Economy & Market

Recycling Concrete

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2024

Roshna

Cambridge University researchers have invented a groundbreaking method to recycle concrete and steel. ICR brings a special report.

That recycles waste concrete and purifies iron while producing carbon-zero cement, ushering in a transformative era of sustainability in the construction industry. This innovative approach heralds a significant shift towards environmentally friendly practices, potentially shaping the future of global emissions reduction and construction standards.
Concrete and steel have long been touted as the main culprits in CO2 emissions. However, a recent groundbreaking development by the researchers of Cambridge University has brought to light an innovative method that can recycle both concrete and steel simultaneously. This is likely to change the entire world’s outlook towards cement and concrete.
The pioneering new method is aimed at producing completely carbon-zero cement. By integrating waste concrete into steel-processing furnaces, the process not only purifies iron but also yields ‘reactivated cement’ as a byproduct. Utilising renewable energy in this method could lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions compared to conventional production techniques. The innovative approach involves converting old concrete back into clinker, essential for cement production, while utilising a unique lime flux replacement with recycled cement paste.
Initial trials have shown promising results, with potential for industrial-scale implementation to produce substantial amounts of environmentally-friendly cement by 2050. Notably, this advancement not only enhances sustainability in the construction industry but also underscores the broader scope for innovative solutions in achieving zero emissions. A patent has been filed for commercialisation, emphasising the transformative impact of this research, which has been detailed in the Nature journal.
Since concrete is the world’s most used building material, and banks a sizeable 8 per cent of global CO2 emission, recycling concrete has been major roadblock. The revolutionary new development might change the sustainability landscape of the global cement sector for good. While India has been at the forefront of sustainability in cement production, be it the use of alternative fuels and raw materials or other protocols such as waste heat recovery, recycling of concrete to enable cement production is bound to usher in a new era.
Speaking about this interesting development, Dr SB Hegde, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jain College of Engineering and Technology, Hubli, and Visiting Professor, Pennsylvania State University, USA, says, “The Cambridge discovery of zero-carbon cement is a groundbreaking innovation, addressing environmental challenges in both steel purification and cement production by recycling waste concrete in steel-processing furnaces. However, the method’s practicality depends on the integration of steel-processing facilities and consistent waste concrete supplies, posing logistical challenges.
Despite the promising concept, the technical know-how from Cambridge raises questions about the method’s suitability and viability for producing high-quality cement. Parameters such as compressive strength and durability need thorough evaluation. While small-scale trials are encouraging, extensive research and large-scale production trials are essential to ensure consistency and quality. The environmental benefits are clear, significantly reducing the concrete industry’s CO2 emissions, but the scalability, with potential for billion-tonne production by 2050, requires comprehensive studies on integration and supply chain management.
The researchers’ call for reducing excessive concrete use and seeking political support is vital for systemic change, with policy interventions needed for sustainable practices. Cambridge Electric Cement exemplifies innovation in achieving zero emissions, but it requires extensive research before its full potential and practical implementation can be realised, potentially transforming the construction industry and contributing significantly to the fight against climate change.”

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Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

1 week ago

October 9, 2026

admin

Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2026

admin

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA,
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

admin

UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.