Swiss major Holcim is evaluating expansion through new projects as well as acquisitions in India in the backdrop of the favourable industry scenario which will spur cement demand. Holcim, which has majority stake in Ambuja Cements and ACC with a combined annual production capacity of more than 45 million tonne, has also identified India as one of its major growth drivers for the next year along with Indonesia, USA, Mexico and the UK.
Ambuja Cements and ACC together have 15 integrated plants. They will have 14 grinding units with a cumulative cement grinding capacity of 63.7 mtpa by 2016 with the ongoing expansion. They also have 49 ready-mix plants.
The new government has proposed various measures that should drive cement demand. The company expects that the supply-demand balance was gradually improving although about 100 million tonne oversupply remains across India. According to Holcim, India?s cement demand is expected to reach 310-320 million tonne with available supply estimated at 400-410 million tonne by 2018.