Concrete

We are focusing on cost-effective solutions

Published

3 years ago

January 16, 2023

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Abhishek Jain, COO, Satellite Developers, looks at the repercussions of the rising costs of cement on construction projects and the effective means through which developers can work around it.

How has the rise in cement and building materials cost impacted your business?
We understand that most of our projects are close to completion and therefore, there will be minimal impact. However, for under construction projects, the rising costs of cement and building materials will have a significant impact. We are proactively planning and managing these costs to mitigate the impacts and provide customers with competitive prices and quality products and services.

As the costs are expected to remain volatile for a few more months, is there any change in your strategy or approach towards the launch of new projects?
We have taken several measures to address the volatility of cement and building materials costs. We have tried to lock the prices with our vendors in certain cases. We are also closely monitoring prices and adjusting our strategies accordingly throughout the launch of new projects. We are focusing on cost-effective solutions while still delivering high quality end products. Additionally, we are exploring alternate sources of materials to reduce our reliance on conventional materials.

Tell us about the impact on timely delivery of developer projects.
The rising costs of cement and building materials have had an impact on the timely delivery of developer projects. This is true for other developers as well. We are working to ensure that the increased operational costs do not affect the quality of services we provide. We are actively managing our resources and focusing on cost-effective solutions to ensure timely delivery of projects while still maintaining a high level of quality.

How has the consumer behaviour changed with change in property costs? Do you expect the demand to decrease?
We have seen a shift in consumer behaviour due to the increase in property costs. Consumers are more conscious of their budgets and are seeking value for money when investing in properties. Although the demand for properties may decrease in the short term, we believe that if developers can offer quality products at competitive prices, there will be an increase in the demand for properties in the long term.

What is the major challenge that you have come across with the rising costs and how are you combating the same?
The major challenge we are facing with the rising costs for our real estate projects is finding cost-effective solutions that still provide high quality results. We have been exploring different ways to reduce costs, such as utilising new technologies and materials, negotiating with suppliers to get the best deals, and looking into other alternative options.

How do you envision the future of real estate development and consumer behaviour with the rising cost of cement and other construction materials?
We believe that real estate development and consumer behaviour in the future will be heavily impacted by the rising cost of building materials. A certain section of the consumers will rely more heavily on existing real estate, such as rentals and second homes, to meet their needs instead of buying new properties. However, a bulk of them will certainly opt for their own houses as they have realised the value of owning a home post the pandemic. Developers and investors will focus on creating more efficient, cost-effective designs and materials and will look for ways to maximise their return on investments.

-Kanika Mathur

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The company continued its deleveraging journey, reducing like-to-like net debt by Rs 10.09 billion year-on-year to Rs 34.92 billion. Commenting on the performance, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, said, “Despite macro headwinds, disciplined execution and focus on premiumisation helped us achieve record performance. We remain confident in our structural growth trajectory.”

Nuvoco’s capacity expansion plans remain on track, with refurbishment of the Vadraj Cement facility progressing towards operationalisation by Q3 FY27. In addition, the company’s 4 MTPA phased expansion in eastern India, expected between December 2025 and March 2027, will raise its total cement capacity to 35 MTPA by FY27.

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Jindal Stainless Limited has announced an investment of $150 million to build and operate a new wet milling plant in Jajpur, Odisha, aimed at doubling its capacity to recover metal from industrial waste. The project is being developed in partnership with Harsco Environmental under a 15-year agreement.

The facility will enable the recovery of valuable metals from slag and other waste materials, significantly improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The initiative aligns with Jindal Stainless’s sustainability roadmap, which focuses on circular economy practices and low-carbon operations.

In financial year 2025, the company reduced its carbon footprint by about 14 per cent through key decarbonisation initiatives, including commissioning India’s first green hydrogen plant for stainless steel production and setting up the country’s largest captive solar energy plant within a single industrial campus in Odisha.

Shares of Jindal Stainless rose 1.8 per cent to Rs 789.4 per share following the announcement, extending a 5 per cent gain over the past month.

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Vedanta gets CCI Approval for Rs 17,000 MnJaiprakash buyout

Acquisition marks Vedanta’s expansion into cement, real estate, and infra

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Vedanta Limited has received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) for approximately Rs 17,000 million under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process. The move marks Vedanta’s strategic expansion beyond its core mining and metals portfolio into cement, real estate, and infrastructure sectors.

Once the flagship of the Jaypee Group, JAL has faced severe financial distress with creditors’ claims exceeding Rs 59,000 million. Vedanta emerged as the preferred bidder in a competitive auction, outbidding the Adani Group with an overall offer of Rs 17,000 million, equivalent to Rs 12,505 million in net present value terms. The payment structure involves an upfront settlement of around Rs 3,800 million, followed by annual instalments of Rs 2,500–3,000 million over five years.

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