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India Cements addresses UltraTech merger speculation

In Q1 of the current FY, India Cements reported an improved EBITDA of Rs 1.63 billion.

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Rupa Gurunath, Whole-Time Director of India Cements, addressed shareholders during the company’s 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM), responding to speculation about a possible merger with UltraTech Cement.

On July 28, 2024, India Cements’ promoters signed a Share Purchase Agreement with UltraTech Cement Ltd, agreeing to sell their equity shares at Rs 390 per share, pending necessary regulatory approvals. UltraTech, part of the Aditya Birla Group, has also initiated an “Open Offer” and is currently awaiting regulatory clearance to finalise the acquisition.

When questioned about the merger, Gurunath stated that she could not disclose specific details but assured shareholders that UltraTech would prioritise employee welfare. “The employees will be taken care of by UltraTech,” she reiterated.

Discussing the company’s recent performance, she highlighted that cost-reduction measures recommended by BCG have successfully lowered variable costs at several plants. “We have already implemented some recommendations, and these initiatives will continue. We are confident that UltraTech will further these efforts,” Gurunath added.

In Q1 of the current fiscal year, India Cements reported an improved EBITDA of Rs 1.63 billion, a significant turnaround from the negative EBITDA of Rs 1.4 billion in the same period last year, despite a 4% drop in clinker and cement sales. However, realisations saw a marginal decline, and the company’s strained working capital and ongoing losses impacted its ability to fully leverage these cost savings.

Despite reduced variable costs and stable realisations, lower sales volumes limited the company’s ability to capitalise on these improvements. Gurunath also clarified that India Cements has not delayed or defaulted on any loan repayments, managing its finances through recovery of advances and sales of non-core assets.

A recent CareEdge report suggested that consolidation in the cement industry, such as the potential UltraTech-India Cements merger, could strengthen pricing power, create cost-reduction synergies, and improve operational efficiency, ultimately enhancing market reach and brand positioning in the long term.

(BusinessLine)

Concrete

HeidelbergCement India Receives Consent For Khandwa Grinding Unit

Consent granted by Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board

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HeidelbergCement India (HeidelbergCement India) has received regulatory consent to establish a cement blending and grinding unit at Village Dongaliya, Tehsil Punasa, District Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh. The consent was granted by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board under the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and is dated 17 May 2026. The company disclosed the development in a filing made under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

The project plan envisages procurement of long term availability of fly ash and the allotment of land on lease for setting up the unit. The proposed facility is described as a blending and grinding installation which will process cementitious materials sourced from nearby operations and suppliers. Company filings state the measures required to secure raw material logistics and statutory compliance before commencing construction.

The addition of a grinding unit in Khandwa is intended to strengthen regional supply and improve logistical efficiency by reducing haulage distances for finished product. The unit is expected to complement existing capacities in central India and to offer flexibility in product mix through blending operations. The reliance on fly ash as a supplementary cementitious material will necessitate long term supply agreements with thermal power producers and coordination with waste utilisation policies.

The disclosure to the regulator and to the stock exchanges follows standard corporate governance practice and aims to keep investors apprised of capital expenditure initiatives. The company indicated that subsequent permits and clearances would be sought in accordance with applicable environmental and land use rules. The project is presented as part of HeidelbergCement India’s broader strategy to optimise capacity distribution and to respond to regional demand dynamics.

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PROMECON introduces infrared-based tertiary air measurement system for cement kilns

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The new solution promisescontinuous, real-time tertiary air flow measurement in cement plant operations.

PROMECON GmbH has launched the McON IR Compact, an infrared-based measuring system designed to deliver continuous, real-time tertiary air flow measurement in cement plant operations. The system addresses the longstanding process control challenge of accurate tertiary air monitoring under extreme kiln conditions. It uses patented infrared time-of-flight measurement technology that operates without calibration or maintenance intervention.

Precise tertiary air measurement is a critical requirement for stable rotary kiln operation. The McON IR Compact is engineered to function reliably at temperatures up to 1,200°C and in the presence of abrasive clinker dust. Its vector-based digital measurement architecture ensures that readings remain unaffected by swirl, dust deposits or drift. Due to these conditions conventional measurement systems in pyroprocess environments are often compromised.

The system is fully non-intrusive and requires no K-factors, recalibration or periodic readjustment, enabling years of uninterrupted operation. This design directly supports plant availability and reduces the maintenance overhead typically associated with process instrumentation in high-temperature zones.

PROMECON has deployed the McON IR Compact at multiple cement facilities, including Warta Cement in Poland. Plant operators report that the system has aided in identifying blockages, optimising purging cycles for gas burners, and supplying accurate flow data for AI-based process optimisation programmes. The practical outcomes include more stable kiln operation, improved process control, and earlier detection of process disturbances.

On the energy side, real-time tertiary air data enables reduction in induced draft fan load and helps flatten process oscillations across the pyroprocess. This translates to lower fuel and energy consumption, fewer unplanned shutdowns, and a measurable reduction in NOx peaks. This directly reflects on the downstream cost implications for plants operating SCR or SNCR systems for emissions compliance.

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Adani Group To Set Up Cement Factory In Madhya Pradesh

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurates plant in Guna

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Adani Group (Adani) will set up a cement factory in Madhya Pradesh, the chief minister of the state announced after an inauguration ceremony in Guna. The chief minister, Mohan Yadav, described the occasion as a historic day for the state and said the project will strengthen industrial capacity. The event was presented as a milestone in efforts to broaden manufacturing and attract large-scale investment. Officials said the facility will add to regional production capability and support related industries.

State officials outlined that the plant will enhance supply chains for construction and infrastructure projects across the region. The company will bring technical expertise and logistical resources to the site, with government agencies coordinating approvals and land allocation. Local suppliers and service providers will benefit from increased demand, and training initiatives will be developed to build workforce readiness. Officials indicated that the project complements broader plans to modernise industrial clusters in the state.

The state administration said it has facilitated clearances and infrastructure support to accelerate implementation. Local officials have coordinated with the company to ensure connectivity and utilities are in place ahead of commissioning. The chief minister emphasised that collaboration between private investors and the government aims to create sustainable economic growth. Community outreach programmes will address local concerns and establish grievance mechanisms as construction proceeds.

Officials said the inauguration in Guna marks a new phase in the state industrial story and will serve as a reference for future investments. Administrators noted that close monitoring and periodic reviews will guide timely execution and adherence to environmental and safety norms. The government affirmed its commitment to facilitating responsible industrial expansion while ensuring benefits reach local communities. Stakeholders will continue discussions on supply chain integration and long term maintenance arrangements.

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