Connect with us

Concrete

Cement Prices Edge Up in January Despite Mixed Regional Trends

Demand recovery is expected to remain uneven through mid-January.

Published

on

Shares

Cement prices continued their upward trajectory in January 2025, with the average trade price increasing by Rs 2 per bag to Rs 343 from Rs 341 in December 2024, according to Nomura analysts. Despite the price rise, demand growth remains uncertain, with regional variations in pricing trends across the country.
The Eastern region saw the sharpest increase, with prices rising Rs 5 month-on-month (MoM) to Rs 314 per bag, driven by a Rs 20 hike in West Bengal. In the Western region, the average price rose by Rs 3 MoM to Rs 353 per bag, buoyed by a Rs 10 hike in Gujarat, which was the only region to experience notable volume growth in December 2024.
In contrast, the Central region witnessed a Rs 3 MoM decline in prices, settling at Rs 365 per bag due to weak demand in December. Dealers anticipate subdued activity until mid-January, citing cold weather that hampers construction.
Prices in the Southern region remained stable at Rs 323 per bag, reflecting weak volumes in Hyderabad attributed to slower real estate and construction activity. Dealers in the South expect muted demand in early January, impacted by labour shortages due to regional festivals like Pongal. However, demand may pick up later as government projects in Kerala with March 2025 deadlines gather pace.
Nomura notes that the Central region is the only area experiencing a 1% price drop, while other regions have recorded mild to significant price increases.
Analyst Recommendations
Among cement manufacturers, Nomura continues to favour UltraTech Cement, maintaining a “buy” rating alongside Shree Cement, Ambuja Cement, and Ramco Cement. The brokerage holds a “neutral” stance on Nuvoco Vistas Corporation and ACC, while recommending a “reduce” rating on Dalmia Bharat.
While price trends suggest resilience, demand recovery is expected to remain uneven across regions through mid-January.
(moneycontrol)

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication 

Published

on

By

Shares

Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement 

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing. 

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities. 

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations. 

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events. 

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders. 

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem. 

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution. 

Continue Reading

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit in Rajasthan

The Nagaur expansion takes JSW Cement’s total grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

Published

on

By

Shares



JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) cement grinding unit at its Nagaur Integrated Plant in Rajasthan. The commissioning takes the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA. 
JSW Cement’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, now stands at 9.74 MTPA.
The company began operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and a 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the latest expansion, the plant’s total grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA.
The additional capacity will cater to cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a combination of equity and long-term debt.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2026, JSW Cement also commissioned an Alternate Fuel Handling System and a Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS) at the Nagaur plant.
Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said the additional grinding capacity was a strategic priority for the company’s expansion in North India. He added that the Alternate Fuel Handling System and WHRS were expected to reduce production costs.

Continue Reading

Concrete

JSW Cement Boards Approve Proposed Shiva Cement Merger

JSW Cement will issue five shares for every 41 Shiva Cement shares

Published

on

By

Shares



The Boards of Directors of JSW Cement and its listed subsidiary Shiva Cement have approved a scheme of arrangement for the amalgamation of Shiva Cement with and into JSW Cement. The proposed merger is intended to create a unified cement platform and generate operational, financial and management synergies.

The consolidation will pool the companies’ financial, managerial, technical, distribution and marketing resources. It will also support backward integration through Shiva Cement’s clinker facility, which is expected to reduce reliance on external procurement and improve supply chain efficiency.

The companies said the transaction would provide greater funding flexibility, reduce financing costs and eliminate inter-company guarantees. It is also expected to simplify the corporate structure by reducing administrative duplication, compliance requirements and consolidation efforts, while aligning the financial statements of both entities.

Under the approved share-exchange ratio, JSW Cement will issue five equity shares with a face value of Rs. 10 each for every 41 equity shares with a face value of Rs. 2 each held in Shiva Cement. The issuance will apply to Shiva Cement shareholders other than JSW Cement and will give the subsidiary’s public shareholders direct ownership in a larger listed company.

The scheme remains subject to approvals from the stock exchanges, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the National Company Law Tribunal, the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation and other applicable statutory and regulatory authorities. Approval from the companies’ shareholders and creditors may also be required under applicable laws or directions from the tribunal. The transaction is expected to be completed within 12 to 14 months, subject to the timely receipt of these approvals.

Continue Reading

Video Thumbnail
â–¶

    SIGN-UP FOR OUR GENERAL NEWSLETTER

    Trending News

    SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER

     

    Don't miss out on valuable insights and opportunities to connect with like minded professionals.

     


      This will close in 0 seconds