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When Volumes Matter

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The fourth quarter of the last financial year was a washout for the cement sector as prices dipped across the country. From a drop of Rs.5 per bag in central India to a drastic cut of Rs.10 per bag in Gujarat, the flat trend of the last few months can be attributed to unseasonal rains and low labour availability affecting construction activities. Volume push, fall in demand and increased discount offerings are other factors that have affected attempts of price hikes. But fast recovery is expected in the June quarter as demand picks up amid seasonal recovery.

Another reason for the cement sector to recover on the price front is the upcoming elections. With elections scheduled in 2024, the government is accelerating all of its housing and infrastructure initiatives, thereby spurring the demand for cement. Cement companies are definitely bullish about growth and the Indian cement industry is likely to witness a fresh capacity increase of 145 MT-155 MT amounting to a capex of Rs.1.2 lakh crore by FY27. A report by CRISIL confirms that demand for cement will remain buoyed at a CAGR of 6-7 per cent over the forecast period. The addition of 145 MT-155 MT to the already existing capacity of 570 MT will further consolidate India’s position as the second largest cement producer in the world.

Cement is an important component of revenue for the state governments and this point has been underscored by the recent impasse in Himachal Pradesh where the Ambuja and ACC plants had been shut down for over two months over the disagreement over freight charged by the 6,500 truckers. The state government was losing Rs.60 cr to Rs.80 cr per day in electricity, VAT and GST. A GST cut from 28 per cent to 18 per cent would reduce GST revenues by Rs.13,000 cr annually. However, if this reduction in price is passed on to the consumers, a higher demand could reduce the reduction in revenue. Finally, the impasse was resolved with the intervention of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Himachal Pradesh truckers, agreed to a lower freight rate after the company assured them of additional volumes from neighbouring states.

Another trend that is emerging with regards to adding fresh capacity is the logistics-oriented approach. Many cement companies are preferring to install their new grinding units near the distribution centres for freight cost rationalisation. This will also boost the attempts to decarbonise cement. Further, initiatives such as the launch of LNG trucks by Dalmia Cement (Bharat) for transportation of raw materials and bagged cement is helping build a green supply chain for cement. Decarbonisation is taking place in every step of the supply chain, and India is definitely a trailblazer in green initiatives in the cement sector.

Concrete

Dalmia Bharat to Buy Jaypee Cement Assets for Rs 28.5 bn

Purchase under Adani led resolution plan valued at Rs 28.5 bn

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Dalmia Bharat will acquire the cement assets of JAL (Jaypee Associates Limited) for Rs 28.5 bn under an Adani led resolution plan, according to company sources. The transaction involves the purchase of manufacturing facilities and associated assets that form part of JAL’s cement operations, and it is framed as a strategic acquisition within a larger insolvency resolution overseen by an Adani group consortium. The move is presented as a consolidation play in a fragmented domestic cement market.

The company indicated that the acquisition will strengthen Dalmia Bharat’s geographic footprint and supply chain, enhancing its ability to serve regional demand and optimise logistics. The assets are expected to complement the purchaser’s existing capacity and provide additional clinker and grinding resources, allowing for potential efficiency gains through integration. Executives have described the deal as aligned with a broader strategy of targeted inorganic growth.

Financially, the headline consideration converts to roughly Rs 28.5 bn, reflecting the resolution price agreed under the plan. The purchase price and related terms are structured as part of the approved resolution framework and are subject to completion formalities. The parties expect customary regulatory clearances and creditor or adjudicatory confirmations to be completed before closing, with standard conditions precedent governing the transfer of assets.

Market observers noted that the deal illustrates ongoing consolidation in the sector, where larger groups are acquiring stressed or non core assets as part of resolution processes. Such transactions are seen as a mechanism to expedite recovery of value while enabling active players to expand capacity without developing greenfield projects. The combination of strategic fit and available asset bases is likely to influence competitive dynamics in specific regional markets.

Upon completion, Dalmia Bharat will integrate the acquired operations into its existing reporting and operational framework, with the intention of preserving operational continuity. Stakeholders will monitor execution on integration, regulatory approvals and the realisation of anticipated synergies as the parties move towards finalising the transfer of assets.

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Concrete

Dalmia Acquires Five Point Two MnTPA Cement Assets in Central Region

Acquisition adds capacity, power and rail access

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Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited (DCBL) executed a business transfer agreement on 21 May 2026 to acquire a cement undertaking from Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) and Adani Infra (India) Limited. The assets include plants at Rewa in Madhya Pradesh and Churk, Chunar and Sadwa in Uttar Pradesh with five point two million tonnes per annum (mn tpa) cement capacity and three point three mn tpa clinker capacity, plus 99 megawatt (MW) thermal power and railway sidings. The transaction carries an enterprise value of Rs 28.5 billion (bn).

DCBL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat Limited (DBL), will see cement capacity rise to 54.7 mn tpa on completion. Ongoing expansions at Belgaum, Pune and Kadapa are expected to raise capacity to 66.7 mn tpa by the second to third quarter of fiscal 2028. The company said the transaction would be consummated within two weeks.

The deal follows a framework signed in December 2022 to settle long running disputes with JAL, including a long term clinker supply arrangement. Completion was delayed when JAL entered insolvency and the earlier sale did not finalise. Following approval of a resolution plan under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, DCBL executed a fresh business transfer agreement to resolve pending legal and arbitral matters.

Company statements described the acquisition as strategic, accelerating access to central markets compared with a greenfield route and offering scope for expansion through debottlenecking and brownfield investment. Proximity to the company’s captive mines and established vendor relationships should support faster ramp up. The assets should augment EBITDA delivery and enhance returns by enabling entry into newer markets with relatively better prices.

Senior executives said the addition aligned with a long term plan to build a pan India presence and would provide a head start in central markets. They noted that familiarity with the plants under earlier tolling arrangements offers operational insight and strengthens channel relationships, supporting quicker market entry. Management expressed confidence that the assets’ expansion potential would generate value for stakeholders.

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Concrete

Ramco Cements Reports FY26 Revenue Growth And Higher Profit

Net debt reduced as exceptional items boost FY26 earnings

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Ramco Cements reported standalone audited results for FY26 with net revenue of Rs 90,560 million (mn) and profit after tax of Rs 6,940 mn. EBIDTA rose to Rs 14,820 mn and blended EBIDTA per tonne was Rs 788 on a two per cent volume rise to 18.81 million (mn) tonne (t). Cement revenue increased by five per cent and construction chemicals revenue rose by 66 per cent.

Raw material cost per tonne rose to Rs 1,023 from Rs 956 mainly due to a mineral bearing land tax of Rs 160 per t in Tamil Nadu, adding about Rs 86 per t. Power and fuel cost per tonne fell to Rs 1,098 from Rs 1,123 with petcoke mix down to 47 per cent and green power up to 40 per cent.

Profit before tax after exceptional items was Rs 8,790 mn. Net exceptional items were Rs 5,530 mn, including Rs 5,740 mn from sale of surplus land and Rs 200 mn of past service cost. The company monetised Rs 10,980 mn from non core asset sales over the past two years and recorded capex of Rs 9,970 mn, with guidance of Rs 8,000 mn for FY27.

Net debt fell by Rs 8,170 mn to Rs 36,640 mn at 31 March 2026 and cost of debt eased to 7.29 per cent, reducing net debt to EBIDTA to 2.47 times. Management indicated the full impact of higher fuel costs is expected from Q2 FY27, while packing and diesel cost increases will be visible in Q1 FY27. The board has proposed a dividend of Rs two point five zero per equity share and the company flagged risks from elevated fuel and logistics costs, commodity volatility and competitive pricing.

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