Concrete

Ultratech sources VRM from Gebr. Pfeiffer

Published

2 years ago

April 27, 2024

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Ultratech Cement will once again use the state-of-the-art vertical roller mill technology from Gebr. Pfeiffer, to build three new clinker production lines.

As Ultratech Cement gears up for its three new clinker production lines, a corresponding follow-up order was awarded to Gebr. Pfeiffer SE, Germany, and its Indian subsidiary Gebr. Pfeiffer (India).

As the largest cement plant operator in India and one of the top ten in the world, Ultratech Cement from Mumbai, India, is contributing to shaping the future of the cement industry. At their Happy 3 plant, the cement raw material will be ground in an MVR 5000 R-4 mill. With a 5,300-kW drive, this mill can grind approx. 705 tph to a product fineness of 1.5 per cent R 212 µm. The integrated SLS 5300 VR high-efficiency classifier, with optimised flow and electrical efficiency, separates the product to achieve the target fineness.

For the grinding of approx. 45 t/h of pet coke or approx. 90 t/h of coal, three vertical roller mills of the type MPS 3550 BK will be supplied. These are equipped with a 1,300-kW gearbox, as standard. By using Pfeiffer MPS mills, Ultratech is able to process both pet coke and coal, as well as any mixture of these two materials, at the same speed of the grinding bowl, thus avoiding three expensive frequency converters. The new coal mills will be equipped with an integrated high-efficiency classifier type SLS 3750 BK of the latest design.

It is important for UltraTech’s stock of spare parts that the latest MVR mills are characterised by grinding rollers based on the R=C principle, as this brings significant advantages for the customer. It means that these mills are equipped with grinding rollers that, equipped with the corresponding grinding elements, can be used, along with the appropriate power modules, for raw meal grinding as well as for cement grinding.

As the components of rollers, grinding roller suspension system, roller arms in cement and raw mills are identical with the ones which the customer has already received from Gebr. Pfeiffer, he requires a smaller number of spare parts in stock. This is because the components mentioned can be used for all his cement and raw mills.

The MVR 5000 R-4 mill for the Happy 3 plant has four actively redundant grinding rollers and can also be operated with two grinding rollers in the event of planned or unplanned maintenance work. This mill can then still produce approximately 70 per cent of the nominal capacity, so that the cement rotary kiln can continue to be fed with raw material.

The MVR mills are equipped by Gebr. Pfeiffer with the modern systems for preventive, maintenance-oriented condition monitoring. This will enable the customer to implement modern, digital maintenance concepts. The MPS mills will be prepared to include such options at a later point in time.

Order execution will be jointly by the subsidiary Gebr. Pfeiffer (India) and Gebr. Pfeiffer SE (Germany). The entire customer support and plant engineering will be carried out by competent Pfeiffer engineers in Noida.

The core components, such as gearbox, grinding bowl, grinding roller suspension system and the grinding rollers, are supplied from Europe by Gebr. Pfeiffer SE. The remaining components, such as the foundation parts, the housings, the classifiers and most of the plant components will be provided by Gebr. Pfeiffer (India).

The Customer Support Centre in Noida, being close to the customer, will later also provide support for the plants. This can be done in real terms by sending personnel to the plants or via remote data access.

For this purpose, Gebr. Pfeiffer offers hardware and software solutions, which are supported by competent technical personnel during normal office hours, if possible, in the local language. The picture shows an MVR mill of similar size (Type MVR 5000 R-4).

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Concrete

Cement Prices Likely to Rise Rs. 10-15 per Bag from Mid-October

Input costs and steady demand may drive cement price increases

Published

12 hours ago

October 14, 2026

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Cement manufacturers in India are likely to raise prices by Rs. 10-15 per bag from mid-October, as they seek to offset persistent increases in power and fuel costs. Emkay Research said its channel checks indicated a high probability of an increase from October 12, supported by the start of the busy construction season and favourable demand-supply conditions.

The sector had implemented similar rate adjustments of Rs. 10-15 per bag during the first quarter, but the increases were insufficient to cover higher operating costs. Prices also softened during July and August because of the monsoon, widening the gap between realisations and input expenses. Delayed plant expansion programmes have pushed clinker utilisation rates towards 79 per cent by FY28, helping to balance market fundamentals.

Emkay Research said steady volume offtake was supporting cement consumption, with non-trade demand driving activity across regional markets. Industry volumes are expected to grow by 7-8 per cent year on year during the first half of FY27, while demand momentum is projected to remain firm over the following 18 months. The outlook includes the busy construction season in the second half of FY27 and infrastructure activity linked to general elections in the first half of calendar year 2029.

The brokerage expects overall cement demand to record a compound annual growth rate of about 7 per cent between FY26 and FY28. However, elevated operating expenses are likely to continue weighing on profitability. Input costs have risen by Rs. 300-400 per t over the past six to seven months, with the full impact expected to become visible in second-quarter earnings and remain persistent through the second half of FY27.

Spot prices for petcoke and imported coal are approximately 20 per cent and 16 per cent above their second-quarter averages, at USD 175 per t and USD 150 per t, respectively. Packing costs have also increased, with polypropylene granule prices rising above Rs. 135 per kg. Emkay Research estimated that second-quarter earnings could decline by Rs. 200-250 per t sequentially because of higher fuel bills and negative operating leverage, and said the sector requires sustained price increases of about Rs. 10 per bag to offset cost inflation.

Concrete

Nuvoco Marks 10 Years, Targets 35 MMTPA Capacity by FY28

Nuvoco celebrates a decade of growth, targeting 35 MMTPA cement capacity by FY28.

Published

2 days ago

October 13, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited is celebrating a decade of operations under the theme ‘Dus Saal Bemisaal’, highlighting its expansion in India’s building materials sector. The company has grown from a single cement manufacturing facility into a diversified organisation operating across cement, ready-mix concrete (RMC) and modern building materials.

The company’s journey began in 2014 when its parent, Nirma Group, commissioned a 2 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) greenfield cement plant at Nimbol, Rajasthan. A major milestone followed in October 2016 with the acquisition of Lafarge India, significantly expanding its manufacturing footprint.

Nuvoco strengthened its market presence through the acquisition of Emami Cement, now NU Vista Limited, in 2020, followed by its public listing in 2021. In April 2025, the company added Vadraj Cement to its portfolio, strengthening its presence in western India.

Nuvoco has an operating cement capacity of 27 MMTPA and 14 manufacturing units, including the Kutch and Sachana facilities in Gujarat, which are in advanced stages of completion. It also operates 58 ready-mix concrete plants across India and offers a range of modern building materials.

The company aims to increase its cement capacity to 35 MMTPA by FY2027-28, representing approximately 15-fold growth over the decade.

Reflecting on the milestone, Hiren Patel, Chairman, Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited, said, “From our beginnings at Nimbol to the organisation we are today, every milestone has added a new chapter to Nuvoco’s journey and strengthened our belief in building for the long term.”

The company continues to focus on capacity expansion, operational efficiency, innovation and sustainability while strengthening its position in India’s construction materials market.

Concrete

J&K Government Notifies City Gas Distribution Policy

Policy targets PNG and CNG expansion across all 20 districts

Published

2 days ago

October 13, 2026

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Jammu and Kashmir government has notified the City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy, 2026, following its approval by the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The policy sets out a phased framework for expanding Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) access for households, businesses, industries and the transport sector across the Union Territory.

CGD networks will be expanded in phases across all 20 districts, with the aim of bringing reliable natural gas closer to consumers and supporting a gradual shift from conventional fuels. The government said the policy is designed to improve energy access while creating an investor-friendly and time-bound environment for gas distribution projects.

The policy provides for single-window and time-bound clearances, streamlined procedures for setting up CNG stations and standardised norms for the Right of Way. These measures are intended to reduce procedural delays, simplify project implementation and facilitate investment in natural gas infrastructure.

It also prioritises gas connectivity for major industrial estates, including those in Kathua, Samba and Pulwama. Improved access to natural gas is expected to support industrial activity, enhance energy efficiency and help businesses manage fuel costs, while strengthening their competitiveness and encouraging investment in the clean-energy sector.

The policy is also expected to create opportunities for local employment, apprenticeships and skill development in the construction, operation and maintenance of gas distribution networks and related services. Abdullah described the measure as an important step towards cleaner growth, sustainable development and a modern energy ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it would expand reliable energy access and support industry and investment.