Business EconomyPosted at: May 14 2026 4:26PM


Indian cement industry reduced carbon footprint by over 40 pc in two decades: E R Raj Narayanan

Hyderabad, May 14 (UNI) The Indian cement industry has reduced its carbon footprint by more than 40 per cent over the last two to three decades through energy efficiency, use of alternative fuels, renewable energy, and technological interventions, according to E R Raj Narayanan, Co-Chairman- Green Cementech 2026, Business Head & Chief Manufacturing Officer- UltraTech Cement Limited.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the two-day 22nd Green Cementech 2026 conference themed “Road to Net Zero,” organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry Green Business Centre in partnership with the Cement Manufacturers Association at HICC here on Thursday, Narayanan said cement manufacturing remains one of the most carbon-intensive industries due to the chemical process involved in converting limestone into clinker.
Narayanan, who is also Co-Chairman of Green Cementech 2026, explained that carbon dioxide emissions arise both from the limestone processing stage and coal-based thermal combustion used in cement production, making decarbonisation a major challenge for the sector.
He said the industry has adopted several measures to cut emissions, including improving process efficiency, increasing the use of fly ash and slag as clinker substitutes, adopting municipal solid waste and agricultural waste as alternative fuels, and expanding renewable energy usage. He noted that more than 2 GW of renewable energy capacity has already been integrated into cement operations across India.
He also highlighted the increasing use of waste heat recovery systems and technological innovations aimed at reducing fuel consumption and clinker requirements in cement manufacturing.
On carbon capture technologies, Narayanan said the industry is exploring commercially viable methods to capture carbon dioxide emissions and convert them into useful products such as urea, methanol, and polycarbonate.
Responding to concerns over the cost of green cement, he asserted that green cement is not expensive and said nearly 70 to 75 per cent of cement produced in India already incorporates green practices through the use of fly ash and slag.
He added that the sector is also working on next-generation low-clinker and alternative cement technologies to further reduce carbon intensity while maintaining product strength and quality.
K S Venkatagiri, Executive Director of the CII-Godrej Green Business Centre, was also present.
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