Concrete

A Balancing Act

Published

3 years ago

June 12, 2023

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As the Indian cement sector grapples with the paradox of turnover growth and decreased profitability, ICR explores the reason behind this phenomenon.

As per an estimate by CareEdge Research, India’s cement production ranged between 380-390 million tonnes in FY23, docking a growth rate of 8-9 per cent y-o-y. This growth in production is spurred by increased demand and this will continue in FY24, too, thanks to the upcoming general elections. However, that does not ensure higher profit margins. As is seen in the economic analysis, although cement production and consumption grew by 11 per cent in FY23 in the period from April to November on a year-on-year (y-o-y) basis, the EBITDA margins of cement players declined by almost 10 per cent y-o-y in H1FY23. Price hikes in per bag of cement failed to tackle inflation, resulting in cement companies grappling with restricted profit margins. This unprecedented anomaly has got trade pundits to reconsider the dynamics of the cement industry.
The cement players were not able to pass the input cost escalation entirely, which impacted the EBITDA margins in H1FY23. The power and fuel costs were expected to remain elevated in the near term due to concerns about global supply while the price hikes may not be sufficient to cover the elevated costs, thereby adversely impacting margins. The profit margin of the cement companies were expected to decline by 400-500 bps in FY23.
Cement is a cyclical industry, which means that fluctuations in the economy tend to adversely affect profitability. This has resulted in cement players facing the antithesis of high turnover and low profitability. This can be attributed to some of the major causes such as input costs and logistics cost that eat into the revenues. Let’s backtrack a little to the last quarter of the previous financial year to look at how trends have progressed in order to get a clear perspective of the current situation.

Taking Stock
As per a report by CareEdge Ratings, the operating profit margins of cement contracted by 320-380 basis points to 16.3-16.8 per cent in FY23 as input cost pressures remained constant. The surge in power and fuel costs as well as the escalation of limestone prices affected the cement margins considerably. But this trend changed as markets have witnessed a stabilisation of coal prices. A Motilal Oswal Financial Services report states, “As per our calculations, the average spread for cement companies should improve by ~INR300/t based on spot coal/petcoke prices and most of the benefits will start reflecting in Jun’23, as per companies’ commentaries, as they are carrying high-cost coal inventory.
“Current spot prices of US/Saudi Arabia petcoke and South African coal are at similar levels of 1QFY22 average. Though domestic pet coke prices seem to be higher than imported pet coke prices, we expect a reduction in domestic petcoke prices in coming weeks. Recently, IOCL reduced the petcoke price by 4-9 per cent on 23rd May’23 (total reduction of 11-17 per cent in May’23),” stated the report.
The favourable trend of fuel and raw material prices that the cement sector has witnessed is yet to reflect on the profit margins. However, input costs are not the only parameters affecting profitability of cement.

Demand Surge
One of the major highlights of the pre-election period in India is speedy mobilisation of infrastructure projects across the country. The Central Government is focussed on completion of major projects including the affordable housing schemes. This has called for a boost in demand for cement. So far expert analyses have predicted that Indian cement companies are geared up to meet the as cement supply is marginally surpassing projected demand. However, cement demand has been surging since FY23 itself as India’s cement production and consumption each grew 11 per cent year-on-year (YoY), according to a report by CareEdge.
In this tug-of-war between cost inputs and rise in demand, the former had an upper hand, resulting in lower margins for the cement companies. Although the demand is surging, it is not enough to battle the high input costs, especially of fuel, thereby being detrimental to the profit margins of cement companies. So, where does cement price figure in all of this?

Pay the price
It is a common practise for cement makers to hike prices for end-users during certain peak periods across the year. The pricing vastly differs in different states as cement is basically a sectoral industry. Depending on the location of the cement plants and the logistics expense, price per cement bag differs from state to state. Additionally, on a sectoral
level, pan-India brands have to compete with local ones and pricing becomes an important distinguishing factor. From an end-user’s perspective, cement as a product largely remains the same and there is no brand loyalty, therefore, price becomes an all-important factor.
While cement companies tried increasing price per bag in February-March 2023, these hikes did not translate into actual revenue for a number of reasons. Most of the hikes metamorphosed into discounts, price cuts or incentives, given the tough competition. So, when you look at the bigger picture of cement pricing across India, the last two quarters of FY23 saw a flat graph, with occasional negative dipping.
This meant that cement companies were unable to pass on the input costs to the consumer and had to internalise the same, resulting in negatively impacted bottom lines.
To summarise, the Indian cement sector is witnessing a rise in turnover due to robust demand fuelled by infrastructure projects and real estate development. However, profitability is being hampered by escalating input costs, rising costs of logistics and last mile connectivity, the inability to pass on the entire burden to consumers and intense market competition. However, the outlook remains positive as cement companies are already operating on the background of a sturdy turnover and the demand only going to increase going forward. Margin corrections will take place eventually as other factors fall in line, making FY24 a profitable year for cement. This forecast has kept the sector’s outlook positive, with sustained demand growth anticipated in the coming months, which could support improved profitability in the long run.

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FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

Published

5 days ago

February 5, 2026

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FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY has appointed industry veteran Dieter Jerschl as its new sales partner in Germany to strengthen its presence across Central Europe. The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of FORNNAX’s high-capacity, sustainable recycling solutions while building long-term regional capabilities.

FORNNAX TECHNOLOGY, one of the leading advanced recycling equipment manufacturers, has announced the appointment of a new sales partner in Germany as part of its strategic expansion into Central Europe. The company has entered into a collaborative agreement with Mr. Dieter Jerschl, a seasoned industry professional with over 20 years of experience in the shredding and recycling sector, to represent and promote FORNNAX’s solutions across key European markets.

Mr. Jerschl brings extensive expertise from his work with renowned companies such as BHS, Eldan, Vecoplan, and others. Over the course of his career, he has successfully led the deployment of both single machines and complete turnkey installations for a wide range of applications, including tyre recycling, cable recycling, municipal solid waste, e-waste, and industrial waste processing.

Speaking about the partnership, Mr. Jerschl said,
“I’ve known FORNNAX for over a decade and have followed their growth closely. What attracted me to this collaboration is their state-of-the-art & high-capacity technology, it is powerful, sustainable, and economically viable. There is great potential to introduce FORNNAX’s innovative systems to more markets across Europe, and I am excited to be part of that journey.”

The partnership will primarily focus on Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, and neighbouring countries, with the flexibility to extend the geographical scope based on project requirements and mutual agreement. The collaboration is structured to evolve over time, with performance-driven expansion and ongoing strategic discussions with FORNNAX’s management. The immediate priority is to build a strong project pipeline and enhance FORNNAX’s brand presence across the region.

FORNNAX’s portfolio of high-performance shredding and pre-processing solutions is well aligned with Europe’s growing demand for sustainable and efficient waste treatment technologies. By partnering with Mr. Jerschl—who brings deep market insight and established industry relationships—FORNNAX aims to accelerate adoption of its solutions and participate in upcoming recycling projects across the region.

As part of the partnership, Mr. Jerschl will also deliver value-added services, including equipment installation, maintenance, and spare parts support through a dedicated technical team. This local service capability is expected to ensure faster project execution, minimise downtime, and enhance overall customer experience.

Commenting on the long-term vision, Mr. Jerschl added,
“We are committed to increasing market awareness and establishing new reference projects across the region. My goal is not only to generate business but to lay the foundation for long-term growth. Ideally, we aim to establish a dedicated FORNNAX legal entity or operational site in Germany over the next five to ten years.”

For FORNNAX, this partnership aligns closely with its global strategy of expanding into key markets through strong regional representation. The company believes that local partnerships are critical for navigating complex market dynamics and delivering solutions tailored to region-specific waste management challenges.

“We see tremendous potential in the Central European market,” said Mr. Jignesh Kundaria, Director and CEO of FORNNAX.
“Partnering with someone as experienced and well-established as Mr. Jerschl gives us a strong foothold and allows us to better serve our customers. This marks a major milestone in our efforts to promote reliable, efficient and future-ready recycling solutions globally,” he added.

This collaboration further strengthens FORNNAX’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and sustainable waste management, supporting the transition toward a greener and more circular future.

Concrete

Budget 2026–27 infra thrust and CCUS outlay to lift cement sector outlook

Published

1 week ago

February 2, 2026

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Higher capex, city-led growth and CCUS funding improve demand visibility and decarbonisation prospects for cement

Mumbai

Cement manufacturers have welcomed the Union Budget 2026–27’s strong infrastructure thrust, with public capital expenditure increased to Rs 12.2 trillion, saying it reinforces infrastructure as the central engine of economic growth and strengthens medium-term prospects for the cement sector. In a statement, the Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has welcomed the Union budget 2026-27 for reinforcing the ambitions for the nation’s growth balancing the aspirations of the people through inclusivity inspired by the vision of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Atmanirbharta.

The budget underscores India’s steady economic trajectory over the past 12 years, marked by fiscal discipline, sustained growth and moderate inflation, and offers strong demand visibility for infrastructure linked sectors such as cement.

The Budget’s strong infrastructure push, with public capital expenditure rising from Rs 11.2 trillion in fiscal year 2025–26 to Rs 12.2 trillion in fiscal year 2026–27, recognises infrastructure as the primary anchor for economic growth creating positive prospects for the Indian cement industry and improving long term visibility for the cement sector. The emphasis on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with populations above 5 lakh and the creation of City Economic Regions (CERs) with an allocation of Rs 50 billion per CER over five years, should accelerate construction activity across housing, transport and urban services, supporting broad based cement consumption.

Logistics and connectivity measures announced in the budget are particularly significant for the cement industry. The announcement of new dedicated freight corridors, the operationalisation of 20 additional National Waterways over the next five years, the launch of the Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to raise the modal share of waterways and coastal shipping from 6 per cent to 12 per cent by 2047, and the development of ship repair ecosystems should enhance multimodal freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and improve the sector’s carbon footprint. The announcement of seven high speed rail corridors as growth corridors can be expected to further stimulate regional development and construction demand.

Commenting on the budget, Parth Jindal, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA), said, “As India advances towards a Viksit Bharat, the three kartavya articulated in the Union Budget provide a clear context for the Nation’s growth and aspirations, combining economic momentum with capacity building and inclusive progress. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) appreciates the Union Budget 2026-27 for the continued emphasis on manufacturing competitiveness, urban development and infrastructure modernisation, supported by over 350 reforms spanning GST simplification, labour codes, quality control rationalisation and coordinated deregulation with States. These reforms, alongside the Budget’s focus on Youth Power and domestic manufacturing capacity under Atmanirbharta, stand to strengthen the investment environment for capital intensive sectors such as Cement. The Union Budget 2026-27 reflects the Government’s focus on infrastructure led development emerging as a structural pillar of India’s growth strategy.”

He added, “The Rs 200 billion CCUS outlay for various sectors, including Cement, fundamentally alters the decarbonisation landscape for India’s emissions intensive industries. CCUS is a significant enabler for large scale decarbonisation of industries such as Cement and this intervention directly addresses the technology and cost requirements of the Cement sector in context. The Cement Industry, fully aligned with the Government of India’s Net Zero commitment by 2070, views this support as critical to enabling the adoption and scale up of CCUS technologies while continuing to meet the Country’s long term infrastructure needs.”

Dr Raghavpat Singhania, Vice President, CMA, said, “The government’s sustained infrastructure push supports employment, regional development and stronger local supply chains. Cement manufacturing clusters act as economic anchors across regions, generating livelihoods in construction, logistics and allied sectors. The budget’s focus on inclusive growth, execution and system level enablers creates a supportive environment for responsible and efficient expansion offering opportunities for economic growth and lending momentum to the cement sector. The increase in public capex to Rs 12.2 trillion, the focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and the creation of City Economic Regions stand to strengthen the growth of the cement sector. We welcome the budget’s emphasis on tourism, cultural and social infrastructure, which should broaden construction activity across regions. Investments in tourism facilities, heritage and Buddhist circuits, regional connectivity in Purvodaya and North Eastern States, and the strengthening of emergency and trauma care infrastructure in district hospitals reinforce the cement sector’s role in enabling inclusive growth.”

CMA also noted the Government’s continued commitment to fiscal discipline, with the fiscal deficit estimated at 4.3 per cent of GDP in FY27, reinforcing macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.

Concrete

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

CW explores the impact of pro-steel policies on construction and infrastructure and identifies gaps that need to be addressed.

Published

1 week ago

January 31, 2026

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Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion
of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating
into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points
out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge
in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in
FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at
around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must
meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments.
Else, domestic mills could experience a significant spike in industry
leverage levels over the medium term, increasing their vulnerability to
external macroeconomic shocks.(~$ 60/tonne) over the past one month,
compressing the import parity discount to ~$ 23-25/tonne from previous
highs of ~$ 70-90/tonne, adds Jhunjhunwala. With this, he says, “the
industry can expect high resistance to further steel price increases.”

Domestic HRC prices have increased by ~Rs 5,000/tonne
“Aggressive
capacity additions (~15 mt commissioned in FY25, with 5 mt more by
FY26) have created a supply overhang, temporarily outpacing demand
growth of ~11-12 mt,” he says…

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