Concrete

Keeping all gears in action

Published

4 years ago

March 7, 2022

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High performing lubricants, oils and greases are instrumental to the smooth working of a cement plant. Indian Cement Review takes a closer look at their contribution in enhancing productivity and helping companies achieve sustainability goals as well as the development of cost-effective bio-lubricants.

The cement manufacturing process is heavy duty. Activities such as carrying mined limestone on quarry belts to the pyroprocessor where clinker is produced at high heat levels cause immense load and severe operating conditions for equipment such as kilns, ball mills, conveyors and quarry-side mobile plants. The cement making machinery works around the clock, subjecting its components like gearboxes and bearings to overheating and premature wear and tear.

It is essential that care be taken and regular maintenance work be done for each of these equipment as the plant shall endure heavy financial and production losses if there is machinery failure, shutdown or loss of heat and energy in the mining area or manufacturing plants. To avoid such a situation and any unscheduled downtime, maintenance operators and managers invest in high performing lubricants, oils and greases that reduce the harm on machinery components.

Lubricants at work

Specially formulated lubricants are required at all stages of the cement making process, namely, extraction, crushing, conveying, grinding, clinker production, grinding and some general lubricants are needed for processes that happen in between.

Selecting the right lubricant for every machinery can be challenging. It isn’t about the equipment but the environment in which the machinery is operating that can vary from season to season depending on the plant’s location. This factor must be carefully considered while deciding which lubricants, oils or greases would work best for the machinery and the plant’s systems.

Productivity enhancement

Challenging operating conditions, continuous operations especially for the processing equipment such as the kilns, ball mills, conveyors and quarry-side mobile plants can lead to premature wear and tear or be subjected to overheating. Plant operators must maintain and choose the right lubricants to prevent any unscheduled downtime and costly additional maintenance, as well as safeguard their bottom line performance. Lubricants may cost upto 1 to 2 per cent of any cement company’s overall expense but play a key role in preventing major costs that may occur due to a faulty operation or shutdown.

Productivity of a cement plant is dependent on smooth operations, which in turn is dependent on the flawless functioning of plant machinery right from the point of extraction to packaging and exit of materials. Sustainability Goals
Specialty lubricants with innovative formulae have been created with research that help obtain operational excellence and support the balance of carbon emission in the industry. A systematic approach can lead the way of using these specialty lubricants in the cement plants if necessary to achieve the objectives.

Innovative lubricant manufacturers have developed cost-effective bio-lubricants. These eco-friendly lubricants can also be a great replacement for the lubricants that have graphite. It makes their handling and disposal safe for the work men and the environment.

Multiple organisations are putting in an effort to create lubricants with special formulations that support the intense conditions the machinery of a cement plant endures. From dust, water, pressure, vibrations or weight, the right lubricant applied in the correct manner can make productivity efficient, can avoid untimely shut downs and support the cement industry to make their processes run in a smooth and timely manner. It is essential that close attention is paid in selection of these lubricants as well as their maintenance, drainage and disposal.

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Nuvoco Vistas Reports Record Q2 EBITDA, Expands Capacity to 35 MTPA

Cement Major Nuvoco Posts Rs 3.71 bn EBITDA in Q2 FY26

Published

4 days ago

October 22, 2025

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Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., one of India’s leading building materials companies, has reported its highest-ever second-quarter consolidated EBITDA of Rs 3.71 billion for Q2 FY26, reflecting an 8% year-on-year revenue growth to Rs 24.58 billion. Cement sales volume stood at 4.3 MMT during the quarter, driven by robust demand and a rising share of premium products, which reached an all-time high of 44%.

The company continued its deleveraging journey, reducing like-to-like net debt by Rs 10.09 billion year-on-year to Rs 34.92 billion. Commenting on the performance, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, said, “Despite macro headwinds, disciplined execution and focus on premiumisation helped us achieve record performance. We remain confident in our structural growth trajectory.”

Nuvoco’s capacity expansion plans remain on track, with refurbishment of the Vadraj Cement facility progressing towards operationalisation by Q3 FY27. In addition, the company’s 4 MTPA phased expansion in eastern India, expected between December 2025 and March 2027, will raise its total cement capacity to 35 MTPA by FY27.

Reinforcing its sustainability credentials, Nuvoco continues to lead the sector with one of the lowest carbon emission intensities at 453.8 kg CO? per tonne of cementitious material.

Concrete

Jindal Stainless to Invest $150 Mn in Odisha Metal Recovery Plant

New Jajpur facility to double metal recovery capacity and cut emissions

Published

1 week ago

October 17, 2025

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Jindal Stainless Limited has announced an investment of $150 million to build and operate a new wet milling plant in Jajpur, Odisha, aimed at doubling its capacity to recover metal from industrial waste. The project is being developed in partnership with Harsco Environmental under a 15-year agreement.

The facility will enable the recovery of valuable metals from slag and other waste materials, significantly improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The initiative aligns with Jindal Stainless’s sustainability roadmap, which focuses on circular economy practices and low-carbon operations.

In financial year 2025, the company reduced its carbon footprint by about 14 per cent through key decarbonisation initiatives, including commissioning India’s first green hydrogen plant for stainless steel production and setting up the country’s largest captive solar energy plant within a single industrial campus in Odisha.

Shares of Jindal Stainless rose 1.8 per cent to Rs 789.4 per share following the announcement, extending a 5 per cent gain over the past month.

Concrete

Vedanta gets CCI Approval for Rs 17,000 MnJaiprakash buyout

Acquisition marks Vedanta’s expansion into cement, real estate, and infra

Published

1 week ago

October 17, 2025

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Vedanta Limited has received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) for approximately Rs 17,000 million under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process. The move marks Vedanta’s strategic expansion beyond its core mining and metals portfolio into cement, real estate, and infrastructure sectors.

Once the flagship of the Jaypee Group, JAL has faced severe financial distress with creditors’ claims exceeding Rs 59,000 million. Vedanta emerged as the preferred bidder in a competitive auction, outbidding the Adani Group with an overall offer of Rs 17,000 million, equivalent to Rs 12,505 million in net present value terms. The payment structure involves an upfront settlement of around Rs 3,800 million, followed by annual instalments of Rs 2,500–3,000 million over five years.

The National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), which acquired the group’s stressed loans from a State Bank of India-led consortium, now leads the creditor committee. Lenders are expected to take a haircut of around 71 per cent based on Vedanta’s offer. Despite approvals for other bidders, Vedanta’s proposal stood out as the most viable resolution plan, paving the way for the company’s diversification into new business verticals.