Adani Cement, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, has taken a significant step towards decarbonizing cement production by partnering with Coolbrook to deploy the world's first commercial RotoDynamic Heater™ (RDH™) technology. This groundbreaking initiative will be implemented at the Boyareddypalli Integrated Cement Plant in Andhra Pradesh, India, marking a pivotal moment in the global cement industry's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Key Highlights of the Partnership

• Technology: Coolbrook's RotoDynamic Heater™ (RDH™) technology
• Location: Boyareddypalli Integrated Cement Plant, Andhra Pradesh, India
• Expected CO₂ Reduction: ~60,000 tonnes annually, with potential to increase 10-fold
• Power Source: Adani Cement's renewable energy portfolio
• Target Temperature: Around 1000°C for hot gas delivery

Impact on Cement Production

The RDH™ system aims to decarbonize the calcination phase, which is traditionally the most fossil fuel-intensive stage of cement production. By providing clean heat for drying and enhancing alternative fuels, the technology is expected to significantly increase the substitution of fossil fuels with sustainable alternatives.

Adani Cement's Sustainability Goals

Vinod Bahety, CEO of Adani Group's Cement Business, emphasized the significance of this deployment: "This is a major leap towards achieving our net-zero goals. By integrating such cutting-edge electrification solutions into our cement production, we are accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels, reducing emissions at scale, enhancing the utilization of clean energy sources, and setting a new standard for low-carbon cement manufacturing."

Future Plans and Scalability

Adani Cement and Coolbrook have identified multiple opportunities for deploying RotoDynamic Technology across Adani's industrial operations. The companies aim to launch at least five additional projects within the next two years, demonstrating the scalability and potential for replication of this technology in the cement industry.

Industry Impact

This deployment positions Adani Cement at the forefront of India's efforts to become a global clean manufacturing cement hub. It also aligns with Adani Cement's broader sustainability initiatives, including its status as one of only four large-scale cement companies globally with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)-validated net-zero targets.

Joonas Rauramo, CEO of Coolbrook, stated, "Our mission is to make RotoDynamic Technology a new industry standard for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. Together, we're redefining how cement is produced - cleaner, more efficient, and ready for a net-zero future."

As the cement industry continues to grapple with its significant carbon footprint, Adani Cement's pioneering deployment of the RDH™ technology sets a new benchmark for sustainable cement production. This initiative not only advances Adani's own sustainability goals but also paves the way for broader adoption of clean technologies in the global cement sector.

Ambuja Cements , a key player in the Indian cement industry, has reported a robust performance for the second quarter, with significant growth in sales volume and profitability. The company has also unveiled ambitious expansion plans, aiming to reach a capacity of 155 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by FY28.

Strong Q2 Performance

Ambuja Cements achieved its highest-ever quarterly sales volume of 16.6 million tons, marking a 20% year-on-year growth compared to the industry average of 4%. This impressive volume growth was accompanied by a 58% year-on-year increase in EBITDA, which reached INR 1,761.00 crores. The company's EBITDA per ton improved to INR 1,060.00, up 32% from the previous year.

Financial Highlights

• Revenue stood at INR 9,174.00 crores, up 21% year-on-year
• Market share increased by 1% to 16.6%
• Profit after tax reached INR 2,302.00 crores, up 364% (including a one-time tax write-back of INR 1,697.00 crores)
• Premium products comprised 35% of total trade sales, with 28% year-on-year growth in premium cement volumes

Cost Reduction and Efficiency Gains

Ambuja Cements reported significant cost reductions, with overall costs decreasing by INR 238.00 per metric ton year-on-year. The company achieved a kiln fuel cost of INR 1.65 per 1,000 kilocalories, which it claims is the lowest among peers. Management aims to further reduce total costs to INR 4,000.00 per metric ton by March 2026.

Expansion Plans and Debottlenecking

The company has revised its capacity target to 155 MTPA by FY28, up from the previous target of 140 MTPA. This increase includes:

• Expansion of existing capacities to 107 MTPA
• Addition of 15 MTPA through debottlenecking initiatives at 13 locations
• Plans to increase clinker capacity from the current 65 million tons to 96 million tons by FY28

The debottlenecking initiatives are expected to be completed at a lower capex of $48.00 per ton on an integrated basis.

Sustainability Initiatives

Ambuja Cements has made progress in its sustainability efforts:

• Green power share increased to 33% in Q2
• Renewable energy capacity reached 673 megawatts
• The company aims to achieve a 60% green power share by FY28

Future Outlook

Vinod Bahety, CEO of Ambuja Cements, expressed optimism about the company's future, stating, "I'm quite bullish to achieve double-digit growth may not be 20% when the acquired assets mature and therefore, the base goes up. But surely double-digit growth is what we are targeting on strength of the strong brands what we have with top of it, now the Adani brand also getting shipped into it."

The company expects to benefit from improved economic sentiments and higher investments in both public and private sectors. It also anticipates that the recent GST reduction from 28% to 18% for cement will drive demand, especially for premium products.

As Ambuja Cements continues to integrate its acquired assets and implement efficiency measures, it aims to sustain and improve its EBITDA performance, targeting INR 1,500.00 per ton by FY28.

With its ambitious expansion plans and focus on operational efficiency, Ambuja Cements appears well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand in the Indian cement market and strengthen its competitive position in the coming years.