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Architectural Concrete and Colour

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Coloured concrete materials, such as concrete roofing tiles, paving blocks and paving slabs nowadays make an important contribution to making our environment more attractive, and they are also getting more and more accepted by the general public. With these materials, builders are able to combine technical functionality with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Urbanisation – a trend currently prevailing around the world and particularly in the growth markets including, of course India. This tendency is characterised by migration from country to town, rising populations in larger cities and an expansion of urban catchment areas. This is accompanied by an increase in demand for buildings and improved infrastructure. Concurrent to this phenomenon of urbanisation, a growing need for more quality has made itself felt – more quality in living space design and thus also through the use of colour.

Nevertheless, concrete frequently has a rather negative image even though the outstanding technical properties of this all-purpose material are acknowledged by even the layman. Terms like ?concrete jungle? and ?as grey as concrete? are often used to describe an environment in which man does not feel particularly contented. The architectural design and, in particular, the colour of a building tend to be the decisive factors in whether a project is viewed as successful or whether it is seen more as a dismal and monotonous structure.

Adding Colour
There are many ways of giving concrete a coloured appearance.
The most simple method, of course, is to paint the concrete surface, but the problem is that a coat of paint only has limited durability, and renewing it would in many cases be a particularly arduous task. Setting up the scaffolding and applying a new coat of paint not only involves considerable cost, it is also in many cases technically impossible.

Another method is to give the concrete a more lively appearance by using different aggregate materials. The possibilities for producing a colourful design with this method are nevertheless very limited.

In most cases, the method of choice is to integrally colour the concrete, and a wide range of suitable pigments is nowadays available for this purpose. They enable almost any shade to be achieved, and have virtually unlimited durability.

The production of coloured concrete mixes does not basically differ from that of a grey concrete. We shall now look at what points need to be considered to produce attractive concrete surfaces through the addition of pigments.

The raw materials
a)The pigment

Due to the formation of calcium hydroxide, cement that is freshly made up with water is highly alkaline. One of the main demands made on the pigment is therefore that it is absolutely resistant to alkalis, in other words, the colouring effect of the pigment must not be impaired by the lime content of the cement.

Furthermore, the pigment must be neither destroyed nor washed out through the effects of the weather – especially sunlight and the constant changeovers between heavy rain, heat and frost.

Many years of observation of coloured concrete products exposed to different climates in various parts of the world have shown that inorganic oxide pigments can satisfy the requirements expected of pigments for colouring concrete.

The builder has a choice of various colours. Iron oxide pigments (e.g. the Bayferrox? grades) are available in red, yellow, black and brown. Greens can be obtained by using chrome oxide green pigment. White colours can be created with titanium dioxide pigments, and blues with lightfast pigments if the concrete is made with a light-coloured cement.

b)The cement
It is well-known that the various types of cement can also differ in their inherent colour. Whereas, generally speaking, fluctuations in the colour seldom occur within the production from one cement factory, there can be considerable differences in the shade of the cement from different manufacturers.

In practice, it is therefore normal – particularly with larger building projects – to purchase all the cement from the same supplier. This is strongly recommended when producing a coloured concrete, because it should largely eliminate any fluctuations in colour due to differences in the colour of the cement.

As mentioned before, white cement is naturally also particularly recommended for coloured concrete, because it is also possible to produce pastel shades.

c)The aggregates
The colour of the sand and pebbles also affects the colour of the final concrete.
If the exposed concrete surfaces are to be subsequently treated by sandblasting, bush hammering etc., the colour of the pebbles should not differ too much from the coloured concrete. The question regarding the choice of aggregate materials can be resolved by carrying out a few preliminary tests, which do not take up much time and are not particularly costly. On the basis of these trials, the manufacturer can see exactly which combination of sand, pebbles, cement and pigment produces the best colour.

d)The water
Accurate control of the water supply in a concrete mixing unit is, of course, an integral part of efficient concrete production. For this reason, particular importance is attached anyway to ensuring that the volume of water added to the individual batches of concrete is precisely regulated.

However, apart from the technological properties, the colour of the concrete is also dependent on the selected water-to-cement ratio. Excess water evaporates from the concrete and leaves behind cavities in the form of fine pores. These scatter the incident light and thus make the concrete lighter. In other words, the higher the water-to-cement ratio, the lighter the concrete looks, regardless of whether it is a grey concrete or one which has been coloured by the addition of pigments.

Production of the concrete mix
In practice, it has proved best to add the pigment dry to the aggregates in the mixer, and to premix it for around 30 seconds. Only then should the cement be added. After further premixing for about 30 seconds, the water can be added and the mixing process completed.

This method of adding the pigment during the mixing process is more the ideal than the norm, because it is sometimes simply not possible in practice where on-site concrete is concerned. However, one practical possibility for colouring on-site concrete is to add the pigment directly to the ready-mix trucks. This procedure is, of course, only advisable if the mixing action of the truck mixer is adequate and homogenous distribution of the pigment can be guaranteed. The question should be clarified by carrying out suitable practical trials before beginning the concreting work.

Application of the concrete
For working with coloured, ready-mixed concrete, the same principles basically apply as for producing exposed grey concrete surfaces. Care should nevertheless be taken with the choice of release agent. If too much release agent is applied, it will get on to the fresh concrete and stain the surface.

The above points, which need to be observed to obtain perfect results, should also be taken to heart for the production of non-coloured exposed concrete surfaces.

Experience has shown that only a short time is needed for workers to become so familiar with the technique of colouring concrete that they can produce perfect results every time. The manufacturer will in any case be rewarded for the extra care by the success he achieves in complying with the wishes of the architects and building clients as regards the colour of the concrete.

From what has been said so far, the impression may be gained that the process described for colouring concrete is something new. This is certainly not the case. The possibility of using colour pigments for colouring architectural concrete has existed for some time now.

In most cases, it is this combination of design and colour which gives a building its unique flair. Nevertheless, it has to be admitted that colour on its own will seldom be able to make up for a lack of attractive architecture. However, if the element of colour can be used as a supporting element to an attractively designed building, the result will most certainly be well worth looking at, as is illustrated by the following examples:

Lutz Kohnert,
Head of Global Competence Center Construction
LANXESS Business Unit Inorganic Pigments.
From 1983 – 2003 Kohnert has worked in the Competence Center Construction providing customers in Asia-Pacific, Africa and Latin America technical service concerning the use of pigments for colouring of construction materials. Between 2003 and 2010 he worked as Product Manager for inorganic pigments. Since spring 2010, Kohnert is heading the Global Competence Center Construction. In this position he is managing the global technical service activities provided by LANXESS for pigment customers in the construction industry.

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Concrete

Cement Margins Seen Rising 12–18 per cent in FY26

Healthy demand and GST cut to boost cement profits per tonne.

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Cement companies’ operating profit for fiscal year 2026 (FY26) is projected to grow by 12–18 per cent, reaching Rs 900–950 per metric tonne (MT), supported by robust demand, improved realisations, and stable input costs, according to ratings agency Icra.
In FY25, operating profit before interest, depreciation, tax and amortisation (OPBIDTA) stood at Rs 806 per MT, declining 16 per cent year-on-year due to weak realisations amid an extended monsoon and subdued government capital expenditure during the general elections.
Icra’s sample covers ACC, Ambuja Cements, JK Cements, JK Lakshmi Cement, The Ramco Cements, UltraTech Cement, Dalmia Bharat, Birla Corporation, Shree Cement, Sagar Cements, and Heidelberg Cement India, which together account for 74 per cent of industry capacity.
The recent GST cut on cement is expected to lower rural housing construction costs by 0.8–1.0 per cent, boosting volumes and supporting additional capacity. Average cement realisations are expected to rise 3–5 per cent in FY26.
Cement volumes increased by 8.5 per cent in the first five months of FY26, driven by strong demand from housing and infrastructure projects, despite early monsoons in some regions. During this period, cement prices rose 7.4 per cent year-on-year, particularly in northern and eastern markets. Input costs, especially for pet coke and freight, remain sensitive to global crude price movements and geopolitical factors.
Anupama Reddy, vice-president and co-group head of corporate ratings at Icra, said: “With the GST rate cut from 28 per cent to 18 per cent expected to be passed on to consumers, the average retail price of cement, currently Rs 350–360 per bag, will offer savings of Rs 26–28 per bag. Driven by strong demand, capacity additions may rise to 41–43 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) in FY26 from 31 MMTPA in FY25, with the eastern region leading the growth in grinding capacity.”

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Adani’s Strategic Emergence in India’s Cement Landscape

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Milind Khangan, Marketing Head, Vertex Market Research, sheds light on Adani’s rapid cement consolidation under its ‘One Business, One Company’ strategy while positioning it to rival UltraTech, and thus, shaping a potential duopoly in India’s booming cement market.

India is the second-largest cement-producing country in the world, following China. This expansion is being driven by tremendous public investment in the housing and infrastructure sectors. The industry is accelerating, with a boost from schemes such as PM Gati Shakti, Bharatmala, and the Vande Bharat corridors. An upsurge in affordable housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) further supports this expansion. In May 2025, local cement production increased about 9 per cent from last year to about 40 million metric tonnes for the month. The combined cement capacity in India was recorded at 670 million metric tonnes in the 2025 fiscal year, according to the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA). For the financial year 2026, this is set to grow by another 9 per cent.
In spite of the growing demand, the Indian cement industry is highly competitive. UltraTech Cement (Aditya Birla Group) is still the market leader with domestic installed capacity of more than 186 MTPA as on 2025. It is targeted to achieve 200 MTPA. Adani Cement recently became a major player and is now India’s second-largest cement company. It did this through aggressive consolidation, operational synergies, and scale efficiencies. Indian players in the cement industry are increasingly valuing operational efficiency and sustainability. Some of the strategies with high impact are alternative fuels and materials (AFR) adoption, green cement expansion, and digital technology investments to offset changing regulatory pressure and increasing energy prices.

Building Adani Cement brand
Vertex Market Research explains that the Adani Group is executing a comprehensive reorganisation and consolidation of its cement business under the ‘One Business, One Company’ strategy. The plan is to integrate its diversified holdings into one consolidated corporate entity named Adani Cement. The focus is on operating integration, governance streamlining, and cost reduction in its expanding cement business.
Integration roadmap and key milestones:

  • September 2022: The consolidation process started with the $6.4 billion buyout of Holcim’s majority stakes in Ambuja Cements and ACC, with Ambuja becoming the focal point of the consolidation.
  • December 2023: Bought Sanghi Industries to strengthen the firm’s presence in western India.
  • August 2024: Added Penna Cement to the portfolio, improving penetration of the southern market of India.
  • April 2025: Further holding addition in Orient Cement to 46.66 per cent by purchasing the same from CK Birla Group, becoming the promoter with control.
  • Ambuja Cements amalgamated with Adani Cement: This was sanctioned by the NCLT on 18th July 2025 with effect from April 1, 2024. This amalgamation brings in limestone reserves and fresh assets into Ambuja.
  • Subject to Sanghi and Penna merger with Ambuja: Board approvals in December 2024 with the aim to finish between September to December 2025.
  • Ambuja-ACC future integration: The latter is being contemplated as the final step towards consolidation.
  • Orient Cement: It would serve as a principal manufacturing facility following the merger.

Scale, capacity expansion and market position
In financial year-2025, Adani Cement, including Ambuja, surpassed 100 MTPA. This makes it one of the world’s top ten cement companies. Along with ACC’s operations, it is now firmly placed as India’s second-largest cement company. In FY25, the Adani group’s sales volume per annum clocked 65 million metric tonnes. Adani Group claims that it now supplies close to 30 per cent of the cement consumed in India’s homes and infrastructure as of June 2025.
The organisation is pursuing aggressive brownfield expansion:

  • By FY 2026: Reach 118 MTPA
  • By FY 2028: Target 140 MTPA

These goals will be driven by commissioning new clinker and grinding units at key sites, with civil and mechanical works underway.
As of 2024, Adani Cement had its market share pegged at around 14 to 15 per cent, with an ambition to scale this up to 20 per cent by FY?2028, emerging as a potent competitor to UltraTech’s 192?MTPA capacity (186 domestic and overseas).

Strategic advantages and competitive benefits
The consolidation simplifies decision-making by reducing legal entities, centralising oversight, and removing redundant functions. This drives compliance efficiency and transparent reporting. Using procurement power for raw materials and energy lowers costs per ton. Integrated logistics with Adani Ports and freight infrastructure has resulted in an estimated 6 per cent savings in logistics. The group aims for additional savings of INR 500 to 550 per tonne by FY 2028 by integrating green energy, using alternative fuel resources, and improving sourcing methods.

Market coverage and brand consistency
Brand integration under one strategy will provide uniform product quality and easier distribution networks. Integration with Orient Cement’s dealer base, 60 per cent of which already distributes Ambuja/ACC products, enhances outreach and responsiveness.
By having captive limestone reserves at Lakhpat (approximately 275 million tonnes) and proposed new manufacturing facilities in Raigad, Maharashtra, Adani Cement derives cost advantage, raw material security, and long-term operational robustness.

Strategic implications and risks
Consolidation at Adani Cement makes it not just a capacity leader but also an operationally agile competitor with the ability to reap digital and sustainability benefits. Its vertically integrated platform enables cost leadership, market responsiveness, and scalability.

Challenges potentially include:

  • Integration challenges across systems, corporate cultures, and plant operations
  • Regulatory sanctions for pending mergers and new capacity additions
  • Environmental clearances in environmentally sensitive areas and debt management with input price volatility

When materialised, this revolution would create a formidable Adani–UltraTech duopoly, redefining Indian cement on the basis of scale, innovation, and sustainability. India’s leading four cement players such as Adani (ACC and Ambuja), Dalmia Cement, Shree Cement, and UltraTech are expected to dominate the cement market.

Conclusion
Adani’s aggressive consolidation under the ‘One Business, One Company’ strategy signals a decisive shift in the Indian cement industry, positioning the group as a formidable challenger to UltraTech and setting the stage for a potential duopoly that could dominate the sector for years to come. By unifying operations, leveraging economies of scale, and securing vertical integration—from raw material reserves to distribution networks—Adani Cement is building both capacity and resilience, with clear advantages in cost efficiency, market reach, and sustainability. While integration complexities, regulatory hurdles, and environmental approvals remain key challenges, the scale and strategic alignment of this consolidation promise to redefine competition, pricing dynamics, and operational benchmarks in one of the world’s fastest-growing cement markets.

About the author:
Milind Khangan is the Marketing Head at Vertex Market Research and comes with over five years of experience in market research, lead generation and team management.

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Concrete

Precision in Motion: A Deep Dive into PowerBuild’s Core Gear Series

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PowerBuild’s flagship Series M, C, F, and K geared motors deliver robust, efficient, and versatile power transmission solutions for industries worldwide.

Products – M, C, F, K: At the heart of every high-performance industrial system lies the need for robust, reliable, and efficient power transmission. PowerBuild answers this need with its flagship geared motor series: M, C, F, and K. Each series is meticulously engineered to serve specific operational demands while maintaining the universal promise of durability, efficiency, and performance.
Series M – Helical Inline Geared Motors: Compact and powerful, the Series M delivers exceptional drive solutions for a broad range of applications. With power handling up to 160kW and torque capacity reaching 20,000 Nm, it is the trusted solution for industries requiring quiet operation, high efficiency, and space-saving design. Series M is available with multiple mounting and motor options, making it a versatile choice for manufacturers and OEMs globally.
Series C – Right Angled Heli-Worm Geared Motors: Combining the benefits of helical and worm gearing, the Series C is designed for right-angled power transmission. With gear ratios of up to 16,000:1 and torque capacities of up to 10,000 Nm, this series is optimal for applications demanding precision in compact spaces. Industries looking for a smooth, low-noise operation with maximum torque efficiency rely on Series C for dependable performance.
Series F – Parallel Shaft Mounted Geared Motors: Built for endurance in the most demanding environments, Series F is widely adopted in steel plants, hoists, cranes, and heavy-duty conveyors. Offering torque up to 10,000 Nm and high gear ratios up to 20,000:1, this product features an integral torque arm and diverse output configurations to meet industry-specific challenges head-on.
Series K – Right Angle Helical Bevel Geared Motors: For industries seeking high efficiency and torque-heavy performance, Series K is the answer. This right-angled geared motor series delivers torque up to 50,000 Nm, making it a preferred choice in core infrastructure sectors such as cement, power, mining, and material handling. Its flexibility in mounting and broad motor options offer engineers’ freedom in design and reliability in execution.
Together, these four series reflect PowerBuild’s commitment to excellence in mechanical power transmission. From compact inline designs to robust right-angle drives, each geared motor is a result of decades of engineering innovation, customer-focused design, and field-tested reliability. Whether the requirement is speed control, torque multiplication, or space efficiency, Radicon’s Series M, C, F, and K stand as trusted powerhouses for global industries.

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