Concrete

When Volumes Matter

Published

3 years ago

April 12, 2023

admin

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.

Related Topics:ACC Ambuja Cement Cement sector Construction Crisil Dalmia Cement (Bharat)demand for cement Electricity Indian cement industry LNG trucks

Up Next

Dust Control: Balancing Health and Sustainability

Don't Miss

Intervention is the Name of the Game

Concrete

Aditya Birla Group Launches Ultravolt Wires And Cables Business

UltraTech extends building solutions into electrical wiring

Published

3 hours ago

September 9, 2026

admin

Aditya Birla Group has entered the wires and cables market through Ultravolt, extending UltraTech’s move from building materials into building solutions. The shift builds on UltraTech Building Solutions, a multi-category platform that already addresses customers across different stages of construction and extends beyond cement into ready-mix concrete, waterproofing, tile-fixing solutions and mortars.

The company intends to enter with scale, seeking presence across 100,000 retailers in more than 500 districts and availability through 5,000 plus UltraTech Building Solutions (UBS) outlets. The portfolio spans house wires, light-duty cables, communication cables, solar cables and low-tension and industrial cables to meet changing electrical requirements driven by solar installations, communications infrastructure and industrial automation.

An upstream advantage begins in the Group’s metals ecosystem, with conductor quality central to product performance. Ultravolt wires will use TruePure Copper, defined as 99.97 per cent pure electrolytic-grade annealed copper sourced from Hindalco, providing greater control over raw material quality and provenance and supporting electrical performance, safety and durability.

The business also targets the electrician community as a decisive influence on product choice and installation quality. The Wires and Cables Business has launched a Skill India Electrician Training Programme in partnership with the Electronics Sector Skills Council of India that aims to train and certify more than 40,000 electricians across India over the next year, focusing on safe wiring practices, correct installation and advanced wire technologies and offering Skill India-aligned certification and identification credentials.

The move combines market opportunity, UltraTech’s construction ecosystem, manufacturing capability and Group-level resources. A large Gujarat facility, advanced machinery and in-house testing and research and development underpin the product strategy, which is designed for both traditional and emerging applications. The ambition is to build a scaled national brand and become one of the top two players within five years, making the Group an integral participant in modern building infrastructure.

Concrete

Ramco Cements Mine Restoration Gets Global Biodiversity Certification

Pandalgudi mine restoration receives Advanced Certification from TGBS

Published

3 hours ago

September 9, 2026

admin

The ecological restoration of Ramco Cements’ limestone mine at Pandalgudi in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu, has received international recognition with the site being awarded Advanced Certification by The Global Biodiversity Standard (TGBS). The recognition makes Pandalgudi the first site in Peninsular India to receive the certification and places it among globally recognised biodiversity restoration projects.

TGBS, recognised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), assesses biodiversity restoration projects based on scientific evaluation and their contribution to ecosystem recovery and local communities. The certification is supported by more than 250 scientists and academics worldwide.

Spread across over 500 acres of worked-out mine areas, the restoration project includes a certified 234-acre site. Initiated in 2018 with technical support from Auroville Botanical Gardens, the project began plantation activities in 2019 and is expected to be completed by 2027. More than 430,000 native trees and shrubs belonging to 150 ecologically significant species have been planted at the site.

The restored mine, which was once a barren landscape with limited biodiversity, has recorded over 72 bird species and 53 butterfly species. The project has also captured an estimated 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the past seven years, supporting broader sustainability and carbon reduction goals.

Opened officially in 2022, the site has attracted more than 13,000 visitors through educational programmes for schools, colleges and training institutions. The restoration initiative has also contributed to the development of the Rajapalayam Masterplan and supported Tamil Nadu’s carbon neutrality ambitions.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr P. R. Venketrama Raja, Chairman, Ramco Group, said the company aims for the Pandalgudi restoration project to serve as an inspiration and blueprint for the mining industry in India. Dr David Bartholomew, CEO, The Global Biodiversity Standard, highlighted the project’s long-term commitment to biodiversity recovery and independent assessment of ecological outcomes.

The certification reinforces Ramco Cements’ focus on sustainable mining practices and ecological restoration as part of its commitment towards a carbon-neutral future.

Concrete

Central Technical Team To Survey Sites For Bhadradri Kothagudem Airport

Delegation to assess feasibility and ground conditions

Published

1 day ago

September 8, 2026

admin

A central technical team will visit possible sites identified for the Bhadradri Kothagudem airport in Telangana to assess their suitability for airport development. The team will conduct on-site inspections to evaluate terrain, accessibility and existing infrastructure and will examine factors relevant to safe operations and construction feasibility. The exercise is being carried out in coordination with the state government and local administration to ensure alignment with regional planning objectives.

Members will survey topography, drainage patterns, soil conditions and potential approach paths and will note proximity to habitations and transport corridors. The inspection team will interact with revenue officials, the public works department and representatives of the civil aviation authority to collect technical inputs and records. Satellite imagery and prior site reports will be reviewed alongside ground observations to develop a comprehensive assessment.

Environmental considerations will form a central part of the review, with attention to forest patches, water bodies and biodiversity corridors in and around shortlisted locations. The team will examine regulatory clearances required and will flag areas where detailed environmental impact assessment and mitigation planning are necessary. Land acquisition records and options for minimising displacement will be evaluated in consultation with district authorities.

Findings will be compiled into a technical report for submission to state and central agencies to inform subsequent decision making. The assessment is intended to support careful site selection and to identify infrastructure and connectivity requirements that would need to be addressed during project planning. Stakeholder consultations with local communities and businesses will be part of the follow up process to capture ground level concerns and logistical inputs. The state government will consider the technical report before taking further steps towards detailed design and approvals.