Economy & Market

Union Budget 2020-21 | Remedy fails to match malady

Published

7 years ago

January 2, 2020

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As the Union Budget 2020-21 failed to enthuse different segments of investors and consumers, the question that remains is: How long to wait for economic revival?

The sum and substance of reactions to the Union Budget 2020-21 presented by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was that it has belied the expectations that there will be some "big bang" measures to stimulate demand and investments in the sagging economy, and that this was a missed opportunity to push some major economic reforms.

This year’s budget has given thrust to agriculture, irrigation and rural development, infrastructure, skill development and the beleaguered financial sector. There were some measures to support MSME sector and affordable housing too. The idea was to touch upon every aspect that could help revive the economy, with an expectation that at least a few of them will click. However, those ideas were not backed by sufficient resources, ultimately due to existing funds crunch. Though the Finance minister claimed to have announced some personal tax concessions, they are unlikely to make big difference in their disposable incomes and overall consumer demand.

The budget has also proposed to tap global sovereign funds to finance infrastructure projects, mainly due to drying up of long term domestic sources and fiscal constraints. Taking a leaf from the US president Donald Trump, the budget has hiked customs duties to protect the domestic industry from external competition. "There is some support to growth, but nothing substantial in the short term. However, the government is still eyeing the long term and has, therefore, pushed capex (the government’s capital expenditure on infra etc.). The multiplier impact of this will be positive but lagged,"said leading rating firm Crisil, in its report on budget.

The economists and analysts argued for employing all means, including deviating from fiscal roadmap in the short term, to pump prime the economic activity, but that was not to be. Tough increasing the fiscal deficit target by 0.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent deviating from its roadmap, a recent study by former Economic Advisor to the Finance Ministry Dr Arvind Subramanian, estimates the fiscal deficit figure at 5.5 per cent, after including deals kept out of government accounting.

Recently, referring to such off-balance sheet expenses resorted to by the government, its auditor, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), advised the government to make thorough disclosure on such liabilities made by the government and public enterprises to the parliament, to impart more sanctity to its accounting practices.

The government had been in denial mode of economic slowdown for some time, the latest statistics baring the ominous state of the economy prove that it hs come to terms with the reality.

Infra push
Infrastructure push given by the budget is expected to provide support to Cement consumption, albeit not in a big way. "The demand for the commodity (cement) will pick up due to infrastructure, housing and rural development related announcements," said CARE Ratings in its report, while terming it a "Positive" impact of the budget.

Adding 100 more airports by 2024, Rs 1.7 lakh crore allocation for transport infrastructure in 2020-21, development of five new smart cities and continuation of incentives to affordable housing are some of the new proposals in the budget. In the previous budgets the government has already announced its grand infrastructure plans National Infrastructure Pipeline & Accelerated Development of Highways and increased focus on inland water ways.

However, Crisil has given "thumbs down"on the sector citing falling allocations for the sector in the coming fiscal and reduction in off-budget allocations. "For the first time in years, overall infrastructure capex has fallen to Rs 4.7 lakh crore for fiscal 2021 from Rs 5.1 lakh crore in fiscal 2020 RE (revised estimates). Moreover, a 16 per cent reduction in IEBR (Internal and Extra Budgetary Resources) implies a higher burden on budgetary support and strain on government finances. Lower spend on infrastructure would also lower chances of revival in allied sectors, particularly steel and cement."

The past implementation pace on the grand plans the government had announced in the past like National Infrastructure Pipeline and Accelerated Development of Highways, on the other hand, have nothing to boast about. The national infrastructure pipeline of Rs 103 lakh crore over fiscal 2020-25 includes investments in core and allied infrastructure sectors. Excluding allied sectors such as industrial, digital, and social infrastructure, the annual core infrastructure investment amounts to Rs 15 lakh crore, or Rs 90 lakh crore over the five-year period."Of this, Rs 4.7 lakh crore would come from the Centre and Rs 2.6 lakh crore from states, leaving ~52% to the private sector. However, considering the limited number of private players and low risk-appetite of banks, private participation is a key monitorable in achieving these targets,"Crisil added.

Allocation for railways has increased by a meagre three per cent to Rs 1.6 lakh crore. "But this falls way short of the Rs 3.8 lakh crore annual investment envisaged as part of Rs 50 lakh crore investment over fiscals 2018-30. A capex of Rs 6 lakh crore was incurred between fiscals 2016 and 2020, missing the Rs 8.5 lakh crore target set for this period," Crisil pointed out.

However, CARE Ratings billed the budget impact on railways as "positive", stating, "Stable Budget for Railways with similar capital expenditure allocation and opening up of private investment for railway infrastructure creation."Setting up large solar power capacity alongside rail track to optimise electrification cost and railway electrification of 27000 km track are also positives for the sector.

The government, in August 2014, had opened up few activities (comprising suburban corridor, high speed train project, railway electrification, passenger terminals etc.) of Indian Railway for FDI and the budget re-emphasises Government focus on same. The capital outlay allocated towards the Roads and Highway sector is Rs 0.77 lakh crore. "The allocation is not in lines with the NIP where the centre is involved in providing 25 per cent of the investment,"says CARE Ratings. The budget also proposed to monetise at least 12 lots of highway bundles of over 6,000 Km before 2024, but CARE Ratings says the timely fructification of this proposal holds the key for the sector.

Though Bullet Train project figured again in the budget, it has been a laggard in implementation. While it is envisaged to operate 15 passenger trains and re-development of four stations on PPP basis, the low rate of success in the past does not inspire confidence.

In line with the budget thrust to rural infrastructure, Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) allocations were up 39 per cent to 19,000 crore, even as achievement ratio has fallen by 74 per cent in 2019-20 from 94 per cent in 2016-17, making the budgeted target for fiscal 2021 aggressive. Moreover, rural road construction targets over the next five years under PMGSY III are lower at 125,000 km, compared with 218,000 km constructed over the past five years.

Vimal Kejriwal, MD & CEO of KEC International says, "The budget’s infra focus is expected to provide a significant fillip to KEC. Allocation towards power and renewable energy, and transport infrastructure, upgradation of stations and developing solar in railways, setting up of 100 new airports, 5 new Smart cities and linking one lakh gram panchayats with BharatNet augurs well for our businesses."

CRISIL Research’s analysis of 106 airports already awarded under UDAN reveals that 62 of these remain non-operational due to lack of basic airport infrastructure. An estimated capex of Rs 4,500-5,000 crore is needed for their revival. Thus, plan for 100 more airports would be achieved only with a lag.

Overall, tax exemptions for sovereign funds to increase foreign investor participation across infrastructure sectors is a positive with investments already visible in roads, power and airports.

Power sector too has got some nudge in the budget. Sabyasachi Majumdar, Senior Vice President & Group Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA Ltd., says, "Shutting down of old thermal power plants will shift generation to newer generation thermal projects and thus provide a moderate boost to their plant load factors (PLF). Abolition of dividend distribution tax and lower tax rates will encourage fresh investments in the power sector, especially renewable energy and transmission sectors."

Housing
Budgetary allocation for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) at Rs 27,500 crore is up by 9 per cent over the last fiscal’s RE. PMAY-Urban has an overall target of constructing 1.12 crore houses by 2022. Of these, 1.03 crore houses have been sanctioned as of January 2020. PMAY-Rural has an overall target of 2.95 crore, of which about 0.9 crore units stand completed as of December 2019.

From the affordable housing buyer’s point of view, the additional deduction of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for interest paid on loans taken has now been extended till March 31, 2021.

Hardik Agrawal, CEO of Radha Madhav Developers says, "This budget stimulates the supply of affordable houses a tax holiday is provided on the profits earned by developers of affordable housing project approved by 31st March, 2020. Even in order to minimize suffering in real-estate transactions and provide relief to the sector, FM proposed to increase the limit of transaction from 5% to 10% (of deviation from circle price for tax scrutiny). Overall this was a consoling budget."

Malady & remedy
What is it that made this budget special? It has come in the backdrop of growth deceleration for six consecutive quarters driven by low growth in consumption and investment. The burden of two failed budgets presented in 2019 – before and after the general elections – were also weighing on the Finance Minister. Pre-poll sops were targeted towards the poor and farmers, while the post-poll budget targeted at the companies and businesses.

A drop in private consumption growth played a big role in bringing down GDP growth to an 11-year low. Private consumption growth slowed to 5.8 per cent in fiscal 2020, from 7.2 per cent in fiscal 2019. A dent to incomes, declining household savings ratio and higher household leverage have kept the consumer’s risk aversion high.

Crisil in its analysis of demand side impact of the budget, projected that some support to rural demand was expected from higher allocation to schemes like PMGSY and PMAY, which will augment incomes. "PM Kisan spending for fiscal 2021 has been maintained at the previous fiscal’s budgetary level, but the focus should be on ensuring that part of the amount does not remain unspent," Crisil suggested. Investment growth dropped to one per cent in fiscal 2020 from 9.8 per cent in fiscal 2019. While private investments have been weak, the government’s ability to fund capex also remains constrained. The budget focus on infrastructure spending will support investment to an extent as central PSU investments are projected to decline, says Crisil. However, the rating agency did not exude the same kind of confidence in growth of private investments during in the next fiscal.

Government consumption spending, mostly on the social sector schemes, supported growth in fiscal 2020. "The government has continued to focus on social sector schemes (including those that augment rural incomes, such as PMGSY, PMAY, NREGA and PM Kisan)," Crisil added.

The budget’s support to MSMEs is a "mild positive" for exports going ahead, says Crisil. Decelerating global growth, falling trade intensity, and uncertainties from the US-China trade war are hurting India’s exports. India’s exports is estimated to fall 2 per cent in fiscal 2020, compared with a growth of 12 per cent in fiscal 2019.

However, the budget is a mixed bag for the current problem in the financial sector. While bringing some relief to the beleaguered non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) by expanding scope for recovery of their bad loans is positive, seeking to remove exemptions in personal income-tax is expected to reduce savings and insurance premiums. However, increasing the bank deposit insurance coverage from Rs one lakh to Rs 5 lakh is expected to increase the confidence of bank depositors, which touched its ebb with the recent failure of co-operative banks.

Worst is not closer than it appears
For cement industry to thrive the overall economy has to be robust. The budget has pulled some levers feebly, that may not be enough to spur the economic growth pace. When private sector is not forthcoming to make investment, it is incumbent on the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to take steps to revive the economy. Even as RBI had cut the repo rate cumulatively by 135 basis points (bps) through calendar 2019, banks have cut lending rates only by just 40-50 bps.

Crisil says, "In the absence of growth kickers, growth pick-up in fiscal 2021 is expected to be largely led by the base effect and supported by somewhat better farm income (led by a good rabi crop) and the delayed impact of monetary easing. Critical to this forecast is the assumption of a normal monsoon in calendar 2020 and benign global crude oil prices."

Kapil Gupta of Edelweiss Research says, "Overall, from a business cycle standpoint, aggregate fiscal push is missing. We think, given weak demand, consolidation could have waited. Thus, the economy, at best, will see a modest bounce aided by liquidity easing, normalisation in farm cash flows amid rising food inflation, and stabilisation in exports. But the virtuous economic cycle may still be distant."

This kind of consensus among analysts leave us with the question: How long we have to wait to see economic revival?

Infrastructure in Budget

100 more airports to be developed by 2024 to support UDAAN Scheme

Rs 1.7 lakh crore allocated towards transport infrastructure

Development of 5 new smart cities

Further incentivising and boosting affordable housing

Increased focus on inland water ways

Allowing sovereign funds to invest in infrastructure 15 new passenger trains through PPP route

Past announcements continued:

Grand plans announced in the past: National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) & Accelerated Development of Highways

Provision of Rs. 22,000 cr already provided to support the NIP, to cater to equity support to infra finance companies like IIFCL and a subsidiary of NIIF

Bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad

Taxation Measures
For corporates/ cooperative societies

Concessional tax rate for cooperative societies proposed (from 30% to 22%)

Concessional tax rate of 15% to new domestic companies extended to electricity generation companies

Dividend distribution tax removed; dividend will now be taxed in the hands of individuals

Tax concession for sovereign wealth funds of foreign governments

– BS SRINIVASALU REDDY

Economy & Market

The Road Ahead Begins Here

Published

1 day ago

August 11, 2026

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The future of India’s roads took centrestage at RAHSTA Expo 2026, where policymakers, contractors and industry leaders came together under one roof. The event blended thought leadership, technology showcase and industry recognition into a single powerful platform.

India’s roads and highways community gathered in full strength at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, for the 16th edition of the RAHSTA Expo (Roads and Highways Sustainable Technologies & Advancement). Over two action-packed days, the event brought together policymakers, contractors, consultants, developers, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, technology providers and investors to deliberate on the future of India’s ,infrastructure while showcasing the latest innovations driving the sector.

The event culminated in the prestigious RAHSTA Awards, where Shri. Ajay Tamta, Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, felicitated organisations and professionals for their outstanding contributions to road construction, engineering, safety, sustainability and technology. With leading contractors, senior government officials, industry veterans and technology providers under one roof, the event reaffirmed RAHSTA’s position as one of India’s most influential platforms for the roads, highways, bridges and tunnels ecosystem.

Organised by FIRST Construction Council in association with ASAPP Info Global Group, RAHSTA has steadily evolved beyond an exhibition into a platform where policy, technology, engineering and business converge to address the opportunities and challenges shaping India’s next generation of transport infrastructure.

Beyond expansion, towards value

The conference opened with a thought-provoking address by Pratap Padode, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Construction World, who observed that India’s highways sector has reached an important inflection point. Introducing this year’s theme – ‘From Expansion to Value: The Next Phase of India’s Highways’ – he noted that while the country has successfully expanded its road network over the past two decades, the industry’s priorities are now shifting towards building infrastructure that delivers greater lifecycle value, durability, safety and operational efficiency. With funding pressures, asset monetisation and evolving project models changing the sector’s dynamics, he said the focus must now move beyond kilometres constructed to the quality and long-term performance of every asset.

Dr Brijesh Dixit, Managing Director, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation (MSIDC), reminded delegates that successful infrastructure delivery is ultimately a collective effort. Emphasising on collaboration between government, industry and engineering professionals, he remarked, “There is no loser in a winning team, and there is no winner in a losing team,” urging stakeholders to work together to deliver projects with quality, financial sustainability and technological excellence.

Delivering the keynote address, Bidur Kant Jha, Director, New Technologies for Highway Development, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), outlined the Government’s long-term vision for India’s highway network. Highlighting the country’s 6.26 million km roads network, he spoke about the growing adoption of digital planning tools such as BIM and GIS, bridge health monitoring systems and Integrated Smart Transport Corridors under the Vision 2047 roadmap. He emphasised that while India remains open to global innovations, every new technology must be adapted to Indian conditions before large-scale deployment.

Addressing the gathering during the awards ceremony, Tamta underlined the increasing role of specialised equipment and modern construction technologies in executing complex infrastructure projects across diverse terrains. Referring to challenging tunnel projects in Uttarakhand, he noted how advanced machinery has transformed execution capabilities, while also acknowledging the rapid evolution of Indian contractors into globally competitive infrastructure companies. Recognising excellence through industry awards, he said, motivates organisations to continually raise performance standards and embrace innovation.

Meanwhile, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, highlighted that infrastructure development must increasingly focus on integrated urban mobility. Reflecting on Mumbai’s engineering journey – from its historic underground utility network to the Coastal Road and other transformative projects – he underlined that future infrastructure planning must seamlessly integrate roads, metro systems and public transport to create efficient, multimodal cities.

Uttar Pradesh takes centrestage

One of the highlights of the second day was Uttar Pradesh’s comprehensive presentation on its infrastructure-led industrial transformation.

Srihari Pratap Shahi, IAS, Additional CEO, Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), demonstrated how the state’s expanding expressway network is evolving into a catalyst for industrial development through integrated manufacturing and logistics clusters. Expressways, he noted, are no longer merely transport corridors but engines of economic competitiveness.

Building on this narrative, Deeksha Jain, IAS, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), showcased the state’s rapidly expanding industrial ecosystem supported by extensive expressway connectivity, dedicated freight corridors, airports, industrial townships and investor-friendly policies. She highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s strong manufacturing growth, expanding industrial land bank, plug-and-play infrastructure and increasing use of digital governance to facilitate investments.

Further underlining the significance of the platform, Deepak Kumar, IAS, Infrastructure & Industrial Development Commissioner, Government of Uttar Pradesh, remarked, “RAHSTA provides an excellent platform for states to showcase our infrastructure progress and investment ecosystem. Uttar Pradesh has transformed significantly over the past decade, backed by more than 34 investor-friendly industrial policies, and platforms like RAHSTA help communicate these developments to industry stakeholders from across the country.”

Ideas that shaped the industry conversation

The two-day conference featured seven panel discussions, each examining a critical dimension of India’s evolving roads and highways sector.

The opening discussion on ‘Financing Roads & Highways in a Capital-Constrained Era’ brought together experts from Cube Highways, NIIF, SBI Capital Markets, Centrum Capital and Bandhan Infra Fund, who examined how the financing landscape is changing. Discussions revolved around asset monetisation, InvITs, institutional investments and new funding structures, with panellists agreeing that better project preparation, transparent governance and predictable returns will be crucial for attracting long-term capital into infrastructure.

Attention then shifted to execution realities during the panel on ‘Contractors’ Perspective: Execution Realities, Risks & the Quality Imperative.’ Representatives from GHV Infra Projects, PNC Infratech, NCC and Maccaferri candidly discussed the challenges of delivering projects amid contractual complexities, land acquisition delays, rising costs and tight timelines. While execution pressures remain significant, the discussion reinforced that better collaboration across the project value chain is essential for achieving both speed and quality.

Day 2 opened with a technically rich discussion on ‘Designing Roads for Sustainability, Durability & Climate Resilience’. Experts from CSIR-CRRI, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, Zydex Group and SRMB Steel explored advanced pavement technologies, recycled materials, climate-resilient designs and scientific construction practices that can significantly improve durability while lowering lifecycle costs. Sustainability, they agreed, must become an integral part of road design rather than an afterthought.

The subsequent session on ‘Bridges & Tunnels: Complex Engineering, Safety & Future Readiness’ highlighted the growing complexity of India’s infrastructure projects. Panellists discussed advances in structural engineering, digital monitoring, risk management and safety practices that are enabling the successful delivery of increasingly ambitious bridge and tunnel projects across the country.

Technology remained a recurring theme during the discussion on ‘Technology as a Risk-Mitigation Tool for Developers & Investors’. Experts explained how AI, BIM, drones, predictive analytics, digital twins and intelligent monitoring systems are helping improve project planning, minimise execution risks, strengthen quality assurance and enhance asset management throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.

The construction equipment panel brought together leading industry experts to examine how technology, sustainability and digitalisation are redefining construction equipment in an era of rising cost pressures. Discussions centred on enhancing productivity, reducing lifecycle costs and preparing the industry for India’s infrastructure ambitions leading up to 2047.

The conference concluded with an engaging CXO Forum on ‘Rebuilding Confidence in India’s Roads & Highways Sector’, where senior industry leaders emphasised that stronger governance, better project preparation, digitalisation, transparent contracting and closer public-private collaboration will be essential to sustain India’s infrastructure growth over the coming decades.

Technology and recognition under one roof

Beyond the conference halls, RAHSTA Expo reflected the technological transformation underway across India’s road infrastructure ecosystem. Leading equipment manufacturers, technology companies and material suppliers showcased advanced construction equipment, intelligent digital platforms, pavement technologies, structural materials and productivity-enhancing solutions designed to improve project efficiency and asset performance. The exhibition created valuable opportunities for contractors, consultants, government agencies and project developers to evaluate new technologies while interacting directly with solution providers.

The event also served as a celebration of excellence through the RAHSTA Awards 2026, which recognised outstanding achievements across road construction, contracting, materials, equipment, technology, safety, sustainability and infrastructure development. Presented by Minister Tamta, the awards honoured organisations that are setting new benchmarks for quality, innovation and execution across India’s roads sector.

RAHSTA Expo 2026 also received extensive support from across the infrastructure ecosystem. Alongside leading corporate sponsors, the event was backed by industry bodies including the Builders Association of India (BAI), Construction Equipment Rental Association (CERA), Consulting Engineers Association of India (CEAI), International Road Federation (IRF), CSIR-CRRI, CILT India, All India Transporters Welfare Association, Hydraulic Trailer Owners Association (HTOA), Gujarat Contractors Association, Bitumen Forum, Fluid Power Society of India, Indian Institute of Material Management, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Mumbai First, reflecting the industry’s collective commitment to advancing India’s road infrastructure.

As the curtains came down on the two-day event, one message resonated throughout the conference: India’s highways story is entering a new chapter. While expansion will continue, the future will increasingly be defined by smarter planning, stronger partnerships, digital transformation, sustainable engineering and long-term value creation. By bringing together the entire infrastructure value chain on a single platform, RAHSTA Expo 2026 once again demonstrated why it has become one of the country’s most influential forums for shaping the future of roads, highways, bridges and tunnels.

Economy & Market

Fornnax Names Lukas Baur as Authorised Service Partner to Bolster EU Operations

Published

3 weeks ago

July 23, 2026

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Strapline: Fornnax Technology has appointed NOBA Maschinenservice’s Lukas Baur as its authorised service partner for the European Union, strengthening its commitment to delivering fast, reliable, and localised after-sales support across the region.

Fornnax Technology, a leading manufacturer of industrial shredding solutions, has announced the appointment of Mr. Lukas Baur of NOBA Maschinenservice as its authorised service partner for the European Union. The partnership, formalised under the authorisation of Fornnax CEO Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, reinforces the company’s commitment to providing dependable, localised service support to its expanding customer base across Europe.

Strengthening Service Through Proven Expertise

With over two decades of experience in servicing, maintaining, and overhauling industrial shredders, Mr. Baur brings extensive technical expertise to the partnership. His capabilities span welding, hardfacing, shaft and knife rebuilding, complex assembly, hydraulics, and complete electrical engineering services, delivered in collaboration with a trusted partner company based in Halle/Saale.

Operating from Worbis, Germany, Mr. Baur is strategically positioned to provide emergency support across the European Union within 24 hours, covering an operational radius of approximately 1,000 kilometres.

Supporting this capability is a well-equipped service infrastructure comprising 12 Mercedes Sprinter service vans, a team of 24 skilled technicians, specialised bearing-change tools, a fully equipped hydraulic workshop, and a 1,000-square-metre facility with a five-ton crane track. Together, these resources position his team to manage the complete spectrum of Fornnax’s European service requirements efficiently and reliably.

Partnership Driven by Industry Insight

Having spent years servicing Eldan, Lindner, and Vecoplan shredders across the European recycling industry, Mr. Baur’s decision to collaborate with Fornnax is rooted in his understanding of market needs and customer expectations. His experience has provided valuable insight into what recycling plant operators require—not only from their machinery but also from the service teams supporting them.

According to Mr. Baur, Fornnax’s reputation for robust machine construction, superior wear protection, and maintenance-friendly design made the partnership a natural fit.

The collaboration comes at a time when Europe’s tyre recycling industry is facing mounting challenges, including rising cost pressures, shrinking margins, delayed investments, and a shortage of skilled labour. Mr. Baur believes these conditions reinforce the need for technically strong service partners capable of delivering rapid, dependable support.

Commenting on the partnership, he said, “Fornnax, with its exceptional price-performance ratio and superior quality, has the potential to become a market leader in Europe. We would like to be their service partner in this journey.”

Comprehensive Support Across the Equipment Lifecycle

As Fornnax’s authorised service partner, Mr. Baur will oversee the complete lifecycle support of the company’s equipment throughout the European Union. His responsibilities will include installation, commissioning, preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and spare parts support across mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems.

Looking ahead, he also plans to develop a centralised spare parts distribution hub for European customers, particularly if Fornnax establishes a warehouse facility in Worbis to facilitate faster deliveries. To further strengthen service coverage, Mr. Baur intends to expand operations by adding two to three additional service teams and vehicles each year, progressively increasing capacity across the continent.

A Shared Commitment to Customer Excellence

Highlighting the strategic importance of the partnership, Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of Fornnax, said:

“We strongly believe that by continuously improving our service quality and customer satisfaction index, we can build long-term relationships with our customers. Higher customer satisfaction leads to greater trust, which significantly increases repeat orders and ultimately drives sustained growth in our sales revenue.”

This customer-first philosophy underpins Fornnax’s strategy of building a dedicated European service partner network instead of relying solely on remote support. With Mr. Baur joining this network, customers across the European Union will benefit from faster response times, expert technical assistance, and dedicated on-ground support from a partner with extensive experience in high-throughput shredding operations.

Mr. Baur’s appointment also reflects Fornnax’s broader ambition to establish itself as the preferred shredding solutions provider for the European recycling industry, marking another important milestone in the company’s international growth strategy.

Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas launches Limla cement plant, expands Gujarat footprint

Published

1 month ago

July 13, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas opens a 2 MMTPA grinding unit at Limla, entering Gujarat and advancing its target of 35 MMTPA capacity by FY 2028.

Surat (Gujarat)

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Ltd, a part of Nirma Group and one of India’s leading building materials company, has inaugurated the Limla Cement Plant in Surat (Gujarat), one of Vadraj Cement Limited’s (VCL) principal manufacturing facilities. The commissioning represents a key milestone in Nuvoco’s acquisition and restoration of VCL, while supporting the company’s expansion across the Western Indian cement market.

Vadraj Cement Limited is a subsidiary of Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited and has installed cement capacity of 6 MMTPA across its assets. The Limla inauguration therefore represents the first operational step in the acquired platform’s wider revival, while the Kutch facilities provide clinker supply, mineral security and coastal logistics support for the western business.

Nuvoco completed its acquisition of Vadraj Cement Limited, then under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, after paying a consideration of Rs 1,800 crore in June 2025. VCL’s asset portfolio comprises a clinker unit at Kutch and a grinding unit at Limla in Surat. It also includes high-quality captive limestone reserves and a captive jetty at Kutch, supporting more efficient logistics. Following the takeover, Nuvoco began an extensive programme of restoration, refurbishment and expansion at both locations, leading to the commissioning of the Limla plant.

The Limla Cement Plant is expected to support a phased increase in sales volumes across Gujarat. It will also help Nuvoco supply neighbouring markets in Western Maharashtra and release cement capacity from its northern plants, which can consequently be redirected towards markets in North India. The plant will manufacture a full portfolio comprising Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Slag Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement and Portland Composite Cement. It will additionally produce the complete Nuvoco Duraguard range, including the premium Nuvoco Duraguard Microfibre product. The acquisition is also expected to generate operational synergies with Nuvoco’s existing plants at Nimbol and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, improving logistics optimisation and market reach across important regional markets.

The grinding unit at the Limla Cement Plant was completed ahead of schedule, with 2 MMTPA of capacity now inaugurated to expand Nuvoco’s operating scale and customer reach. After Vadraj Cement’s assets become fully operational, plants in North and West India are expected to account for nearly 40 per cent of Nuvoco’s total cement capacity. This will broaden the company’s manufacturing network, strengthen access to high-growth markets and support its plan to increase consolidated cement capacity to 35 MMTPA by FY 2028, reinforcing its longer-term growth strategy.

Commenting on the development, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd, said: “The inauguration of the Limla Grinding Unit in Surat is an important milestone in Nuvoco’s growth journey and demonstrates our commitment to disciplined, value-accretive expansion. Gujarat is strategically significant for Nuvoco, with substantial opportunities arising from infrastructure investment, industrial growth, rapid urbanisation and continuing demand from the housing and construction sectors. The facility strengthens our regional footprint, improves operational flexibility and increases our ability to serve customers across northern and western markets with greater reliability and efficiency.”

He added: “Through the Vadraj acquisition, we have refurbished and restarted a strategically important asset, returning it to operations in record time through strong execution and collaboration between teams. The achievement demonstrates our ability to create value from acquired assets, fulfil our commitments and retain the confidence of stakeholders. It also highlights the strength of our project delivery capabilities and our continued focus on building sustainable, profitable growth over the long term.”

Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited is a building materials company whose vision is to build a safer, smarter and more sustainable world. It is among the leading players in East India and has a significant presence across North and West India. Nuvoco began operations in 2014 with a greenfield cement plant at Nimbol, Rajasthan. It later acquired Lafarge India Limited, which had entered India in 1999, followed by Emami Cement Limited in 2020 and Vadraj Cement Limited in April 2025. The company has also announced an expansion in eastern India through a new grinding mill at the Arasmeta Cement Plant, supported by several debottlenecking programmes involving equipment upgrades, process improvements and internal capacity initiatives. These developments place Nuvoco on track to achieve total cement capacity of approximately 35 MMTPA. The company reported total income of Rs 11,362 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting its continuing growth trajectory.

Nuvoco operates a diversified portfolio across three segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete and Modern Building Materials. Its cement portfolio includes Concreto, Duraguard, Double Bull, PSC, Nirmax and Infracem, covering Ordinary Portland Cement, Portland Slag Cement, Portland Pozzolana Cement and Portland Composite Cement. Its pan-India RMX business provides value-added products under Concreto for performance concrete, Artiste for decorative concrete, InstaMix for ready-to-use bagged concrete, X-Con covering M20 to M60 grades, and Ecodure for specialised green concrete. Nuvoco has supplied materials to projects including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Aquatic Gallery at Science City in Ahmedabad, and metro railway projects in Delhi, Jaipur, Noida and Mumbai.