Economy & Market

Challenging Days Ahead

Published

14 years ago

November 30, 2011

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Bad news never comes singly. India’s economic growth has slumped to its lowest in more than two years while output expansion at key industries tumbled to a six-year low and even the finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee, has warned that there are tough times ahead. There has been a sharp deceleration in industrial growth with output growth in eight core industries, including steel, cement and coal, dropping to near-zero in October, a sharp decline from 7.2 per cent one year back. Under the circumstances, the cement sector needs to remain vigilant and while bracing itself for weaker growth, seek out newer strategies to ensure that targeted capacity and production stays on line while staying in line with environmental demands and limitations in raw material availability.It is worrying indeed that fiscal deficit for the first seven months of the year has already reached 75 per cent of the year’s estimate. Experts concur with the finance minister that a combination of domestic and international issues are going to impact the country’s growth. GDP data released by the government on in the last week of November 2011 has revealed broad-based weakness in the economy, with mining contracting 2.9 per cent and manufacturing rising by 2.7 per cent in the last quarter. Despite the gloomy outlook, the finance ministry is hopeful that the economy will recover some of its lost momentum and is expecting 7.3 per cent GDP as against last year’s 8.5 per cent.According to Research & Markets report on the Indian cement sector, economic recovery, which had gained momentum in the first half of FY11, started showing signs of moderation in the second half. The biggest hindrance to growth momentum, however, has been high inflation. Inflation refuses to abate and has forced RBI to pursue monetary tightening measures even at the cost of growth. Rising energy prices and interest rates will continue to pose a challenge for businesses in the near future. Despite these short term challenges, the overall economic sentiment remains healthy and a good growth rate for the next year is expected.FY11 was quite challenging for the cement industry. On the one hand, demand growth weakened due to lower realty and infrastructure spending, while on the other, extended monsoons and logistical constraints dampened construction activity.On the supply front, overcapacity continued to plague the industry. During the year, the industry witnessed capacity addition of around 28 million TPA in addition to the 60 million TPA added in the previous year. Industry capacity utilization was at 75 per cent against 84 per cent recorded in the previous year. Surplus cement scenario together with sluggish demand and volatile prices adversely impacted domestic realizations which were lower by 4 per cent as compared to the previous year. On the cost front, the higher price of both domestic and imported coal resulted in a 25 per cent increase in energy costs, which rose substantially from 671 per ton to 838 per ton. During the year, imported coal prices rose by 36 per cent from CIF $ 89 per ton to $ 121 per ton. In addition to the normal price hike in domestic coal, there was a further increase in domestic coal prices in the range of 30 per cent -150 per cent from 1st March, 2011, according to the report.While the larger economic issues play out a crucial role on the industry’s performance, it is left to the sector to analyse the various other shortcomings it faces and seek remedies for the same.PRESENT STATUS

Capacity and Production:

The installed capacity of cement in the country has grown during the period 1991 to 2011 at an average rate of 8.3 per cent CAGR while the production has grown at the rate of 8 per cent during the same period. The table -1 gives the installed capacity and production of cement between 1991-2011.

Thermal Energy:

The weighted average of thermal energy consumption of major 26 plants is shown in figure – 1. It would be seen that very little improvement is made over the years between 2005-2006 to 2007-2008. The world’s best ranges between 680-690 Kcal/kg clinker. Though there are some cement plants in India which are able to fall in this category but industry as a whole has challenge before it to further improve on this account.

Electric Energy Efficiency:

The weighted average of consumption of electric energy of 26 plants is given in figure – 2. The electric consumption has virtually reached at plateau and showing very little further improvement. The best operated plants have brought down the consumption in the range of 65-68 kwh/t cement, however, industry as a whole has scope for further improvement. Environmental Performance of Cement Plants:The National Ambient Air Quality Requirement as per CPCB is given in table – 2.The modern cement plants are able to adhere to these norms. The new generation plants with capacity 8000TPD and above are even excelling the norms.

Product Mix:

The Indian cement industry has undergone major shift in product mix especially during the last decade. The environmental and sustainability issues may demand same trend to continue in the future. The table -3 gives product mix during the different periods;CHALLENGES AHEAD

Lime Stone:

Lime stone will continue to be the life line of cement manufacture. As per thumb rule, for every ton of clinker produced, 1.75 tonnes mineable line stone deposits of proven variety should be available. For 350 million tons installed targeted capacity by the end of XI plan (2012), nearly 600 mn.t of cement grade lime stone have to be made available annually. Keeping in view the rapid expansion of Indian Cement Industry, NCB initiated the task of preparation of national inventory of cement grade lime stone. As on 31st March, 2002, India’s total reserves have been estimated as given in table – 4.Table – 4 Lime Stone ReservesSizable reserves are located in inaccessible areas, difficult terrains reserved forests, bio-zones and coastal regulatory Zones, etc. The proven category reserves are only 22,476mn.t which are likely to last for next 35 to 40 years at the present rate of production.Apart from limited availability of measured reserve for green field projects, about 27 per cent of total reserves are of marginal grade which can only be utilized with sweetener or after up-gradation through beneficiation. Availability of cement grade limestone will be becoming a major challenge for the cement industry in the future.

Coal :

Availability of coal is proving another bottleneck in the growth of cement industry. The coal demand of cement industry is given in table -5.During the last decade the coal demand has gone almost four times. The infrastructure deficiencies at ports are causing problems in importing coal and availability of indigenous coal to cement industry is not assured. The first preference is being given to Thermal Power Plants and then to steel industry in allocation of coal by the Govt. The cost of coal is escalating every year and posing challenge before the cement industry. The situation is likely to aggravate in future.BLENDING MATERIALS

Fly Ash:

Large quality of fly ash is generated in India but in many cases, the location of major Thermal Power Plants is far away from cement plants and in absence of proper infrastructure for transportation and handing of fly ash, most of it cannot be utilized. The availability of fly ash is given in table – 6The cost of fly ash is continuously increasing due to transportation and permission given to thermal power plants to charge for it instead of giving free. The mega thermal plants located in East UP, West Bengal, North Bihar and generally in Eastern part of India have very few cement plants in close vicinity. The mismatch in location of Thermal Power Plants and cement plants is shown in Figure – 3The availability of good quality fly ash at reasonable cost is also going to be major factor before the cement industry in coming years.

GGBS

Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) cement is a by-product of the steel industry. Molten slag lying on top of the molten iron in the blastfurnace comprises silicates (glass), and is the raw material for GGBS cement. The molten slag – of no use to the steel making process – is cooled and then finely ground to form GGBS cement. Currently around 200 kg of slag is generated for each ton of steel produced in India making it 11 to 12 mt slag annually. Most of the slag is produced in the eastern part of the country where it is used in production of slag cement. The availability of blast furnace slag will continue to remain limited and possibilities need to be explored to use slags other than blast furnace like zinc slag, copper slag, steel slag for manufacture of slag cement. At present these slags are not permitted by BIS for production of slag cement.HIGH INPUT COSTS AND INFRASTRUCTURAL WEAKNESS

At present, the cement industry is facing two fold problems of high input costs and infrastructural weakness. The inputs with spiraling cost increase are coal, power and transport by rail or road. The coal from public sector is of poor quality, high ash and low calorific value content and at times costlier than imported coal. There is need to introduce competition for improving quality, regularity in supply and reduced prices. The power from public utilities is of poor quality due to frequent power cuts and fluctuating voltage. Power sector reforms if taken up seriously will enable quality power to cement plants at reasonable cost.Transport by rail or road is a cost-intensive component and amounts to almost 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the delivered cost to the consumers. The railway tariff is high and need to be rationalized for an essential product like cement. Road transport on the other hand, provides limited alternative because of inadequacy of road network and rising cost of road transport due to continuously rising fuel cost. Inland water transport is a low investment, eco-friendly and cheap mode especially for bulk commodities like cement. Coastal shipping and inland waterways will help in bringing down the transportation cost. Due to increasing use of cement in bilk, more and more bulk terminals will be needed in the years to come and inland water transport and coastal shipping can be of great help in this regard.TO INCREASE USE OF CEMENTCement is not the end-use product for the consumer. Concrete and mortar are the real end-products. Use of concrete at present is very low, about 0.5t per head annually against World’s average of 1.0t. Use of concrete and cement based products need to be promoted especially in the following sectors to increase the demand of cement.

Concrete roads
White topping over existing bitumen roads
Cement based bricks/blocks for walling in lieu of clay bricks
Pre-fab components for mass housing in lieu of conventional systems for roofing, flooring, walling etc.
Cement concrete lining to canals to reduce seepage losses.
Development of inland water ways and linking of rivers.

The average consumption of cement per head is very low in India, in the range of 180-190 kg while world average is about 400kg and in developed countries it is 600-800kg. Cement-concrete is more durable than other conventional materials and the use of concrete in construction will bring down the life cycle of civil works and will be more eco-friendly and sustainable.ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND CUSTOMER ORIENTATION

The main global concerns at present are conservation of energy and pollution control. In future pressure will mount on the industry to reduce energy and GHG emissions. The energy consumption of many of the cement plants in India is comparable with the "best practices". However, there is still a scope to bring down the energy consumption by improving operational efficiency and plant technology. Though many plants have won environmental excellence awards but industry as a whole can still achieve better results on this front.The future initiatives have to be directed for using hazardous or waste materials (pet coke, used tyres, municipal and agricultural waste etc.) as fuel and larger use of fly ash, ggbs and other industrial waster like Zinc-lead slag, copper slag, steel slag etc. Both these ventures would contribute to environmental improvement and legislative and statutory authorities should support these initiatives.The customers have to be educated in proper use of cement and to avoid wastages at site. The inhibition to use mineral admixtures like fly ash, ggbs and blended cements should be removed through proper training and demonstrations at construction sites. The new code on concrete mix proportioning IS 10262 has been issued by BIS in 2009, rationalizing the use of binding materials and to avoid excessive use of cementing materials in concrete. The good construction practices should be encouraged by upgrading the skills of construction professionals for increasing the life of construction and to avoid the wasteful consumption of materials in repairs and rehabilitation. The mechanization in construction is another area which would need focus in future. The promotion of RMC during the last decade has brought numerous benefits in making concrete more reliable, durable and cost effective material. Similarly the pre-cast industry, which is in very nascent stage has potential to provide speed, quality and sustainability to construction projects. Promotion of these technologies and practices would provide additional impetus to the growth of cement industry in the coming decade.TOUGH TIMES CALL FOR TOUGH MEASURESThe industry has to overcome new challenges to be vibrant and healthy in future. The major hurdles are likely to be availability of quality raw materials at reasonable cost, energy sources, compatible infrastructure for movement of raw materials and finished goods, skilled man power and commensurate financial resources for continued technological up-gradations and innovations to meet the future aspirations of the construction industry and the society at large. These challenges can be met by combined efforts of industry friendly legislative frame work, boost of infrastructure by government, adoption of technologies to increase demand for cement and the cement industry by continuously striving for technological excellence and innovations in all fields of its operation. The Indian cement industry will emerge stronger, more efficient, sustainable and vibrant in future by virtue of its dedication and an intense urge to serve the construction industry in best possible manner.A.K. Jain is Technical Advisor, Ultratech Cement Ltd

Economy & Market

RAHSTA Roundtable Sets Agenda for Smarter, Safer Highways

Published

1 day ago

March 16, 2026

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Roundtable discussions focus on innovation for safer highways.

Held on 12 March 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, alongside the Infrastructure Today Airport Conclave, the RAHSTA Roundtable brought together stakeholders from across the highways and infrastructure ecosystem to shape the agenda for the 16th RAHSTA 2026, scheduled for 8–9 July 2026 at the Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai. The session focused on key industry themes including road construction, technology, safety and long-term sustainability.

Opening the discussion, Pratap Padode, Founder, FIRST Construction Council, said the roundtable marked the beginning of a broader consultative process leading up to the July event. The aim, he noted, is to bring together industry stakeholders to refine the agenda for discussions on the future of roads, bridges, tunnels and allied infrastructure.

Padode noted that while central road project awards have slowed in recent years, states are increasingly driving the next phase of infrastructure growth. Maharashtra, with its long-term road development plans and agencies such as MSRDC and MSIDC, is expected to play a significant role in this expansion.

RAHSTA Expo 2026 as a specialised platform dedicated to road infrastructure, covering highways, tunnels, bridges and flyovers along with construction technologies, safety systems and maintenance solutions. He also highlighted the growing importance of rural connectivity and said the organisers are engaging with government bodies to highlight rural road development initiatives.

Tanveer Padode, CIO, ASAPP Info Group, presented insights from IMPACCT, the group’s infrastructure intelligence platform. He pointed to a strong project pipeline despite slower highway awards earlier in the year, noting that states such as Maharashtra, Odisha and Arunachal Pradesh are emerging as key drivers of new projects. The data also revealed that only a small group of contractors participates in large-value infrastructure bids.

Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhary, former Director General, Border Roads Organisation and Chairman of the RAHSTA Expo Committee, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration across the ecosystem, including policymakers, contractors, technology providers and financiers. He also called for addressing systemic issues within the sector and encouraged greater participation of women in infrastructure leadership.

The discussion also explored the evolving economics of road development. Phani Prasad Mandalaparthy, Associate Director, CRISIL Intelligence, noted that the slowdown in project awards reflects a shift towards higher-value logistics corridors rather than simple road widening projects. However, private participation through BOT and TOT models remains limited.

From the contractors’ perspective, Sudhir Hoshing, Whole-Time Director, Ceigall, said companies are becoming more selective in bidding, favouring projects with clearer payment mechanisms and efficient processes. While NHAI continues to offer greater operational clarity, states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were cited as relatively supportive environments for project execution.

Durability and sustainability also emerged as key themes. Himanshu Agarwal, COO – Road & Infrastructure, Zydex Group India, highlighted the need to prioritise lifecycle performance and resilient pavements, while participants discussed the potential of alternative materials such as plastic waste, steel slag and industrial by-products in road construction.

Dr LR Manjunatha, Vice President, JSW Cement, emphasised that India has abundant fly ash, slag and other industrial materials that can improve durability and sustainability if integrated into specifications and policy frameworks.

Technology and equipment challenges were also discussed. Dr Lakshmana Rao Mantri, Dy General Manager, Afcons Infrastructure, highlighted the shortage of tunnel boring machines (TBMs), which is delaying several underground infrastructure projects. Participants agreed that developing domestic TBM manufacturing capabilities will be critical for future infrastructure expansion.

The future of concrete pavements was another area of discussion. Dr V Ramachandra, President, Indian Concrete Institute, stressed that the debate should focus on lifecycle performance rather than material choice alone, noting that evolving design standards are improving the feasibility of concrete roads.

Prof Dharamveer Singh of IIT Bombay added that while India has made significant progress in infrastructure development, stronger capacity building and better execution practices are essential to ensure consistent road quality.

The discussion also touched upon technology adoption in the sector. Rushabh Mamania, Partner & CBO, Roadvision, highlighted the growing role of AI in road infrastructure, noting that AI-driven monitoring systems are already being deployed across large stretches of national highways.

Overall, the roundtable underscored that the future of highway infrastructure will depend not only on the pace of construction but also on durability, safety, technology integration and sustainable materials. The discussions offered valuable insights that will help shape the agenda for RAHSTA 2026 and guide future collaboration within the industry.

Economy & Market

CTS Roundtable Charts Tech-Led Roadmap for Construction

Published

1 day ago

March 16, 2026

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CTS Roundtable Maps Technology Roadmap for Construction

Ahead of the Construction Technology Show (Con Tech Show) 2026, industry leaders, technology innovators and academia came together in Mumbai to deliberate on how digitalisation, automation and industrialised construction can reshape the sector. The discussion made one thing clear: construction can no longer afford to treat technology as optional.

Held on 12 March 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, alongside the Infrastructure Today Airport Conclave, the CTS Roundtable served as a precursor to the Construction Technology Show 2026, scheduled for 19–20 August 2026 at NESCO, Mumbai.

A platform to move from discussion to deployment

Opening the session, Pratap Padode, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, ASAPP Info Global Group, said construction technology has long remained close to his heart, especially given the sector’s traditionally slow pace of technology adoption. He noted that over the years, the Construction Technology Summit had steadily built interest, and the next step was now to expand it into a larger, more meaningful platform that could bring together technology providers, users, startups and innovators under one roof.

Padode said the vision for CTS is not limited to software alone. The platform aims to embrace all forms of technology that can improve construction efficiency, quality and execution—from digital tools and project management systems to lean construction, off-site fabrication and startup-led innovation. He also highlighted plans to deepen startup participation and create space for young companies to showcase emerging construction solutions.

Industry at a turning point

Moderating the roundtable, Naushad Panjwani, Chairman, Mandarus Partners, set the context by pointing out that the global construction industry, despite being a multi-trillion-dollar sector, continues to lag in productivity. He noted that while manufacturing has consistently improved efficiency, construction has remained slow to modernise.

Referring to both global and Indian trends, Panjwani underlined that the industry is now at a decisive moment. India, he said, is entering a major build cycle, and delivering the next phase of infrastructure and real estate growth through traditional methods alone is no longer viable. The goal of the roundtable, therefore, was not to debate technology in isolation, but to identify the most critical conversations that would bridge the gap between innovation and implementation.

His central message was clear: CTS 2026 must be shaped around themes that make CEOs, CIOs and CTOs feel they cannot afford to miss the event.

From BIM to AI, data to governance

A major theme that emerged through the discussion was the need for better data, better visibility and better decision-making. Dr Venkata Santosh Kumar of IIT Bombay echoed this, saying that the underlying data infrastructure itself needs attention. Construction projects, particularly remote ones, often face issues around connectivity, data collection and data use. Without this foundation, more advanced technologies cannot deliver their full value.

Chandra Vasireddy, CEO & Co-founder, Inncircles, expanded the discussion to governance, arguing that technology must help connect the many moving parts of a construction business. For him, the real value of digital transformation lies in creating better governance, clearer visibility and stronger business outcomes.

Tejas Vara of Inncircles stressed the importance of timely site data for leadership teams, especially in large and remote projects where decisions on materials, machinery and manpower often get delayed because information does not reach headquarters in time.

The role of AI also featured prominently. Rushabh Mamania, Partner and CBO, Roadvision said that while AI and machine learning are now common terms, vision intelligence and language intelligence have still not deeply penetrated the construction sector. He emphasised that startups in India are building relevant AI-led solutions and are already attracting international interest, showing that innovation need not be imported—it can be built locally and scaled globally.

Industrialised construction gains ground

The roundtable also placed strong emphasis on industrialised construction methods. Kalyan Vaidyanathan, CTO – Construction & R&D, Tvasta, called for greater focus on off-site fabrication and the broader industrialisation of construction. Bhargav Jog, General Manager, Dextra, highlighted precast technology and alternative sustainable materials as areas with immediate relevance.

Several participants agreed that modular, precast and pre-engineered approaches are no longer niche ideas. They are increasingly becoming practical responses to the sector’s challenges around labour shortage, timelines, quality control and predictability.

Anup Mathew, Sr VP & Business Head, Godrej, argued that the industry needs a fully integrated approach—from design and procurement to execution and asset management. Unless these are connected, technology adoption will remain fragmented and sub-optimal. He pointed to pre-engineered and modular systems as examples of how industrial thinking can compress timelines, improve quality and reduce dependence on difficult on-site conditions.

Adoption remains the biggest hurdle

While there was broad agreement on the promise of technology, the discussion repeatedly returned to one fundamental challenge: adoption.

Abhishek Kumar, COO, LivSYT, observed that the market is crowded with solutions, but many buyers still struggle to evaluate which technology suits which use case. According to him, the industry needs clearer frameworks to help users select, compare and adopt solutions, rather than expecting a single platform to solve every problem.

Dr Tenepalli JaiSai, Associate Professor, School of Construction(SoC), NICMAR University, noted that isolated technologies will not solve the productivity problem by themselves. What is required is an integrated Construction 4.0 approach, where digital, physical and cyber-physical systems work together rather than in silos.

That concern around silos was reinforced by Subodh Dixit, former Director, Shapoorji Pallonji, who said the issue is not just that technologies are disconnected, but that stakeholders are as well. Clients, consultants, contractors and partners often operate with different priorities. Unless these silos are broken, technology will struggle to percolate across the full project value chain.

Harleen Oberoi, Project Management, Tata Realty shared a practical perspective from the client side, saying that successful BIM implementation requires investment across the ecosystem, not just within one organisation. Trade partners, vendors and other stakeholders must also be trained and aligned if the technology is to deliver its intended results.

Beyond buzzwords

A notable takeaway from the session was that the industry is moving past the phase of treating technology as a buzzword. Participants repeatedly stressed that the real question is not whether technology should be used, but where it creates measurable value and how that value can be scaled.

The conversation also expanded beyond mainstream themes to include repairs and rehabilitation, construction and demolition waste, sustainability, circular economy, green sourcing, carbon measurement, design interoperability, generative design, robotics, and the role of horticulture and greener built environments.

Setting the agenda for CTS 2026

By the close of the session, the roundtable had surfaced a strong set of themes for the upcoming show: BIM and digital twins, AI and data platforms, industrialised construction, startup innovation, governance-led technology adoption, robotics, sustainable materials, and integrated project delivery.

More importantly, the session established CTS 2026 as more than an exhibition. It is shaping up to be a serious industry platform where users, technology providers, researchers and policymakers can collectively define the future of construction.

As Padode noted in his closing remarks, the conversation will continue through further consultations and possibly webinars in the run-up to the show. If the roundtable is any indication, CTS 2026 will aim not merely to showcase technology, but to push the industry towards meaningful adoption at scale.

Economy & Market

Smart Pumping for Rock Blasting

Published

2 weeks ago

March 2, 2026

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SEEPEX introduces BN pumps with Smart Joint Access (SJA) to improve efficiency, reliability, and inspection speed in demanding rock blasting operations.
Designed for abrasive and chemical media, the solution supports precise dosing, reduced downtime, and enhanced operational safety.

SEEPEX has introduced BN pumps with Smart Joint Access (SJA), engineered for the reliable and precise transfer of abrasive, corrosive, and chemical media in mining and construction. Designed for rock blasting, the pump features a large inspection opening for quick joint checks, a compact footprint for mobile or skid-mounted installations, and flexible drive and material options for consistent performance and uptime.

“Operators can inspect joints quickly and rely on precise pumping of shear-sensitive and abrasive emulsions,” said Magalie Levray, Global Business Development Manager Mining at SEEPEX. “This is particularly critical in rock blasting, where every borehole counts for productivity.” Industry Context

Rock blasting is essential for extracting hard rock and shaping safe excavation profiles in mining and construction. Accurate and consistent loading of explosive emulsions ensures controlled fragmentation, protects personnel, and maximizes productivity. Even minor deviations in pumping can cause delays or reduce product quality. BN pumps with SJA support routine maintenance and pre-operation checks by allowing fast verification of joint integrity, enabling more efficient operations.

Always Inspection Ready

Smart Joint Access is designed for inspection-friendly operations. The large inspection opening in the suction housing provides direct access to both joints, enabling rapid pre-operation checks while maintaining high operational reliability. Technicians can assess joint condition quickly, supporting continuous, reliable operation.

Key Features

Compact Footprint: Fits truck-mounted mobile units, skid-mounted systems, and factory installations.
Flexible Drive Options: Compact hydraulic drive or electric drive configurations.
Hydraulic Efficiency: Low-displacement design reduces oil requirements and supports low total cost of ownership.
Equal Wall Stator Design: Ensures high-pressure performance in a compact footprint.
Material Flexibility: Stainless steel or steel housings, chrome-plated rotors, and stators in NBR, EPDM, or FKM.

Operators benefit from shorter inspection cycles, reliable dosing, seamless integration, and fast delivery through framework agreements, helping to maintain uptime in critical rock blasting processes.

Applications – Optimized for Rock Blasting

BN pumps with SJA are designed for mining, tunneling, quarrying, civil works, dam construction, and other sectors requiring precise handling of abrasive or chemical media. They provide robust performance while enabling fast, reliable inspection and maintenance.With SJA, operators can quickly access both joints without disassembly, ensuring emulsions are transferred accurately and consistently. This reduces downtime, preserves product integrity, and supports uniform dosing across multiple bore holes.

With the Smart Joint Access inspection opening, operators can quickly access and assess the condition of both joints without disassembly, enabling immediate verification of pump readiness prior to blast hole loading. This allows operators to confirm that emulsions are transferred accurately and consistently, protecting personnel, minimizing product degradation, and maintaining uniform dosing across multiple bore holes.

The combination of equal wall stator design, compact integration, flexible drives, and progressive cavity pump technology ensures continuous, reliable operation even in space-limited, high-pressure environments.

From Inspection to Operation

A leading explosives provider implemented BN pumps with SJA in open pit and underground operations. By replacing legacy pumps, inspection cycles were significantly shortened, allowing crews to complete pre-operation checks and return mobile units to productive work faster. Direct joint access through SJA enabled immediate verification, consistent emulsion dosing, and reduced downtime caused by joint-related deviations.

“The inspection opening gives immediate confidence that each joint is secure before proceeding to bore holes,” said a site technician. “It allows us to act quickly, keeping blasting schedules on track.”

Framework agreements ensured rapid pump supply and minimal downtime, supporting multi-site operations across continents