On the first day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Davos, the state government signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth over Rs 3.35 trillion for industrial investments in Vidarbha. By 8:30 pm (Indian time), the largest deal was secured with JSW Group, involving investment proposals worth Rs 3 trillion, which are expected to create 10,000 jobs. A significant portion of this investment is likely to be concentrated in Nagpur and Gadchiroli.

The Pune-based Kalyani Group, with interests in the defence and steel sectors, also signed an MoU for an investment proposal in Gadchiroli. According to a source from the state’s industries department, there is a possibility that the company will establish a defence production unit there.

UltraTech Cement is expected to report a 26 per cent decline in net profit year-on-year (Y-o-Y) for the quarter ending December 31, primarily due to lower realisations and higher depreciation, according to analysts. The company’s profit after tax is estimated at Rs 13.04 billion for the third quarter of FY25.

A survey conducted among five brokerages revealed that UltraTech Cement is projected to achieve a revenue of Rs 166.96 billion, reflecting a 1.2 per cent increase Y-o-Y.

Among the brokerages surveyed, Axis Securities presented the most optimistic projections, while B&K Securities predicted the slowest growth in both revenue and profit after tax (PAT) for the company.

According to Yes Securities, the company’s volumes are anticipated to grow by 9 per cent Y-o-Y to reach 29.76 million tons per annum. The growth in volumes is attributed to strong demand from institutional players and continued momentum in the housing sector.

Analysts noted that after weak demand growth of around 1-2 per cent in H1FY25, industry cement demand improved in Q3FY25. However, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, in its quarterly update, pointed out regional challenges, including pollution-related curbs in Delhi-NCR, sand scarcity, and unfavourable weather conditions such as severe cold and unseasonal rains, which negatively impacted overall demand growth.

The average cost of producing one ton of cement (excluding fixed costs) is expected to decrease by 4 per cent Y-o-Y, amounting to Rs 4,761 in Q3FY25.

India’s Ministry of Steel has requested 150 billion rupees (approximately $1.74 billion) from the federal budget to incentivise mills to produce low-carbon steel, according to two government sources familiar with the matter.

As the world’s second-largest steel producer after China, India is actively working on a green steel policy aimed at reducing emissions in steel production. This initiative forms part of the country’s broader efforts to meet its net-zero target by 2070, as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The steel ministry plans to use the funds to offer incentives that encourage emissions reduction, improve research and development, increase raw material efficiency, and incentivise banks to offer lower interest rates on renewable energy loans. These details were shared by the sources, who requested anonymity as the discussions are private.

The steel ministry did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Once the funds are allocated, the ministry will submit the proposal for the cabinet’s approval. In December, the government defined ‘green steel’ as steel produced with emissions lower than 2.2 metric tons of CO2 per tonne of finished steel.

The proposed incentives would remain in place until 2030, with green steel potentially being used in government projects.

India’s steel production generates 2.55 metric tons of carbon dioxide per tonne of crude steel, 38% higher than the global average of 1.85 tons, according to Global Energy Monitor.