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Cement industry witnesses surge of Rs 45-50 per bag in April

Cement demand might rise to 10-12% in coming months in FY23

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With rising input costs, fluctuating imported coal prices and crude, and expectations of improving demand, the cement industry witnessed a price hike in April by Rs 45-50 per bag, which was a 12% month-on-month (MoM) hike.

It is among the steepest hike in cement prices since January. In north India, the price hike was over Rs 50 per bag, 14% MoM.

Southern Indian markets witnessed about an 8-10% hike in April, at about Rs 30 per bag. Prices are around Rs 392 -400 per bag, up from the March price of Rs 362?370 per bag.

In the western part, cement prices rose by Rs 45-50 per bag, around 12% MoM, to Rs 423 per bag.

In central India, the hike was about 11% MoM, up by around Rs 40 per bag to Rs 421 per bag in April.

The eastern market witnessed a price hike of 13-14% MoM, at Rs 384 per bag.

According to IDBI Capital, the price hike resulted in weaker demand, but demand might rebound in the coming months. The cement demand might increase to 10-12% in FY23.

The increased input cost has led to an increase in the production cost by at least Rs 60-70 per bag.

The average imported coal price has remained volatile, as it has again increased above $300 per tonne.

According to analysts, the impact of the rise in coal and petcoke prices will have a lag effect, and it will reflect in the coming quarters.

ACC Cement, which declared results for the January-March quarter, witnessed the input cost pressure take a toll on its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margin. The margin shrunk over 600 basis points year-on-year (YoY). Its EBITDA margin was at 14.3%, lower than 20%. However, its blended EBITDA was down by 24% YoY.


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Also read: Cement prices shows an uptick in March as demand grows

Concrete

GMDC Inks Long-Term Limestone Supply Deal With JK Cement

The agreement has been signed for supply of 250 million tonne.

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State-owned GMDC said it has entered into a long-term pact with JK Cement Ltd for the supply of limestone from its upcoming mine in Gujarat. 
The agreement has been signed for supply of 250 million tonnes of limestone over a period of 40 years from its upcoming Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine in Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch district in Gujarat. 
This agreement will help JK Cement Ltd in setting up an integrated mega-capacity cement plant, fostering industrial growth in the region.Kutch’s coastal proximity, improved access to domestic and international markets, and cost-efficient logistics position it as an ideal hub for cement production. 
The state-owned company has five operational lignite mines in Kutch, South Gujarat, and Bhavnagar region.          

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Concrete

GMDC, J K Cement Ltd. Tie-up for Limestone from Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine

This agreement underscores GMDC Ltd.’s commitment to fostering industrial growt

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Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (GMDC) has signed a Long-Term Supply Agreement (LSA) with JK Cement Ltd. for the supply of 250 million tonnes of limestone over a period of 40 years from its upcoming Lakhpat Punrajpur Mine in Lakhpat Taluka of Kutch District in Gujarat. The signing event was chaired by the Chairman of GMDC Ltd. Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, IAS (Retd.) on January 29, 2025 and the agreement was officially formalised by Roopwant Singh, IAS, Managing Director of GMDC Ltd., and Anuj Khandelwal, Business Head – Grey Cement of JK Cement Ltd., representing their respective organisations.

This agreement marks a strategic partnership towards monetising the large limestone asset of GMDC Ltd. and benefiting both the partners. It will support J K Cement Ltd. in setting up a greenfield integrated mega-capacity cement plant, fostering industrial growth in the region. The collaboration will stimulate investment, enhance industrial development, and generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in Kutch, contributing significantly to the socio-economic progress of Gujarat. Kutch’s coastal proximity, improved access to domestic and international markets, and cost-efficient logistics position it as an ideal hub for cement production. Furthermore, this initiative will contribute substantially to the State Exchequer through revenue generation in the form of Royalty, National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) contributions, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, and Goods & Services Tax (GST) on both limestone and cement production.

This agreement underscores GMDC Ltd.’s commitment to fostering industrial growth while ensuring the sustainable utilization of mineral resources, thereby strengthening Gujarat’s position as a leading industrial and economic State.

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Concrete

JK Cement Acquires Majority Stake in Saifco Cement to Expand in J&K

Saifco has an annual turnover of around Rs 860 million.

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JK Cement has made a significant move in its growth strategy by acquiring a 60% equity stake in Saifco Cement, a cement manufacturer based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The acquisition, valued at approximately Rs 1.74 billion, was approved during a board meeting on January 25, 2025.

Located in Khunmoh, Srinagar, Saifco’s integrated manufacturing unit, which includes both clinker and grinding capacities, aligns with JK Cement’s expansion plans. Saifco has an annual turnover of around Rs 860 million, and this acquisition not only strengthens JK Cement’s presence in the region but also offers a strategic advantage in the competitive Indian cement industry.

Saifco’s facility, spread across 54 acres, has a clinker capacity of 0.26 million tonnes per annum and a grinding capacity of 0.42 million tonnes per annum. The site also holds captive limestone reserves across 144.25 hectares, with a mineable reserve of 129 million tonnes.

This deal, which is expected to close after receiving regulatory approvals, allows JK Cement to tap into Saifco’s established infrastructure, sidestepping the time-consuming process of greenfield expansion. The acquisition will also position JK Cement to benefit from Saifco’s established market presence and supply chain.

The move signals JK Cement’s ambition to expand further in the Jammu and Kashmir market and beyond, positioning Saifco as a key regional player under JK Cement’s umbrella. The acquisition could also lead to potential job creation and greater economic opportunities for local suppliers. As part of the integration, JK Cement is expected to bring operational synergies, improving production efficiency and cost management.

This deal is seen as a model for regional consolidation in India’s growing cement industry, with JK Cement’s established brand and distribution network poised to enhance Saifco’s operations and product offerings in the region.

(Greater Kashmir)

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