Jens Mose and John Terembula, Product Line Management, FLSmidth A/S, introduce the type and availability of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in this first part of a three-part article about the potential to increase the use of SCMs to reduce carbon emissions from cement manufacture. You will find parts two and three in the September and October issues of Indian Cement Review.
While much has been done to reduce emissions from cement production, the calcination of limestone is still a major contributor of harmful pollutants and must be addressed if cement manufacturers are to meet their sustainability targets. Fortunately, a number of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) are available, which enable cement manufacturers to replace clinker and thus reduce CO2 emissions. However, adoption of these SCMs varies widely on a regional basis. In India and Brazil, for example, it is common to use fly ash and slag to reduce the clinker factor to as little as 65 per cent. In the US, however, the clinker factor remains high at around 95 per cent. Worldwide, according to the Climate Technology Centre and Network, the ‘average clinker/cement ratio is about 0.81, with the balance comprising gypsum and additives such as blast furnace slag, fly ash, and natural pozzolana.’ The UNEP-sponsored white paper ‘Eco-efficient cements: Potential economically viable solutions for a low-CO2 cement-based materials industry’ suggests a reasonable worldwide average of 0.60 is achievable by 2050. But how do we get to this figure? With many decades’ experience grinding a wide range of different materials in vertical roller mills, ball mills and hydraulic roller presses, FLSmidth is in a position to share our knowhow to help the industry make strides in reducing its carbon footprint.
Types of SCMs SCMs include both naturally occurring materials and byproducts of other industrial processes. The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) groups SCMs according to how they harden : hydraulic SCMs harden in the presence of water (like Portland cement) and include granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and burnt shale oil. Pozzolanic materials require the additional presence of dissolved calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) – a byproduct of the hydration of Portland cement – in order to harden. These include fly ash, silica fume, calcined clays, burnt rice husk and natural pozzolans. Hydraulic cements have a higher early age strength, while pozzolans continue to gain strength for a longer period, giving a higher long-term concrete strength. Both have been proven in construction applications. Limestone is not classified as either hydraulic or pozzolanic but also contributes to the hardening of concrete, putting it in an SCM category all of its own.
Table 1: Common types of SCMs
Find parts two and three of this article in the September and October issues of Indian Cement Review: Part 2: Equipment selection for SCM grinding, Indian Cement Review, September 2023 Part 3: Expanding SCM use in the future, Indian Cement Review, October 2023
Shree Digvijay Cement Company Limited reported consolidated financial results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026, showing higher revenues and improved profitability. Revenue from operations for the quarter was Rs 2,084.7 mn, up from Rs 1,833.4 mn in the prior quarter, while revenue for the year was Rs 7,491.0 mn versus Rs 7,251.5 mn a year earlier. EBITDA for the quarter rose to Rs 251.0 mn from Rs 38.4 mn in the preceding quarter and reached Rs 746.1 mn for the year. Profit after tax for the year was Rs 250.0 mn.
Sales volume for the company s grinding and cement operations was zero point three six four mn t in the quarter and one point four zero three mn t for the year, while traded volumes were zero point zero three mn t in the quarter. EBITDA per tonne improved to Rs637 in the quarter and averaged Rs521 for the year. Under a brand usage, supply and distributorship agreement the company sold 29,928 t of Hi Bond cement, which generated Rs153.6 mn in revenue and Rs20.0 mn in EBITDA during the period.
The company said that it had commenced purchase and distribution of Hi Bond cement effective 19 March 2026 pursuant to the long term distributorship agreement, and that it had paid a refundable security deposit of Rs four bn under the same arrangement. Management indicated that the strategic integration with the Hi Bond network would support future growth and strengthen distribution capabilities. The board cited seasonally higher demand and improved pricing as factors behind the sequential improvement in realisations.
The board recommended a final dividend of Rs one per equity share subject to shareholder approval at the ensuing annual general meeting. The company reiterated focus on sustaining the positive momentum in revenue and margin metrics while integrating the new distributorship, and will continue to monitor market conditions and pricing trends to support further improvement in outcomes.
Icra reported that cement production volumes rose by eight point six per cent in the financial year 2026 to 491.4 million (mn) metric tonne (t). March output was 48.4 mn t, up four per cent year on year on a high base.
The agency projected that volumes are expected to grow by seven to eight per cent in the current financial year, supported by sustained demand from the housing and infrastructure sectors. Average cement prices were reported to have remained flat in March at Rs 340 per bag on a month on month basis, while prices for FY26 increased by two per cent to Rs 345 per bag year on year.
Among inputs, coal prices declined by 17 per cent year on year to USD 102 per t in April 2026 while petcoke prices rose sharply by 19 per cent month on month and 22 per cent year on year to around Rs 15,800 per t in April. Petcoke was higher by about five per cent year on year in FY26 and diesel prices were reported to have remained steady. Icra noted that coal, petcoke and diesel are expected to trend higher in FY27 and remain exposed to risks from the ongoing West Asia conflict.
The report emphasised that operating margins for Icra’s sample set of companies are estimated to moderate by 200 to 400 basis points (bps) in FY27 on account of a likely increase in input costs, with further downside risks should crude prices rise owing to geopolitical tensions. However, debt protection metrics are projected to remain comfortable and Icra maintained a stable outlook on the Indian cement sector.
UltraTech Cement reported record financial performance for Q4 and FY26, supported by strong volumes, higher profitability and improved cost efficiency. Consolidated net sales for Q4 FY26 rose 12 per cent year-on-year to Rs 254.67 billion, while PBIDT increased 20 per cent to Rs 56.88 billion. PAT, excluding exceptional items, grew 21 per cent to Rs 30.11 billion.
For FY26, consolidated net sales stood at Rs 873.84 billion, up 17 per cent from Rs 749.36 billion in FY25. PBIDT rose 32 per cent to Rs 175.98 billion, while PAT increased 36 per cent to Rs 83.05 billion, crossing the Rs 80 billion mark for the first time.
India grey cement volumes reached 42.41 million tonnes in Q4 FY26, up 9.3 per cent year-on-year, with capacity utilisation at 89 per cent. Full-year India grey cement volumes stood at 145 million tonnes. Energy costs declined 3 per cent, aided by a higher green power mix of 43 per cent in Q4.
The company’s domestic grey cement capacity has crossed 200 MTPA, reaching 200.1 MTPA, while global capacity stands at 205.5 MTPA. UltraTech also recommended a special dividend of Rs 2.40 billion per share value basis equivalent to Rs 240.