Technology

Technology: Vaccine for growth

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2021

admin

The pandemic of COVID-19 is fundamentally shifting the way people around the world live and work. I draw your attention to the news that in China two hospitals??ith 2,600 total patient beds??ere erected using simple steel frames and prefab techniques in just 10 days. It?? the best example for how factory-built, rapidly deployable emergency buildings can be put to use to save thousands of lives in a critical period.

Conversations among the project consultants and construction firms on large EPC projects have shown that using prefab structures has kept work going at an even clip despite workforce falling by nearly a half. Basically in prefab, offsite production moves on to the jobsite to a collaborative digitally empowered environment. Fewer people are required on the jobsite ??reducing onsite personnel and the risk of potential exposure to COVID-19. Social distancing becomes much easier. These kinds of structures have helped build new hospitals and quarantine facilities in record time through the COVID-19 pandemic. Tata Projects, for instance, is building a 400-bed medical facility at Kasargod, Kerala, with prefabricated structures manufactured in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, and then transported to Kerala by truck.

Prefab construction is much faster than traditional construction because different functions can be performed simultaneously. It is less labor-intensive and ensures better quality but there is threshold size of project beyond which it does not make economic sense. Wherever there is large requirement and there is standardization of construction elements and size, prefab is the best option, like in mass affordable housing projects, metro rail elevated corridor etc.

Talking about savings, with the right conditions, cost and schedule the savings can be as high as 20 percent when using offsite production and prefab products vs. their traditional alternatives. However, that level of savings often comes with trade-offs. It?? imperative that owners, designers and contractors work closely to identify offsite opportunities and manage potential trade-offs in order to deliver a successful project.

Does the use of prefab affect the cement consumption in any way? The answer is no. There is hardly any impact on cement consumption by changing the methodology of construction.

All the experts are of the opinion that prefabricated building market across globe is going to see upturn of around 8 percent post COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the economy has indicated that it is headed for a recovery. Aggregate revenues for 3,827 non-financial listed companies declined by 7 per cent this quarter compared to a 34 per cent contraction in April-June. Operating profit margins expanded by four percentage points and net profits of these companies grew 31 per cent in Q2, after an 80 per cent decline in lockdown disrupted Q1 FY21. Among the second quarter results, where cement has contributed an improvement of 68.38 per cent (UltraTech has jumped by 89.1 per cent, Ambuja Cement by 87.77 per cent, Shree Cement 77.06 per cent, Ramco Cement by 40.19 per cent, contributing to the larger absolute rise in net profits) where cement has managed to save costs also by moving material by rakes rather than by road.

Will 2021 be the year of recovery? Not just recovery, growth and covering lost ground too. Best wishes for victory in 2021!

Technology

ARAPL Reports 175% EBITDA Growth, Expands Global Robotics Footprint

Affordable Robotic & Automation posts strong Q2 and H1 FY26 results driven by innovation and overseas orders

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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Affordable Robotic & Automation Limited (ARAPL), India’s first listed robotics firm and a pioneer in industrial automation and smart robotic solutions, has reported robust financial results for the second quarter and half year ended September 30, 2025.
The company achieved a 175 per cent year-on-year rise in standalone EBITDA and strong revenue growth across its automation and robotics segments. The Board of Directors approved the unaudited financial results on October 10, 2025.

Key Highlights – Q2 FY2026
• Strong momentum across core automation and robotics divisions
• Secured the first order for the Atlas AC2000, an autonomous truck loading and unloading forklift, from a leading US logistics player
• Rebranded its RaaS product line as Humro (Human + Robot), symbolising collaborative automation between people and machines
• Expanded its Humro range in global warehouse automation markets
• Continued investment in deep-tech innovations, including AI-based route optimisation, autonomy kits, vehicle controllers, and digital twins
Global Milestone: First Atlas AC2000 Order in the US

ARAPL’s US-based subsidiary, ARAPL RaaS (Humro), received its first order for the next-generation Atlas AC2000 autonomous forklift from a leading logistics company. Following successful prototype trials, the client placed an order for two robots valued at Rs 36 million under a three-year lease. The project opens opportunities for scaling up to 15–16 robots per site across 15 US warehouses within two years.
The product addresses an untapped market of 10 million loading docks across 21,000 warehouses in the US, positioning ARAPL for exponential growth.

Financial Performance – Q2 FY2026 (Standalone)
Net Revenue: Rs 25.7587 million, up 37 per cent quarter-on-quarter
EBITDA: Rs 5.9632 million, up 396 per cent QoQ
Profit Before Tax: Rs 4.3808 million, compared to a Rs 360.46 lakh loss in Q1
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.1854 lakh, representing 216 per cent QoQ growth
On a half-year basis, ARAPL reported a 175 per cent rise in EBITDA and returned to profitability with Rs 58.08 lakh PAT, highlighting strong operational efficiency and improved contribution from core businesses.
Consolidated Performance – Q2 FY2026
Net Revenue: Rs 29.566 million, up 57% QoQ
EBITDA: Rs 6.2608 million, up 418 per cent QoQ
Profit After Tax: Rs 4.5672 million, marking a 224 per cent QoQ improvement

Milind Padole, Managing Director, ARAPL said, “Our Q2 results reflect the success of our innovation-led growth strategy and the growing global confidence in ARAPL’s technology. The Atlas AC2000 order marks a defining milestone that validates our engineering strength and accelerates our global expansion. With a healthy order book and continued investment in AI and autonomous systems, ARAPL is positioned to lead the next phase of intelligent industrial transformation.”
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Pune, Affordable Robotic & Automation Ltd (ARAPL) delivers turnkey robotic and automation solutions across automotive, general manufacturing, and government sectors. Its offerings include robotic welding, automated inspection, assembly automation, automated parking systems, and autonomous driverless forklifts.
ARAPL operates five advanced plants in Pune spanning 350,000 sq ft, supported by over 400 engineers in India and seven team members in the US. The company also maintains facilities in North Carolina and California, and service centres in Faridabad, Mumbai, and San Francisco.

Technology

M.E. Energy Bags Rs 490 Mn Order for Waste Heat Recovery Project

Second major EPC contract from Ferro Alloys sector strengthens company’s growth

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

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M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kilburn Engineering Ltd and a leading Indian engineering company specialising in energy recovery and cost reduction, has secured its second consecutive major order worth Rs 490 million in the Ferro Alloys sector. The order covers the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) of a 12 MW Waste Heat Recovery Based Power Plant (WHRPP).

This repeat order underscores the Ferro Alloys industry’s confidence in M.E. Energy’s expertise in delivering efficient and sustainable energy solutions for high-temperature process industries. The project aims to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by converting waste heat into clean power.

“Securing another project in the Ferro Alloys segment reinforces our strong technical credibility. It’s a proud moment as we continue helping our clients achieve sustainability and cost efficiency through innovative waste heat recovery systems,” said K. Vijaysanker Kartha, Managing Director, M.E. Energy Pvt Ltd.

“M.E. Energy’s expansion into sectors such as cement and ferro alloys is yielding solid results. We remain confident of sustained success as we deepen our presence in steel and carbon black industries. These achievements reaffirm our focus on innovation, technology, and energy efficiency,” added Amritanshu Khaitan, Director, Kilburn Engineering Ltd

With this latest order, M.E. Energy has already surpassed its total external order bookings from the previous financial year, recording Rs 138 crore so far in FY26. The company anticipates further growth in the second half, supported by a robust project pipeline and the rising adoption of waste heat recovery technologies across industries.

The development marks continued momentum towards FY27, strengthening M.E. Energy’s position as a leading player in industrial energy optimisation.

Technology

NTPC Green Energy Partners with Japan’s ENEOS for Green Fuel Exports

NGEL signs MoU with ENEOS to supply green methanol and hydrogen derivatives

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2025

admin

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Japan’s ENEOS Corporation to explore a potential agreement for the supply of green methanol and hydrogen derivative products.

The MoU was exchanged on 10 October 2025 during the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. It marks a major step towards global collaboration in clean energy and decarbonisation.
The partnership centres on NGEL’s upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh. Spread across 1,200 acres, the integrated facility is being developed for large-scale green chemical production and exports.

By aligning ENEOS’s demand for hydrogen derivatives with NGEL’s renewable energy initiatives, the collaboration aims to accelerate low-carbon energy transitions. It also supports NGEL’s target of achieving a 60 GW renewable energy portfolio by 2032, reinforcing its commitment to India’s green energy ambitions and the global net-zero agenda.