Economy & Market

Consolidation in cement industry: Gobbling Up!

Published

14 years ago

August 31, 2012

admin

The cement industry has been going through consolidation phase with large Indian cement players preying on smaller ones and foreign cement majors acquiring controlling stake in Indian majors. Prakash Patil looks at the M&A scenario and what it holds for the future of cement industry in India.It’s mergers and acquisitions season in the Indian cement industry and the latest big ticket deal is the acquisition of 51 per cent controlling stake by Irish cement major CRH in the two 2.4 MTPA plants of the Jaypee Group in Gujarat. A buoyant trend in prices could reportedly fetch the Jaypee Group at least $160 per tonne as replacement value, as it puts on the block its hived-off plants in western (2 units of 2.4 MT each) and southern India (1 unit of 5 MTPA). The deal for the two 2.4 MTPA plants is reportedly valued at Rs 4,200 crore. However, as Jaypee Group has its third plant with a capacity of 5 MTPA in Andhra Pradesh and the three plants would be valued at about Rs 9,000 crore. For CRH, this will be the second acquisition in India. The company had forayed into India in 2008 with the acquisition of 50 per cent stake in Hyderabad-based cement producer My Home Industries, which had an installed capacity of 4.2 MTPA.The latest CRH-Jaypee Group deal is an indication of the churning the Indian cement industry is going through over the last decade or so. The big fishes are on the prowl to gobble up smaller fries in the business and considering that there are 139 large cement plants and 365 mini cement plants in the country currently with 40 major and mid-size players having pan-India presence, the opportunities for acquisitions for the large cement players are enticing. And, it’s not just the small fries that are on the radar of the big players, even some of the biggest cement companies have been taken over in the past and many more are being wooed. After all, the cement business of Jaypee Group being acquired by CRH makes Jaypee Group the third largest cement player in India after UltraTech and Ambuja Cements.The big ticket dealsApart from the latest big ticket deal between the CRH-Jaypee Group, there have been quite a few large takeovers since 1999. When Gujarat Ambuja Cements (GACL) picked up 7.2 per cent stake in India’s then largest cement manufacturer ACC at a price of Rs 370 per share when the market price hovered around Rs 240 per share from the Tatas in December 1999, it created sensation. Later in 2000, GACL acquired the balance 7.2 per cent from the Tatas to become the largest shareholder in ACC. But the twist to this tale came when Swiss cement major Holcim picked up 14.8 per cent stake in Gujarat Ambuja Cements (later to merge with Ambuja Cements Eastern to become Ambuja Cements) for Rs 2,100 crore through the creeping acquisition route and later picked up another 20 per cent stake for Rs 2,400 crore. Subsequently, Holcim hiked its stake in Ambuja Cements to over 50 per cent, thereby acquiring complete management control over Ambuja Cements. The Holcim transaction and valuation provides an excellent indication of the extent to which investors and strategic players are ready to buy the India growth story. In 2005, Holcim acquired stake in ACC at an enterprise value (EV) of $111 per tonne and the next year Holcim acquired stake in Ambuja Cement at an EV of $193 per tonne. In 2007, Holcim again increased its stake in Ambuja Cements at an EV of $301 per tonne!With this acquisition, Holcim also acquired management control over ACC as Ambuja Cements had hiked its stake in ACC to more than 50 per cent. So, Holcim upped the ante for other global cement companies by acquiring majority stake and management control over two of India’s largest cement companies.Lafarge, the French cement major, got late into action in the M&A space and decided to take the acquisition route to fast track it cement business in India. The company declared in 2010 that it was open to consolidation in India and, according to Bruno Lafont, Chairman & CEO, Lafarge, the timeframe for acquisitions was the next five years. "We see consolidation happening (in the cement industry) in India in the mid term period. We are confident of our ability to deliver our investments in India and are open to seizing new opportunities, be it consolidation or greenfield projects," said Lafont while inaugurating the clinker line at Lafarge India’s cement plant in January 2010 at Sonadih in Chhattisgarh. The company entered the Indian market in 1999 with the acquisition of Tata Steel’s cement plant. This was followed by the purchase of the Raymond Cement facility in 2001 and the acquisition of L&T’s concrete business in 2008.The takeover of L&T’s cement business by Grasim Industries in June 2003 also created buzz in the market since this takeover catapulted Grasim Industries (later its cement division being merged into UltraTech Cement) from the third position to the numero uno position in India. After the takeover, UltraTech’s installed capacity went up from 13 MTPA to 31 MTPA. Grasim Industries had to shell out Rs 2,200 crore over a period of three years for a majority stake in Ultratech Cement. Today, UltraTech maintains its leadership position with an installed capacity of 52 MTPA, with Holcim at the no. 2 position with combined capacity of 45 MTPA through ACC and Ambuja Cement.These are just a few samples of big ticket deals that have happened in the cement sector in India since late nineties. There have been many more big and small takeovers and mergers by domestic players since mid-1990s and by foreign players since late-1990s (see box). According to the data published by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, the cement sector attracted foreign direct investments (FDI) worth US$ 2.62 bn between April 2000 to May 2012, which is an ample indication of the fact that the cement sector has been attracting foreign investors in droves.The key M&A triggersClearly, the cement biggies have gone on a shopping spree since during the last decade or so. And not without reason. There are compelling reasons why domestic and foreign cement majors appear to be so bullish on India. "Major reasons for consolidation were excess capacity and entry of foreign players who wanted a pie of untapped Indian market…Apart from above two reasons, another factor that is leading to consolidation is the rising cost of greenfield capacity which also tends to have longer gestation period. Existing players are eyeing companies who are unable to meet rising cost of raw materials due to increasing imported coal prices. On the other hand, the top players who want to spread their reach are tapping such companies as it saves on time factor of greenfield capacities," says Alok Sanghi, Director, Sanghi Industries.
Commenting on the reasons for consolidation, Jailesh Dalal, Director, JAYCEE Buildcon (India), says "The Indian cement industry is fragmented and large domestic and international players would try to consolidate their position going forward for geographical diversification, concentrated focus on operational efficiency, challenges in acquiring land/limestone resources, exit of smaller players and divesture of cement businesses by diversified groups."Now, let’s look at each of these reasons why Indian cement industry is passing through the consolidation phase.Overcapacity

During 2007-12, cement producers added capacity to the tune of 150 MTPA, thereby almost doubling the total installed capacity to 303 MTPA in FY2012-13. According to a report by research firm RNCOS, "It is anticipated that the cement industry players will continue to increase their annual cement output in coming years and the country’s cement production will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 12 per cent during 2011-12 to 2013-14." According to projections, by 2017 the total capacity nationally would add up to 470 MTPA.The increase in capacities by many of the Indian companies was in anticipation of demand from the infrastructure sector which failed to materialise. In a situation where demand fails to keep pace with supply, the capacity utilization rate is bound to decelerate. The capacity utilisation rate for the cement industry in India has dropped from 93 per cent in FY2006-07 to 75 per cent in FY2011-12. The fall-out of such overcapacity situation is that the cement prices are likely to come under downward pressure which would make survival difficult for smaller cement companies with capacities less than 1 MTPA and therefore vulnerable for takeover. However, the fact that cement majors have built up capacities in advance is an indication that these companies expect demand for cement to remain firm due to construction activity, which is expected to gather momentum due to government’s policy to boost investments in infrastructure.Infrastructure PotentialIndia’s high housing and infrastructure deficits points to the huge potential for development of housing and infrastructure. The cement sector will benefit hugely as and when the momentum in housing and infra development picks up. This potential for development has been attracting major players in hordes from across the world. The demand for cement, being a derived demand, primarily depends on the industrial construction, real estate business, construction activities and investments in the infrastructure sector.Currently, the housing sector consumes 55-60 per cent of cement produced in India and this is expected to change in the next few years when the emphasis will shift on infrastructure development such as roads, bridges, airports, and railways, which will consume a significant percentage of cement produced in the country. The consumption of cement in agriculture is negligible today; but with a greater thrust on agriculture and the suggested ‘second green revolution’, this sector too will extensively use cement to build warehouses and other logistics.But instead of opting to set up cement plants themselves, it makes sense for the foreign players to take the acquisition route not just to make foray into India but also ramp up capacity quickly. The high potential for growth in demand for cement is amply evident from the fact that the per capita cement consumption in India was 230 kg in 2010, which is almost half of the global average of around 450 kg and way below the Chinese average per capita consumption of 1220 kg. Hence, domestic and foreign cement companies remain bullish on the prospects of cement industry in India.High capital cost & long gestation periodA cement plant is typically a capital intensive business and to establish a greenfield project takes about three years. The cost of setting up a greenfield capacity has reportedly shot up from $120 per tonne to $160 per tonne in just two years. Besides, the cement business has a long gestation period and, depending on the market situation, the break-even point may extend to three-four years at an operating level of 70-75 per cent. The high capital cost and long gestation period makes establishing a new cement plant an unattractive business proposition. Hence, established and large players may prefer to poach on the existing and established players to beat the competition and increase their market share. "The cement sector is slowly heading for a major consolidation as greenfield projects are becoming difficult to set up due to increased hassles in areas like mineral concession, land acquisition and related environmental and operational issues. This may lead the cement industry in India to be consolidated in the hands of a few major giant cement companies and only a few cement companies with single or smaller capacity plants shall continue to operate purely due to regional and local factors," says P K Ghosh, Chairman, Ercom Engineers.Entry barriers & cumbersome proceduresDifficulty in accessing limestone reserves, which is a key input in cement production, acts as a significant entry barrier for new entrants. To overcome this difficulty, takeover of companies with access to limestone reserves is the easiest route to crossing the entry barrier. No wonder, none of the foreign cement majors tried to set up a greenfield cement plant as prospecting for limestone reserves is a time-consuming process. Even if the limestone reserves are established, getting the mining rights, railway siding, etc. can reportedly take upto 7-8 years, with only 25 per cent chance of striking enough limestone reserves to last for the entire economic life-span of the plant. Hence, acquisition is bound to pick up further momentum as more cement majors enter the Indian market.The benefits of consolidationThe consolidation in the cement industry would prove to be beneficial both for the acquiring companies as well as for the cement industry. Some of the benefits that would ensue from consolidation are as follows:
Economies of scaleA large cement company enjoys the benefits of economies of scale. Mergers and acquisitions bring about consolidation of capacities which adds up the benefits of scale. The economies of scale enable the company to reduce the production costs so that it can reduce the cement price to maintain an edge over the competitors.Extended reach and increased revenuesWhen a company takes over the production and distribution facilities of another company, it immediately extends its geographical reach and increases its market share on account of expansion of the market for its product. The market expansion helps in ramping up the revenues of the company within a short span of time. The enhanced geographical reach may also result in substantial reduction in transportation costs which are quite high as cement is a bulk commodity.Technological upgradationThe new energy-efficient but capital-intensive "dry" production technology offers to the companies efficiencies that provide vital edge over the companies not deploying such technologies. Small manufacturers may not possess the requisite financial resources or production volumes to be able to afford the most efficient technology, which puts them at a competitive cost disadvantage. The entry of foreign players has led to technological upgradation and innovation in Indian cement industry. "Despite the fact that the technology used by Indian cement companies is among the best in the world, more innovation is required to ensure that cement plans are not only environment-friendly, but also low-cost in nature. M&As in last decade has helped Indian firms propel to global standards. Foreign firms who took over Indian firms have made most of the investments in India in the last decade for upgrading technology and raising capacity. With higher spend on technology, existing players are likely to focus more on ready mix concrete, bulk sales and blended cement to ensure improvement in quality as well as environment consciousness with sustainable construction," says Sanghi.The Road AheadGoing forward, the acquisitions space is going to get hotter, with lot of small and mid-sized cement companies up for grabs. Once the economies of scale kick in on account of consolidation, the cement prices are likely to remain competitive yet remunerative. This would benefit both the cement companies as well as cement consumers. Summarising the benefits of consolidation, Dalal says, "M&As would largely have a positive impact in the cement industry in India on account of value creation, economies of scale and cost efficiencies, operational and supply chain efficiencies, higher competitiveness, technology transfer, better research and development and high quality products, financial leveraging and optimization of profitability and increased focus on health, safety and environment. In the future as well, M&As would augur well for the industry as it would bring world-class technology, products and operational efficiencies into India." Sanghi too feels that M&As would be beneficial and says, "M&As in cement industry is likely to bring pricing power, improve profitability and reduce cost of branding for top players. Through M&As, top players would have higher vertical integration and locational advantage with respect to sourcing raw materials and market reach."Of course, there is always the possibility of major companies forming a cartel to keep the cement prices artificially high, but with the Competition Commission of India keeping a vigil over the production figures, capacity utilization and cement prices, the cement companies would be wary of indulging in such malpractices. Sanghi too dismisses fear of cartelization saying, "If there was (cartelisation) as is claimed, cement companies would not have reported losses in any quarter. Also, prices would have been same across the year, if there was cartelization. But every year, cement prices fall during monsoon because there is a slowdown in demand; while prices rise on and around Diwali due to surge in demand from real estate."To sum up, consolidation is good for the cement industry and there are sunny days ahead for the industry in times to come.

Economy & Market

The Road Ahead Begins Here

Published

1 day ago

August 11, 2026

admin

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

admin

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

1 month ago

July 13, 2026

admin

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.