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The government needs to strictly enforce cement usage in rural and urban roads

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Faisal Alam, President-Sales & Marketing, Kalyanpur Cement
Overall cement demand will go up which will increase the present capacity utilisation levels from 50-60 per cent to around 80 per cent, says Faisal Alam, President-Sales & Marketing, Kalyanpur Cement. Excerpts from the interview…Which sectors will drive cement demand in 2015?
According to the recent Government of India guidelines, most of the highways and roads will be built using concrete. This should have happened much earlier. If this happens, infrastructure demand will take the lead as is the case in China. The gap between China and India as first and second largest producer of cement in the world is primarily on account of cement being used in roads and bridges in China. The overall specs of the roads is for 100 years or more horizon. Rest of the sectors will grow at 7 to 8 per cent.

What will be the likely demand-supply scenario in 2015?
This will depend on cement usage in roads and bridges. In case of 100 per cent conversion to cement for road and highway building, the overall growth may easily reach double-digit figures. That will lead to demand outstripping supply (at 100 per cent capacity utilisation) but in not less than a year and a half time. We are yet to catch up with developed nations in as far as FAR vs Road width vs height is concerned. The emphasis on low-cost housing will also make a difference if it is well supported by government. This is a more important area than building smart cities.

What is your estimate on the cement prices in 2015 and how will it impact the market?
Cement prices will cross Rs 400 mark per bag across the country in order that cement companies survive in line with rising costs and a huge tax burden.

What is the export/import scenario in 2015 for cement and its raw materials?
Export levels will go up but not at a very large variance than what has been in recent years because I believe Indian cement will be dearer with rupee consolidating against foreign currencies. Raw material import will go up, specially coal and gypsum.

What are the policy initiatives you expect from the government?
The government needs to strictly enforce cement usage in ?all? roads, rural or urban. Improve building laws to encourage sky scrapers on smaller footprints, incentivise low cost housing, reduce interest rates on housing loans and also reduce income tax rates on disposable income.

Increase coal output in the country by bringing in modern technology for higher output of coal. Simultaneously, encourage R&D at premier institutes to substitute usage of coal (gas pipelines?) Better roads are needed. Also encourage washeries so that less ash and more coal is transported. Today, coal is Railways? highest transported commodity followed by steel and cement. Average ash from pit is in the range of 30-40 per cent. Railways is therefore transporting huge amount of ash which is further leading to disposal problems of fly ash at thermal power plants.

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Concrete

Ramco Cements Campaign Wins Six Kyoorius Honours

Hard Worker campaign wins Grand Prix for Eco Plaster film

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The Ramco Cements Limited’s Hard Worker campaign has achieved a major milestone at the prestigious Kyoorius Creative Awards, winning six honours including the coveted Grey Elephant Grand Prix for the Eco Plaster film. The awards were announced and presented at the Kyoorius Creative Awards Night 2026 held on 23rd May 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.

Competing alongside some of the country’s leading brands and agencies, the campaign received recognition across multiple creative categories, reaffirming the power of authentic storytelling rooted in the lives of hardworking people. The Eco Plaster commercial, which highlighted the importance of water conservation through innovative construction solutions, emerged as the campaign’s biggest winner, securing most of the honours.

The campaign’s wins include: 
Grey Elephant (Grand Prix) – Eco Plaster 
Blue Elephant – Best Film – Eco Plaster
Blue Elephant – Best Direction – Eco Plaster
Blue Elephant – Best Music – Eco Plaster
Baby Elephant – Best Direction -Tortoise & Hare
Baby Elephant – Best Use of Humour – Eco Plaster

Established in 2014, the Kyoorius Creative Awards recognise and celebrate creative excellence across India’s advertising, marketing and communications industries. Presented by Zee Entertainment Enterprises and powered by the USA-based The Clio Awards, the awards are regarded among the country’s most respected creative honours.

Known for their ethical and neutral judging process, the Kyoorius Creative Awards evaluate work purely on merit through a non-hierarchical awards structure, without Gold, Silver or Bronze distinctions. The iconic Elephant symbolises memorable work that leaves a lasting impact on the industry.

The Hard Worker campaign by The Ramco Cements Limited was conceived around the insight that true strength and progress are built through everyday hard work. Through emotionally resonant storytelling, distinctive craft and culturally rooted narratives, the campaign connected strongly with audiences across markets. The integrated campaign was rolled out across television, digital platforms, outdoor media and extensive on-ground activations, helping strengthen the brand’s connect with consumers, engineers, masons and trade communities alike.

Commenting on the achievement, A V Dharmakrishnan, CEO of Ramco Cements, said: “Winning at the Kyoorius Creative Awards is a proud moment for all of us. The Hard Worker campaign was created as a tribute to the spirit of hardworking people who form the backbone of our industry and our nation. These recognitions reaffirm our belief that authentic, meaningful storytelling has the power to create a deep and lasting connection with people.”

Balaji K Moorthy, Executive Director – Marketing, Ramco Cements, added: “The Hard Worker campaign was built on a simple but powerful insight – that hard work deserves recognition and respect. We wanted the communication to feel rooted, emotional and culturally relevant while also pushing creative boundaries. Winning six honours, including the Grey Elephant Grand Prix, is a tremendous validation of the idea, the craft and the collaborative effort of everyone involved in the campaign.”

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Concrete

GP Petroleums Q4 PAT Rises 8%

Lubricant maker reports Rs 9.3 crore profit in Q4FY26

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GP Petroleums reported an 8 per cent rise in PAT to Rs 9.3 crore in Q4FY26, compared to Rs 8.6 crore in Q4FY25. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 163 crore, compared to Rs 183 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

EBITDA for Q4FY26 increased to Rs 14.7 crore from Rs 13.2 crore in Q4FY25, while EBITDA margin improved to 9 per cent from 7 per cent. The company said its performance was supported by operational efficiencies, strong customer relationships and an expanding product portfolio.

For FY26, revenue from operations rose 5 per cent to Rs 643 crore, compared to Rs 610 crore in FY25. EBITDA stood at Rs 44.7 crore, against Rs 42 crore in the previous year. PAT was Rs 26.50 crore, marginally higher than Rs 26.30 crore in FY25.

The company said FY26 PAT was impacted by a wage provision of Rs 3.25 crore, representing about 12 per cent of PAT. GP Petroleums continues to see opportunities in industrial lubricants, process oils and premium automotive lubricants, though geopolitical developments and crude-linked raw material cost volatility may pose short-to-medium-term challenges.

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Ramky Infra Order Book Crosses Rs 13,000 Crore

New order wins support resilient FY2026 performance

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Ramky Infrastructure reported a resilient FY2026 performance, supported by disciplined execution, cost efficiency and fresh order wins. The company secured new orders worth Rs 4,500 crore during Q4, taking its total order book above Rs 13,000 crore as of 31 March 2026.

Consolidated PAT grew 40 per cent year-on-year to Rs 283 crore in FY2026, compared to Rs 202 crore in FY2025. Standalone PAT rose 28 per cent to Rs 332 crore, while consolidated revenue from operations stood at Rs 1,846 crore. Standalone revenue from operations was Rs 1,679 crore.

During the year, the company secured orders worth Rs 6,500 crore across water, wastewater and industrial infrastructure. Key wins included a Rs 3,000 crore industrial park project from Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation for a 1,000-hectare land parcel at Dighi Port Industrial Area, Maharashtra.

Ramky also secured a Rs 2,100 crore water and wastewater project from Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board for water transmission lines, and a Rs 1,400 crore EPC contract from Maharashtra Industrial Township Limited for the Dighi Port Industrial Area project.

The company generated Rs 160 crore through asset monetisation and Rs 165 crore through the stake sale of a stabilised asset, supporting equity requirements for new projects. The Board also recommended a final dividend of 10 per cent of the nominal value per share, subject to members’ approval.

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