Economy & Market

Opportunities galore

Published

8 years ago

December 30, 2017

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Greening of industry is a method to attain sustainable economic growth and promote sustainable economies. It includes policymaking, improved industrial production processes and resource-efficient productivity.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) can be given credit of coining the term Green Industries Initiatives. A few years back, UNIDO coined the concept ‘Green Industry’ to place sustainable industrial development in the context of new global sustainable development challenges. Green industry means economies striving for a more sustainable pathway of growth, by undertaking green public investments and implementing public policy initiatives that encourage environmentally-responsible private investments.
Green Industry Initiatives create awareness, knowledge and capacities about what is sustainable. UNIDO works with different governments to support industrial institutions that in turn provide assistance to enterprises and entrepreneurs in all aspects relating to the greening of industry. As an organisation, UNIDO extends support for integrating corporate social responsibility, water management, energy and promotion of eco-friendly processes into the policy framework of an industry.
On the other hand, industrial pollution is generally referred to the undesirable outcome when factories emit harmful by-products and waste into the environment such as emissions to air or water bodies (water pollution), deposition on landfills etc. (land pollution) or emission of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.
Earth’s atmosphere is a dynamic system of natural gases that are necessary to sustain life, and while it has a defence mechanisms to absorb small quantities of air pollutants, high levels of gases can cause ozone depletion and other problems for living organisms. The main sources of gaseous air pollutants are fuel combustion in stationary sources, such as coal-burning power plants, as well as emissions from automobiles. While these gases are not the only ones contributing to air pollution, they are regarded as dominant sources of this world-wide problem.Carbon oxides: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas, dangerous due to its lack of odour and colour that is released into the atmosphere with the incomplete combustion of fuels, such as coal, wood or other natural sources, as well as exhaust from automobiles. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the greenhouse gas widely considered the main air pollutant in the earth’s atmosphere. Despite the fact that carbon dioxide is essential to support living organisms, it is considered a dangerous air pollutant caused by human activities such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels.
Responsible for more than half of the global warming trend, carbon dioxide restricts infrared radiation leaving the Earth’s surface, causing the "greenhouse effect."Nitrogen oxides: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are air pollutants that contribute the most contaminants to the earth’s atmospheric. Like carbon oxides, vehicle emissions are a major source of nitrogen oxides, and these air pollutants are easily recognizable by the brown plume or haze that forms over areas with high concentrations of the gases. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is one of the most prominent and dangerous air pollutants, and this toxic gas is easily identifiable by its reddish-brown color and distinctive, sharp odour.Sulphur oxides: Sulphur oxides (SOx) are another group of gases polluting the earth’s atmosphere. Of particular concern is sulphur dioxide (SO2), one of the major components of smog and a primary cause of acid rain. While sulphur dioxide is naturally produced by erupting volcanoes, the combustion of sulphur-containing fuels such as petroleum oils and coal have caused this gas to become a dangerous air pollutant that is eating away at the Earth’s fragile atmosphere. Dangerous to both plants and animals, sulphur oxides can injure organic matter when deposited in high concentrations and cause respiratory problems by irritating air passages and lungs.
On November 8, 2017, Delhi earned the unenviable distinction of becoming the most polluted city on Earth. The pollution surged so high that some monitoring stations reported an Air Quality Index of 999, way above the upper limit of the worst category, hazardous. (An extra-sensitive air quality instrument at the US embassy got a reading of 1,010, as you can see in the chart).
The airborne particles and toxic chemicals that make up the smog had choked the 19 million residents of the metropolitan area, where merely breathing the air was, at its worst, like smoking 50 cigarettes in a day. Hospitals reported a 20 percent surge in patients with pollution-related illnesses, and doctors had declared a public health emergency.
We are bringing out a classic case before the readers just to point out that what reckless industrialisation can bring out. In the entire spectrum of pollutants, automobiles cause the highest pollution then comes the power generating plants and close to that is cement industry. Therefore it is pertinent that cement industry initiates green initiatives. Why to take green steps?

Cement production is the third ranking producer of anthropogenic (man-made) CO2 in the world after transport and energy generation
About 4 – 5 per cent of the worldwide total of CO2 emissions is caused by cement production
CO2 is produced at two points during cement production:
The first is as a by-product of burning of fossil fuels, primarily coal, to generate the heat necessary to drive the cement-making process. The second from the thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate in the process of producing cement clinker.
CaCO3 (limestone) + heat -> CaO (lime) + CO2
Production of one tonne of cement results in 780 kg of CO2
Of the total CO2 output, 30 per cent derives from the use of energy and 70 per cent results from de-carbonation

Important to realise is that although 5 per cent of the worldwide generation of CO2 is due to cement production, that level of output also reflects the unique and universal importance of concrete throughout the construction industry.Measures adopted by cement
The emission regulations moved from 250 mg/Nm3 to 30 mg/Nm3 progressively on par with the global best practices. The cement Industry is continuously adapting to the latest air pollution control technologies like Electrostatic Precipitators, Bag Filters for achieving lower stack emissions of 30 mg/Nm3. Cement Industry installed Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems and Continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations for on line reporting dust emissions. The provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, National Ambient Air Quality Standards has accelerated the Cement Industry’s efforts to pursue their initiatives more vigorously.Measures to control of water pollution: Cement Industry installed Sewage Treatment Plants and Effluent Treatment Plants to treat this water and to reuse for dust suppression & gardening. It is also doing huge amount of rain water harvesting in their mined out pits. Corporates like ACC, Ambuja and Dalmia Bharat have taken steps at few of their plants to become water positive. Sustainable mining and biodiversity conservation: All captive mines operated by Cement Industry strictly adhere to mining, environmental norms laid by Indian Bureau of Mines, Ministry of Environment & Forest & Climate Control , State Pollution Control Board for eco-friendly mining and safety norms by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) for safe mining. All cement plant and mine sites complies with earmarking 33 per cent of total land area for the green belt development and afforestation. Wild Life Protection Act (WPA) 1972 is further augmenting the Cement Industry’s efforts in preserving the biodiversity with clear guidance. Hazardous waste management & co-processing:Cement industry generates very limited quantity of hazardous waste such as spent oils and lubricants, grease, etc., which are either co-processed in cement kilns or sold to authorised recyclers. The Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 & amendment 2010 gives a clear guidance to the Industry for safe management, handling and disposal of hazardous waste. Apart from this industry also co-process various waste materials generated by other industry. The kiln of a cement plant is the best suited for processing of waste in the most cost effective manner which none other system offers world over. Today rapid urbanisation has created several problems of disposing off waste either industrial or domestic. The stock of fossil fuels is depleting very fast, we have to look for another source of energy. Therefore processing of waste in cement kilns has vast potential in our country. The technology as such is quite proven in Europe and other advance countries. We need to adapt it to local conditions. TSR (Thermal Substitution Rate) is a per cent age replacement of conventional fuel and the number for some of the countries is as high as 60 per cent where as in our case it is at meagre 4 per cent.
Apart from the above, the cement industry has following various innovations towards the sustainable development. Equipment Innovation: Cement
Industry has taken various energy conservation activities throughout the cement manufacturing process. Some of the notable initiatives are as given are
as under:

Advanced dry process kiln with energy efficient cooler with 6/7 stage pre heater
Low NOX burners and low NOX calciners to reduce NOX from the kiln
Energy-efficient grinding equipment like roller press and VRMs
Energy efficient compressors, pumps, lighting, variable speed drives, fans and motors
Process optimiser along with advanced energy management system, etc.,

Clinker factor improvement and natural resources conservation: Total cement grade limestone reserve available to meet the industry requirements is 89.86 billion tonne, which are expected to last only for another 40 years. Cement industry has carried out extensive research and development for substituting clinker and to absorbs huge quantities of industrial wastes like fly ash and slag. This not only helps in reduction in CO2 emission but also preserving natural resources like limestone and corrective materials.
Recycling of concrete as of date happens to be far stretched. Concrete mixture has the highest proportion of natural materials like stone chips, sand, water etc. If we are able to make use of used concrete we shall save our natural sources of sand and stones. Cement industry is expected to make investments in processing of used concrete which is not happening. With focus on infra development, the day is not far away when we shall be compelled to explore these options. With confidence we can say that Indian cement industry is on the right track though may be little late on few initiatives. The days ahead of us will see industry becoming greener.

Economy & Market

RAHSTA Roundtable Sets Agenda for Smarter, Safer Highways

Published

16 hours 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

16 hours 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