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ICR reviews the quarterly results of a few cement manufacturers.

Shree Cement performed exceedingly well beyond expectations. No other cement company will be able to match the number produced by Shree Cement. It has once again proven its ability to deliver operating results irrespective of market dynamics with its change in strategy.

In the view of analysts, the earnings of Shree Cement not merely depends on the market price but are connected with many other contributors of cost and volume. Supply chain is a significant contributor in the cost management. It is observed, Shree Cement has significant opportunities with advent of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in supply chain management. It is able to show the peers on what lies ahead of them. Shree Cement can fundamentally and structurally gap-up its EBITDA trend v/s peers, sustainably. Shree Cement has been able to show the opportunity that exists in managing supply chain despite unhealthy market conditions says Vaibhav Agarwal, Research Analyst at PhillipCapital.

Vaibhav feels with this new focus of Shree Cement, it is the only manufacturer in the sector having a potential to touch EBITDA mark of Rs 1,800 to 2,000 per tonne in the longer term, when the industry is still struggling to be at Rs 1,000 to 1,500 per tonne. In short, the numbers produced by Shree Cement were much above the market exceptions. There may be much more surprises from Shree Cement yet to come. Vaibhav strongly recommends the investors to buy Shree Cement scrip, driven by Shree Cement’s consistent ability to remain sustainable on operating performance, irrespective of market conditions and peer performances. Vaibhav further adds that Shree Cement’s full potential with these new initiatives is yet to unfold. Shree Cement is the only manufacturer in his view which can significantly and structurally redefine its earnings.

Century proves to be a drag
The numbers produced by UltraTech are after adjusting the merger of Century Textiles Cement division assets. EBIDTA was a shed better. Volumes are in line with the market expectations but EBIDTA was lower. However, the Century assets are yet to contribute anything to the numbers – at operating and overall performance. On the other hand, the contribution to Q2 numbers from Century has been negative as reported by Agarwal.

Vaibhav further adds that here is a big structural opportunity for UltraTech. UltraTech, being industry’s undisputed leader in supply chain management, we believe it will be able to turnaround Century’s performance faster than anticipated driven by it’s on the ground efforts on this front. More importantly such turnaround steps will not just be a game changer for UltraTech but in our view, for the industry as it will fundamentally change business methodologies especially in East and Central India in the long run.

Having said that, the next couple of quarters may be a minor drag for UltraTech, especially with Century merger as the process of transition and bringing supply chain efficiencies in acquired assets will be a tough task and UltraTech will need to time to deliver these results. However, once requisite protocols in supply chain are in place and being followed, the changes will be structural and also remain sustainable, in our view.

Vaibhav firmly believes the most important parameter to define earnings profile of any cement manufacturer is supply-chain which is beyond volumes, prices and costs. As one delivers on better supply-chain management, the result is either better prices or lower costs.

Few takeaways: About 14.6 million tonne capacity of Century assets now added to the numbers of UltraTech. Brand transition for all plants except Chhattisgarh unit is to be completed by December 2019. Chhattisgarh unit will continue under the umbrella brand "Birla Gold" for another year or so and later on to be rechristened to UltraTech brands. New brownfield and greenfield projects are coming up in East India. Vaibhav is more optimistic on unfolding the incremental potential rather than demand revival in the present situation.

ACC: EBIDTA margins are better
Based on the analysis carried out by Vivek Maheshwari of CLSA, we appreciate that the overall cement demand declined all across India in the last quarter. The macroeconomic condition is taking a toll on institutional market. The sluggish trend in the infrastructure sector adds to the woes of industry. Pricing volatility and a sharp inventory build-up has impacted the overall realisation. The volume of cement declined marginally by 2 per cent year on year basis but the volume of premium products grew by 8 per cent YOY basis. ACC is yet to take a call on choosing the corporate tax rate and hence there has been no change in the rate this quarter.

Talking about Q3 results, which are much better than the expectations of the analysts in general, the operating EBIDTA grew by 26 per cent YOY basis. The other income was higher than expected. Net earnings rose 46 per cent YOY basis. Blended unit cement realisations declined 5 per cent QoQ to Rs 269 per bag, which was slightly lower. Management is positive in its demand outlook, led by infra and affordable housing. For the current session ACC?s EBIDTA is up 20 percent while net earnings are up 40 per cent YoY.

Vivek raises EPS estimates 3-4 per cent as and lowers cost assumptions. He recommends a BUY rating with an Rs 2,050 target price. A pickup in demand as well as cement pricing is key drivers of the stock price, in his view.

Key highlights about costs: a) Sourcing of Material has been optimised through better supply chain efficiency. b) Reduction in packing cost due to lowering of cost on account of PP granule price.

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FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

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FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

 

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Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

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Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

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Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

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Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

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