Concrete

Core sectors output remain negative

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2021

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In December 2020, the eight core sectors output growth remained in a negative trajectory for the 10th successive month with a contraction of 1.3 per cent during the month compared with negative growth of 1.3 per cent during November 2020 and 3 per centin December 2019. There has been an upward revision in the core sector output growth in November from -2.6 per cent to -1.4 per cent.

Barring coal and electricity, all other components of the core index continue to show de-growth. The cumulative index of eight core sector during April ??December 2020 contracted by 10.1 per cent indicative of the adverse impact on industrial production during the lockdown period compared with the 0.6 per cent growth in the corresponding period of last year. Barring fertiliser, there was a broad based contraction across sectors during this period. Double digit decline in output during this period is recorded in natural gas, refinery, steel and cement.

Key highlights:

Coal production growth grew by 2.2 per cent in December 2020, which is the slowest in the last 5 months. Coal production has recorded positive growth which indicates revival in demand for power post easing in lockdown and resumption of industrial activities.
Crude Oil production has fallen by 3.6 per cent in December 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions/lockdown, nonavailability of drilling equipment and less than planned contribution from workover wells, drilling wells and old wells. The negative growth in crude oil production has sustained for nearly 3 years.
Natural gas production in the country fell by 7.1 per cent in December largely due to a fall in output of western offshore fields of private/JV companies. This is the 19th consecutive month of de-growth in natural gas production.
Refinery production has fallen by 2.7 per cent and fall in production has been narrowing with each passing month with the easing of restrictions and as the economy has been slowly reflating. There has also been an increase in refinery utilisation during December ??0 which is now 101 per cent and this can be ascribed to the increase in demand for petroleum products as there is an uptick in economic activities. The month of December 2020 saw growth in consumption of LPG 7.4 per cent, Petrol (MS) 9.3 per cent, Bitumen 20.9 per cent, Lubes & Greases 8.5 per cent, Light Diesel Oil (LDO) 87.4 per cent and products categorised under ??thers??8.4 per cent compared with December 19.
Fertilizer production has fallen by 2.9 per cent due to a high base effect and as the rabi sowing season almost comes to an end.
Output of steel sector has contracted for the second consecutive month by 2.7 per cent in December after registering three consecutive month of positive growth during Aug-October 2020. Low demand from automobile sector and high raw material costs and relatively muted construction activities in parts of the country must have weighed on the steel production.
Cement production fell to a 4-month low falling by 9.7 per cent in December 2020 compared with -7.3 per cent in November 2020 and 5.4 per cent in December 2019. The fall can be ascribed to muted construction activities.
Electricity production grew by 4.2 per cent in December 2020 compared with 3.5 per cent in November 2020 on account of further normalisation of economic activity.

CARE Ratings??View

Going ahead, the growth in the eight core sectors will be contingent upon the normalisation of economic activities and high base effect. The growth in industrial production is likely to be marginally positive but will be contingent on the growth in consumer durables segment.

Courtesy: CARE Ratings

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The article is authored by Sushant Hede, Associate Economist with CARE Ratings. He can be contacted at: sushant.hede@careratings.com | +91-22-6837 4348.

Disclaimer: This report is prepared by CARE Ratings Limited. 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

Berger Paints Announces Financial Results for the Quarter Ended

Net Profit for the quarter was Rs 2.06 billion, compared to Rs 2.69 billion in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Published

7 hours ago

November 5, 2025

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Berger Paints India announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2025.

The company reported Revenue from Operations of Rs 28.27 billion, compared to Rs 27.74 billion in the corresponding quarter last year, reflecting a growth of 1.9 per cent year-on-year.

EBITDA (excluding other income) stood at Rs 3.52 billion, as against Rs 4.34 billion in the same period last year, registering a decline of 18.9 per cent.

Net Profit for the quarter was Rs 2.06 billion, compared to Rs 2.69 billion in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, marking a decline of 23.5 per cent year-on-year.

Commenting on the performance, Abhijit Roy, Managing Director & CEO, Berger Paints India, said, “At Berger Paints, we remain committed to driving growth through network expansion, innovation, and brand building. Our focus continues to be on delivering long-term value for our investors and stakeholders.”

Concrete

Ambuja Cements posts record Q2, lifts FY28 capacity target

PAT rises to Rs 23.02 bn; volumes up 20%; margin widens 450 bps

Published

7 hours ago

November 5, 2025

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Ahmedabad, recently — Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Portfolio, reported a strong Q2 FY26 performance with consolidated PAT of Rs 23.02 billion (up 364 per cent year on year), highest-ever Q2 sales volume of 16.6 million tonnes (up 20 per cent) and revenue of Rs 91.74 billion (up 21 per cent). EBITDA rose to Rs 17.61 billion with a margin of 19.2 per cent, while EBITDA per tonne reached Rs 1,060 (up 32 per cent). EPS stood at Rs 7.2 (up 267 per cent). The PAT figure includes an income-tax provision reversal of Rs 16.97 billion.

The company raised its FY28 capacity goal by 15 MTPA to 155 MTPA, largely through low-capex debottlenecking at about USD 48 per tonne. Thirteen new blenders are being installed to optimise product mix and lift the share of premium cement, and logistics debottlenecking is expected to add around three per cent utilisation to the existing 107 MTPA base over 24 months.

On projects, a 4 MTPA kiln at Bhatapara has begun trial runs, the 2 MTPA Krishnapatnam grinding unit has been operationalised, and an additional 7 MTPA across three locations is slated for Q3. Renewable power capacity reached 673 MW after commissioning 200 MW, with targets of 900 MW by year-end and 1,122 MW by FY27.

Cost discipline continued: kiln fuel, power and logistics costs declined year on year; green power share of consumption rose to 32.9 per cent; and logistics cost stood at Rs 1,224 per tonne. Management reiterated end-FY26 total cost guidance of about Rs 4,000 per tonne and a pathway to Rs 3,650 per tonne by FY28, supported by higher coal share, newer assets, shorter lead distances (including a growing sea-logistics share), and long-term fly ash/slag tie-ups.

Strategically, Ambuja launched CiNOC (Cement Intelligent Network Operations Centre) to embed AI across sales, production and logistics; deepened engagements with CONCOR, CREDAI and 400+ academic partners; and ordered seven vessels totalling 65,800 DWT to lift coastal movement to five per cent. The company remains debt-free with net worth of Rs 694.93 billion and the highest Crisil ratings (AAA/Stable; A1+).

Concrete

India, EU Resume Talks To Finalise Free Trade Agreement

High-level negotiators meet in Delhi to push balanced trade deal

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2025

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A senior delegation from the European Union (EU) is in New Delhi from 3 to 7 November 2025 to hold detailed discussions with Indian counterparts on the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The negotiations aim to resolve key pending issues and move closer to a comprehensive, balanced, and mutually beneficial trade framework.

The visit follows Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal’s official trip to Brussels on 27–28 October 2025, during which he held forward-looking talks with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šef?ovi?. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to intensify dialogue and strengthen cooperation towards finalising the FTA.

This week’s deliberations will focus on trade in goods and services, rules of origin, and technical and institutional matters, guided by the shared goal of creating a modern and future-ready trade pact that reflects the priorities and sensitivities of both India and the EU.

The discussions gained further momentum after a virtual meeting on 3 November 2025 between Minister Piyush Goyal, Commissioner Maroš Šef?ovi?, and EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen, which helped align positions on key areas of mutual interest.

As part of the ongoing negotiations, Ms. Sabine Weyand, Director-General for Trade at the European Commission (EU DG Trade), will visit New Delhi on 5–6 November for high-level consultations with India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal. The talks will address technical and policy matters critical to concluding the agreement.

The EU delegation’s visit underscores the shared determination of India and the European Union to conclude a fair, transparent, and equitable FTA, aimed at boosting trade, investment, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.

Both sides view the FTA as a strategic pillar in their partnership, capable of enhancing market access, creating new opportunities for businesses, and promoting a resilient and diversified global supply chain.