Concrete

Holcim Group to sell Ambuja Cement and ACC Ltd

The firm is planning to exit business in India after 17 years

Published

4 years ago

April 15, 2022

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The Holcim Group, the largest cement producer worldwide, may exit India, placing its twin listed companies, the Ambuja Cements and ACC Ltd, for sale as part of a worldwide plan to focus on core markets.

JSW Steel India and Adani Group, among others, are considered to have undertaken early-stage talks with Holcim to explore their interest levels. Both are newcomers to the cement industry, but they have big plans to grow.

According to the sources, feelers have also been sent to regional cement companies like Shree Cement.

Global cement companies that have been eyeing India for some time are expected to be approached, as acquiring both Ambuja and ACC would propel any player to second place in the highly competitive, fragmented, and price-sensitive market, with a combined pan-India capacity of 66 million tonnes per annum.

Holcim, founded in Switzerland, merged with French competitor Lafarge in 2015 to become a global conglomerate.

Lafarge Holcim, a European cement and building materials giant was obliged to undergo various restructurings to comply with antitrust regulators throughout the world, including divesting properties in Europe and Asia, including India. Since then, the united company has been renamed Holcim Group.

The total market capitalisation of the two firms is Rs 1.14 lakh crore, with Ambuja alone valued at Rs 73,349 crore, making it one of India’s leading prospective mergers and acquisitions. Any merger would also result in an open offer in both for a 26% stake in the company.

Discussions between Holcim’s senior management and their peers at JSW and Adani have been continuing in India and Europe for some weeks and have gained traction in recent days.

Prospective suitors have approached global institutions to organise at least $5-7 billion in potential finance.

Holcim has highlighted speciality building solutions and high-end energy efficient renovations as a significant emphasis soon, as part of a global re-evaluation of its enormous portfolio that will result in old operations being divested.

It is part of the company’s strategic Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth initiative, which strives to find sustainable construction materials solutions. In comparison to ready-mix concrete, aggregates, roofing, and green construction solutions, cement’s importance in the whole group is dwindling.

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Also read: ACC Ltd net profit declines 40.55% to Rs 280.85 cr for Q4 FY22

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Cement Firms to Invest Rs. 130 bn in Green Energy by FY28

Cement companies plan to expand clean energy capacity to 6 GW by FY28

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2026

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India’s major cement companies are set to raise their clean energy capacity to 6 GW by March 2028 from around 4 GW at the end of March 2026, according to ratings agency ICRA. The planned expansion is expected to involve investments of Rs. 130 bn over the next two years.

The additional capacity could generate annual savings of Rs. 62 bn to Rs. 67 bn, resulting in an estimated payback period of 1.8 to 2.2 years. Cement is an emission-intensive industry, and leading producers have established net-zero roadmaps covering the next 15 to 20 years.

The calcination process accounts for 57 to 60 per cent of the sector’s total emissions, while fuel combustion contributes 27 to 30 per cent and electricity consumption accounts for 10 to 13 per cent. ICRA said the figures highlighted the need for a broad decarbonisation strategy involving green power, blended cement, alternative fuels and improvements in clinker efficiency.

Green energy is considered one of the most commercially attractive decarbonisation options because it can reduce emissions while lowering operating costs. Every 5 per cent increase in green power replacement can reduce power and fuel costs by Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per tonne. A 25 per cent replacement level could therefore save Rs. 75 to Rs. 80 per tonne and expand operating margins by 140 to 160 basis points.

Cement producers are also assessing carbon capture, utilisation and storage, although high implementation costs, energy requirements and limited transport and storage infrastructure are expected to slow commercial adoption. The government has proposed Rs. 200 bn over five years to support deployment across key sectors. Meanwhile, companies are targeting thermal substitution rates of 10 to 15 per cent over the next three to five years, compared with the current industry level of around 6 per cent.

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Centre Defers Clearance for Limestone Mine Near Bustard Habitat

Panel seeks revised mining plan and safeguards for pipelines and wildlife

Published

2 days ago

September 16, 2026

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The Centre has deferred environmental clearance for a proposed limestone mine near a Great Indian Bustard habitat in Ramgarh, Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district. The critically endangered species has an estimated wild population of about 130 in India.

Concrete

Telangana to Supply Subsidised Cement for Indiramma Houses

Poor families allotted Indiramma houses to receive cement at Rs. 230 per bag

Published

2 days ago

September 16, 2026

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The Telangana government will supply cement at a subsidised price of Rs. 230 per 50-kg bag to poor and low-income families allotted Indiramma houses. The prevailing market price is between Rs. 310 and Rs. 320 per bag, the Assembly was informed on Thursday.