This technology has matured over the years. The lab automation suppliers are moving their data over to cloud and perform analytics on the quality data by relating it to process data (such data can be opened up for end-users of our product).

Quality control equipment of cement industry, which was automated over the years, is turning towards robotics, of late. In the early days, sample collection and transfer it to testing laboratory and adjusting the controls based on the laboratory results were being done manually.

Yes, we are the users of lab automation for quality control of Emami Double Bull Cement. Analysis of raw materials and cement and its control are the most important and integral process for us.

The April-June 2018 (Q1) report card of some major cement companies is out, and it has highlighted the major and persistent structural concern affecting the industry - the absence of price hikes.

For those from the cement industry, answering the question "what is the one-day strength?" gives a good picture of the cement being used. Multiple parameters can be modified for better early strength, including replacing clinker with supplementary cementitious materials like fly ash and slag.

Makarand Marathe, Director, Cement Division, Thyssenkrupp Industries India (tkII) believes that even as India’s demand for cement shows signs of gradual recovery, equipment makers need to prepare themselves to engage with an increasingly discerning customer.

India is the second largest producer of cement in the world after China. However due to unfavourable demand-supply scenario, the industry is reeling under the pressure of rising input costs. Today, manufacturers are under tremendous pressure due to reducing profit margins and increased competition.

Cement is never used as cement alone but is always converted to a value-added product in practice.

Present day mining equipment comfortably handles huge chunks of up to 1,800 mm size ROM stones to be fed as input to crushing system, says LN Mitra, while discussing size reduction equipment.