DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE

The Indian cement industry is making significant strides to shift to a more sustainable future. However, challenges such as high infrastructure costs remain

- NEERAJ AKHOURY

WITH A GREATER focus on building a greener future, the cement sector is bracing for greater innovations.

The Indian cement industry, the second largest globally, boasts an installed capacity of approximately 670 million tonnes per annum and a cement production output of around 430 million tonnes in 2023-24. With 175 integrated cement plants and 150 split grinding units across India, it plays a pivotal role in meeting the nation's infrastructure demands. At the same time, the industry has set ambitious yet pragmatic targets to transition into a greener, more sustainable sector, aligning with the Prime Minister's vision for India to achieve Net Zero by 2070.

As a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, the industry carries the responsibility to innovate and adopt sustainable practices. The transformative changes underway go beyond technological advancements-they demand a complete rethinking of traditional processes and a willingness to challenge long-established paradigms. This shift represents a defining moment, not only for the cement industry but also for the broader manufacturing sector.

The traditional "take-make-dispose" linear model is gradually being replaced by the regenerative principles of a circular economy. This paradigm shift emphasises the recycling and reuse of products, materials and energy, reducing waste, and enhancing resource efficiency.