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In a turnaround phase

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The overall performance of cement companies show a mixed results in the quarter ended December 2014. While major players like ACC and Dalmia showed reasonable growth, smaller players experienced a dip, owing to mainly sharp increase in power and fuel costs and logistics cost. However, these costs are expected to recede in the coming quarters to offset the current dip in performance.

Research reports indicate that the Indian cement industry to grow at a CAGR of 8.96 per cent in 2014-19. The industry is currently trying to achieve global standards in production, safety and energy-efficiency. Major companies are in the middle of expansion mode while they have reasonably well performed in the quarter ended December 2014.

ACC net sales up 5.4 per cent in 2014
ACC has announced its financial results for the financial year ended on December 31, 2014. Total consolidated net sales for 2014 was Rs 11,480.31 crore compared to Rs 10,889.08 crore in 2013, registering growth of 5.4 per cent Profit after tax for 2014 was Rs 1,161.82 crore (including tax write back of Rs 309.23 crore) compared to Rs 1,094.67 crore in 2013 (including tax write back of Rs 216.74 crore).

The clinkering project for 2.79 million tonne per annum at Jamul and the grinding unit for 1.35 million tonne per annum at Sindhri are expected to be completed in 2015, according to a company release.

Dalmia Bharat quarterly results
The acquisition of Dalmia Cement East Ltd (formerly Bokaro Jaypee Cement Ltd) was consummated during the quarter with 100 per cent stake in the company, now wholly owned subsidiary of Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. The total enterprise value for the same is Rs 1,150 crore. The quarterly results under review include financials of Dalmia Cement East Ltd w.e.f. November 16, 2014 Total Income from operations was Rs 794 crore for the quarter as against Rs 707 crore for the corresponding period of previous year, led by increase in volumes (+6 per cent) and sales realisations (+9 per cent).

EBITDA for the quarter was flat at Rs 125 crore. Power and fuel cost on per tonne basis was lower by 16 per cent on YoY basis but the same has been offset by higher freight cost and slightly increase in raw material cost for North East operations. PAT for the quarter was positive at Rs 10 lakh as against loss of Rs 12 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Southern operations: Variable costs on per tonne basis were lower by 4 per cent on YoY basis for the quarter on account of further enhancement in efficiencies. Power consumption per tonne of cement produced has improved to 69.5 kwh as against 71.3 kwh and fuel cost on calorific value basis has witnessed a reduction of 16 per cent. Freight costs were higher during the quarter but is expected to recede in coming quarters on account of drop in crude prices.

North-East operations: North East operations witnessed stabilization of operations during the quarter. Volumes were up 22 per cent on QoQ basis and EBITDA improved significantly on YoY and QoQ basis. Jayesh Doshi, Executive Director – Finance & Strategy, Dalmia Bharat, said, ?The macro economic factors are improving and expected to improve further. With higher GDP growth, impetus on ?Make in India? strategy and further rate cuts expected, industrial production expected to improve, resulting in improved cement demand. Improved demand and rationalisation of capacity additions, would also lead to improved capacity utilisations.?

Shree Cement Q2 profit slips 19%
Shree Cement matched street expectations with the second quarter net profit falling 18.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 93.7 crore. Profit was impacted by higher costs of depreciation, freight and power and fuel but was supported by higher other income, revenue and tax gain. Total income of the company grew 17.2 per cent to Rs 1,544.5 crore during October-December quarter from Rs 1,318 crore in same quarter last year. The company follows July-June as its financial year. Operating profit increased 12.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 306 crore but margin declined 70 basis points to 19.8 per cent in the quarter gone by.

Kalyanpur Cements income dips
Kalyanpur Cements has reported a standalone total income from operations of Rs 40.12 crore and a net loss of Rs 12.62 crore for the quarter ended December 2014. Other income for the quarter was Rs 0.09 crore. For the quarter ended December 2013 the standalone total income from operations was Rs 50.99 crore and net loss was Rs 10.94 crore, and other income Rs 0.07 crore.

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Economy & Market

Hindalco Buys US Speciality Alumina Firm for $125 Million

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This strategic acquisition marks a significant investment in speciality alumina, a key step by Aditya Birla Group’s metals flagship towards becoming future-ready by scaling its high-value, technology-led materials portfolio.

Hindalco Industries, the world’s largest aluminium company by revenue and the metals flagship of the $28 billion Aditya Birla Group, has announced the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity stake in US-based AluChem Companies—a prominent manufacturer of speciality alumina—for an enterprise value of $125 million. The transaction will be executed through Aditya Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary.

This acquisition represents a pivotal investment in speciality alumina and advances Hindalco’s strategy to expand its high-value, technology-led materials portfolio.

Hindalco’s speciality alumina business, a key pillar of its value-added strategy, has delivered consistent double-digit growth in recent years. It has emerged as a high-growth, high-margin vertical within the company’s portfolio. As speciality alumina finds expanding applications across electric mobility, semiconductors, and precision ceramics, the deal positions Hindalco further up the innovation curve, enabling next-generation alumina solutions and value-accretive growth.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, called the acquisition an important step in their global strategy to build a leadership position in value-added, high-tech materials.

“Our strategic foray into the speciality alumina space will not only accelerate the development of future-ready, sustainable solutions but also open new pathways to pursue high-impact growth opportunities. By integrating advanced technologies into our value chain, we are reinforcing our commitment to self-reliance, import substitution, and building scale in innovation-led businesses.”

Ronald P Zapletal, Founder, AluChem Companies, said the partnership with Hindalco would provide AluChem the ability and capital to scale up faster and build scale in North America.

“AluChem will benefit from their world-class sustainability and safety standards and practices, access to integrated operations and a consistent, reliable raw material supply chain. Their ability to leverage R&D capabilities and a talented workforce adds tremendous value to our innovation pipeline, helping drive market expansion beyond North America.”

An Eye on the Future

The global speciality alumina market is projected to grow significantly, with rising demand for tailored solutions in sectors such as ceramics, electronics, aerospace, and medical applications. Hindalco currently operates 500,000 tonnes of speciality alumina capacity and aims to scale this up to 1 million tonnes by FY2030.

Commenting on the development, Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries, said the deal reinforced their commitment to innovation and global expansion.

“As alumina gains increasing relevance in critical and clean-tech sectors, AluChem’s advanced chemistry capabilities will significantly enhance our ability to serve these fast-evolving markets. Importantly, it deepens our high-value-added portfolio with differentiated products that drive profitability and strengthen our global competitiveness.”

AluChem adds a strong North American presence to Hindalco’s portfolio, with an annual capacity of 60,000 tonnes across three advanced manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Arkansas. The company is a long-standing supplier of ultra-low soda calcined and tabular alumina, materials prized for their thermal and mechanical stability and widely used in precision engineering and high-performance refractories.

Saurabh Khedekar, CEO of the Alumina Business at Hindalco Industries, said the acquisition unlocked immediate synergies, including market access and portfolio diversification.

“Hindalco plans to work with AluChem’s high performance technology solutions and scale up production of ultra-low soda alumina products to drive a larger global market share.”

The transaction is expected to close in the upcoming quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

 

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Concrete

Shree Cement reports 2025 financial year results

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Shree Cement posted revenue of US$2.38 billion for FY2025, marking a 5.5 per cent decline year-on-year. Operating costs rose 2.9 per cent to US$2.17 billion, resulting in an EBITDA of US$528 million—down 12 per cent from the previous year. Net profit fell 50 per cent to US$141 million. The company reported cement sales of 9.84Mt in Q4 FY2025, a 3.3 per cent increase from 9.53Mt in Q4 FY2024, with premium products making up 16 per cent of total sales.

Image source:https://newsmantra.in/

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Concrete

Rekha Onteddu to become director at Sagar Cements

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Sagar Cements has announced the appointment of Rekha Onteddu as a non-executive independent director, effective 30 June 2025. According to People in Business News, Rekha Onteddu is currently serving in a similar capacity at Andhra Cements, the parent company of Sagar Cements.

Image source:https://sagarcements.in/

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