Cement, Energy and Environment

43 INDUSTRY CASE STUDIES • UltraTech Cement (India’s leading cement manufacturer) has been the first to try many initiatives. It has enormously expanded waste co-processing: as of 2023 approximately 5.2% of fuel was sourced from “alternative fuels and wastes” (biomass, sewage sludge, RDF, etc.). UltraTech is also exploring electric heating – in May 2023 it launched a trial of Coolbrook’s RotoDynamic Heater, using renewable electricity instead of kiln fuel, for drying alternative fuel feed. Additionally, UltraTech is scaling up waste-heat recovery systems and pledged to 100% renewable electricity (RE100). • Dalmia Cement (Bharat) has ambitious goals and partnerships. It is planning to be carbon- negative by 2040. In 2019 it signed an MoU to construct a 500 kt/yr carbon capture facility with Carbon Clean Solutions. Recently, Dalmia partnered with SaltX (Sweden) to commission a fuel-free electric calciner pilot in 2024, one of the first in-India demonstrations of an all- electric kiln process. Dalmia is also expanding its utilization of industrial byproducts (ash and slag) as clinker substitutes. • JSW Cement is adopting new technologies. It is partnering with Coolbrook to fit an electric RotoDynamic Heater at its Vijayanagar slag grinding facility to cut down fuel-based CO 2 JSW has invested in co-processing (utilization of steelmaking industry wastes and biomass) aswell as thedevelopment ofCCS technologies (with research collaborations). In 2024 JSW’s chair reinforced that government-business “joint dedicated action” would be required if India is to achieve its 2070 net-zero target. • Other groups are also adopting new sustainable practices. For instance, Ambuja Cement (Holcim Group) aims for 60% of its energy to come from renewables by 2027, and several mid-scale groups (such as Nuvoco, Orient Cement, etc.) engage in national pilots for green cement. Together, these case studies reveal an industry that is trying things out: changing fuels, piloting CCUS, embracing digital solutions and establishing internal targets on par with global roadmaps.