Ramco Cements’ brand secures Grand Prix and two Blue Elephant honours.

Published

3 days ago

September 21, 2026

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The Ramco Cements Limited’s construction chemicals brand, Hard Worker, has won three honours at the Kyoorius Design Awards 2026, including the Grand Prix – Grey Elephant in the Design in Action category.

The brand also secured two Blue Elephant honours, one for Design in Action and another for Packaging, recognising the design approach behind its brand identity and packaging.

Launched in 2025, Hard Worker entered the construction chemicals segment with the brand promise, “Hard-working products for hardworking people.” Its visual identity uses animals and birds to represent product benefits. The camel represents the water-retention capability of Hard Worker Eco Plaster, while the cheetah represents the speed and performance of Hard Worker Block Fix.

The visual language has been extended across packaging, retail, communication, literature, digital platforms and other brand touchpoints. Hard Worker uses bold colours, distinctive animal illustrations and simple visual storytelling to communicate product benefits across markets and audiences, including construction workers and applicators.

“For Hard Worker, design was never an afterthought. It was fundamental to how we wanted to build the brand. In a category that is largely functional, we wanted to create a brand that people could recognise, understand and remember instantly. The Kyoorius recognition is a wonderful validation of this design-led approach,” said Mr. AV Dharmakrishnan, CEO, The Ramco Cements Limited.

Mr. Balaji K. Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, Ramco Cements said “In a category where communication has traditionally been product-led and functional, we wanted Hard Worker to stand apart by making design an integral part of the brand experience. From the distinctive animal-led packaging to our communication across consumer and trade touchpoints, every element was designed to make the brand more memorable and the product benefits easier to understand.”

Within its first 12 months, Hard Worker crossed Rs 3.5 bn in sales. The latest recognition follows six honours secured by the brand’s campaign at the Kyoorius Creative Awards earlier in 2026, including the Grey Elephant Grand Prix for its Eco Plaster film.

The Kyoorius Design Awards recognise outstanding design work in India’s visual communications sector across multiple categories and platforms. The 2026 awards were announced on 12 September in Goa.

The Ramco Cements Limited is part of the Ramco Group and operates across cement and allied building-material solutions. Hard Worker is its construction chemicals brand, offering solutions across key construction applications.

Concrete

Cement Firms to Invest Rs. 130 bn in Green Energy by FY28

Cement companies plan to expand clean energy capacity to 6 GW by FY28

Published

1 week ago

September 17, 2026

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India’s major cement companies are set to raise their clean energy capacity to 6 GW by March 2028 from around 4 GW at the end of March 2026, according to ratings agency ICRA. The planned expansion is expected to involve investments of Rs. 130 bn over the next two years.

The additional capacity could generate annual savings of Rs. 62 bn to Rs. 67 bn, resulting in an estimated payback period of 1.8 to 2.2 years. Cement is an emission-intensive industry, and leading producers have established net-zero roadmaps covering the next 15 to 20 years.

The calcination process accounts for 57 to 60 per cent of the sector’s total emissions, while fuel combustion contributes 27 to 30 per cent and electricity consumption accounts for 10 to 13 per cent. ICRA said the figures highlighted the need for a broad decarbonisation strategy involving green power, blended cement, alternative fuels and improvements in clinker efficiency.

Green energy is considered one of the most commercially attractive decarbonisation options because it can reduce emissions while lowering operating costs. Every 5 per cent increase in green power replacement can reduce power and fuel costs by Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per tonne. A 25 per cent replacement level could therefore save Rs. 75 to Rs. 80 per tonne and expand operating margins by 140 to 160 basis points.

Cement producers are also assessing carbon capture, utilisation and storage, although high implementation costs, energy requirements and limited transport and storage infrastructure are expected to slow commercial adoption. The government has proposed Rs. 200 bn over five years to support deployment across key sectors. Meanwhile, companies are targeting thermal substitution rates of 10 to 15 per cent over the next three to five years, compared with the current industry level of around 6 per cent.