NCB's 16th International Seminar to highlight key industry concerns
India will be the centre of attention next week for the global cement industry, as the NCB hosts its 16th International Seminar in New Delhi between 3-6 December. There are many leading speakers at this event that will talk on key issues facing the Indian cement sector, such as: reducing the clinker factor with blended cements, waste fuels and raw materials, the circular economy, project engineering, process optimisation, advances in grinding and concrete performance.
The Indian cement sector is now receiving worldwide attention. As the second-largest cement producing country in the world, reducing CO2 emissions and increasing co-processing have become priorities for companies such as Dalmia Cement, whose CEO, Mahindra Singhi, is on a personal crusade to ensure cement will not contribute to greenhouse gases by 2040.
The BBC featured a video documentary on Dalmia Cement this week and highlighted the town of Ariyalur in India, also known as 'Cement City' because of the number of cement plants in its vicinity. Mr Singhi is convinced that the carbon-neutral plant can be achieved here by 2040, because it will be based not only on best but also profitable and sustainable practices.
Plastic waste
One of the key areas where India can improve its best practices in the cement sector is by using more alternative fuels in its production process. Currently, some 40 per cent of plastic waste in India remains uncollected and litters the streets, according to Prakash Javadektar, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It is argued by the Central Pollution Control Board that approximately 25,940t of plastic is generated in India every day. India's 60 major cities produce 4059tpd of plastic waste. If India is to build a circular economy, this waste needs to reach recycling plants or the cement industry, where it can be co-processed.
Therefore, India's cement producers have to participate in waste recycling schemes. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs revealed that of 238 registered cement-producing facilities in India, only 46 had a facility to use refuse-derived fuel (RDF) including plastic or other waste materials. Finding incentives to raise this figure will be vital. While there is the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWMR) April 2016 mandate that five per cent of plastic waste generated by cement plants should be used as fuel, the ministry has no plan to increase the limit.
16th NCB International Seminar, New Delhi, India
It is expected that many of these discussion points will be central to the NCB's 16th International Seminar in New Delhi. At the event, India's cement sector will focus on important current issues such as energy efficiency and environmental excellence with its awards, while its own research into alternative fuels and waste management will be shared during the four-day meeting, which begins with a panel discussion on the circular economy.
India's short-term cement demand dips
Meanwhile, India's cement producers have had one eye on current domestic market conditions. Cement consumption remains subdued in the 2H19, as a sluggish economy combines with suppressed government spending and delays in infrastructure projects. This adds to cement demand already affected in the 1H19 by excessive rains and a housing sector that has not shown any signs of recovery.
The south of the country has seen the biggest drop in cement demand, falling 10 per cent in the July-September quarter. Andhra Pradesh is a major province for cement production, but local factories are reducing their utilisation rates.
Mr N Srinivasan, vice-chairman and managing director of India Cements, said during the discussion on the company's 2Q19 performance: "There was a substantial reduction of demand in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. India Cements lost almost 1000tpm in these two states combined during the September quarter."
Prices have also suffered. During July-September 2019, prices declined in most markets MoM, mainly due to the monsoon.
Next week, CemNet will feature a two-part interview by ICR with NCB Head Director, Dr Bibekananda
