Economy & Market

Indian cement producers cautious on government promises

Published

3 years ago

October 14, 2021

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Cement manufacturers in India are hopeful that the government will take the promised action to boost the country’s industrial climate, according to a recent report. Cement demand was slightly subdued in the last financial year, forcing price hikes to maintain margins; an upswing is dependent on infrastructure investment by the government, which looks more likely in the run-up to the general elections next year. V.P. Sharma, COO of Dalmia Cement, said: ‘Last quarter was very poor, one of the worst in fact, but strong growth will only come back if the (Prime Minister) actually walks the talk.’

H M Bangur, Managing Director of Shree Cement, was equally cautious. He told the newspaper: ‘In the past, during election years, spending used to be higher and projects used to pick up. However, whether the recent slew of assurances by the government will actually translate into growth is something that will emerge with time. Industry will see most units operating at 80 85 per cent of their total capacity.’

Meanwhile, input costs have increased, putting further pressure on margins. The Indian cement industry has long been a story of ‘wait and see’, with millions of dollars of infrastructure improvements scheduled to take place in the coming years. Once these begin to take affect, the demand/supply balance will alter dramatically.

Concrete

thyssenkrupp Polysius, SaltX partner for electrified production

Published

3 days ago

March 12, 2025

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thyssenkrupp Polysius and Swedish startup SaltX have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to co-develop the next generation of electrified production facilities, advancing industrial decarbonisation. Their collaboration will integrate SaltX’s patented Electric Arc Calciner (EAC) technology into thyssenkrupp Polysius’ green system solutions, enabling electric calcination, replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, and capturing CO2 for emission-free production. Dr Luc Rudowski, Head of Innovation, thyssenkrupp Polysius, emphasised that this partnership expands their portfolio of sustainable solutions, particularly in cement, lime, and Direct-Air-Capture (DAC). Lina Jorheden, CEO, SaltX, highlighted the significant CO2 reduction potential, reinforcing their commitment to sustainable industrial processes.

Concrete

Terra CO2 secures $82m to scale low-carbon cement technology

Published

3 days ago

March 12, 2025

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Terra CO2, a US-based sustainable building materials company, has raised $82 million in Series B funding, co-led by Just Climate, Eagle Materials and GenZero, with continued support from Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The investment will accelerate the commercial deployment of Terra’s OPUS technology, enabling the construction of multiple production facilities across North America and Europe. With the cement industry responsible for 8 per cent of global CO2 emissions, Terra’s solution provides an immediate, scalable alternative using abundant raw materials that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure. The company has secured key partnerships, including a deal with Eagle Materials for multiple 240,000-tonne plants.

Concrete

Titan Cement Group enters South Asia

Published

3 days ago

March 12, 2025

Roshna

Titan Cement Group has expanded into the South Asian market through a joint venture with JAYCEE, an India-based producer of supplementary cementitious materials. Titan will hold a majority stake in the newly formed company, Atlas EcoSolutions, which will focus on sourcing, processing, marketing, and distributing SCMs globally. This initiative aims to support sustainable construction by promoting alternatives to clinker-based cement. Jean-Philippe Benard, Head of Supply Chain and Energy Development, emphasised that the venture aligns with Titan’s strategy to lead in low-carbon building materials while reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation. The move strengthens Titan’s position in a high-growth market while ensuring long-term access to SCMs.