Concrete

UltraTech’s new capacity expansion is good but could weigh on cement prices

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2021

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UltraTech Cement has laid out a three-year capacity expansion plan. The company, which is upbeat on the sector?? demand prospects, will increase the clinker capacity by 9.1 MT and the grinding capacity by 12.8 MT by Q4FY23. This is in addition to the ongoing capacity expansion of 6.7 MT and 2.3 MT for grinding and clinker, respectively.

UltraTech, which is pan-India focused, is considered a proxy for the cement sector. As such, this announcement bodes well for the industry?? long-term demand outlook. The incremental expansion will help the company achieve its long-term volume growth target of 8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

??e believe that the announcements made today have added a new growth narrative as the execution of the earlier targets such as integration and profitability improvement of the acquired plants and deleveraging of the balance sheet seem to be achieving targets,” analysts at Emkay Global Financial Services said in a note on 3 December.

That said, it could mean near-term pricing pressure, especially in the eastern region, which is already grappling with oversupply. Nearly 52% of UltraTech?? additional capacity is focused in the east as the company aims to save on logistics costs. India?? per capita consumption of cement has risen from 190kg to 227kg in the last three to five years, according to the management. However, in the east, consumption is lower at 203kg. So the market could absorb capacities without impacting pricing, the management said

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

3 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

3 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.