Economy & Market

Indian Cement Industry: The year gone by and the challenges ahead

Published

15 years ago

December 31, 2011

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Though the year 2011 has been bumpy for the Indian cement sector, demand growth for the sector is likely to bounce back given the positive outlook of the general construction and infrastructure sector. The main impediments which have impacted the industry are the recent devaluation of the rupee and bank funding becoming costlier for the industry. This has led to a rise in import & input costs for the company in the form of freight and logistics cost. Read on to know the journey of the Indian Cement industry in the current scenarioIndia is the second largest producer of cement in the world after China and the Indian cement industry has seen a tremendous boom during the last few years in sync with the booming Indian economy. However, the fiscal 2011-12 saw the Indian economy suffering a setback due to an increase in inflation, spiking interest rates and a surge in the prices of commodities and fuels alongwith a devalued rupee. A lull has also been observed in the country’s housing sector, which accounts for over 60-70 percent of the country’s cement demand.Pervasion of a negative sentiment in the Indian Economy :As per the monthly "Economic Watch for November 2011" brought out by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the country’s economic growth is expected to slump to 6.6-6.8 percent in the financial year 2011-12. This projection by the industry’s apex body comes in the wake of the Indian government having lowered the country’s GDP growth forecast from the originally projected 9 percent to 7.25-7.75 percent. A poor performance by the mining, manufacturing and capital goods sectors resulted in a 5.1 percent on year contraction in the country’s industrial production in October in over two years. The growth of India’s GDP in the July-September quarter was pegged at 6.9 percent, the lowest in two years on account of the weak global fundamentals and a tight monetary policy by the government. The export sector is also likely to witness a moderation given the bearish fundamentals gripping the world economy. The situation has been complicated further by a widening trade deficit in the current fiscal. Exports for the April-November period increased by 33.2 percent on year to $ 192.7 billion while imports rose by 30.2 percent on year to $ 309.5 billion.A gloom has also been witnessed in the investment climate of the country with a slowdown in the housing and construction industry, which are critical demand drivers for the cement industry. This view was further emphasized by Jayram Nambiar, Ex Managing Director, Pfeiffer India Pvt Ltd who stated, "there has been a substantial reduction in private investments in major capital projects in 2011. There has been low government expenditure on public projects and a fall in investment levels in the housing and construction industry. The cement industry is unlikely to see a revival in demand to the tune of 8-9 percent for some time."Indian Cement Industry : The year that wasThe negative sentiment in the economy has also found its reverberations in the cement sector.Jayram Nambiar, Ex Managing Director-Pfeiffer India Pvt Ltd has concurred "as per a report by the CMA, the country produced 98.81 mt of cement in April-October 2011 which is only 1.2 percent higher than 96.75 mt produced in 2010. A slowdown in demand for cement has been noticed from the housing industry and if the trend continues, the annual growth in demand for cement will remain in the range of 3 per cent on a year on year basis , in 2011-12". The year 2011 also witnessed low cement capacity utilizations compounded by a fall in capacity additions. It was further observed that inspite of an oversupply situation, increased cost of inputs such as fuel and commodities led to a rise in prices of cement across India. Commenting on the capacity parameters for the cement industry, Umesh Shrivastava, Executive Chairman, Holtec Consulting Private Limited stated, "the average capacity utilization, over the year is likely to be in the range of 70-75 percent, which despite being low, is pegged at a level higher than the breakeven point of 50 percent. A slowdown has also been observed in capacity additions, with only 12-13 mtpa of capacity commissioned till now. A capacity addition of around 30 mtpa was expected to come onstream in the period April 1, 2011-31 March 2012." The industry was expecting the installation of around 15-20 mtpa of capacity in 2011. However, a difference in value perceptions between prospective sellers and buyers led to the prospect remaining unrealized. As compared to a peak cycle witnessed during FY 2007-08, cement industry utilization rates witnessed a downslide in FY 2011-12. Commenting on this aspect, Sumit Banerjee, Vice Chairman, Reliance Cementation augured, "the cement sector is cyclical in nature and continues to witness peak and trough cycles. Following a peak capacity utilization rate of 98 percent in FY08, the industry witnessed a down cycle with utilization rate falling to 74 percent in FY 2011-12. Hopefully, this should be the bottom of the cycle with the utilization rate expected to record an improvement to 76 percent in FY 2012-13 and further to 79 percent in FY 2013-14."A moderate 3.1 percent year on year growth in dispatches was recorded by the Indian cement industry in FY 2011-12, following a year on year increase of 4.5 percent in FY 2010-11. The bleak scenario was a result of muted demand, especially in the Southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh due to political instability. Demand growth for cement in fiscal 2011-12 was expected to remain lower at 4.5 percent due to a slowdown in the economy, sluggish growth in infrastructure and real estate projects and a low momentum in government sponsored housing and irrigation schemes.Cost pressures also added to the woes of the cement industry in this fiscal. There was a rise in limestone mining costs due to a hike in prices of diesel in June 2011. Heavy monsoons in the coal mining areas also forced cement companies to import coal at inflated price levels due to a fall in the value of the rupee. High input costs coupled with a fall in demand led to a pressure on the margins of companies. Commenting on the cost factor, Sumit Banerjee, Vice Chairman, Reliance Cementation said, "severe pressure has been exerted over cement production costs over the last two years. The underlying reason behind the same was an increase in costs incurred on raw material, fuel and power, and freight costs which account for around 70 percent of the overall costs for the manufacture of cement. This has affected the operating margin of the industry, which has gone down significantly inspite of higher cement prices."The year can also be noted for technological developments which included waste heat recovery systems and utilization of lower grades of limestone for making clinker. Positive moves were also witnessed on the part of stronger players in the domestic cement arena who tried to establish production capacities outside India and acquire sources for solid fuel.The road aheadThe future largely appears bleak for the cement industry in the fiscal 2012-13 due to prevalent weak economic fundamentals. Commenting on the adversities likely to be faced by the industry, Jayram Nambiar, Ex Managing Director, Pfeiffer India Pvt Ltd said, "looking ahead, the economic scenario the world over and in India is anti growth and the worst is yet to come. The problem in India has been compounded by the current unfavorable political climate. The coming general election is unlikely to lead to the emergence of a strong political party or coalition. The growth levels of 2008-09 are not likely to be witnessed over the next two years. The period is also likely to be tough for the cement industry. The industry will have to deal with problems like rising energy costs compounded with the depreciation of the rupee, higher freight and distribution costs and low price realizations due to weak demand." These problems shall further be exacerbated by a rise in labour costs due to inflationary trends and a rise in the cost of living index. However, price levels for cement cannot be expected to increase much due to high unutilized capacity far in excess of demand likely to prevail in 2012 and 2013. However, it should be noted that additional cement capacity of 20 million mtpa is being implemented and will be commissioned in 2012. If sufficient demand exists, a capacity utilisation of more than 85 percent is easily achievable. The weak economic climate will also have an impact on smaller cement producers and their operations, leading to a spate of consolidations. Concurring on this issue, Nambiar reiterated, "presently, 35 percent of the cement production capacity is in the hands of smaller producers for whom the future will be one of tribulation due to unfavourable economic conditions. The next two years will see a period of consolidation in the industry with the smaller players withdrawing from the industry by selling out to the financially stronger cement producers. Their share of the total cement capacity can be expected to increase to over 70 percent by 2014."Being a huge country, there will be a difference in the region wise demand for cement in the country which is broadly divided into the western, eastern, northern and southern regions. Elaborating on this aspect, Sumit Banerjee, Vice Chairman, Reliance Cementation stated, "demand for cement in the South is expected to go southward by 4 percent in FY2011-12, display lower than average growth at 5 percent in FY2012-13 and bounce back sharply in FY2013-14. A rise in growth will be witnessed by the Eastern and Central regions from the lower than average levels of 6 percent in FY2011-12 to 9 percent in FY2013-14. Demand for cement in the Northern region is expected to remain in the range of 7-9 percent while the Western region will show demand in the 10 percent range till FY2013-14."Reiterating on the capacity utilization differentials across different regions, Banerjee stated, "a moderation is expected to set in the average industry capacity utilization rate to 76 percent in FY2012-13 from 79 percent in FGY2010-11 before showing an upward curve to 79 percent in FY2013-14. The highest capacity utilization rates are likely to be witnessed by the Eastern and Northern regions at 90 percent levels in FY2012-13 while higher capacity additions could lead to a fall in capacity utilizations in Central India. Utilization rates are also likely to be impacted in the Western region due to pressure exerted on account of cement supply from Southern India."The industry is also optimistic that demand for cement will surge in the near future through the revival of economic activity by the government especially through investment in infrastructure projects. Expressing confidence that the government will initiate the demand push process, Umesh Shrivastav, Executive Chairman, Holtec Consulting Private Limited stated, "following the slump of 2011, demand for cement is likely to see a recovery process and will touch levels of 6-8 percent in 2012. The increase in growth will be triggered by the government’s drive to revive economic activity by initiating investment in infrastructure projects. A correction is foreseen in interest rates and improved regulation as regards land acquisition and environmental clearance leading to revival of several on-hold projects. Cement prices are likely to maintain an upward curve due to increasing production and ownership costs alongwith lower capacity utilizations."Challenges & Opportunities for Indian Cement Industry during 2012 onwards:The forthcoming year 2012 for the Cement Industry is likely to see more of consolidation but lower growth rate. The challenges and opportunities may be summarized as follows:??Extraordinary delay in mining lease sanction and delay in land acquisition & MoEF clearance.??Non availability of domestic coal clubbed with poor quality. Hence, industry has to depend upon high cost imported coal. ??Depreciation of Indian currency has further increased the cost of imported coal, Fuel, Gypsum & other raw materials.??Continuous hike in power tariff, due to increase in coal cost & cross subsidy. Though captive power plant appear to be a part solution, but CPP is again depending upon coal supply linkage, which is uncertain.??On top of it, total taxation including excise, VAT, royalty and cross subsidy amounts to approx. 39 – 40% of Ex-works sales realization. Cement being mass consuming item, such high taxation needs re-visit.??Low packing rate and low level of dispatches leading to IR – Labor issues as per the applicable rules & norms of wage board.??Cement Plant being a capital intensive unit, high interest cost is another disincentive for fresh investment in the sector.??Reduced spending on Government Projects and Slow down in infrastructure investment is another cause of worry for fresh investment.Some of the Indian Economy Strong Points & Stimulators relating to Cement Industry??Growing population of currently 1.2 billion with increasing spending power??Government pursuing structural reforms, facilitating pan-Asian trade, increasing FDI inflows??Recent push at Prime Minister’s level for large infrastructure projects such as Highways, Roads, Ports, Railways, Power, Housing, etc. ??Requirement of Accelerated industrialization to cater to infrastructure and consumer markets??India’s economic growth based on reforms and economic liberalization likely to sustain on long term basis.Measures to be implemented for stimulating cement demand:In order to stimulate demand in an already sagging industry, the government needs to initiate certain measures in the form of providing tax incentive to the industry, reduce the overall tax value on the commodity and phase out cross subsidy on supportive components. The government can also consider classifying cement as "Declared Goods" like steel having a uniform VAT rate of 4 percent throughout the country. To throw light on the matter further, P.K.Ghosh, Chairman, Ercom Engineers Pvt Ltd Ercom Group said, "the overall taxation value on cement can be brought down to a level of 20-25 percent of ex-works selling price from the current level. Tax incentive should be provided by the government for promoting blended cement in the larger interest of mineral conservation, waste utilization and bringing down carbon emission. Cross subsidy burden on electricity, diesel and railway freight should be phased out in a gradual manner. The supply of superior quality coal should be increased through merchant mining in private sector. Companies who have been allotted captive coal blocks should be asked to increase production for selling in the open market."Cement manufacturers need to maximize production of blended cement by utilizing industrial waste like fly ash and slag for conserving mineral resources. The current average blending ratio in the country is pegged at approximately 27 percent which needs to be increased to 40 percent over the next 4-5 years. High energy consuming old and inefficient equipment needs to be replaced with modern equipment for optimizing and minimizing energy consumption alongwith increasing capacity. The industry needs to adopt the latest technology for Green Cement grinding for reducing clinker consumption and deriving benefits of carbon credits. Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) business may be promoted by cement companies or small companies should be encouraged to undertake RMC business at various locations, leading to bulk supply of cement and consequent reduction in packaging cost.ConclusionIn a nutshell, the government needs to support the cement industry in reviving its fortune through initiatives like reducing tax burden, providing incentives and ensuring availability of superior quality coal.

Economy & Market

The Road Ahead Begins Here

Published

21 hours ago

August 11, 2026

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The future of India’s roads took centrestage at RAHSTA Expo 2026, where policymakers, contractors and industry leaders came together under one roof. The event blended thought leadership, technology showcase and industry recognition into a single powerful platform.

India’s roads and highways community gathered in full strength at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, for the 16th edition of the RAHSTA Expo (Roads and Highways Sustainable Technologies & Advancement). Over two action-packed days, the event brought together policymakers, contractors, consultants, developers, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, technology providers and investors to deliberate on the future of India’s ,infrastructure while showcasing the latest innovations driving the sector.

The event culminated in the prestigious RAHSTA Awards, where Shri. Ajay Tamta, Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, felicitated organisations and professionals for their outstanding contributions to road construction, engineering, safety, sustainability and technology. With leading contractors, senior government officials, industry veterans and technology providers under one roof, the event reaffirmed RAHSTA’s position as one of India’s most influential platforms for the roads, highways, bridges and tunnels ecosystem.

Organised by FIRST Construction Council in association with ASAPP Info Global Group, RAHSTA has steadily evolved beyond an exhibition into a platform where policy, technology, engineering and business converge to address the opportunities and challenges shaping India’s next generation of transport infrastructure.

Beyond expansion, towards value

The conference opened with a thought-provoking address by Pratap Padode, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Construction World, who observed that India’s highways sector has reached an important inflection point. Introducing this year’s theme – ‘From Expansion to Value: The Next Phase of India’s Highways’ – he noted that while the country has successfully expanded its road network over the past two decades, the industry’s priorities are now shifting towards building infrastructure that delivers greater lifecycle value, durability, safety and operational efficiency. With funding pressures, asset monetisation and evolving project models changing the sector’s dynamics, he said the focus must now move beyond kilometres constructed to the quality and long-term performance of every asset.

Dr Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), reminded delegates that successful infrastructure delivery is ultimately a collective effort. Emphasising on collaboration between government, industry and engineering professionals, he remarked, “There is no loser in a winning team, and there is no winner in a losing team,” urging stakeholders to work together to deliver projects with quality, financial sustainability and technological excellence.

Delivering the keynote address, Bidur Kant Jha, Director, New Technologies for Highway Development, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), outlined the Government’s long-term vision for India’s highway network. Highlighting the country’s 6.26 million km roads network, he spoke about the growing adoption of digital planning tools such as BIM and GIS, bridge health monitoring systems and Integrated Smart Transport Corridors under the Vision 2047 roadmap. He emphasised that while India remains open to global innovations, every new technology must be adapted to Indian conditions before large-scale deployment.

Addressing the gathering during the awards ceremony, Tamta underlined the increasing role of specialised equipment and modern construction technologies in executing complex infrastructure projects across diverse terrains. Referring to challenging tunnel projects in Uttarakhand, he noted how advanced machinery has transformed execution capabilities, while also acknowledging the rapid evolution of Indian contractors into globally competitive infrastructure companies. Recognising excellence through industry awards, he said, motivates organisations to continually raise performance standards and embrace innovation.

Meanwhile, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, highlighted that infrastructure development must increasingly focus on integrated urban mobility. Reflecting on Mumbai’s engineering journey – from its historic underground utility network to the Coastal Road and other transformative projects – he underlined that future infrastructure planning must seamlessly integrate roads, metro systems and public transport to create efficient, multimodal cities.

Uttar Pradesh takes centrestage

One of the highlights of the second day was Uttar Pradesh’s comprehensive presentation on its infrastructure-led industrial transformation.

Srihari Pratap Shahi, IAS, Additional CEO, Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), demonstrated how the state’s expanding expressway network is evolving into a catalyst for industrial development through integrated manufacturing and logistics clusters. Expressways, he noted, are no longer merely transport corridors but engines of economic competitiveness.

Building on this narrative, Deeksha Jain, IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), showcased the state’s rapidly expanding industrial ecosystem supported by extensive expressway connectivity, dedicated freight corridors, airports, industrial townships and investor-friendly policies. She highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s strong manufacturing growth, expanding industrial land bank, plug-and-play infrastructure and increasing use of digital governance to facilitate investments.

Further underlining the significance of the platform, Deepak Kumar, IAS, Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh, remarked, “RAHSTA provides an excellent platform for states to showcase our infrastructure progress and investment ecosystem. Uttar Pradesh has transformed significantly over the past decade, backed by more than 34 investor-friendly industrial policies, and platforms like RAHSTA help communicate these developments to industry stakeholders from across the country.”

Ideas that shaped the industry conversation

The two-day conference featured seven panel discussions, each examining a critical dimension of India’s evolving roads and highways sector.

The opening discussion on ‘Financing Roads & Highways in a Capital-Constrained Era’ brought together experts from Cube Highways, NIIF, SBI Capital Markets, Centrum Capital and Bandhan Infra Fund, who examined how the financing landscape is changing. Discussions revolved around asset monetisation, InvITs, institutional investments and new funding structures, with panellists agreeing that better project preparation, transparent governance and predictable returns will be crucial for attracting long-term capital into infrastructure.

Attention then shifted to execution realities during the panel on ‘Contractors’ Perspective: Execution Realities, Risks & the Quality Imperative.’ Representatives from GHV Infra Projects, PNC Infratech, NCC and Maccaferri candidly discussed the challenges of delivering projects amid contractual complexities, land acquisition delays, rising costs and tight timelines. While execution pressures remain significant, the discussion reinforced that better collaboration across the project value chain is essential for achieving both speed and quality.

Day 2 opened with a technically rich discussion on ‘Designing Roads for Sustainability, Durability & Climate Resilience’. Experts from CSIR-CRRI, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, Zydex Group and SRMB Steel explored advanced pavement technologies, recycled materials, climate-resilient designs and scientific construction practices that can significantly improve durability while lowering lifecycle costs. Sustainability, they agreed, must become an integral part of road design rather than an afterthought.

The subsequent session on ‘Bridges & Tunnels: Complex Engineering, Safety & Future Readiness’ highlighted the growing complexity of India’s infrastructure projects. Panellists discussed advances in structural engineering, digital monitoring, risk management and safety practices that are enabling the successful delivery of increasingly ambitious bridge and tunnel projects across the country.

Technology remained a recurring theme during the discussion on ‘Technology as a Risk-Mitigation Tool for Developers & Investors’. Experts explained how AI, BIM, drones, predictive analytics, digital twins and intelligent monitoring systems are helping improve project planning, minimise execution risks, strengthen quality assurance and enhance asset management throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.

The construction equipment panel brought together leading industry experts to examine how technology, sustainability and digitalisation are redefining construction equipment in an era of rising cost pressures. Discussions centred on enhancing productivity, reducing lifecycle costs and preparing the industry for India’s infrastructure ambitions leading up to 2047.

The conference concluded with an engaging CXO Forum on ‘Rebuilding Confidence in India’s Roads & Highways Sector’, where senior industry leaders emphasised that stronger governance, better project preparation, digitalisation, transparent contracting and closer public-private collaboration will be essential to sustain India’s infrastructure growth over the coming decades.

Technology and recognition under one roof

Beyond the conference halls, RAHSTA Expo reflected the technological transformation underway across India’s road infrastructure ecosystem. Leading equipment manufacturers, technology companies and material suppliers showcased advanced construction equipment, intelligent digital platforms, pavement technologies, structural materials and productivity-enhancing solutions designed to improve project efficiency and asset performance. The exhibition created valuable opportunities for contractors, consultants, government agencies and project developers to evaluate new technologies while interacting directly with solution providers.

The event also served as a celebration of excellence through the RAHSTA Awards 2026, which recognised outstanding achievements across road construction, contracting, materials, equipment, technology, safety, sustainability and infrastructure development. Presented by Minister Tamta, the awards honoured organisations that are setting new benchmarks for quality, innovation and execution across India’s roads sector.

RAHSTA Expo 2026 also received extensive support from across the infrastructure ecosystem. Alongside leading corporate sponsors, the event was backed by industry bodies including the Builders Association of India (BAI), Construction Equipment Rental Association (CERA), Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), International Road Federation (IRF), CSIR-CRRI, CILT India, All India Transporters Welfare Association, Hydraulic Trailer Owners Association (HTOA), Gujarat Contractors Association, Bitumen Forum, Fluid Power Society of India, Indian Institute of Material Management, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Mumbai First, reflecting the industry’s collective commitment to advancing India’s road infrastructure.

As the curtains came down on the two-day event, one message resonated throughout the conference: India’s highways story is entering a new chapter. While expansion will continue, the future will increasingly be defined by smarter planning, stronger partnerships, digital transformation, sustainable engineering and long-term value creation. By bringing together the entire infrastructure value chain on a single platform, RAHSTA Expo 2026 once again demonstrated why it has become one of the country’s most influential forums for shaping the future of roads, highways, bridges and tunnels.

Economy & Market

Fornnax Names Lukas Baur as Authorised Service Partner to Bolster EU Operations

Published

3 weeks ago

July 23, 2026

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Strapline: Fornnax Technology has appointed NOBA Maschinenservice’s Lukas Baur as its authorised service partner for the European Union, strengthening its commitment to delivering fast, reliable, and localised after-sales support across the region.

Fornnax Technology, a leading manufacturer of industrial shredding solutions, has announced the appointment of Mr. Lukas Baur of NOBA Maschinenservice as its authorised service partner for the European Union. The partnership, formalised under the authorisation of Fornnax CEO Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, reinforces the company’s commitment to providing dependable, localised service support to its expanding customer base across Europe.

Strengthening Service Through Proven Expertise

With over two decades of experience in servicing, maintaining, and overhauling industrial shredders, Mr. Baur brings extensive technical expertise to the partnership. His capabilities span welding, hardfacing, shaft and knife rebuilding, complex assembly, hydraulics, and complete electrical engineering services, delivered in collaboration with a trusted partner company based in Halle/Saale.

Operating from Worbis, Germany, Mr. Baur is strategically positioned to provide emergency support across the European Union within 24 hours, covering an operational radius of approximately 1,000 kilometres.

Supporting this capability is a well-equipped service infrastructure comprising 12 Mercedes Sprinter service vans, a team of 24 skilled technicians, specialised bearing-change tools, a fully equipped hydraulic workshop, and a 1,000-square-metre facility with a five-ton crane track. Together, these resources position his team to manage the complete spectrum of Fornnax’s European service requirements efficiently and reliably.

Partnership Driven by Industry Insight

Having spent years servicing Eldan, Lindner, and Vecoplan shredders across the European recycling industry, Mr. Baur’s decision to collaborate with Fornnax is rooted in his understanding of market needs and customer expectations. His experience has provided valuable insight into what recycling plant operators require—not only from their machinery but also from the service teams supporting them.

According to Mr. Baur, Fornnax’s reputation for robust machine construction, superior wear protection, and maintenance-friendly design made the partnership a natural fit.

The collaboration comes at a time when Europe’s tyre recycling industry is facing mounting challenges, including rising cost pressures, shrinking margins, delayed investments, and a shortage of skilled labour. Mr. Baur believes these conditions reinforce the need for technically strong service partners capable of delivering rapid, dependable support.

Commenting on the partnership, he said, “Fornnax, with its exceptional price-performance ratio and superior quality, has the potential to become a market leader in Europe. We would like to be their service partner in this journey.”

Comprehensive Support Across the Equipment Lifecycle

As Fornnax’s authorised service partner, Mr. Baur will oversee the complete lifecycle support of the company’s equipment throughout the European Union. His responsibilities will include installation, commissioning, preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and spare parts support across mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems.

Looking ahead, he also plans to develop a centralised spare parts distribution hub for European customers, particularly if Fornnax establishes a warehouse facility in Worbis to facilitate faster deliveries. To further strengthen service coverage, Mr. Baur intends to expand operations by adding two to three additional service teams and vehicles each year, progressively increasing capacity across the continent.

A Shared Commitment to Customer Excellence

Highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership, Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of Fornnax, said:

“We strongly believe that by continuously improving our service quality and customer satisfaction index, we can build long-term relationships with our customers. Higher customer satisfaction leads to greater trust, which significantly increases repeat orders and ultimately drives sustained growth in our sales revenue.”

This customer-first philosophy underpins Fornnax’s strategy of building a dedicated European service partner network instead of relying solely on remote support. With Mr. Baur joining this network, customers across the European Union will benefit from faster response times, expert technical assistance, and dedicated on-ground support from a partner with extensive experience in high-throughput shredding operations.

Mr. Baur’s appointment also reflects Fornnax’s broader ambition to establish itself as the preferred shredding solutions provider for the European recycling industry, marking another important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.

Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas launches Limla cement plant, expands Gujarat footprint

Published

4 weeks ago

July 13, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas opens a 2 MMTPA grinding unit at Limla, entering Gujarat and advancing its target of 35 MMTPA capacity by FY 2028.

Surat (Gujarat)

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Ltd, a part of Nirma Group and one of India’s leading building materials company, has inaugurated the Limla Cement Plant in Surat (Gujarat), one of Vadraj Cement Limited’s (VCL) principal manufacturing facilities. The commissioning represents a key milestone in Nuvoco’s acquisition and restoration of VCL, while supporting the company’s expansion across the Western Indian cement market.

Vadraj Cement Limited is a subsidiary of Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited and has installed cement capacity of 6 MMTPA across its assets. The Limla inauguration therefore represents the first operational step in the acquired platform’s wider revival, while the Kutch facilities provide clinker supply, mineral security and coastal logistics support for the western business.

Nuvoco completed its acquisition of Vadraj Cement Limited, then under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, after paying a consideration of Rs 1,800 crore in June 2025. VCL’s asset portfolio comprises a clinker unit at Kutch and a grinding unit at Limla in Surat. It also includes high-quality captive limestone reserves and a captive jetty at Kutch, supporting more efficient logistics. Following the takeover, Nuvoco began an extensive programme of restoration, refurbishment and expansion at both locations, leading to the commissioning of the Limla plant.

The Limla Cement Plant is expected to support a phased increase in sales volumes across Gujarat. It will also help Nuvoco supply neighbouring markets in Western Maharashtra and release cement capacity from its northern plants, which can consequently be redirected towards markets in North India. The plant will manufacture a full portfolio comprising Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Slag Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement and Portland Composite Cement. It will additionally produce the complete Nuvoco Duraguard range, including the premium Nuvoco Duraguard Microfibre product. The acquisition is also expected to generate operational synergies with Nuvoco’s existing plants at Nimbol and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, improving logistics optimisation and market reach across important regional markets.

The grinding unit at the Limla Cement Plant was completed ahead of schedule, with 2 MMTPA of capacity now inaugurated to expand Nuvoco’s operating scale and customer reach. After Vadraj Cement’s assets become fully operational, plants in North and West India are expected to account for nearly 40 per cent of Nuvoco’s total cement capacity. This will broaden the company’s manufacturing network, strengthen access to high-growth markets and support its plan to increase consolidated cement capacity to 35 MMTPA by FY 2028, reinforcing its longer-term growth strategy.

Commenting on the development, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, said: “The inauguration of the Limla Grinding Unit in Surat is an important milestone in Nuvoco’s growth journey and demonstrates our commitment to disciplined, value-accretive expansion. Gujarat is strategically significant for Nuvoco, with substantial opportunities arising from infrastructure investment, industrial growth, rapid urbanisation and continuing demand from the housing and construction sectors. The facility strengthens our regional footprint, improves operational flexibility and increases our ability to serve customers across northern and western markets with greater reliability and efficiency.”

He added: “Through the Vadraj acquisition, we have refurbished and restarted a strategically important asset, returning it to operations in record time through strong execution and collaboration between teams. The achievement demonstrates our ability to create value from acquired assets, fulfil our commitments and retain the confidence of stakeholders. It also highlights the strength of our project delivery capabilities and our continued focus on building sustainable, profitable growth over the long term.”

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited is a building materials company whose vision is to build a safer, smarter and more sustainable world. It is among the leading players in East India and has a significant presence across North and West India. Nuvoco began operations in 2014 with a greenfield cement plant at Nimbol, Rajasthan. It later acquired Lafarge India Limited, which had entered India in 1999, followed by Emami Cement Limited in 2020 and Vadraj Cement Limited in April 2025. The company has also announced an expansion in eastern India through a new grinding mill at the Arasmeta Cement Plant, supported by several debottlenecking programmes involving equipment upgrades, process improvements and internal capacity initiatives. These developments place Nuvoco on track to achieve total cement capacity of approximately 35 MMTPA. The company reported total income of Rs 11,362 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting its continuing growth trajectory.

Nuvoco operates a diversified portfolio across three segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete and Modern Building Materials. Its cement portfolio includes Concreto, Duraguard, Double Bull, PSC, Nirmax and Infracem, covering Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Slag Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement and Portland Composite Cement. Its pan-India RMX business provides value-added products under Concreto for performance concrete, Artiste for decorative concrete, InstaMix for ready-to-use bagged concrete, X-Con covering M20 to M60 grades, and Ecodure for specialised green concrete. Nuvoco has supplied materials to projects including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Aquatic Gallery at Science City in Ahmedabad, and metro railway projects in Delhi, Jaipur, Noida and Mumbai.