Concrete

Centre Proposes Clearance Exemption For Cement Grinding Units

Move may aid Adani’s Rs 14 billion Kalyan cement project approval.

Published

1 year ago

October 9, 2025

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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed to exempt standalone cement grinding units without captive power plants from the requirement of prior environmental clearance, according to a draft notification issued on 26 September.

If approved, the move could benefit the Adani Group’s proposed Rs 14 billion (Rs 1,400 crore) 6-million-tonne-per-annum cement grinding plant in Kalyan, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The plant, belonging to Ambuja Cement Ltd, an Adani Group company, has faced strong opposition from residents of Mohone and ten surrounding villages.

At a Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) public hearing last month, citizens expressed concerns over potential health hazards and environmental risks from the project, questioning how such a large-scale industrial facility could be allowed in a densely populated area.

Locals highlighted the risk of emissions including particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

However, the ministry’s draft notification proposes that standalone cement grinding units — which do not carry out high-temperature “calcination” or “clinkerisation” processes — be exempted from detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and public consultation requirements. The ministry argues that such units have a lower pollution potential compared to integrated cement plants but are still subjected to equally stringent compliance measures, resulting in disproportionate regulatory burdens.

Officials explained that these standalone facilities consume less energy and generate less waste, as they do not undertake the heating and chemical breakdown processes integral to full-scale cement manufacturing.

Furthermore, the draft encourages the use of green logistics, such as the transportation of raw materials and finished products through railways and electric vehicles. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), after detailed deliberation, recommended the exemption to promote “environmental governance and green logistics.”

Sources said the Ambuja Cement plant, located near Ambivli railway station, is likely to rely on rail transport for raw materials, aligning with the EAC’s sustainability criteria.

The public has 60 days from the date of notification to submit comments or objections. Once finalised, the amendment will form part of the 2006 EIA notification that governs environmental clearance norms.

Subhash Patil, president of the Gramastha Mandal Mohone Koliwada — a local group opposing the project — said residents were unaware of the new proposal. “I don’t think it’s a good move by the government. We’ll review the notification and decide our next steps,” he said.

An MPCB official confirmed the ministry’s draft, stating that feedback will be reviewed before the final decision is taken.

According to the project summary, the proposed plant will occupy 26.13 hectares, with 9.67 hectares reserved for green belt development and 5.49 hectares for the grinding unit, storage, and packing facilities.

The project, planned on the former National Rayon Company (NRC) site in Ambivli near Titwala, will house a 6-million-tonne-per-annum grinding capacity. The NRC facility, established in 1945, ceased operations in 2006 and was acquired by the Adani Group through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in 2020 after a long-standing labour dispute.

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Concrete

JSW Cement Commissions 1 MTPA Unit in Rajasthan

Rajasthan grinding capacity rises to 3.50 MTPA after commissioning

Published

37 minutes ago

October 9, 2026

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JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 MTPA cement grinding unit in Nagaur, Rajasthan, taking the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.1 MTPA. The commissioning was announced on Tuesday, October 6.

The company said the new unit had increased the total cement grinding capacity at its Rajasthan plant to 3.50 MTPA. The expansion adds to JSW Cement’s production infrastructure as it continues to build capacity across its operating network.

The company’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including capacity at its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA. Clinker is an intermediate material used in cement production, and its availability supports the company’s grinding operations.

JSW Cement is also pursuing a proposed merger of its listed subsidiary Shiva Cement with the company. The scheme, approved by the boards of the respective companies, involves issuing five fully paid-up JSW Cement equity shares for every 41 shares held by Shiva Cement shareholders other than JSW Cement.

The arrangement remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. JSW Cement currently holds 66.23 per cent of Shiva Cement’s paid-up equity share capital, and the shares held by JSW Cement in the subsidiary will be cancelled under the proposal without any issue of JSW Cement shares against that holding.

The scheme has an appointed date of April 1, 2026, and the company has indicated that completion could take 12 to 14 months, depending on the receipt of approvals. These include clearances from stock exchanges, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the National Company Law Tribunal and other applicable authorities, along with approvals from shareholders and creditors where required. JSW Cement shares closed at Rs. 113.15 on the BSE, up Rs. 2.05, or 1.85 per cent.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

8 hours ago

October 9, 2026

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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.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit in Rajasthan

The Nagaur expansion takes JSW Cement’s total grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

Published

1 day ago

October 8, 2026

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JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) cement grinding unit at its Nagaur Integrated Plant in Rajasthan. The commissioning takes the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

JSW Cement’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, now stands at 9.74 MTPA.

The company began operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and a 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the latest expansion, the plant’s total grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA.

The additional capacity will cater to cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a combination of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2026, JSW Cement also commissioned an Alternate Fuel Handling System and a Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS) at the Nagaur plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said the additional grinding capacity was a strategic priority for the company’s expansion in North India. He added that the Alternate Fuel Handling System and WHRS were expected to reduce production costs.