COVER STORY The need for new-gen refractories A permanent cost reduction programme is running in every plant to optimise its competitiveness and profitability     TECHNOLOGY Refractories face the challenge of AFR Despite a lot of talk about the usage of alternate fuels and raw materials AFR in a cement industry, AFRs are not easy to use as it comes with a set of problems.   INTERVIEW The concept of refractories has evolved over time Sumanta Mukhopadhyay, General Manager – Technical, Dalmia Refractories Ltd.   CASE STUDY –CONVEYOR BELT Pipe conveyor: An economically convincing alternative. For an economical and sustainable operation, Aalborg Portland therefore relies on alternative fuels and raw materials AFR in its Denmark lead plant to ignite the calciner and the main burner.     FEATURE – AUTOMATION The quick fix solution for automation With the ever-increasing demand for quality products and stringent environmental policies and regulations, today’s manufacturing sector has been challenged like never before.   Testing Machine CTM data automation Compressive testing machine CTM measures an important physical property of cement   MARKET WATCH Industry hopes for better performance in Q3 Cement sector analyst reviews the first quarter that ended on July 31, 2017 and takes a peep into the next quarter August-November.