Concrete

Ambuja delivers robust performance in a challenging quarter

Published

5 years ago

October 19, 2021

admin

EBITDA growth of 61% for the quarter
78% rise in Operating EBIT with EBIT margin expansion of 310 basis points backed by strong growth in volumes and efficiency gains
The greenfield integrated plant at Marwar Mundwa to commence operations in the third quarter of 2021
Embarking on the next step of our growth journey with cement capacity expansion of 1.5 million tonne at Ropar (Punjab)
Health and Safety remains key priority; focus on vaccination drives

Neeraj Akhoury, CEO India, Holcim and Managing Director and CEO Ambuja Cements Limited said:

??mbuja registered a strong performance in the second Quarter of 2021 with 78% growth in operating EBIT and 310 basis points expansion in the EBIT margin. This performance resulted from strong growth in sales of premium products and successful execution of efficiency improvement programs which has partly been impacted by rising energy and raw material costs. Synergies under the master supply agreement have significantly benefited both Ambuja and ACC as we leverage our national footprint.

Along with delivering robust financial performance, we remain committed to be best in class in sustainability goals. Our waste heat recovery systems projects are progressing as per plan and along with reduction in emissions will also reduce our dependence on thermal energy. With support of our parent, Holcim, we are focused on conserving natural resources by utilising alternative fuels and raw materials. We have used about 46 lakh tonnes of waste-derived resources in the first six months of 2021. Our increased focus on sustainability, digitisation and innovation is enabling us to reach closer to our global goal of net zero emissions.??/p>

Covid-19 update

The second wave of Covid-19 in the country was managed proactively by the company. We continue to ensure strict adherence to government guidelines across all our plants and offices. Our 24×7 Covid-19 crisis control room support is enhanced with a third party medical services provider for close end to end support to our people across the country. We have also facilitated vaccination drives wherein more than 97% of our employees, dependents and third party workers have been covered. Our plants are operating under strict Covid-19 protocols in line with the current risk which is being dynamically assessed on a daily basis.

Financial performance for the quarter ended 30 June 2021

Net Sales during the quarter stood at Rs 3,342 cr compared to Rs 2,145 cr in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, resulting in a growth of 56%. Premium products volume grew at 69% compared to the same period last year.

Total operating cost per ton sees a marginal decline, despite continuous headwinds faced on account of rising input costs. The operational efficiency programs in the plants along with logistics efficiencies partly mitigated the impact. EBITDA during the quarter at Rs 960 cr showed a growth of 61% and Operating EBIT at Rs 829 cr showed a robust growth of 78%.

Ambuja helped 8,347 customers to save about 260 lakh litres of water at construction sites by providing value added services such as modular curing, concrete mix proportions, and rain water harvesting systems.

New Expansion Project

In line with our expansion plans, the board has approved 1.5 million tonne cement capacity expansion at the existing grinding unit at Ropar in Punjab.

Consolidated unaudited financial results for the quarter and half year ended 30 June 2021

EBITDA higher by 63%
Margin expansion for the quarter by 180 basis points
Growth in Operating EBIT is 87%

Performance of ACC Limited, a Material Subsidiary

Net Sales during the quarter increased to Rs 3,810 cr and recorded a growth of 51% vs previous year. EBITDA during the quarter up by 65% vs previous year at Rs 869 cr, with an EBITDA margin expansion of 200 basis points. The company also witnessed strong delivery on cost efficiency actions under project ??arvat??across cost levers combined with healthy working capital despite volatility due to the second wave of COVID 19.

Outlook

GDP for fiscal 2021-2022 is projected to grow at the rate of 9.5% and is expected to remain strong going forward. The measures announced by the government including higher spending for infrastructure development will support revival of economic activity in general and lead to higher cement demand. With the operational efficiency programs and expansion projects, the company feels confident to capture the future growth.

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Concrete

JSW Cement Commissions 1 MTPA Unit in Rajasthan

Rajasthan grinding capacity rises to 3.50 MTPA after commissioning

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2026

admin

JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 MTPA cement grinding unit in Nagaur, Rajasthan, taking the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.1 MTPA. The commissioning was announced on Tuesday, October 6.

The company said the new unit had increased the total cement grinding capacity at its Rajasthan plant to 3.50 MTPA. The expansion adds to JSW Cement’s production infrastructure as it continues to build capacity across its operating network.

The company’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including capacity at its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA. Clinker is an intermediate material used in cement production, and its availability supports the company’s grinding operations.

JSW Cement is also pursuing a proposed merger of its listed subsidiary Shiva Cement with the company. The scheme, approved by the boards of the respective companies, involves issuing five fully paid-up JSW Cement equity shares for every 41 shares held by Shiva Cement shareholders other than JSW Cement.

The arrangement remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. JSW Cement currently holds 66.23 per cent of Shiva Cement’s paid-up equity share capital, and the shares held by JSW Cement in the subsidiary will be cancelled under the proposal without any issue of JSW Cement shares against that holding.

The scheme has an appointed date of April 1, 2026, and the company has indicated that completion could take 12 to 14 months, depending on the receipt of approvals. These include clearances from stock exchanges, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the National Company Law Tribunal and other applicable authorities, along with approvals from shareholders and creditors where required. JSW Cement shares closed at Rs. 113.15 on the BSE, up Rs. 2.05, or 1.85 per cent.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2026

admin

Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit in Rajasthan

The Nagaur expansion takes JSW Cement’s total grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

Published

5 days ago

October 8, 2026

admin

JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) cement grinding unit at its Nagaur Integrated Plant in Rajasthan. The commissioning takes the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

JSW Cement’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, now stands at 9.74 MTPA.

The company began operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and a 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the latest expansion, the plant’s total grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA.

The additional capacity will cater to cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a combination of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2026, JSW Cement also commissioned an Alternate Fuel Handling System and a Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS) at the Nagaur plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said the additional grinding capacity was a strategic priority for the company’s expansion in North India. He added that the Alternate Fuel Handling System and WHRS were expected to reduce production costs.