Concrete

Sustainable Cement Packaging Shift

Published

7 months ago

April 13, 2026

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This case study evaluates biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastic cement packaging using advanced decision-making models. It highlights that while sustainable materials outperform environmentally, cost remains the biggest barrier to adoption.

The cement industry, a highly resource-intensive sector, continues to rely heavily on synthetic plastic packaging such as polypropylene bags, which account for nearly one-quarter of global cement packaging and generate 1.2–1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually from over 30 billion bags. These materials persist for centuries, contributing to landfill overflow, marine pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in emerging economies where recycling rates remain below 10 per cent and waste management systems are underdeveloped. This growing environmental burden has accelerated the need for sustainable alternatives aligned with circular economy principles.
To address this challenge, the study evaluates biodegradable packaging options such as cornstarch-based materials, cellulose derivatives, jute, and sisal using an integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework. By combining Entropy and CRITIC weighting methods with TOPSIS, VIKOR and PROMETHEE II ranking models, the research assesses materials across key parameters including biodegradability, recyclability, lifecycle impact, durability, and cost efficiency. This structured approach enables a balanced comparison between environmental benefits and industrial feasibility.
The findings consistently identify cornstarch-based packaging as the top-performing alternative, delivering approximately 25 per cent to 30 per cent better performance on biodegradability and lifecycle indicators compared to other materials. It ranked first across multiple evaluation methods due to its strong environmental profile and balanced performance across criteria, followed by cotton and jute, while cellulose-based plastics performed poorly due to high costs and limited biodegradability effectiveness.
However, the study highlights a critical barrier: cost dominance in decision-making. Using the Entropy method, cost received the highest weight (0.651), more than 50 times higher than strength (0.013), clearly indicating that economic considerations outweigh environmental benefits in material selection. Even with the CRITIC method, cost remained the most influential factor (0.265), reinforcing that financial feasibility is the primary constraint preventing large-scale adoption of biodegradable packaging in the cement industry.
The research concludes that while biodegradable packaging offers strong potential to reduce environmental impact and support circular economy goals, widespread adoption will depend on policy support and economic incentives. Measures such as subsidies, tax benefits and regulatory clarity are essential to bridge the gap between sustainability goals and operational realities, ensuring that packaging transitions contribute not only to immediate efficiency but also to long-term environmental responsibility and intergenerational justice.

This case study by Mehedi Hasan Shanta, Tasfia Tanha, Md. Mustaqim Roshid, Roman Meinhold, Ricardo Marcão, Vasco Santos, Filipa Martinho and Abdul Waaje, appears in the journal ‘Discover Sustainability,’ which is an open-access academic journal published by Springer Nature.

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Concrete

Dhanekula Institute Signs MoU with Adani Cement

Agreement to expand internships, industrial visits and practical learning

Published

20 hours ago

November 5, 2026

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The Department of Civil Engineering at Dhanekula Institute of Engineering & Technology, Ganguru, organised an industrial interaction programme under the Adani FutureX Programme on Thursday. The programme focused on strengthening engagement between the institute and the cement industry while giving students greater exposure to professional practices.

Yedukondalu, technical head for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana at Adani Cement, delivered a technical lecture on concrete as a man-made material. The session covered the importance of concrete in construction, its properties and applications, and its significance in modern infrastructure development.

The lecture also addressed the role of quality cement and suitable concrete technology in supporting durable and sustainable construction. The discussion connected classroom learning with the technical considerations involved in infrastructure projects and construction practices.

A key part of the programme was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Department of Civil Engineering and Adani Cement under the Adani FutureX Partnership Agreement. The agreement is intended to strengthen industry-academia collaboration through opportunities for student internships and industrial visits.

The initiative is expected to provide students with practical exposure, improve their understanding of industrial practices and help bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. Dhanekula Institute Chairman Dhanekula Ravindranath Tagore, Secretary Dhanekula Venkata Bhavani Prasad and Director DKRK Ravi Prasad supported the initiative, with the institute leadership highlighting the importance of industry-institution interaction in enhancing students’ technical employability.

Concrete

JK Lakshmi Cement Begins Rs. 110 bn Assam Plant Project

Project Kamakshi will produce 2.5 mn t of cement annually by FY2029.

Published

20 hours ago

November 5, 2026

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JK Lakshmi Cement has laid the foundation stone for Project Kamakshi, its first integrated cement manufacturing facility in Assam, marking the company’s entry into Northeast India. The groundbreaking ceremony took place 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 bn, including the mining lease. It will have annual cement production capacity of 2.5 mn t and a 1 mn t clinkerisation unit, with completion scheduled for FY2029.

The facility is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and will primarily serve the growing Northeast market. It will also include dedicated railway sidings for transporting raw materials and finished cement, supporting supply chain reliability and regional distribution.

Chairperson and Managing Director Vinita Singhania said the project represented the beginning of a long-term relationship with Assam and the wider Northeast. She said the plant would help provide locally produced cement, employment and dependable supplies as the region’s infrastructure development accelerated, while enabling the company to grow alongside the communities it serves.

The investment supports JK Lakshmi Cement’s strategy of expanding into high-growth markets beyond its established presence in Northern, Western and Eastern India. The company expects the project to contribute to regional economic development and infrastructure growth while pursuing its long-term objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2047.

Concrete

Kshatriya Engineering College Signs MoU with Adani Cement

Agreement to provide students with industrial exposure and training

Published

20 hours ago

November 5, 2026

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The civil engineering department of Kshatriya Engineering College in Nizamabad has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Adani Cement to provide students with industry-oriented training and practical exposure. The agreement is intended to connect classroom learning with workplace requirements in the construction sector.

Under the partnership, students will receive opportunities to take part in industrial visits and internships. The arrangement will also include guest lectures by industry experts and guidance on live projects, allowing students to gain first-hand understanding of industry practices and emerging construction technologies.

College secretary and correspondent Aljapur Devender said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between academic instruction and industry expectations. He said the collaboration would help students develop practical skills and improve their employment prospects after completing their studies.

Principal Dr Katakam Srinivas said exposure to industrial practices was important for civil engineering students and would complement their academic learning. He said the MoU would support the development of their technical knowledge and confidence through greater familiarity with professional work environments.

Administrative officer B. Narender said the collaboration would familiarise students with modern construction technologies, quality standards and project management practices. Civil engineering department head N. Deepika said the agreement would help students understand recent developments in the construction sector and prepare for professional careers. The college said the partnership would give learners a broader view of the processes and standards followed in the industry, while helping them relate their academic studies to practical project requirements.