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Concrete

All hail the pro-infra Budget

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Rs 11.11 trillion for capital expenditure (capex) was one of the key highlights of the interim budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. It has led to the cement industry letting out a sigh of relief and continue with their upward trajectory of enhancing production capacity. The bolstering of infrastructure and housing schemes for the middle class, thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), cement companies are assured of increased demand.
We foresee a significant uptick in construction activities, leading to higher consumption of cement, which bodes well for the industry. Complementing this projected progress is the proposal to develop a dedicated railway corridor for cement transportation. This initiative is anticipated to enhance logistics efficiencies and promote multimodal connectivity, thereby reducing transportation costs and improving supply chain dynamics for cement manufacturers.
Amidst the warm response to the interim Budget, there is a wave of cold apprehension, too. Since 2024 is the election year, the political situation is likely to turn volatile, leading to long-lasting impact on the cement business. As the political drama unfolds, industry experts are holding their breath before announcing any major moves.
Looking at the bigger picture, India continues to be upbeat about consolidating its position as the second largest producer of cement in the world. The Indian cement sector has witnessed an addition of 119 mtpa capacity in the last five years, and is aiming for a capacity addition of 150-160 mtpa over the next five years. With the current production capacity at 595 mtpa, year 2024 is going to be a challenging one as we expect to see additional capacity of 70-75 mtpa in the country’s eastern and central parts, as per an assessment by Crisil.
While the interim Budget proved to be a wholesome one for the cement industry, it remains to be seen, how the cement players will take advantage of this opportunity.

Concrete

Star Cement launches ‘Star Smart Building Solutions’

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Star Cement has launched ‘Star Smart Building Solutions,’ a new initiative aimed at promoting sustainable construction practices, as per a recent news report. This venture introduces a range of eco-friendly products, including tile adhesives, tile cleaners and grouts, designed to enhance durability and reduce environmental impact. The company plans to expand this portfolio with additional value-added products in the near future. By focusing on sustainable materials and innovative building solutions, Star Cement aims to contribute to environmentally responsible construction and meet the evolving needs of modern infrastructure development.

Image source:https://www.starcement.co.in/

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Concrete

Nuvoco Vistas reports record quarterly EBITDA

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Nuvoco Vistas reported its highest-ever quarterly consolidated EBITDA of Rs.556 crore in Q4 FY25, with annual EBITDA at Rs.1,391 crore. Cement sales reached 19.4 MMT in FY25, with Q4 contributing 5.7 MMT. Revenue rose 4 per cent YoY to Rs.3,042 crore in Q4. Net debt reduced by Rs.390 crore to Rs.3,640 crore. The company received NCLT approval for acquiring Vadraj Cement, targeting 31 MMTPA capacity by FY27. Key marketing initiatives, expanding RMX and MBM businesses, and a focus on sustainability (457 kg CO2/tonne) drove performance. Nuvoco remains focused on premiumisation, operational efficiency, and market expansion.

Image source:nuvoco.com

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Concrete

UltraTech Cement increases capacity by 1.4Mt/yr

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UltraTech Cement has expanded its production capacity by 1.4 million tonnes per annum (Mt/yr) through a combination of debottlenecking efforts and operational efficiency upgrades across several of its plants. The enhancements include an addition of 0.6Mt/yr in grinding capacity at the Nagpur facility in Maharashtra and a combined 0.8Mt/yr at the Panipat and Jhajjar units in Haryana. With these upgrades, the company’s total domestic grey cement capacity has risen to 184.8Mt/yr, while its global capacity now stands at 190.2Mt/yr.

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