Bangladesh’s prominent cement producers are shifting substantially towards environmentally friendly production processes, driven by the imperative to reduce energy consumption, pollution, and carbon footprint.
Major cement manufacturers in Bangladesh want to embrace such sustainable practices. This transformation comes in response to growing global concerns about the environmental impact of industrial activities.
To achieve this green transition, these companies have upgraded from traditional ball mills (TBMs) to advanced vertical roller mills (VRMs) and roller presses (RPs), a shift noted by industry insiders.
The roller press serves as grinding equipment for various materials like clinker, gypsum, coal, etc.
Similarly, the VRM is a grinding machine for raw materials, gaining popularity due to its energy efficiency, minimal emissions, and compact space requirements.
While the cost of VRM and RP-based production lines is triple that of traditional methods, local manufacturers emphasize that the long-term sustainability benefits outweigh the initial investment.
Nine prominent companies, including Shah Cement, Bashundhara, Fresh, Premier, Seven Rings, Crown, LafargeHolcim, HeidelbergCement, and Akij Cement — which collectively control 85% of the domestic cement market, have embraced this advanced manufacturing process.
Production methods based on VRM and RP reduce energy consumption. These methods curtail pollution by approximately 70$ compared to conventional approaches.
Premier Cement’s three production units, with a combined daily capacity of 26,000 tonnes of cement, have transitioned to the VRM system.
The country is housing 37 active cement factories with an annual production capacity of 58 million tonnes against a 35 million tonne demand.
Over the long term, VRMs can lead to lower operating costs due to their energy efficiency and reduced maintenance needs.
