Concrete

Success Story: Innovation for energy-efficiency in the cement sector

Published

4 years ago

July 18, 2022

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India is the second largest cement producer in the world and accounts for over 7 per cent of global installed capacity, Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) reports.

Further, the demand for cement is expected to reach 419.92 MT per annum (MTPA) by FY 27 with expected expansion of sectors like housing, commercial construction, and industrial construction. While India’s rich quality and quantity of limestone deposits promise huge potential for the future of the cement industry – the sector had been grappling with challenges in improving efficiency and reducing negative environmental fallouts.
A major contributor to the construction and infrastructure industry, cement manufacturers are today ramping their production capacities to respond to expanding demand in the former that is poised to grow at a CAGR of 10 per cent by 2027. To swiftly meet demands while cautious of efficiency in production processes, cement manufacturers are today maintaining the performance of their equipment through the use of superior lubrication solutions that are reliable and technologically ahead. Manufacturers in the sector are duly collaborating with industry experts to choose the most precise products and services that can guarantee equipment performance and longevity.
Mobil™ Lubricants, with its continuous focus on ensuring customer satisfaction, has been partnering with top cement manufacturers to address their day-to-day challenges and ensure continuous performance. The company’s association with JK Cement is an instance of such industry engagement.

Overcoming performance challenges
JK Cement Ltd. is one of India’s leading manufacturers of gray cement and one of the leading manufacturers of white cement globally. The company’s manufacturing plant at Jharli, Jhajjar, in Haryana, was using a ThyssenKrupp Ball Mill for its core operations, which had a 2600 KW motor with average production capacity of 180 T/hour. For this concentrator ball mill, the company was using a conventional VG 320 oil which was providing about 92 to 93 per cent efficiency of the gearbox and oil drain interval (ODI) of 1 year. This was proving unproductive and leading to a loss of 420 liters of oil annually. Additionally, this excessive wastage was detrimental to the environment and also curtailed productivity. Soon, JK Cement contacted Mobil to seek support in enhancing the performance of its concentrator ball mill and reducing its energy consumption.

After thoroughly studying the problem and conducting a range of tests, Mobil recommended the use Mobil SHCTM 632 to lubricate the concentrator ball mill. With this switch, JK Cement was successful in reducing its energy consumption and curtailing overhead maintenance costs. The use of Mobil SHC 632 resulted in 0.8 per cent energy efficiency and cost saving of USD 18,764 (INR 13,13,545). This further led to 168 hours of exposure reduction and conserved 263 liters of oil – a leap towards greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Premium lubricants to the rescue
Pioneering lubrication innovation for over 150 years, Mobil’s range of premium synthetic lubricants under the Mobil SHCTM 600 Series are exceptional performance gear and bearing oils designed to provide outstanding service in terms of equipment protection, oil life and problem-free operations that enable increased customer productivity. These products are resistant to mechanical shear, even in heavily loaded gear and high shear bearing applications, so that there is virtually no loss of viscosity. These are especially advantageous for industries dealing with rough and difficult temperatures and raw materials. They also provide excellent resistance to oxidation and deposit formation at elevated temperatures, as well as exceptional resistance to rusting and corrosion, anti-wear, demulsibility, foam control and air release properties, and multi-metal compatibility. These oils maintain good compatibility with seals and other materials used in equipment that are otherwise normally lubricated with mineral oils.
A robust backbone to India’s construction and infrastructure industry, the cement sector is today witnessing a positive growth spiral. To ensure that the sector remains efficient, it is imperative that manufacturers opt for the most superior lubrication solutions that not only guarantee equipment health but also guarantee greater energy efficiency. Here, Mobil has emerged as a trusted partner driven by innovation that can support India’s robust cement sector – a key contributor to the country’s economic growth story.

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Concrete

Shree Digvijay Cement Reports Annual And Quarterly Results

Annual revenue rises as EBITDA expands sequentially

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

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Shree Digvijay Cement Company Limited reported consolidated financial results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026, showing higher revenues and improved profitability. Revenue from operations for the quarter was Rs 2,084.7 mn, up from Rs 1,833.4 mn in the prior quarter, while revenue for the year was Rs 7,491.0 mn versus Rs 7,251.5 mn a year earlier. EBITDA for the quarter rose to Rs 251.0 mn from Rs 38.4 mn in the preceding quarter and reached Rs 746.1 mn for the year. Profit after tax for the year was Rs 250.0 mn.

Sales volume for the company s grinding and cement operations was zero point three six four mn t in the quarter and one point four zero three mn t for the year, while traded volumes were zero point zero three mn t in the quarter. EBITDA per tonne improved to Rs637 in the quarter and averaged Rs521 for the year. Under a brand usage, supply and distributorship agreement the company sold 29,928 t of Hi Bond cement, which generated Rs153.6 mn in revenue and Rs20.0 mn in EBITDA during the period.

The company said that it had commenced purchase and distribution of Hi Bond cement effective 19 March 2026 pursuant to the long term distributorship agreement, and that it had paid a refundable security deposit of Rs four bn under the same arrangement. Management indicated that the strategic integration with the Hi Bond network would support future growth and strengthen distribution capabilities. The board cited seasonally higher demand and improved pricing as factors behind the sequential improvement in realisations.

The board recommended a final dividend of Rs one per equity share subject to shareholder approval at the ensuing annual general meeting. The company reiterated focus on sustaining the positive momentum in revenue and margin metrics while integrating the new distributorship, and will continue to monitor market conditions and pricing trends to support further improvement in outcomes.

Concrete

Cement Production Up Eight Point Six Per Cent To 491.4 mn t In FY26

Icra Sees Seven To Eight Per Cent Growth In FY27

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

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Icra reported that cement production volumes rose by eight point six per cent in the financial year 2026 to 491.4 million (mn) metric tonne (t). March output was 48.4 mn t, up four per cent year on year on a high base.

The agency projected that volumes are expected to grow by seven to eight per cent in the current financial year, supported by sustained demand from the housing and infrastructure sectors. Average cement prices were reported to have remained flat in March at Rs 340 per bag on a month on month basis, while prices for FY26 increased by two per cent to Rs 345 per bag year on year.

Among inputs, coal prices declined by 17 per cent year on year to USD 102 per t in April 2026 while petcoke prices rose sharply by 19 per cent month on month and 22 per cent year on year to around Rs 15,800 per t in April. Petcoke was higher by about five per cent year on year in FY26 and diesel prices were reported to have remained steady. Icra noted that coal, petcoke and diesel are expected to trend higher in FY27 and remain exposed to risks from the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The report emphasised that operating margins for Icra’s sample set of companies are estimated to moderate by 200 to 400 basis points (bps) in FY27 on account of a likely increase in input costs, with further downside risks should crude prices rise owing to geopolitical tensions. However, debt protection metrics are projected to remain comfortable and Icra maintained a stable outlook on the Indian cement sector.

Concrete

UltraTech Cement FY26 PAT Crosses Rs 80 bn

Company reports record sales, profit and 200 MTPA capacity milestone

Published

1 week ago

April 29, 2026

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UltraTech Cement reported record financial performance for Q4 and FY26, supported by strong volumes, higher profitability and improved cost efficiency. Consolidated net sales for Q4 FY26 rose 12 per cent year-on-year to Rs 254.67 billion, while PBIDT increased 20 per cent to Rs 56.88 billion. PAT, excluding exceptional items, grew 21 per cent to Rs 30.11 billion.

For FY26, consolidated net sales stood at Rs 873.84 billion, up 17 per cent from Rs 749.36 billion in FY25. PBIDT rose 32 per cent to Rs 175.98 billion, while PAT increased 36 per cent to Rs 83.05 billion, crossing the Rs 80 billion mark for the first time.

India grey cement volumes reached 42.41 million tonnes in Q4 FY26, up 9.3 per cent year-on-year, with capacity utilisation at 89 per cent. Full-year India grey cement volumes stood at 145 million tonnes. Energy costs declined 3 per cent, aided by a higher green power mix of 43 per cent in Q4.

The company’s domestic grey cement capacity has crossed 200 MTPA, reaching 200.1 MTPA, while global capacity stands at 205.5 MTPA. UltraTech also recommended a special dividend of Rs 2.40 billion per share value basis equivalent to Rs 240.