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Concrete

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

ACC launches ‘Bagcrete’, a pre-blended concrete solution

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The company’s ongoing innovation process is consistent with ACC Bagcrete

ACC, the cement and building material company of Adani Cement and part of the Adani Group, has been a pioneer in building innovative concrete solutions. The company’s ongoing innovation process is consistent with ACC Bagcrete, a proportional balance of premium components produced to generate high-quality concrete mix.

The company has added a new product dimension to the building industry with ACC Bagcrete, a hassle-free, smart, and user-friendly concrete solution for all types of construction demands. A stronger, more durable final product is produced as a result of the pre-blended components being meticulously measured to ensure uniform quality.

The product was created to offer the best compressive strength (10 MPa to 80 MPa), exceptional workability retention, and unmatched ease of placement, a trifecta of attributes that set it apart from competing products. In contrast to traditional concrete, which necessitates the mixing of various components on-site, it is a pre-blended mixture of cement, sand, and aggregates. For building projects that call for a quick and effective application method, ACC Bagcrete is ideal.

There are two functional variants of the versatile building material ACC Bagcrete: dry-mix and wet-mix. The dry-mix is pre-blended concrete that may be used right away with just the addition of water. wet-mix is pre-mixed, immediately usable concrete that doesn’t require any additional mixing before use. This can be especially helpful in places with scarce water supplies or where conventional concrete mixing techniques are impractical. Both kinds of ACC Bagcrete are of exceptional quality and effectiveness. This unique concrete solution is ideal for remote job sites and maintenance projects since it can be easily transported in the form of bags, enhancing productivity.

Ajay Kapur, CEO, Cement Business, said “We are dedicated to pursuing product innovations and offering the finest products and services to our customers. We have always strived to create products of the highest calibre in order to meet the varied needs of our customers and assist them in constructing robust structures. ACC Bagcrete is a unique product that not only meets but also exceeds the demands of our customers.”

The prestigious university IIT Bombay has recently reaped significant benefits of using ACC Bagcrete for a special need in its R&D Lab of Civil Engineering Department. The M80 Grade ACC Bagcreate has also been used in various NHPC projects in spillway repair. ACC Bagcrete is a unique solution that guarantees minimal waste, accelerates construction, and improves longevity with constant quality. In conclusion, dry-mix concrete is a versatile and convenient option for construction projects of all types.

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Concrete

Ambuja Cements’ loyalty programme wins top award

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Has been awarded as the ‘Most Innovative Loyalty Programme of the Year’

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building materials company of Adani Cement and part of Adani Group, has been awarded the ‘Most Innovative Loyalty Programme of the Year’ at the Customer Fest Leadership Awards 2023 for its Contractor Loyalty Programme – ‘Ambuja Abhimaan’. This award acknowledges the Company’s exceptional efforts in creating and maintaining an outstanding loyalty programme that has helped build strong relationships with its contractor partners.

The evaluation of nominations was conducted by an eminent jury panel of experts, and Ambuja’s innovative and transformational initiatives such as skill upgradation programmes, family engagement and social welfare, talent hunt contests, and business aid to contractors were highlighted. These initiatives differentiated Ambuja from competitors and helped win the award under the Customer Loyalty – Organisational category. The event featured more than 50+ renowned brands across various industries.

Ajay Kapur, CEO, Cement Business, said, “Ambuja has always been synonymous with strength, and we are honoured to be recognised for our strong commitment and efforts that go beyond cement. This award is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our partners and customers. We thank the jury panel and all the participants for acknowledging our efforts towards customer centricity and innovation.”

Ambuja Abhimaan, a differentiated long-term loyalty programme has achieved many milestones, including recognition as one of the best mobile loyalty programmes, engaging and benefiting 1.2 lakh+ key contractors.

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Concrete

Ambuja places order for capacity expansion of 14 MT cement

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This will enable the production of blended green cement of 14 MT

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Group, placed orders to expand clinker capacity by 8 million tonne at Bhatapara and Maratha units on the highest ESG standards with 42 MW of WHRS, provision to utilise 50% AFR and provision to operate on green power.

The capacity expansion projects will enable the production of blended green cement of 14 million tonne, post all requisite approvals. These projects will generate substantial value for the existing business and enable more employment and growth opportunities in the States, beneficial for all stakeholders.

These projects are expected to be commissioned in 24 months and the capex will be funded from internal accruals.

Ajay Kapur, CEO, Cement Business, said, “These brownfield expansion projects are part of our strategy to double our production capacity over the next five years from the current capacity of 67.5 MTPA. Our ongoing investments in capacity expansion and sustainability will enable us to achieve our long-term objectives, as we remain committed to delivering sustainable growth and value to our stakeholders.”

The Company remains committed to achieving significant size, scale, and market leadership with a strong emphasis on margin expansion and world-class ESG standards.

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