Civil Insight: A Technical Magazine Volume 2 | Page 58

CIVIL INSIGHT 2018
58
Sarbottam Cement Brief
Implementing a new vision in the cement industry
Sarbottam Cement Private Limited is a cement and clinker manufacturer based in
Sunwal, Nawalparasi. Sarbottam Cement was established with a vision to provide
the highest quality cement possible in the Nepalese market, and as such, Sarbottam
manufactures its own clinker and sources its limestone from four mines located across
Nepal, opting for higher quality limestone over the cheaper alternatives situated
nearby the plant. The greatest distinguishing aspect in Sarbottam’s manufacturing
process, as compared to every cement manufacturer currently in operation, is that
the entirety of the plant was imported from Europe. From crushing the limestone to
packing the cement, from source to delivery, Sarbottam Cement utilizes European
technology in every step of the way. The defi ning feature of this technology is the
Vertical Roller Mill (VRM) - as opposed to Ball Mills used by other manufacturers.
VRMs can produce much fi ner cement dust at almost half the energy consumption
compared to Ball Mills. In addition to importing European machinery, Sarbottam
has also adopted European quality control measures; Sarbottam is the only cement
manufacturer in Nepal that uses an X-Ray Diffraction machine to quickly and
accurately measure key chemical properties of its products. Sarbottam is also the
only manufacturer to use a cross-bar cooler, which quickly quenches the heated
clinker adding extra strength, much like a blacksmith would dip heated metal into
water to abruptly cool and strengthen the material. In fact, Sarbottam’s clinker
is widely used by other cement manufacturers throughout Nepal. Furthermore,
Sarbottam is only one of a select few to use a Stacker-Reclaimer to control the
blend ratio of crushed limestone - hence assuring consistent chemical and physical
properties in the clinker, and by extension the cement. By controlling the quality of
the raw materials and by utilizing the latest advancements in cement production
and quality control, Sarbottam ensures an unrivaled excellency in its cement.
Sarbottam’s push for products of the greatest quality possible stems from its
desire to be sustainable. Cement manufacturing is an inherently pollution laden and
environmentally taxing industry. In any economy in any corner of the world, cement
manufacturing requires a substantial and continual supply of electricity - mostly
derived from fossil fuels - and limestone. Furthermore, the grinding of limestone,