Concrete

We recently launched bigger capacity batching plants and concrete pumps.

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2021

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Uhere is a big shift towards high-capacity machines and we are gearing up to cater to future demands at Universal, says Rajesh Kawoor, Vice President, (Concrete Business), Universal Construction Machinery. Excerpts from the interview.

What the present scenario as regards the RMC sector?

For quite some time, there have been no new projects and the overall market is quite sluggish; the RMC sector has also witnessed a slump and growth has been flat compared to last year. We donÂ´t expect anything positive at least for the next six months.

Some of the cement majors are trying to invest in more plants, especially in Tier two and Tier three cities. What are your comments?

Yes, they are trying to expand, taking into consideration the expected growth in the future. A lot of projects have already been sanctioned but the market is sluggish because the funds are not coming forth.

Have you come out with any new equipment launches for the RMC sector?

At Excon 2013, we launched bigger capacity batching plants. Earlier, we were doing only 20 and 30 cu m batching plants. So we have widened our product basket, introduced 60 cu m batching plants and will be coming out with 90 and 120 cu m batching plants. We have also launched bigger capacity concrete pumps machine capable of pumping more than 200 m.

From the OEMs` point of view, what are the basic challenges you face in terms of growth of the RMC sector?

The major challenge we face is in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where the customer has to be educated about the latest machines and technology available. Since we have a pan- India network, we are already in the process of educating them and have also been successfully running a training centre in association with CIDC, where we train operators and technicians and make them skilled operators.

Has the current tax structure adversely impacted the setting up of new RMC plants?

For big projects, I donÂ´t think that is an issue. But yes, there is a negative impact, especially for small projects, as it is getting very difficult to put up their own batching plants. If they are buying from RMC players, then due to taxation, the costs escalate. The government needs to come out with some incentive schemes, especially for small customers.

What is the potential in the hiring segment for RMC equipment?

There is a huge potential especially for concrete pumps and transit mixers in the hiring segment. In matured overseas markets, the major buyers of RMC equipment is from the hiring sector, whereas in India, itÂ´s the other way around.

But now the trend is picking up because in the last couple of years, we have seen a lot of hiring companies showing interest. Even small players are also trying to invest money in the hiring sector.

At Universal, we help develop a lot of hiring companies. If some person is interested in starting a rental or hiring business, we train them, we explain to them how the business runs. We try to bring in more entrepreneurs into the hiring sector and we also tie up with hiring companies.

Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas Reports Record Q2 EBITDA, Expands Capacity to 35 MTPA

Cement Major Nuvoco Posts Rs 3.71 bn EBITDA in Q2 FY26

Published

5 days ago

October 22, 2025

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Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., one of India’s leading building materials companies, has reported its highest-ever second-quarter consolidated EBITDA of Rs 3.71 billion for Q2 FY26, reflecting an 8% year-on-year revenue growth to Rs 24.58 billion. Cement sales volume stood at 4.3 MMT during the quarter, driven by robust demand and a rising share of premium products, which reached an all-time high of 44%.

The company continued its deleveraging journey, reducing like-to-like net debt by Rs 10.09 billion year-on-year to Rs 34.92 billion. Commenting on the performance, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, said, “Despite macro headwinds, disciplined execution and focus on premiumisation helped us achieve record performance. We remain confident in our structural growth trajectory.”

Nuvoco’s capacity expansion plans remain on track, with refurbishment of the Vadraj Cement facility progressing towards operationalisation by Q3 FY27. In addition, the company’s 4 MTPA phased expansion in eastern India, expected between December 2025 and March 2027, will raise its total cement capacity to 35 MTPA by FY27.

Reinforcing its sustainability credentials, Nuvoco continues to lead the sector with one of the lowest carbon emission intensities at 453.8 kg CO? per tonne of cementitious material.

Concrete

Jindal Stainless to Invest $150 Mn in Odisha Metal Recovery Plant

New Jajpur facility to double metal recovery capacity and cut emissions

Published

1 week ago

October 17, 2025

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Jindal Stainless Limited has announced an investment of $150 million to build and operate a new wet milling plant in Jajpur, Odisha, aimed at doubling its capacity to recover metal from industrial waste. The project is being developed in partnership with Harsco Environmental under a 15-year agreement.

The facility will enable the recovery of valuable metals from slag and other waste materials, significantly improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The initiative aligns with Jindal Stainless’s sustainability roadmap, which focuses on circular economy practices and low-carbon operations.

In financial year 2025, the company reduced its carbon footprint by about 14 per cent through key decarbonisation initiatives, including commissioning India’s first green hydrogen plant for stainless steel production and setting up the country’s largest captive solar energy plant within a single industrial campus in Odisha.

Shares of Jindal Stainless rose 1.8 per cent to Rs 789.4 per share following the announcement, extending a 5 per cent gain over the past month.

Concrete

Vedanta gets CCI Approval for Rs 17,000 MnJaiprakash buyout

Acquisition marks Vedanta’s expansion into cement, real estate, and infra

Published

1 week ago

October 17, 2025

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Vedanta Limited has received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) for approximately Rs 17,000 million under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process. The move marks Vedanta’s strategic expansion beyond its core mining and metals portfolio into cement, real estate, and infrastructure sectors.

Once the flagship of the Jaypee Group, JAL has faced severe financial distress with creditors’ claims exceeding Rs 59,000 million. Vedanta emerged as the preferred bidder in a competitive auction, outbidding the Adani Group with an overall offer of Rs 17,000 million, equivalent to Rs 12,505 million in net present value terms. The payment structure involves an upfront settlement of around Rs 3,800 million, followed by annual instalments of Rs 2,500–3,000 million over five years.

The National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), which acquired the group’s stressed loans from a State Bank of India-led consortium, now leads the creditor committee. Lenders are expected to take a haircut of around 71 per cent based on Vedanta’s offer. Despite approvals for other bidders, Vedanta’s proposal stood out as the most viable resolution plan, paving the way for the company’s diversification into new business verticals.