UltraTech Cement Limited, India’s largest cement and Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) company, has set its sights on a greener future by revealing plans to elevate the overall share of green energy in its total energy mix to an impressive 85% by 2030. In a strategic move, UltraTech aims to triple its current green energy share from 22% to 60% by the fiscal year 2026, marking a significant stride toward sustainable goals.
Mr. K C Jhanwar, Managing Director of UltraTech Cement Limited, emphasized the company’s goal to steering the cement industry towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. He stated, “As the largest cement company in the country, it is our responsibility to lead the way in building a more sustainable and green future for the industry. Green energy is a key enabler of decarbonization, and our consistent efforts in scaling up our green energy mix underscore our commitment to a clean and green tomorrow.”
As part of its RE100 commitment, UltraTech aims to fulfill 100% of its electricity requirements through renewable sources by 2050. Being a member of EP100, the company has also pledged to double its energy productivity. Currently boasting 691 MW of green energy capacity, including 262 MW of Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS) and 429 MW of contracted renewable energy, UltraTech is already meeting about 22% of its current energy needs sustainably.
To further boost its green energy portfolio, UltraTech has implemented various initiatives, including transitioning to renewable energy sources and expanding its WHRS. The company’s holistic approach encompasses reducing dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the use of green and renewable energy. UltraTech has declared its intent to abstain from further investments in thermal power capacity, aligning with its goal to diminish reliance on fossil fuels and amplify the utilization of green energy.
Recognizing the challenges posed by the cement industry, known for its hard-to-abate carbon emissions, UltraTech is actively exploring innovative technologies to accelerate decarbonization in manufacturing operations. The company has partnered with Coolbrook, a Finland-based technology and engineering company, to implement the RotoDynamic HeaterTM (RDH) technology in one of its cement manufacturing units. RDH technology uses electrification from renewable sources, eliminating the need for fossil fuels in the heating processes of cement production, thereby hastening the decarbonization of the manufacturing process.
UltraTech is also exploring advanced technologies like Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in collaboration with startup technology companies such as CarbonOrO, Coomtech, and Fortera. Going beyond its own operations, UltraTech is actively collaborating with partners to drive decarbonization across its value chain, with a focus on sustainable transport. Recognizing the significant carbon footprint associated with logistics in the cement industry, the company has introduced ‘Green Logistics’ in the form of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) trucks.
As part of the Government of India’s eFAST initiative, UltraTech has committed to deploying 500 electric trucks and adding 1000 CNG/LNG vehicles in the 40-tonne category to its operations by June 2025. The company is engaging with logistics partners to replace conventional diesel vehicles with CNG and LNG trucks wherever possible. Since its introduction of CNG vehicles in 2021 and LNG vehicles in 2022, UltraTech has made substantial progress with over 390 CNG trucks and 50 LNG trucks operational across 17 manufacturing units. The company is eager to rapidly expand this initiative to other manufacturing locations.
