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Concrete

We prioritise efficient management and optimisation

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Pralhad Mujumdar, President, RMC, Aggregates and Construction Chemicals, Infra.Market, focusses on minimising environmental impact by placing emphasis on efficient and optimal use of raw materials, resources, workforce, energy, time and money.

Tell us about the manufacturing capacity of your plants and their regional diversity.
The rated manufacturing capacity of our plants ranges from 60 to 120 cubic metres per hour, with a production efficiency exceeding 80 per cent. We are proud to have a total of 84 plants located throughout 50+ cities in India, ensuring to efficiently meet the demands of our customers across the country.

Tell us more about the concrete mix of various grades and qualities that are produced by your organisation.
Our company is dedicated to providing top-quality concrete mixes for a wide range of applications, ranging from M5 to M80. This comprehensive range of concrete mixes allows us to cater to the diverse needs of our clients and ensures to provide the perfect solution for each project.
Our value-added concrete solutions, specially designed to add strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal to structures can be used for a variety of applications, from foundation to ceiling, waterproofing, and architectural concrete solutions.
In addition to the standard mix options and value-added solutions, we offer tailor-made concrete mix that are specifically designed to suit the unique requirement of our customer. Our team of experts works closely with customers to understand their specific needs and challenges, and then develops customised and optimised concrete mix solutions.
Our commitment to quality and innovation has made us a trusted leader in the concrete industry, and we are proud to offer our clients an extensive range of high-quality concrete that is designed to meet their distinct needs and exceed their expectations.

What are the quality standards and control practices established by your organisation?
At Infra.Market, we take quality control and adherence to industry norms as our topmost priority. We ensure that all our concrete mix designs and practices are in line with IS norms and codes of practice. To meet particular requirements, we also adhere to international standards like American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and British Standards (BS).
We conduct stringent quality checks on all incoming raw materials. Concrete trial mixes are also checked frequently in each plant to ensure high-quality output. Our technical team, including certified technologists and American Concrete Institute (ACI) qualified field technicians, ensures quality control throughout the production process. We ensure that every outgoing truck is thoroughly checked by a technical team for the fresh properties of concrete, ensuring that our customers receive consistent quality concrete. Regular education about on-site concrete handling is provided to customers. As a crucial part of our quality assurance process, we conduct cube casting at both the site and plant as per customer requirements and ensure transparency of strength and its durability. We have a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited Innovation and Quality Assurance Centre to support quality control processes.
Our commitment to quality has made us a trusted partner for many of our customers.

Tell us about the role of automation and technology in your ready-mix concrete making process.
We prioritise efficient management and optimisation of manufacturing processes by fully integrating our production lines with ERP systems. We have developed an internal application platform, Phoenix, which enables simplification and transparency in our operations and promotes ease of doing business. Our commitment to rebuilding the future of construction through innovation and technology is reflected in our technology-focused strategy from customer onboarding to final delivery and invoicing. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements and embracing innovative solutions, we have been able to stay ahead of the curve.

How do you incorporate sustainability in concrete mixes? What initiatives have been taken by your organisation?
We prioritise the use of supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), rice husk ash, copper slag, recycled and green aggregates amongst others into our construction processes. These materials are known for their durability and sustainability and are used as substitutes for traditional raw materials. In addition, we have switched to using manufactured sand in place of natural river sand, demonstrating our commitment to eco-friendly construction practices. Through these measures, we aim to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the construction industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.

What are the major challenges faced by your organisation in manufacturing and delivering concrete mixes?
Despite the challenges posed by the unorganised construction sector and traffic restrictions that come along, we have been taking proactive steps to position ourselves for success. By expanding our footprint and increasing our reach, we are efficiently navigating the competitive landscape and attracting new customers. Moreover, one of our significant investments is in human resource recruitment and development that is paying off. We are building a talented and dedicated team that can deliver high quality work. By nurturing our employees and providing opportunities for growth, we are fostering a positive and supportive work environment that encourages creativity and innovation.
We are excited about the future and are confident that our commitment to excellence and innovation will continue to drive our success in the years to come.

How does the use of ready-mix concrete make construction a cost-efficient operation?
Our construction approach has several advantages that benefit both the project and the environment. By minimising inventory holding costs and wastages at the site level, we aim to reduce project duration and overheads. Our focus on speed of execution helps to further reduce project timelines, resulting in increased efficiency and cost savings.
Our commitment to reducing the overall carbon footprint involves incorporating the use of supplementary cementitious materials, which promotes sustainable construction practices, minimises waste, and contributes to our goal of environmental preservation. We place a strong emphasis on efficient and optimal use of raw materials, resources, workforce, energy, time and money. This allows us to deliver high quality work while reducing costs, minimising waste and increasing the durability of the structure, thus reducing repair and maintenance cost.
Overall, our approach is designed to deliver exceptional results while minimising our impact on the environment.

How do you ensure optimum delivery operations and on time delivery for your consumers?
Our company places great emphasis on efficient fleet management through effective use of technology. By implementing seamless ordering solutions and delivery and tracking systems, we provide a hassle-free experience for our customers, resulting in high levels of satisfaction. We place great importance on fuel management to operate in an environmentally responsible manner, reducing carbon emissions and maximising efficiency, which leads to significant cost savings.
With our commitment to efficient fleet management and technology, we provide exceptional service to our customers while minimising our environmental impact.

-Kanika Mathur

Concrete

CII Calls for Greater Alternative Fuel Use in Cement Industry

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The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), through its Green Business Centre and Energy Efficiency Council, inaugurated the 16th Conference on Alternative Fuel and Raw Material Usage (AFR) in Goa on 27 October 2026. The two-day conference brought together more than 350 industry leaders, policymakers, waste management experts and technology providers to explore strategies for accelerating alternative fuel adoption in India’s cement industry.

Held under the theme ‘Preparation for Net-Zero: Alternative Fuels & Raw Material in Cement Manufacturing’, the conference focused on reducing dependence on conventional fuels, improving waste utilisation and strengthening circular economy practices across cement manufacturing operations.

E R Raj Narayanan, Chairman, AFR Conference 2026, and Business Head and Chief Manufacturing Officer, UltraTech Cement, highlighted the industry’s progress in alternative fuel adoption. He emphasised the need to scale implementation, strengthen supply chains and extend circularity beyond fuel substitution to alternative raw materials through technological innovation and industry collaboration.

Harish Adconkar, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation, highlighted Goa’s progress in scientific waste management and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production. He stated that approximately 765,000 tonnes of RDF had been supplied to cement plants, contributing to an estimated displacement of 320,000–560,000 tonnes of coal. He emphasised the importance of consistent RDF offtake and stronger coordination between urban local bodies, waste management agencies and cement manufacturers.

Dr L P Singh, Director General, National Council for Cement and Building Materials, identified AFR as an important opportunity for decarbonisation and resource efficiency. Drawing parallels with the industry’s successful utilisation of fly ash, he stressed the need to address quality, technological and economic challenges to expand alternative fuel adoption.

Dr Sharad P Kale, Special Advisor to the Chief Minister of Goa and former Head of Technology Transfer and Collaboration at BARC, emphasised treating waste as a resource. He highlighted decentralised biodegradable waste processing, reduced food waste and improved resource recovery as essential measures for minimising landfill dependence.

Kiran Ananth, Executive Director, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Green Entrepreneurship, CII-Green Business Centre, noted that India’s cement production reached approximately 491 million tonnes in FY2025-26, while the industry’s thermal substitution rate (TSR) stood at 7.5 per cent, with around 7 million tonnes of alternative fuels utilised annually.

He added that the industry had invested over Rs 12 billion in co-processing infrastructure during the past six years. Improving RDF supply reliability and quality assurance would be crucial to maximising the utilisation of existing infrastructure and accelerating industrial decarbonisation.

The conference also featured discussions on advanced AFR co-processing technologies, waste pre-processing solutions and industrial best practices for improving fuel substitution and resource recovery.

A publication titled ‘From Waste to Kiln: Scaling the Use of MSW-Derived RDF in Indian Cement Plants’ was launched during the inaugural session. The report identified inconsistent RDF supply and quality as major barriers to achieving higher thermal substitution rates.

According to the publication, many cement kilns already possess the technical capability to achieve higher alternative fuel substitution. However, variations in RDF availability, moisture content, particle size and calorific value continue to limit utilisation. The report emphasised the need to strengthen waste segregation, pre-processing and aggregation systems to establish reliable RDF supply chains.

The conference’s second-day agenda includes discussions on innovative domestic and industrial waste management solutions, alternative raw materials for low-carbon cement and strategies to increase alternative fuel utilisation across India’s cement manufacturing sector.

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Concrete

Sameera Group Enters Industrial and Logistics Real Estate

Rs. 1.5 bn project to support manufacturing and supply-chain firms

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Sameera Group has entered the industrial and logistics real estate segment with a 450,000 sq ft development in Sriperumbudur, Chennai. The group will invest Rs. 1.5 bn in the project, expanding beyond residential plotted developments into business-to-business real estate.

The proposed park will serve light manufacturing, e-commerce, third-party logistics and other supply-chain businesses. Building plan approvals have been secured, with construction expected to begin shortly. The development is scheduled to become operational within 12 to 15 months.

Sameera Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Jayakumar Murugesan said the project marked the next stage of the company’s growth after nearly four decades in land acquisition and real estate development. He attributed the choice of Sriperumbudur to its industrial activity and growth prospects.

The Grade A development will include internal movement routes and shared infrastructure for modern manufacturing and logistics operations. The group is pursuing Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Platinum certification and plans to provide rooftop solar readiness, rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, energy and water monitoring, and electric vehicle charging facilities.

The project is being developed amid increased demand for industrial and warehousing space in Chennai. Knight Frank’s India Warehousing Market Report 2026 recorded 8.3 mn sq ft of warehousing transactions in the city during 2025, up 42 per cent from the previous year, with manufacturing accounting for 59 per cent of demand. The Sriperumbudur-Oragadam cluster contributed 77 per cent of transactions.

Sameera Group plans to develop 5 to 6 mn sq ft across a larger industrial and logistics portfolio over the next five years, involving an estimated investment of Rs. 18 bn. Land has been acquired for projects in Chennai, Hosur and Bengaluru. Established in 1982, the group has developed more than 900 acres, sold over 13,700 residential plots, and currently has 35 projects under development and 28 in its pipeline.

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Concrete

UltraTech Cement Expands in Andhra Pradesh with Rs. 26.5 bn

Petnikota plant adds 3.6 MTPA cement dispatch capacity

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UltraTech Cement has expanded its manufacturing footprint in Andhra Pradesh with the commissioning of Petnikota Cement Works, an integrated cement plant built with an investment of around Rs. 26.5 bn. The facility is located in Petnikota village in Kolimigundla mandal of Nandyal district, in the Rayalaseema region.

Construction of the plant began in May 2025. The facility has a clinkerisation capacity of 3.3 MTPA and a cement dispatch capacity of 3.6 MTPA, strengthening the company’s production and distribution presence in the State.

The plant is expected to provide direct employment to 650 people and indirect employment to another 2,000. It has been designed to operate entirely on green energy and does not have a captive thermal power plant. The project also uses no groundwater, according to information released by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology, said in the release that the facility was taken from groundbreaking to commissioning in 14 months. He described the project as a state-of-the-art addition to the company’s operations in the State and said it would create 2,650 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Petnikota Cement Works adds to UltraTech Cement’s manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh while supporting industrial activity in Nandyal district. The plant’s energy design and stated groundwater-use policy are also intended to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. The company has identified the facility as part of its continuing capacity expansion in the Indian cement market.

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