UltraTech leads the charge for a sustainable future 

At UltraTech, sustainability is a driving force behind our operations. National Energy Conservation Day is a reminder of the crucial need to optimise energy use and reduce the carbon footprint towards a sustainable future. As India's largest cement manufacturer and a global industry leader, UltraTech recognises its responsibility to drive sustainable practices in the industry.

Driving energy efficiency

UltraTech consistently pushes for further energy efficiency through an integrated approach in energy management. Some of its key initiatives include investing in R&D for energy efficiency and through the integration of advanced technologies. It also puts focus on the responsible use of resources and energy conservation through systematic operational intervention and modifications, making the use of modeling and simulations.

By integrating advanced technologies, such as vertical roller mills, state-of-the-art grinding systems, and leveraging Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling, UltraTech aims to keep reducing its specific energy consumption per ton of cement produced. The Company consistently assesses its energy performance and invests in upgrading equipment, such as cooler enhancements, calciner modifications and the installation of voltage variable frequency drives (VVFDs) in the Company’s manufacturing facilities.

UltraTech is also driving energy conservation and reducing dependence on fossil fuel-based energy through use of alternative fuels in its cement manufacturing operations. In FY24, over 1.58 million tonnes of alternative fuels were utilised in UltraTech’s kilns and thermal power plants. This helped UltraTech achieve a thermal substitution rate of 5.14% in FY24.

Leveraging emerging decarbonisation technologies

To accelerate its decarbonisation efforts and reduce its dependence on fossil-fuel based energy, UltraTech has collaborated with technology startups to explore the use of emerging decarbonisation technologies such as kiln electrification.

UltraTech has partnered with Coolbrook^TM to jointly develop a project to implement their RotoDynamic Heater^TM (RDH) technology in one of UltraTech’s cement manufacturing units. This technology uses electrification from renewable sources for heating processes in cement production and removes the need to use fossil fuels. The successful implementation of this technology is expected to reduce the use of coal-based thermal energy for kiln operations, helping accelerate decarbonisation in cement manufacturing.

UltraTech has recently signed a collaboration agreement with the Institute for Carbon Management (ICM) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to pilot a ground-breaking new technology Zero Carbon Lime (ZeroCAL). This technology can eliminate nearly 98% of carbon dioxide emissions associated with limestone decomposition in cement manufacturing. The use of this technology reduces dependence on the need for thermal energy for pre-heater operations. UltraTech will be the first company globally to implement the ZeroCAL process at scale through a demonstration plant that will produce several metric tons of zero-carbon lime per day. UltraTech’s partnership with UCLA aligns with its broader sustainability goals and its focus on developing and adopting innovative technologies to decarbonise its operations.

Accelerating the use of Green Energy

UltraTech also focuses on increasing the use of Green Energy in its operations to drive sustainability in its operations. Green energy capacity includes waste heat recovery systems (WHRS) and renewable energy.

With over 308 MW of WHRS capacity installed as of H1FY25, the Company’s dependence on conventional energy sources has been reduced, while helping reduce carbon emissions.  As part of its commitment to realise its Net Zero Goal by 2050, the Company has also installed solar and wind power systems across several of its manufacturing units. With a renewable energy capacity of 681 MW, UltraTech is among the top contributors to renewable energy in the industry. UltraTech has achieved a 30.6% electricity substitution in its green power mix as of H1FY25.

As part of its sustainability goals, UltraTech has taken a holistic approach to embed sustainability across its value chain and has integrated a low-carbon strategy into its business conduct. It is scaling up investments in the development of environment friendly products, improving energy efficiency, increasing the share of renewable energy, and scaling up the use of industrial and municipal waste in its manufacturing operations. This National Energy Conservation Day, UltraTech reaffirms its dedication to creating a sustainable future for generations to come.