Concrete

Bridge Collapse Spurs Focus on Stainless Steel

Climate change prompts stainless steel push.

Published

2 years ago

September 13, 2024

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The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is turning its attention to the use of stainless steel in bridge construction to counteract corrosion, an increasing issue linked to climate change. With recent bridge collapses highlighting the vulnerability of existing infrastructure to corrosion and extreme weather events, the ministry is promoting the adoption of durable materials like stainless steel to ensure the longevity and safety of India’s critical transport infrastructure.

Key Points:

Bridge Collapse and Climate Change: Recent incidents of bridge collapses across the country have raised alarm over the durability of current construction materials, with corrosion cited as a leading cause. Climate change, leading to harsher weather patterns and increased moisture levels, has accelerated the deterioration of key infrastructure. This has prompted MoRTH to consider long-term solutions to combat these challenges.

Corrosion: A Growing Concern: Corrosion of structural materials has become a serious issue, particularly in coastal and high-moisture regions. The Ministry has identified the need for a more resilient approach, emphasizing the use of stainless steel, known for its resistance to corrosion. This shift is seen as crucial in ensuring the longevity of India’s bridges and reducing maintenance costs over time.

Stainless Steel for Bridge Construction: Stainless steel, while more expensive initially, offers long-term savings due to its durability and resistance to environmental factors like moisture and salt. The Ministry is advocating for the material’s use in future bridge projects, particularly in areas prone to corrosion. Stainless steel is seen as a solution that can withstand the pressures of both natural elements and increasing traffic loads.

Government’s Proactive Steps: The government, through MoRTH, has started consulting with experts in the field of metallurgy and civil engineering to explore the expanded use of stainless steel. They are considering updates to construction standards and specifications to incorporate this material in new and rehabilitated infrastructure projects.

Economic Considerations: Although the initial investment in stainless steel may be higher than conventional materials, the reduced need for repairs and replacements makes it a cost-effective option in the long run. This approach also aligns with the government’s push for sustainable infrastructure that can withstand the test of time and climate change effects.

Future of Indian Infrastructure: With the push for stronger, more durable infrastructure, the Ministry’s move to adopt stainless steel for bridge construction marks a shift towards building climate-resilient structures. The use of this material is expected to not only enhance the safety and longevity of bridges but also reduce the financial burden on the government for constant repairs.

Industry Perspective: The stainless steel industry sees this shift as an opportunity to expand its market, particularly in the infrastructure sector. Stakeholders are engaging with the government to demonstrate the benefits of stainless steel, advocating for its increased use not just in bridges but across various infrastructure projects.

Conclusion: In response to the growing threat of climate change and its impact on infrastructure, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is prioritizing the use of stainless steel in bridge construction to combat corrosion and ensure the long-term durability of critical transport structures.

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UltraTech to Deploy 600+ Electric Trucks by Dec 2026

Cement major expands green logistics to cut emissions across supply chain

Published

23 hours ago

September 3, 2026

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UltraTech Cement Limited, an Aditya Birla Group company, plans to expand its electric vehicle fleet in logistics operations to more than 600 EV trucks by December 2026, strengthening its green transport initiatives.

The company has signed service agreements with leading EV prime mover manufacturers, including Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, IPLTech, Energy in Motion and Sany, along with their subsidiaries and logistics partners, for deploying electric trucks.

The expanded fleet will transport around five million MT of clinker and other key materials annually across Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odisha. Once operational, the fleet is expected to reduce annual CO₂ emissions by over 1,17,000 tonnes and replace nearly 39 million litres of diesel consumption.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said the company is extending sustainability beyond its manufacturing plants by adopting greener logistics solutions and decarbonising its value chain.

UltraTech has been among the early adopters of sustainable transport in the cement sector, introducing CNG trucks in 2021 and electric trucks in 2024. The company currently operates more than 850 trucks under its green logistics programme, including CNG and electric vehicles.

With a grey cement capacity exceeding 200 MTPA in India, UltraTech is integrating electrification across its logistics network, covering mine-to-plant movement and inter-plant transportation of clinker and other materials.

Concrete

UltraTech Cement expands green logistics with 600+ electric truck fleet

Published

1 day ago

September 3, 2026

admin

The e-truck fleet will be used to transport five million MT of clinker and other key materials with potential of over 1,17,000 tonnes of net annual CO₂ reduction, displacing the equivalent of 39 million litres of diesel per year.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited, an Aditya Birla Group company and the world’s largest cement company by sales volume and capacity outside China, has announced that it will scale up its electric vehicle fleet in its logistics operations to 600+ EV trucks by December 2026.

UltraTech has signed service contracts with leading EV prime mover manufacturers including Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, IPLTech, Energy in Motion and Sany, along with their subsidiaries and other third-party logistics providers, to deploy EV trucks.

The total fleet of 600+ EV trucks will transport about five million MT of clinker and other key materials per annum across Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odisha. Once fully operational, this fleet of over 600 EV trucks will enable a net annual CO₂ reduction of more than 1,17,000 tonnes, displacing the equivalent of 39 million litres of diesel per year.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “UltraTech is expanding sustainability beyond its plants by adopting greener logistics solutions. This large-scale transition to green logistics underscores our focus on decarbonising every link of our value chain and supports our commitment to achieving Net Zero.”

UltraTech has been a pioneer in advancing sustainable transport in the cement sector, being the first cement company to deploy heavy-duty electric trucks for long-haul transport of clinker and other materials at scale. The company was among the first in India to introduce green logistics, deploying CNG trucks in 2021 and electric trucks in 2024. UltraTech currently operates 850+ trucks as part of its green logistics operations, including CNG and electric trucks.

UltraTech, with a grey cement capacity of over 200 MTPA in India, operates one of the country’s most complex logistics networks. Its electrification strategy covers the entire supply chain—from mine-to-plant movement to inter-plant transport of clinker and other key materials.

The $ 10 billion UltraTech, the cement flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total Grey Cement capacity of 205.5 MTPA and White Cement/Putty capacity of 3.2 MTPA. It is a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the Net Zero Concrete roadmap announced by GCCA.

Concrete

CarbonStrong Raises Rs 125 Million To Scale Low Carbon Cement Tech

To build capacity of 100,000 tonnes a year

Published

7 days ago

August 28, 2026

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CarbonStrong has raised Rs 125 million (125 mn) to scale a low carbon cement technology and build commercial production capacity. The startup was founded in 2022 by Harsh Jain and Vikramaditya Singh and has moved from customer trials to plans for industrial supply. The company said its material replaces up to 50 per cent of cement in concrete while reducing costs and improving durability.

CarbonStrong states the product is around 30 per cent cheaper than cement and compatible with existing concrete plants, reducing the need for new equipment and operational disruption. Trials and paid pilots have been conducted in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai with demonstration projects involving ready-mix firms and precast manufacturers. Compatibility with current workflows forms a central part of the commercial strategy, aiming to ease adoption by builders and contractors.

The funding will support construction of a facility with capacity of up to 100,000 tonnes (100,000 t) a year over the next two years to supply early customers commercially. The firm is also developing materials from steel slag, copper slag and mine tailings to expand its feedstock base, while noting the technical challenge of homogenising different waste streams. Recognition by HCL ClimaForce in 2026 and by the Avaana-Startup India-NITI Aayog AIM Grand Challenge in 2025 has underscored progress.

Industry adoption remains the principal test and will require consistent material performance, supply reliability and competitive economics. CarbonStrong projects the Indian market for cement substitutes could reach Rs 250 billion (250 bn) by 2030 and has set an ambition to produce 10 million tonnes a year by 2035 (10 mn t), a target far above its near term capacity. Moving from pilots to production demands capital, manufacturing discipline and customers willing to specify the material beyond demonstrations. The recent Rs 125 million raise is intended to fund the next phase of scale and to demonstrate that industrial waste can become a dependable input for lower carbon construction.