Concrete

Warren Buffett invests in gypsum industry

Published

5 years ago

October 14, 2021

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A recent report published by Roskill, which profiles producers and end users of gypsum the world over, indicates India becoming the largest gypsum importer in the world. Big investors like Warren Buffet are picking up the cue.

In the December edition of ICR, we had published an article on gypsum shortage and its impact on India (Gypsum Demand and Supply Scenario in India by Ramachandran, CEO, Zawawi Minerals, December 2013, Pg 60). A recent report published by Roskill, which profiles producers and end users of gypsum the world over, too indicates India becoming the largest gypsum importer in the world. Market leaders have picked up the cue and have started making significant investment in gypsum.

Warren Buffett is one of the world’s most successful long-term investors. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, maintains large positions in several well-known North American companies such as Heinz and Coca-Cola, and wholly owns several large businesses, such as Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.

In January 2014, regulatory filings revealed that Berkshire Hathaway had acquired more shares in USG Corporation by exchanging US$243.8M of convertible notes it held in the Chicago-based company. This exchange made Berkshire Hathaway the largest single shareholder in USG.

USG Corporation, formerly known as United States Gypsum Company, is the largest producer of gypsum plasterboard in North America, and the producer of several other homebuilding products. USG’s plaster board is sold under the trademarked brand name SHEETROCKÂ® USG is also a leading producer of ceiling tile.

Berkshire Hathaway’s exchange followed the news in October 2013 that USG would be forming a new US$1.67 Bn joint venture with Boral of Australia. The two companies will hold an equal share in the venture, called USG Boral Building Products, which values Boral’ s assets at A$1.35 Bn and USG’s at US$250M.

USG will gain Boral’s Gypsum Asia and Australian assets in the agreement, while USG will contribute a ceiling factory in China and its Middle East assets, including a gypsum asset in Oman that will supply the lucrative Indian market. In February 2014 it was reported that USG and Boral continue to progress toward completion of their 50:50 strategic joint venture. While completion was originally anticipated to occur by the end of January 2014, it is now expected to occur on or before the end of February 2014, due to additional time required to obtain regulatory approvals.

Knauf has quietly increased its plasterboard production capacity by approximately 0.5 Bnm2py. It also acquired the businesses of USG in Europe and Lafarge in Australia and has announced plans to add substantial capacity in China during 2014. Etex has acquired all of Lafarge’s South American and European plasterboard operations. Lafarge, in selling almost 1Bnm2py of plasterboard production, has enabled these changes and is focusing on its core businesses.

The boom in global construction prior to the onset of the global financial crisis plus the adoption of construction methods that employ plasterboard had resulted in a 28 per cent increase in plasterboard production capacity worldwide between 2004 and 2009, from 7.8Bnm2py to 9.7Bnm2py. Capacity then increased by a further 33 per cent to 12.9Bnm2py but in early 2014 relatively few plants are under construction or planned before 2018.

Asia is expected to overtake North America and become the largest geographic market for gypsum plasterboard during 2014 with India, as the largest global gypsum importer. Roskill’s Gypsum report. The 11th edition of this Roskill report profiles over 300 producers and end users of gypsum, providing an overview of the entire supply chain.

For further information on this report, please contact Alison Saxby, asaxby@roskill.co.uk

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

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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

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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

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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.