Concrete

Two southern cement firms suggest stable outlook

Published

5 years ago

October 14, 2021

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The earnings of Madras Cements (MCL) and India Cements (ICL) suggest an improving outlook. After several months of tardy growth, cement prices in the south were relatively stable in the December quarter. In fact, stable demand in the absence of heavy monsoon that usually plays havoc in the south during the quarter, helped lift volumes and realisation per bag of cement sold.

The two southern cement duo-MCL and ICL clocked revenue growth of 18 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, when compared with a year before. MCL may have posted a better performance, but for the dealer strike in Kerala for two weeks in November.

The southern firms fared better than their western counterparts such as ACC and Ambuja Cements, as sluggish demand and cost pressures hit the profitability of cement makers focused on western Indian markets. Cost increases were felt by both south-based companies during the December quarter, as freight rates surged.

Transport and handling charges rose by 35-38 per cent from a year ago and marginally from the preceding quarter. As a result, ICL and MCL posted a slight decline in operating profit from a year ago.

According to Karvy Stock Broking, ICL’s operating performance should improve given its ramp up in captive power production and benefits accruing from coal sourced from captive mines in Indonesia. Barring those in Andhra Pradesh, cement dealers in the south endorse stable demand.

A few weeks ago, leading cement maker Heidelberg indicated a possible hike in cement prices in southern markets, too, after a similar move in the west. This augurs well as better realisation could offset rising costs.

Concrete

Central Technical Team To Survey Sites For Bhadradri Kothagudem Airport

Delegation to assess feasibility and ground conditions

Published

3 hours ago

September 8, 2026

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A central technical team will visit possible sites identified for the Bhadradri Kothagudem airport in Telangana to assess their suitability for airport development. The team will conduct on-site inspections to evaluate terrain, accessibility and existing infrastructure and will examine factors relevant to safe operations and construction feasibility. The exercise is being carried out in coordination with the state government and local administration to ensure alignment with regional planning objectives.

Members will survey topography, drainage patterns, soil conditions and potential approach paths and will note proximity to habitations and transport corridors. The inspection team will interact with revenue officials, the public works department and representatives of the civil aviation authority to collect technical inputs and records. Satellite imagery and prior site reports will be reviewed alongside ground observations to develop a comprehensive assessment.

Environmental considerations will form a central part of the review, with attention to forest patches, water bodies and biodiversity corridors in and around shortlisted locations. The team will examine regulatory clearances required and will flag areas where detailed environmental impact assessment and mitigation planning are necessary. Land acquisition records and options for minimising displacement will be evaluated in consultation with district authorities.

Findings will be compiled into a technical report for submission to state and central agencies to inform subsequent decision making. The assessment is intended to support careful site selection and to identify infrastructure and connectivity requirements that would need to be addressed during project planning. Stakeholder consultations with local communities and businesses will be part of the follow up process to capture ground level concerns and logistical inputs. The state government will consider the technical report before taking further steps towards detailed design and approvals.

Concrete

Kirby India Breaks Ground on Fourth PEB Plant in Tamil Nadu

New Manapparai facility will lift annual capacity to 400,000 tonnes by mid-2027

Published

1 day ago

September 7, 2026

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Kirby Building Systems & Structures India has recently broken ground on its fourth manufacturing facility in Manapparai, near Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The plant will be developed across approximately 33.2 acres and have an annual manufacturing capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes, with commercial operations expected to begin by mid-2027.

Once operational, the facility will increase Kirby India’s total annual manufacturing capacity from 300,000 metric tonnes to 400,000 metric tonnes. The expansion is aimed at strengthening the company’s presence in Southern India and enabling faster and more flexible deliveries to customers across key industrial markets.

The new facility will complement Kirby India’s existing manufacturing plants in Hyderabad, Haridwar and Halol, Gujarat. The company said it continues to invest in advanced engineering, automation, digital technologies and manufacturing capabilities to meet growing demand from India’s industrial and infrastructure sectors.

Kirby India has operated in the country for more than 26 years and is supported by over 25 sales offices and more than 150 certified builders. The company has completed more than 45,000 buildings in India, representing a total built-up area of approximately 50 million sq m. The Tamil Nadu expansion also supports Kirby’s broader transition from a PEB manufacturer to an engineering and structural steel solutions provider.

Concrete

UltraTech to Deploy 600+ Electric Trucks by Dec 2026

Cement major expands green logistics to cut emissions across supply chain

Published

5 days ago

September 3, 2026

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UltraTech Cement Limited, an Aditya Birla Group company, plans to expand its electric vehicle fleet in logistics operations to more than 600 EV trucks by December 2026, strengthening its green transport initiatives.

The company has signed service agreements with leading EV prime mover manufacturers, including Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, IPLTech, Energy in Motion and Sany, along with their subsidiaries and logistics partners, for deploying electric trucks.

The expanded fleet will transport around five million MT of clinker and other key materials annually across Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odisha. Once operational, the fleet is expected to reduce annual CO₂ emissions by over 1,17,000 tonnes and replace nearly 39 million litres of diesel consumption.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said the company is extending sustainability beyond its manufacturing plants by adopting greener logistics solutions and decarbonising its value chain.

UltraTech has been among the early adopters of sustainable transport in the cement sector, introducing CNG trucks in 2021 and electric trucks in 2024. The company currently operates more than 850 trucks under its green logistics programme, including CNG and electric vehicles.

With a grey cement capacity exceeding 200 MTPA in India, UltraTech is integrating electrification across its logistics network, covering mine-to-plant movement and inter-plant transportation of clinker and other materials.