RDC delivers durable concrete through data-driven strength and consistency

In this exclusive interaction, RDC Concrete’s Anil Bancchor elucidates how the company’s quality control systems and tech-enabled solutions have facilitated RDC to become a leader in the RMC segment.

Despite the advantages, what challenges does the RMC segment face in Indian metro cities due to environmental regulations? How do you mitigate these?
Although the ready-mix concrete (RMC) segment offers numerous advantages like superior quality, reduced waste, and faster construction, it has faced significant challenges in Indian metro cities due to the increasingly stringent environmental regulations. At Delhi NCR, for example, our plants are closed for about two months a year due to the stringent regulations by NGT. Similarly, in highly polluted cities like Delhi, no RMC plants are allowed to be set up, which calls for transporting concrete from nearby areas. To address these concerns, we are in the process of adopting newer technologies.

Can you describe the quality control measures your company has adopted in the production of your RMC products?
Our company prioritises quality by investing significantly in internal quality control measures to minimise external costs. Complaints and feedback are critical inputs that guide us in refining our quality checks and enhancing product performance. Our production processes undergo rigorous internal cross-audits across plants, complemented by external evaluations, including QCI audits at most facilities and BIS audits at select locations. In addition, we view our supply chain as a vital quality assurance parameter, ensuring that raw material shortages do not compromise standards. Our Ultrafine GGBFS and Ultrafine Fly Ash enhance quality by offering over three times cement replacement levels, reducing shrinkage, enhancing durability, and delivering cost-effective, high-quality concrete.

What methods have you adopted to ensure the strength and durability of your RMC?
Ensuring the strength and durability of our RMC is a core commitment. We closely monitor the strength of finished products, using it as a key indicator to maintain consistent quality. Assessing concrete quality is complex due to raw material variations and the 28-day strength development period, making real-time adjustments challenging. We rely on retrospective quality control to address this, leveraging historical data to identify trends and implement corrections. Additionally, we employ statistical tools to detect deviations early, enabling proactive interventions that uphold the structural integrity and longevity of our RMC, even under varying production conditions.

Can you provide insights into the measures you have adopted to prevent concrete from setting when the distance between the site and the production plant is long?
We offer tailored solutions based on customer needs and site-specific conditions to prevent premature concrete setting over long distances. One method involves designing admixtures that maintain workability throughout transit. We also adopt a dry-mix technology that allows concrete to be activated at the site with process modifications as needed. Another strategy we adopt is crafting mixes with extended workability retention, which is achieved by optimising supplementary cementitious materials and mix proportions. These flexible, innovative solutions ensure that our concrete remains workable and meets performance standards, regardless of logistical challenges.

How has technology helped advance RMC’s services?
Our complete supply chain, from our vendors to internal operations and customers, is fully moderated by automated processes. Similarly, concrete at RDC is produced in automated and integrated computerised Batching Plants. We keep track of each ton and cubic meter flowing through our processes, including energy/diesel consumed and distance covered with real-time visibility. The performance of our fleets is monitored through a powerful tool named RDCTRAK. Our “RDC Customer Connect” application enables our customers in all activities, including placing & tracking orders, acknowledgement of invoices, online payments, and feedback. In addition, we have recently launched “RDC Vendor Connect” for our raw material vendors, where they can see all GRN/MRN and upload their invoices.

For more details, visit: https://www.rdc.in/