Economy & Market
Blending Green and Grit
Published
6 years agoon
By
adminBlended cements are slowly but steadily increasing their presence felt in the market. With the introduction of composite cement, the industry’s green commitment is getting reinforced further.
Blended cements – Portland Slag Cement (PSC) and Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) – are making headway by cornering a major share of the cement market, nudging the Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) which was the market leader at one time, into the corner, in the recent years. The exciting journey of blended cements has seen them taking an equal share of 50:50 in the late 1970s even before introduction of fly ash-based blended cement, only to lose share to OPC which touched 76 per cent by 1983, and to totter at about 30 per cent by the end of the twentieth century, it has now scaled the peak market share of three-fourths.
"Ever since government allowed blending of cement with OPC, there has been continuous growth in the sales of PSC/ PPC cement. There has been a very good penetration of blended cements in the market. Earlier OPC used to be the market leader in India. However, today, it represents only about 20-25 per cent of the market share. In this context, it is encouraging to note that nearly 75 per cent of cement production in India at present is in the form of blended cement of various types," says Raakesh Jain, Chief Sales Officer, Nuvoco Vistas Corp.
Blended cements have been gaining almost over the last couple of decades, particularly since introduction of fly ash-based cement, which combines the advantages of OPC on cost front, and strength and durability of slag cement, its blended peer. "This has been possible through education of customers on the merits of blended cement, which has led to higher awareness and increased usage," says Ujjwal Batria, Chief Operating Officer, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited.
With the introduction of composite cements, the market is expected to become even more exciting in the years to come.
Institutions still prefer OPC
Still, OPC is preferred in certain geographies and particularly by several institutional users, for various reasons. "While there is an improvement in the acceptance of blended cements, there are certain segments like RMCs, select infrastructure projects, where the preference continues to be for OPC due to the cost economics and flexibility available to the contractor," says Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement.
OPC grades 43 & 53 are more preferred in major infrastructure projects such as national highways, bridges, transmission lines, power plants, industrial and residential structures. "Also in major infrastructure projects, OPC Grade 43/ 53 is approved through the Central/ state government/ local governing bodies/ institutions over PPC/ PSC, making OPC a preferred product in institutional segment," says Jain.
Institutional customers have their own batching plants in most cases and prefer to do blending at their end. However, efforts of the blended cement manufacturers over the last few years in educating their customers on environmental benefits and durability they offer have resulted in their increased use.
Applications
Both PPC and PSC are environment-friendly cements as they use industrial by-products as an input. PPC classically uses fly ash, while PSC uses slag generated in the blast furnace of steel plants.
Blended cements are suitable for high rainfall areas and coastal areas as these offer higher longevity of structures, offering the highest resistance against sulphate and chloride attacks and environmental pollutants. PSC’s chemical composition gives it high compressive strength and offers excellent resistance to chloride and sulphate attacks. It boasts a superior finish and minimise shrinkage and cracks. For this reason, it is mostly used for marine constructions.
PPC’s hydration process is slower than PSC cement, therefore, making it suitable for mass concreting. It shows greater resistance to aggressive weather and is cheaper than PSC. PPC has an amazing pore refinement leading to an improved density of concrete, says Batria.
New kid on the block
Taking cue from the Bureau of Indian Standards’ (BIS) decision to permit manufacturing and selling of composite cement in India a couple of years ago, several cement manufacturers have already introduced composite cement. Composite cement is a blend of fly ash and slag based cement, offering the best of both worlds.
Composite Cement is being typically manufactured by companies where both these commodities are readily available. Eastern region is where most of the players have introduced composite cement by now. JSW has introduced it in Karnataka and in the east, while Dalmia Cement has introduced it in the eastern region, and Nuvoco already has a thrust towards blended cements.
"We have already introduced composite cement to our customers in Karnataka and more recently in Salboni. We also plan to make it the core product from Jhajpur, our upcoming plant in Odisha," Narwekar says.
Being a new product in the market, the manufacturers are already undertaking awareness programmes for their customers and influencers like engineers and architects. Composite cement is still not accepted in RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) by BIS posing a challenge in selling it as an all-purpose cement, besides getting government approvals for composite products.
Looking ahead
If one has to go by what the experts have to say, bended cements are going to be the future of cement industry, being greener and offering several advantages. Perhaps in the process of vouching for its future of cement in blended ones, JSW Cement, being largest manufacturer of PSC, is planning to take a plunge into blended cements headlong.
"We are planning to double our cement production capacity in the next few years to meet the growing demand for "Green" cement in the eastern region by a combination of brownfield expansions at our new facility at Salboni, West Bengal and Shiva Cement, Odisha. These projects are expected to be commissioned in various phases until 2023. We are also debottlenecking our plants in South and evaluating opportunities for a grinding unit GU in TN," Narwekar says. JSW is in the process of commissioning a new greenfield 1.2 million tonnes per annum plant in Jajpur, Odisha, which is expected to be optimizes by December 2019.
In order to promote sustainable alternatives in every area in line with India’s commitment at the Paris Summit, blended cements, which use factory waste and other by-products, should be encouraged through use in government projects. Thus, cement manufacturers, who are planning to increase their use of alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR), will be contributing immensely to sustainable manufacturing and sustainable products in future.
– BS SRINIVASALU REDDY
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Lohia Corp Expands Global Footprint With Acquisitionof J.j. Jenkins Inc and Strategic Joint Venture With Omgm
Published
3 weeks agoon
October 22, 2024By
adminLohia Corp Limited (LCL) is pleased to announce two significant milestones that mark our
expansion in the global market.
We have successfully acquired J.J. Jenkins Inc. a respected name in machine manufacturing for
high-tech industries, through our US subsidiary, Leesona Corp, a 130-year-old pioneer in winding
machines. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategic vision to expand our specialty yarns
and tapes portfolio in medical and defence applications.
In addition, we have formed a strategic Joint Venture with Italy’s O.M.G.M. sas, leading to the
creation of OMGM Extrusiontechnik Srl. With LCL holding the majority stake. This JV represents
a significant diversification of our product portfolio, introducing solutions in Extrusion and
Winding systems for a variety of technical applications.
These advancements are not just about growth; they’re about bringing cutting-edge solutions to
our customers and contributing to industries that make a difference. Stay tuned for more updates
as we continue to push the boundaries of technology and engineering excellence.
Mr. R K Lohia, Chairman & Managing Director of Lohia Corp Limited, expressed his enthusiasm
about the new ventures “Both these new partnerships are a pivotal move that will broaden our
product offerings and provide our customers with even more choices and will enhance our
presence in the North America and European market, at the same time strengthen our presence
in all other global markets.”
About Lohia Corp Limited
Lohia Corp Limited (LCL) stands as a testament to the power of innovation and commitment to
excellence. As the flagship company of the Lohia Group, LCL has established itself as a global
leader in providing comprehensive solutions for the raffia industry.
With an impressive installation base of over 2,250 extrusion lines and 95,000 Circular Looms
across more than 100 countries, LCL’s influence in the plastic woven fabric and bag sector is
unparalleled. The company’s dedication to quality and efficiency has resulted in an astounding
plastic processing capacity of 7.7 million metric tons per annum of PP & PE.
LCL’s products, ranging from packaging systems for solid bulk materials to roof underlays and
tarpaulins, are not just industrial applications; they are the building blocks of industries
worldwide.
The company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation is the driving force that makes it the
world’s largest producer of machines for the raffia sector. As we look to the future, LCL’s legacy
of excellence is more than just a benchmark; it is a continuous journey towards pushing the
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About J. J. Jenkins, Inc
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Concrete
Adani acquires Orient Cement at INR 8,100 crore equity value
Published
3 weeks agoon
October 22, 2024By
adminAcquisition adds 16.6 MTPA capacity (8.5 MTPA operational, 8.1 MTPA Ready to Execute).
Accelerates Ambuja’s journey to achieve 100+ MTPA operational capacity in FY 25
Provides 6 MTPA potential additional capacity in North India, leveraging OCL’s high quality limestone reserves in Rajasthan
EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS
- Ambuja enters into a binding agreement to acquire 46.8% stake in Orient Cement Ltd (OCL). The acquisition helps to move towards target capacity of 140 MTPA by 2028.
- OCL has an existing 5.6 MTPA clinker and 8.5 MTPA cement operational capacity, 95 MW CPP, 10 MW WHRS, 33 MW Renewable Energy spread across the states of Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra. It improves Adani Group’s market share pan-India by 2% in the cement industry.
- OCL has secured a concession from Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Ltd (“MPPGCL”) to set up 2.0 MTPA Cement GU within the premises of Satpura Thermal Power Station in Sarni, MP.
- OCL also has a large high quality limestone mining lease in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, providing the potential to set up additional 6 MTPA capacity in North India.
- The acquisition of OCL complements Ambuja’s existing cement footprint, reducing overall lead distances and logistics costs for the cement business and improving market share in our core markets.
- Acquisition will be funded through internal accruals, Ambuja remains debt free.
Ahmedabad, 22 October 2024: Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of Adani Cement and part of the diversified Adani Group, today announced the signing of a binding agreement for the acquisition of Orient Cement Ltd (OCL) at an equity value of Rs. 8,100 crore. Ambuja will acquire 46.8% shares of OCL from its current promoters and certain public shareholders. The acquisition will be fully funded through internal accruals.
“This timed acquisition marks another significant step forward in Ambuja Cements’ accelerated growth journey, increasing cement capacity by ~30 MTPA within two years of Ambuja’s acquisition,” said Mr Karan Adani, Director of Ambuja Cements. “By acquiring OCL, Ambuja is poised to reach 100 MTPA cement capacity in FY 25. The acquisition will help to expand Adani Cement’s presence in core markets and improve its pan-India market share by 2%. OCL’s assets are highly efficient, equipped with railway sidings and well supported by captive power plants, renewable energy, WHRS and AFR facilities. OCL’s strategic locations, high-quality limestone reserves and requisite statutory approvals present an opportunity to increase cement capacity in the near term to 16.6 MTPA.”
Mr CK Birla, Chairman of Orient Cement and the CK Birla Group, said, “The CK Birla Group is continuously reallocating capital to sharpen its focus on consumer centric, technology driven and service-based businesses. I take pride in Orient Cement’s impressive track record of building premium brands and maintaining a leading market share in the geographies it operates in. We are confident that the Adani Group, with its strong focus on cement and infrastructure, is the ideal new owner to drive continued growth at Orient Cement for our people and stakeholders”.
Ms Amita Birla, Co-Chairman, CK Birla Group, added, “Orient Cement has a strong market presence, with sustainability initiatives, particularly in renewable energy, being a significant part of its DNA. I am convinced that Ambuja Cements is the right home for all our colleagues at Orient Cement, as well as our customers.”
OCL has 5.6 MTPA clinker capacity and 8.5 MTPA cement capacity along with statutory clearance to increase the clinker capacity by another 6.0 MTPA and cement capacity by another 8.1 MTPA. In addition, OCL also has a limestone mining lease in Chittorgarh for setting up an Integrated Unit (IU) with clinker of 4 MTPA and a split Grinding Unit (GU) of 6 MTPA in North India. OCL has also secured a concession from MPPGCL, Madhya Pradesh for setting up a Grinding Unit within the premises of Satpura Thermal Power Plant. Both these complement the Adani Group’s existing cement footprint. (Refer Annexure – 1 for OCL’s location wise cement capacity and other assets and Annexure – 2 for Adani Cement’s footprint post-acquisition of OCL.)
OCL has recently commissioned a WHRS in Chittapur IU and is in the final stage of commissioning 16 MW solar in Chittapur and 3.7 MW solar in Jalgaon. OCL’s efficient plants, highly motivated teams, strong balance sheet and well-distributed dealer network will be excellent additions to the Adani Group’s existing cement business. OCL’s existing dealers will move to Adani Cement’s market network, creating formidable synergies.
Ambuja plans to optimize OCL’s overall capacity utilization to enhance its cost and competitiveness and improve its operating performance while leveraging the synergies inherent in the existing cement business.
About Ambuja Cements Ltd (ACL)
Ambuja Cements Ltd is one of India’s leading cement companies and a member of the diversified Adani Group – the largest and fastest growing portfolio of diversified sustainable businesses. Ambuja, with its subsidiaries ACC Ltd, Penna Cement Industries Ltd and Sanghi Industries Ltd, has taken the Adani Group’s cement capacity to 88.9 MTPA, with 20 integrated cement manufacturing plants, 20 cement grinding units and 12 bulk terminals across the country. Ambuja has been recognized among ‘India’s Most Trusted Cement Brand’ by TRA Research in its Brand Trust Report, 2024 and among ‘Iconic Brands of India’ by The Economic Times. Ambuja has provided hassle-free, home-building solutions with its unique sustainable development projects and environment-friendly practices since it started operations. The company has many firsts to its credit – a captive port with six terminals that facilitates timely, cost-effective and cleaner shipments of bulk cement to its customers. Its innovative products like Ambuja Cement, Ambuja Plus, Ambuja Compocem and Ambuja Kawach are now listed in the GRIHA product catalogue. These products not only fulfil important customer needs but also help in significantly reducing their carbon footprints. Being a frontrunner in sustainable business practices, Ambuja Cements ranks among ‘India’s Top 50 companies contributing to inclusive growth’ by SKOCH and ‘India’s Top 50 Most Sustainable Companies’ Cross-Industry by BW Businessworld.
For further information on this release, please contact: roy.paul@adani.com
Annexure -1 | Existing Cement Assets of Orient Cement Limited
Plant | Clinker
(MTPA) |
Cement
(MTPA) |
CPP/WHRS/Solar | Railway Siding |
Devapur IU, Telangana | 3.5 | 3.5 | CPP – 50 MW | Yes |
Chittapur IU, Karnataka | 2.1 | 3.0 | CPP – 45 MW
WHRS – 10 MW Solar – 16 MW* |
Yes |
Jalgaon GU, Maharashtra | – | 2.0 | Solar – 13.5 MW+
3.7 MW* |
Yes |
Operational Capacity | 5.6 | 8.5 |
* capacity is in commissioning stage
Annexure – 2 | Footprint of Adani Group – Cement business post OCL Acquisition
Economy & Market
Fornnax Announces a Major Launch With Sr Max Series: Sr-max2500 Primary Shredder a Revolutionary and Game-changer
Published
4 weeks agoon
October 18, 2024By
adminFornnax, a renowned shredding and recycling equipment provider with years of experience in designing and developing SR-Series dual shaft shredders, has unveiled its advanced level SR-MAX2500 shredder specially designed for the Municipal Solid Waste category.
The launch was held IFAT India 2024, a most prestigious event in the waste management industry, on October 16th, 2024, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai.
Fornnax’s successful track record of developing many proven machines for different types of tires, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, which are the most difficult applications has made them a pioneer in the shredding and recycling equipment manufacturing global market over the decade now. The design of the SR-Series machine, a legacy that has prevailed for over a decade, continues to be used in the design of SR-MAX series machines. The advanced SR-MAX2500 shredder features high capacity, modern engineering, and innovative technology.
The remarkable event was inaugurated by Mr Ulhas Parlikar, Ex-Director of Geocycle India; Mr Sanjay Shripatrao Katkar IAS (Municipal Commissioner and Administrator) MBMC; Mr Sharad Nanegaonkar Executive Engineer (Water Supply and Sewerage Department) MBMC; Mr Deepak Khambit (City Engineer) MBMC; Mr Jignesh Kundaria CEO & Director of Fornnax Technology Pvt. Ltd.;
Mr Manoj Kumar Sure, JK Cement Head AFR; Mr Manoj Kumar Modha, Director of Millennium Multi Trade Pvt. Ltd.
Jignesh Kundaria, CEO and Director of Fornnax, shared insights into their newly launched innovation, “With the SR-MAX2500, we’re poised to transform the waste management landscape in India and beyond. Our goal is to line up municipal waste recycling industries with a robust, efficient, and sustainable solution. Our commitment to sustainability and enhancing recycling process is a step forward towards achieving PM’s vision of a Net Zero emissions future by 2050.”
Revolutionizing Waste Reduction: The SR-MAX2500 Advantage We’re excited to introduce the Fornnax SR-MAX2500, a revolutionary primary shredder designed for efficient volume reduction of diverse materials. This high-capacity machine boasts advanced modern engineering and technology, featuring hydraulic motors driving each shaft for optimal power and torque. Its unique cutter design, replaceable cutting table, and shaft design make it an ideal solution for various applications.
Waste Management Reimagined! SR-MAX2500 Primary Applications Our primary focus for the SR-MAX2500 is serving large-scale municipal waste recyclers, cement plants, waste-to-energy plants, mechanical biological treatment facilities, materials recovery centres, construction and demolition recyclers, aluminium recyclers, and other applications requiring highcapacity machines and robust technology.
The SR-MAX2500’s Impressive ROI Streak The SR-MAX2500 offers several commercial benefits, including increased efficiency, reduced operational costs, and enhanced productivity as it is specially designed for the Indian market. Its robust design and advanced technology ensure minimal downtime, maximizing profitability for our customers. Additionally, our commitment to quality and reliability helps build long-term relationships with clients, fostering loyalty and repeat business.
Innovation Meets Efficiency: Why Choose the SR-MAX2500? Fornnax has carved out a distinctive niche in the highly competitive market and its relevance stems from a unique, tailored approach that addresses specific needs. Thus, the SR-MAX2500 shredder differentiates itself through its versatility, catering to a diverse array of waste management and user needs, specifically designed for Indian waste, which is highly contaminated compared to global waste. Additionally, our unwavering focus on innovation, quality, and customer-centricity sets us apart from competitors and establishes our position in the market.
Turning Trash into Treasure with MSW Waste As you see due to the rapid urbanization and over population, India is among the world’s top 10 countries generating municipal solid waste (MSW) and generates around 62 million tons of waste in a year. Therefore, it is extremely critical to prioritize recycling and conversion of MSW into RDF fuel. Cement industry, which uses a significant amount of coal. Cement industries substituting coal with RDF or alternate fuel to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources like coal and more and ultimately minimise the waste disposal issues.
Fornnax’s Exceptional Contribution to India’s Sustainability Goals India has made significant strides in waste management and recycling, and with continued investment, innovation, and policy support, there’s no doubt it can achieve its goals. Fornnax is committed to contributing to India’s sustainability and waste management journey through their advanced recycling solutions, supporting the country’s transition to a more circular and environmentally conscious economy.
Fornnax’s Unwavering Commitment to R&D and Innovative Solutions Fornnax stays updated with global advancements in recycling technology and sustainability practices through several key strategies, such as we invest heavily in research and development to ensure our equipment are at the forefront of technological innovation. Our team closely monitors industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes to identify potential opportunities for improvement. We also actively seek feedbacks from our valued clients to understand their evolving needs and challenges. This input helps us identify areas where we can boost our meet market demands.
Expanding Horizons: Fornnax’s Growth Plans for the Year Ahead The SR-MAX2500 launch is a strategic step towards expanding our market presence and strengthening our position as a leading shredder manufacturer around the globe.
Also, we are optimistic about the coming year, driven by the growing demand for sustainable waste management solutions and the increasing awareness of environmental issues. We are actively investing in equipment enhancement, engineering, and strengthening our partnerships to meet the evolving needs of our customers. Fornnax’s focus areas for the next year include expanding the manufacturing capacity to meet the rising demand and we already started working on it by acquiring 23-acre land parcel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The new site is expected to become operational by March 2025. Its focus will be on producing high-capacity machinery applicable in tyre, cable recycling, ewaste, metal processing and more.
About Fornnax FORNNAX is one of the world’s leading shredding and recycling equipment manufacturers, offering Primary shredders, Secondary shredders and Granulators for tyres, municipal solid waste, cables, e-waste, aluminium and many other industrial applications. Quick after-sales services that increase our customer’s uptime and productivity.
We are committed to shaping the landscape for sustainable recycling solutions in the future. Because we’re not just selling equipment, we’re building business. That’s what we believe. That’s who we are. Fornnax Equipment is built with the idea that the simple, most significant and heaviest is better. Our equipment is an evolution of advanced products designed for the challenges of the recycling world.
The global sales partner network makes us successful worldwide. Our corporate culture is based on our history of providing value to our customers’ success worldwide. This motivates our employees to work together, develop innovative products, and produce high-quality equipment.
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