Increasing cost of raw materials, power and labour are the key drivers which make it imperative to opt for process optimisation. There is competition and it is getting intense with new players entering market with latest technology.

Overall cement demand will go up which will increase the present capacity utilisation levels from 50-60 per cent to around 80 per cent, says Faisal Alam, President-Sales & Marketing, Kalyanpur Cement

With most of the regulations following international standards, it is not far that internationally accepted cleaning systems would be a part and parcel of the cement plants across India

The size of Indian cement industry is about 315 million tonne per year while capacity utilisation is about 70-80 per cent. Per capita consumption of cement in India is below 200 kg per person, which is almost half when compared with that of the developed

Cement transport thorough waterways, especially via sea routes, is highly economical for companies located near coastal areas. Capt. Ashok Shrivastava gives his perspective on how logistics via waterway will benefit the cement industry.

Government policies must be so framed as to encourage bulk cement transport in India. There are many ways to boost logistical efficiencies at plant and government level. Yogesh Mehta shares with ICR what Shree Cement

The total cost of logistics considering inbound and outbound movement can come up to 20 to 25 per cent of cement production cost. This is for companies having good infrastructure such as rail sidings, etc., and who transport 40 to 60 per cent product by rail.

Apart from saving the environment from pollution, use of fly ash in cement and concrete blend actively helps in strengthening the structure. It is no longer just a cement substitute, nor is its use just a way to dispose of waste material.

Though the regulatory systems are yet to evolve and embrace the new construction material, fly ash has already proved its worth in several large-scale construction projects all over the world.