Concrete

Core sectors output growth remain negative for Nov 2020

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2021

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In November 2020, the eight core sectors output growth remained in a negative trajectory for the ninth successive month. Rather after showing an improvement in September 2020, it has been deteriorated persistently in October 2020 and November 2020. During the month, the eight core sectors output contracted by 2.6 per cent year on year as against the 0.7 per cent growth in the same month of last year. The output growth during the month was also lower than the 0.6 per cent de-growth in October 2020. The decline in growth can be ascribed to persistent fall in crude oil, refineries, natural gas, steel output.

For October 2020, the core sector growth has been revised upwards from -2.5 per cent (prov.) to -0.9 per cent (first revision) on account of improved production in steel, cement and electricity sector.

The cumulative index of eight core sector during April ??November 2020 contracted by 11.4 per cent indicative of the adverse impact on industrial production during the lockdown period compared with the 0.3 per cent growth in the corresponding period of last year. There was a broad based contraction across sectors during this period barring fertilizer, the output of which grew by 3.8 per cent due to favourable monsoon and sowing season this year.

Key highlights:

Coal production growth slowed in November 2020 and the output grew by 2.9 per cent at a four month low (11.7 per cent growth in October 2020). However, it was better when compared with the 3.5 per cent contraction in the same month of FY20. Revival in demand for power post easing in lockdown and resumption of industrial activities has along with favourable base has led to increase in output in coal.

Crude oil production contracted for three successive years. In November the crude oil production declined at a slower 4.9 per cent compared with the 6 per cent de-growth in November 2020. Fall in production can be ascribed to low realisations due to Covid restrictions/lockdown, technical mishaps due to Covid-19 implications, reservoir issues and shut in of wells and reduced off take.

Natural gas production also declined for nearly 2 years. In November 2020, the natural gas output contracted by 9.3 per cent, higher than the 6.4 per cent decline in November 2019. Closure of Gas wells in western offshore due to Hazira Plant shutdown, low upliftment/demand of gas by the major customers like power plants, bandhs/blockade by local people and associations, etc. after the Baghjan Blowout among others weighed on overall production during the month.

Refinery production, having high weightage in eight core (28 per cent), contracted for successive 9 months in a row. However, the pace of contraction moderated in November 2020 to -4.8 per cent compared with the -17 per cent de-growth in the previous month. In November 2019, however, the refinery output had grown by 3.1 per cent. Low capacity utilisation and low product demand due to Covid impact led to decline in production during the month.

Fertilizer output, grew by 1.6 per cent in November 2020, lower than the 13.6 per cent growth in November 2019 and 6.3 per cent in October 2020. Expected increase in demand during the ongoing Rabi season might have supported the growth during the month.
Output of steel sector contracted for the first time in the past 4 months in November 2020 by 4.4 per cent as against the 7 per cent growth in November 2019 and 4 per cent growth in October 2020. Low demand from automobile sector, high raw material costs and relatively muted construction activities with lockdown imposition in parts of the country must have weighed on the steel production.
After witnessing a revival in October 2020, the cement production took a hit in November 2020 and contracted by 7.1 per cent compared with the 4.3 per cent growth in November 2019 on account of likely muted construction activities with resurgence in infection cases and subsequent restrictions on activities.
Electricity production grew by 2.2 per cent albeit at a slower pace by 2.2 per cent in November 2020 than the 11.2 per cent growth in the previous month but was better than the 4.9 per cent contraction in the same month of last year.

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Going ahead, the eight core sectors growth would be contingent on the ease in restrictions along with high base effect. On account of fall in eight core sector growth the IIP growth for this month could see only marginal improvement between 0 to 1 per cent.

Courtesy: CARE Ratings

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Rucha Ranadive, Economist, CARE Ratings. Can be contacted at: rucha.ranadive@careratings.com | Tel: +91-22-6837 43406

Disclaimer: This report is prepared by CARE Ratings Ltd. CARE Ratings has taken utmost care to ensure accuracy and objectivity while developing this report based on information available in public domain. However, neither the accuracy nor completeness of information contained in this report is guaranteed. CARE Ratings is not responsible for any errors or omissions in analysis/inferences/views or for results obtained from the use of information contained in this report and especially states that CARE Ratings has no financial liability whatsoever to the user of this report.

Concrete

Molecor Renews OCS Europe Certification Across Spanish Plants

Certification reinforces commitment to preventing microplastic pollution

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2025

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Molecor has renewed its OCS Europe certification for another year across all its production facilities in Spain under the Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) voluntary initiative, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. The renewal underlines the company’s continued focus on preventing the unintentional release of plastic particles during manufacturing, with particular attention to safeguarding marine ecosystems from microplastic pollution.

All Molecor plants in Spain have been compliant with OCS Europe standards for several years, implementing best practices designed to avoid pellet loss and the release of plastic particles during the production of PVC pipes and fittings. The OCS-based management system enables the company to maintain strict operational controls while aligning with evolving regulatory expectations on microplastic prevention.

The renewed certification also positions Molecor ahead of newly published European regulations. The company’s practices are aligned with Regulation (EU) 2025/2365, recently adopted by the European Parliament, which sets out requirements to prevent pellet loss and reduce microplastic pollution across industrial operations.

Extending its sustainability commitment beyond its own operations, Molecor is actively engaging its wider value chain by informing suppliers and customers of its participation in the OCS programme and encouraging responsible microplastic management practices. Through these efforts, the company contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 ‘Life below water’, reinforcing its role as a responsible industrial manufacturer committed to environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability.

Concrete

Coforge Launches AI-Led Data Cosmos Analytics Platform

New cloud-native platform targets enterprise data modernisation and GenAI adoption

Published

3 days ago

December 17, 2025

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Coforge Limited has recently announced the launch of Coforge Data Cosmos, an AI-enabled, cloud-native data engineering and advanced analytics platform aimed at helping enterprises convert fragmented data environments into intelligent, high-performance data ecosystems. The platform strengthens Coforge’s technology stack by introducing a foundational innovation layer that supports cloud-native, domain-specific solutions built on reusable blueprints, proprietary IP, accelerators, agentic components and industry-aligned capabilities.

Data Cosmos is designed to address persistent enterprise challenges such as data fragmentation, legacy modernisation, high operational costs, limited self-service analytics, lack of unified governance and the complexity of GenAI adoption. The platform is structured around five technology portfolios—Supernova, Nebula, Hypernova, Pulsar and Quasar—covering the full data transformation lifecycle, from legacy-to-cloud migration and governance to cloud-native data platforms, autonomous DataOps and scaled GenAI orchestration.

To accelerate speed-to-value, Coforge has introduced the Data Cosmos Toolkit, comprising over 55 IPs and accelerators and 38 AI agents powered by the Data Cosmos Engine. The platform also enables Galaxy solutions, which combine industry-specific data models with the core technology stack to deliver tailored solutions across sectors including BFS, insurance, travel, transportation and hospitality, healthcare, public sector and retail.

“With Data Cosmos, we are setting a new benchmark for how enterprises convert data complexity into competitive advantage,” said Deepak Manjarekar, Global Head – Data HBU, Coforge. “Our objective is to provide clients with a fast, adaptive and AI-ready data foundation from day one.”

Supported by a strong ecosystem of cloud and technology partners, Data Cosmos operates across multi-cloud and hybrid environments and is already being deployed in large-scale transformation programmes for global clients.

Concrete

India, Sweden Launch Seven Low-Carbon Steel, Cement Projects

Joint studies to cut industrial emissions under LeadIT

Published

4 days ago

December 16, 2025

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India and Sweden have announced seven joint projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the steel and cement sectors, with funding support from India’s Department of Science and Technology and the Swedish Energy Agency.

The initiatives, launched under the LeadIT Industry Transition Partnership, bring together major Indian companies including Tata Steel, JK Cement, Ambuja Cements, Jindal Steel and Power, and Prism Johnson, alongside Swedish technology firms such as Cemvision, Kanthal and Swerim. Leading Indian academic institutions, including IIT Bombay, IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIT Bhubaneswar and IIT Hyderabad, are also participating.

The projects will undertake pre-pilot feasibility studies on a range of low-carbon technologies. These include the use of hydrogen in steel rotary kilns, recycling steel slag for green cement production, and applying artificial intelligence to optimise concrete mix designs. Other studies will explore converting blast furnace carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide for reuse and assessing electric heating solutions for steelmaking.

India’s steel sector currently accounts for about 10–12 per cent of the country’s carbon emissions, while cement contributes nearly 6 per cent. Globally, heavy industry is responsible for roughly one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions and consumes around one-third of total energy.

The collaboration aims to develop scalable, low-carbon industrial technologies that can support India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070. As part of the programme, Tata Steel and Cemvision will examine methods to convert steel slag into construction materials, creating a circular value chain for industrial byproducts.