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“Our system is made for the end user”

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Prashant Verma, Co-Founder and India Head, Nanoprecise Data Services, helps us in amping up our understanding of how AI and IoT works for the benefit of industry stakeholders.

Tell us about the concept of Nanoprecise asset maintenance systems and products.
Nanoprecise is an AI and IoT-based predictive and prescriptive maintenance solutions provider that specialises in the implementation of Artificial Intelligence and IoT technology for predictive asset maintenance and reducing the carbon footprint of manufacturing plants. The integrated AI-based solution consists of a unique 6-in-1 IoT sensor and an AI-based automated analytics platform.
The wireless sensor offers real-time insights about the health and performance of industrial assets, by measuring 6 important parameters of vibration, acoustic, speed, magnetic flux, temperature and humidity. It works on Cellular networks (3G/4G/5G) using an e-sim to connect the machines to the internet. MachineDoctor is Atex and IECEx Zone 0 certified, enabling it to be used within explosive atmospheres/hazardous industrial environments, thereby bringing productivity and safety benefits to manufacturing operations. It also complies to international standards such as C1D2, IP68, FCC/ISED/CE/UKCA and RED. They are truly wireless, which also helps to avoid the hassles of complex wiring. It offers extensive coverage and provides a high level of security for communication.
The AI-based energy efficiency and health analytics platform analyses complex machine health data using a combination of Artificial Intelligence as well as physics-based models to enhance the life of machines. It helps users to track the performance as well as the energy consumption patterns of motor-driven equipment sets, to prevent unplanned downtime and reduce the carbon footprint. It detects patterns automatically by building a prediction model that identifies when a given equipment and its components are approaching the end of their remaining useful lives (RULs) or risk of failures.
The solution also helps to determine which assets are consuming higher energy and can help maintenance teams to mitigate any inefficiencies in their energy consumption. It not only allows them to reduce the carbon footprint but also enables to save energy costs for businesses, thereby allowing them to achieve their Net-Zero Goals.
The predictive maintenance framework of Nanoprecise brings the sensor data from over from the site to the corporate network, to help maximise the value of information. It allows maintenance teams to monitor every aspect of the manufacturing operation, leading to greater productivity and reduced emissions. It also helps improve the safety of the operators and operations, with real-time data and predicting issues arising from equipment anomalies/faults. In complicated manufacturing operations, this solution can efficiently monitor the health of critical assets, thereby enabling better operational oversight.

Which machines and equipment of the cement plants can your system monitor?
At Nanoprecise Sci Corp, our unwavering commitment to optimising and streamlining processes is reflected in our holistic approach to equipment maintenance. With our keen focus on delivering exceptional solutions, we consider each piece of equipment as a separate entity, ensuring that every aspect of the production process is meticulously monitored and maintained. We provide end-to-end automated solutions that cater to the unique needs of cement manufacturers, specifically targeting the health and performance of rotating machines such as mills and roller presses. Our comprehensive approach extends beyond these processes, as we cover a wide range of equipment in the clinker process, including crushers, silos, bucket elevators, vertical roll mills, fans, motors, and kilns, amongst others. The culmination of these efforts represents our unwavering dedication to providing unparalleled solutions that drive sustainable growth and progress.

Do you offer customisation in your system solutions?
Customers generally have needs and requirements that are unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not meet their specific requisite. Our solution can be customised to meet the individual requirements of the customers with a high level of cybersecurity.
Customisations can help to meet the diverse and evolving needs of customers, while enhancing the usability of the solution. For example, integrations with a range of vertical and horizontal stacks such as CMMS or EAM software such as IBM Maximo provides the meaningful insights and recommendations to the users on the shop floor. In addition, it can even monitor complicated machines like the roller press due to its ability to monitor low and ultra-low speed applications with ease. Moreover, the system can also be deployed on cloud or on-premises servers, thereby allowing for a simple plug and play, hassle-free deployment, without worrying about any extra IT infrastructure.

What is the skill set required for those who are operating your sensors and systems?
Our automated solutions cater to a diverse range of end users, who may possess varying levels of technical expertise, regardless of their department within the cement plant. The system generates real-time alerts that prompt the user to take necessary action, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. In addition, our state-of-the-art dashboard or visualisation layer enables end user monitoring experts to view data from multiple dimensions, delivering an intuitive and user-friendly interface. The seamless integration of these features enables streamlined and optimised operations within the cement plant.

How does data help you better your product?
Cement plants generate a large amount of data that can be leveraged for better operational performance. However, simply collecting data is not enough; it must be analysed and acted upon to deliver value.
We use AI + Physics based models to analyse these vast amounts of data and offer insights about the performance of machines and equipment sets. The accuracy of our models is an important factor that allows us to offer meaningful insights to our customers. With more data, the models can better capture the underlying patterns and relationships in the data, resulting in improved accuracy. However, it is important to note that simply having more data is not always sufficient; it must also be of high quality and relevance to the problem at hand.

Is there any innovation in the pipeline that the cement industry should look forward to?
We have a dedicated R&D department that focuses on developing innovative solutions to address the challenges facing the cement industry. Our team of experts works tirelessly to identify new technologies and processes that can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the productivity of our customers.
Our team is currently working on identifying ways and means to corelate the process and equipment parameters of the machines, to provide overall operational visibility. In addition, we are continuously working to improve the capabilities of our sensors to improve their operational efficiency.
With continuous commitment and dedication, we are able to stay at the forefront of innovation and deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers and the industry as a whole. The R&D department is a key part of our commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that we remain a leader in the industry.

Do you have a specific solution that tracks energy consumption and carbon emission?
We recently launched our flagship product – NrgMonitor to help customers track their energy consumption reduce their emissions. NrgMonitor is an Energy Efficiency and Health Analytics Platform that helps manufacturers track their energy efficiency and carbon footprint, along with condition monitoring of their motor-driven equipment. It determines which assets are consuming higher energy and allows maintenance teams to mitigate any inefficiencies in their energy consumption, Moreover, it helps them pinpoint faults with the potential to cause downtime, and identifies when a given equipment is approaching the end of its Remaining Useful Life. It employs a data-driven approach to help operators achieve their Net-Zero goals while preventing unplanned downtime.

-Kanika Mathur

Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

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FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

 

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Concrete

Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

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Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

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Concrete

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

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Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

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