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Muskaan Jain, Founder and CEO, The Social Culture, discusses how companies can leverage digital marketing to enhance visibility and market reach.

How critical is branding in the highly competitive cement industry, and what unique challenges does it present?
Creating a strong brand identity in the cement industry, or any industry for that matter, is indeed a complex task that requires a deep understanding of both the product and the target audience. As a branding and packaging designer, you are right to focus on the emotional connection and practical sense that your branding should convey. Here are some strategies to ensure your branding is original, resonates with your audience, and stands out in the competitive market:

  • Understand your audience: Know who your customers are, what they value, and how they perceive your industry. This will help you tailor your branding to their needs and preferences.
  • Differentiate your brand: In a commoditised industry like cement, it›s crucial to find what makes your product or service unique. This could be your production process, sustainability efforts, customer service or any other aspect that sets you apart from competitors.
  • Consistent visual identity: Your brand›s visual elements, including logo, color scheme, typography, and imagery, should be consistent across all platforms. This consistency helps in building recognition and trust.
  • Storytelling: Use storytelling to convey your brand›s values, ethos and unique selling proposition. A compelling narrative can help create an emotional connection with your audience.
  • Ethical and practical messaging: Highlight the practical benefits of your product, such as durability, strength, and environmental friendliness. Combine this with ethical messaging that reflects your company›s commitment to sustainability, community and transparency.
  • Engage with your audience: Use social media, content marketing, and other channels to engage with your audience. Share behind-the-scenes content, customer testimonials and educational materials that showcase your expertise and build trust.
  • Innovative packaging: As a packaging designer, you can differentiate your brand through innovative packaging that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Consider eco-friendly materials and designs that align with your brand›s values and appeal to your target market.
  • Humanise your brand: People connect with other people, so make sure your brand has a human touch. Share the story of your founders, team, and the people behind the scenes. Use a tone of voice in your communications that is approachable and relatable.
  • Crisp and professional communication: Ensure that all your communications are clear, concise, and professional. Avoid jargon and complex language that might alienate your audience.
  • Emotional connection: As you mentioned, emotions are key. Create campaigns and content that evoke feelings such as trust, reliability, and pride. Show how your product contributes to building not just structures, but communities and memories.

By focusing on these aspects, you can create a brand identity for your cement company that is both original and resonates with your audience, helping you to stand out in a crowded market. Remember, branding is an ongoing process and it›s important to stay attuned to the evolving needs and preferences of your customers.

What branding strategies do you recommend to differentiate oneself from competitors?
Cement industry is seen as a very not so glamorous field compared to architecture or interiors.
Branding has four key pillars – colour, logo, key problem and tagline.
I suggest that when cement manufacturers are looking to create a place, they should stick to the roots and wear the label proudly on how they are fixing the problem. Do you have different key components that make your cement stronger or do you have a cooling element that keeps the home more comfortable during summers. This key differentiator will help you understand what and how›s in order to grow the brand. When it comes to designing, as per your personal preference you can choose between keeping it simple or creating an abstract logo and adding your company name below. Both ways are efficient. Post this the most key thing is to choose your brand colour. Do a deep dive study on colour theory and its meaning as this will help you get your pillars for your branding. After which comes your tagline that gives you a chance to address who you are targeting, your motives and how you can help. All this makes a strong house for your brand. Basically, cement for the walls to keep your house long lasting.
Digital marketing helps brands connect. Don’t simply sell your product, but connect with your audience by addressing their pain points. Encourage them to book consultation calls, no strings attached.

How can cement brands effectively communicate their value proposition to both B2B and B2C segments?
It›s not one solution that fits all. While you pitch B2B you have to serve their pros right in front of them. At the end of the day, it’s also about business and profits. Make a compelling case how you are a better partner for them and why you are not the same from Brand A. Get into core details. While on other hands B2C you need to be honest, transparent and also suggest to them what all properties your cement has. Education is a must in the B2C category. When a customer is acknowledged with quashing myths and educating them with facts, they feel empowered. They feel they know it all and that›s how they will turn back to you because you are
the source.

How have successful branding initiatives helped cement companies?
The most popular branding campaigns are Ambuja Cement, Ultratech and JK Cement. These names are known to every person from rural to urban India. They capitalised on human emotions, relatable humour ads, subtly putting cement in the humour and getting it to become a household name. This led to word-of-mouth and with the distributors pushing it across offline channels, it created a recipe for success.
Using brand colours and fonts consistently to create a subconscious image is the key. Taglines that are catchy and almost used as everyday lines can really help you become a household name. Subtly hinting brand integrations along with typography, wordplay or even logo can make space in the memory of one’s mind.

Which metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) are most indicative of success?
This is quite subjective. If your brand taglines or colours are adopted by the audience through humour more than just your product is successful. Obviously, you can also count them as the number of your community grows. The KPI here would be to get as many people to speak about your brand
as possible.

– Kanika Mathur

Concrete

FORNNAX Appoints Dieter Jerschl as Sales Partner for Central Europe

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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.

 

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Concrete

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

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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.

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Concrete

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

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

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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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