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Raunak Singh Chatha, Business Development Manager, Alfa Therm, in conversation with Kanika Mathur about transforming waste into energy with cutting-edge shredding solutions.

Advanced shredding technology is playing a pivotal role in sustainable waste management in the cement industry. Technology-led companies are providing innovative solutions for alternative fuel processing. One such organisation is Alfa Therm, a leading engineering company with over 35 years of expertise. Ronak Singh Chaddha, Business Development Manager, takes us through their tailored industrial solutions that are designed to meet the unique challenges of waste handling and emissions control, in this interesting interaction.

How is Alfa Therm contributing to sustainable waste management and recycling in the cement industry through its advanced shredding?
Alfa Therm is a 35-year-old engineering company based in Gurugram, Haryana. Through its advanced shredding technology, Alfa Therm serves as a one-stop solution for the fuelling requirements of the largest cement groups in the country, and we are currently fulfilling this role successfully. With our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, we ensure the highest quality standards and precision in our industrial solutions. Our manufacturing team comprises over 200 skilled professionals, supported by a highly advanced design team that helps us tailor our products to meet the unique needs of various industries.
Our product range includes incinerators for biomedical waste management, compost machines for organic waste processing, and shredders for producing alternative fuels. The most recent addition to Alfa Therm’s portfolio is pommels and material recycling facilities, which facilitate bio-remediation and land reclamation projects. These projects have been successfully executed across several sites in Delhi and the NCR region.
By combining engineering excellence with innovative technology, Alfa Therm continues to set high standards in sustainable waste management and recycling, making a positive impact on the cement industry and beyond.

With your state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, how does Alfa Therm ensure the highest quality standards and precision in its industrial solutions?
We have a manufacturing team of over 200 skilled professionals, supported by a highly advanced design team that helps us tailor our products to suit the specific needs of various industries.
Our offerings include incinerators for biomedical waste management, compost machines for organic feed processing, and shredders for producing alternative fuels. Currently, the most recent addition to AlfaTherm’s portfolio is pommels and material recycling facilities, which facilitate bio-remediation and land reclamation projects. AlfaTherm has successfully carried out these projects across multiple sites in Delhi and the
NCR region.

How does your expertise in processing materials like e-waste, rubber, and hazardous waste benefit the cement industry’s AFR strategies?
I would say that our greatest strength in processing materials like e-waste, rubber and hazardous waste lies in our extensive experience. The very first shredder we installed dates back to 1999, and it was assembled by my grandfather. Since then, AlfaTherm has had the privilege of working with a variety of industries across the country, including the tyre industry, the pharmaceutical sector, infrastructure, paper and pulp, and most recently, the cement industry over the last 6-7 years.
Over this period, AlfaTherm has gained valuable experience in processing diverse materials, which has helped us understand their potential. What may appear as regular waste material today could very well become a key resource to power an entire industry in the future. Our experience has allowed us to identify and harness this potential, giving us a significant edge in supporting the cement industry’s alternative fuel and raw material strategies.

What are the key innovations Alfa Therm has introduced in shredding and waste processing?
For cement manufacturers, innovation in shredding and waste processing is critical to enhancing efficiency and sustainability. However, as an engineering company, we believe that true innovation doesn’t emerge in isolation. It requires a thorough understanding of the market and the unique needs of the industry. We don’t just create solutions and hope they get adopted; we design solutions that industries are eager to embrace because they address real, pressing challenges.
Specifically for cement manufacturers, we focus on alternative fuels and raw materials (AFRs), particularly in the form of refuse-derived fuels (RDF). With India targeting its net-zero goal by 2070, cement plants—being some of the largest carbon emitters—must urgently adapt. This is where AlfaTherm plays a crucial role.
Our solutions empower cement manufacturers to enhance power generation and fuel efficiency. The largest cement groups in the country consume around 100-200 tonnes of fuel per day. Among our clients, some have managed to fulfill 15 per cent of their daily fueling needs through RDF. A few have achieved 20 per cent to 25 per cent, and we are proud to support some that have reached as high as 30 per cent of their daily fuel requirements through alternative fuels like RDF instead of conventional fossil fuels.
Our approach is to create machinery that not only addresses today’s requirements but also sets a foundation for the industry’s future. By developing advanced shredding and processing technology for RDF, we aim to make sustainable practices more accessible, efficient and impactful across the cement industry.

How does Alfa Therm customise its solutions to meet the specific challenges faced by cement plants?
When it comes to waste handling and emissions control, the biggest factors we consider are the capacities at which cement plants operate and the sources from which they procure their alternative fuels. These aspects play a crucial role in determining the customisation required for each cement plant.
For instance, if we consider RDF, it is essentially a grade of plastic. However, the quality and composition of RDF in the northern regions of India differ significantly from what is available in Tamil Nadu. As a result, the processing techniques required to handle these varying grades of RDF also differ.
At AlfaTherm, our manufacturing facility and dedicated design team ensure that our shredding solutions are tailored to the specific requirements of each cement plant, no matter where it is located in the country. Suppose a cement group has a daily requirement of 200 tonnes of RDF and sources its plastic waste locally in Tamil Nadu. In that case, our extensive research and experience over the past 6-7 years enable us to determine the precise level of treatment that this southern grade of RDF needs compared to a northern grade.
Additionally, we incorporate dust removal and ash handling systems to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, making the process as clean and sustainable as possible. Our goal at AlfaTherm is to continue being a one-stop solution for power plants across the country. Today, we serve the cement industry, but we hope to expand our expertise to more industries in the future.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication 

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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. 

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Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

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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.”

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Concrete

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

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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.

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