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Cement Industry Key to Growth, Jobs, and Nation Building in Budget

Budget presents opportunities for cement sector in growth, jobs, and infra.

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The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) welcomes the Union Budget 2025-26 presented by the Honourable Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. CMA Member Companies have been at the forefront of nation building by significantly contributing to infrastructure development, employment generation, and economic growth. CMA believes that the Budget presents a commendable vision for India’s development through strategic investments in people, economy, and innovation.
Commenting on the Budget, Neeraj Akhoury, President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) and Managing Director, Shree Cement Limited, stated, “CMA hails the Union Budget, announced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its comprehensive focus on holistic and inclusive development. The Budget reinforces a transformative journey towards building a resilient economy for advancing India’s development goals. The various initiatives announced by the Government balance people’s aspirations with the future requirements for the Country’s economic growth. The focus on increased investments on infrastructure across States amplifies opportunities and avenues for the growth of the Cement sector. We appreciate the sustained core focus on infrastructure and reiterate our commitment to being partners in Nation’s progress.<p></p>
<p>The increased spending on large scale housing and infrastructure projects will drive demand for construction materials allowing capacity expansion and promotion of innovation in sustainable practices. We are certain that despite challenges these measures will support the Cement Industry in achieving a consistent CAGR growth rate of more than 6 per cent of installed cement capacity in the present financial year. Policy reforms in Budget 2025-26 signal a reaffirmation of the Government’s intent to augment socio economic growth across core sectors.”
The Cement Industry plays a vital role in creating direct and indirect employment across various sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, and construction, thereby supporting millions of livelihoods. Additionally, the industry remains a key contributor to the Government exchequer through taxes, duties, and levies, strengthening the country’s fiscal framework.
Parth Jindal, Vice President, Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) and Managing Director, JSW Cement Limited, said, “The Budget presented by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is a forward-looking roadmap that will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s cement industry, in line with the country’s vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. It prioritizes growth in key sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology. The increased investment in technology will accelerate advancements in green cement solutions, driving both sustainability and innovation within the industry. Notable allocations, including Rs 200 billion to foster innovation and Rs 1.5 billion in 50-year interest-free loans to states for capital expenditure on infrastructure development, are expected to significantly bolster growth in the core sectors, including cement sector.
He further added, “The Budget’s focus on a three-year pipeline of projects under the public-private partnership (PPP) model will incentivize private sector investment and catalyse a transformation in the infrastructure landscape. Additionally, the establishment of five National Centers of Excellence for skill development, as part of the ‘Make for India, Make for the World’ initiative, will ensure that India’s emerging workforce is well-equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly growing economy.”
In light of the recent Budget announcements, which prioritise infrastructure expansion and affordable housing, the Cement Industry is poised to leverage these opportunities by ensuring steady and sustained supplies of Cement to meet the Nation’s growing domestic market and infrastructure demand coupled with sustainable and innovative technologies. With a strong commitment to sustainability and efficiency, the Cement Industry will continue to drive India’s progress and economic resilience.

Concrete

India Sets Up First Carbon Capture Testbeds for Cement Industry

Five CCU testbeds launched to decarbonise cement production

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The Department of Science and Technology (DST) recently unveiled a pioneering national initiative: five Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector, forming a first-of-its-kind research and innovation cluster to combat industrial carbon emissions.
This is a significant step towards India’s Climate Action for fostering National Determined Contributions (NDCs) targets and to achieve net zero decarbonisation pathways for Industry Transition., towards the Government’s goal to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2070.
Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) holds significant importance in hard-to-abate sectors like Cement, Steel, Power, Oil &Natural Gas, Chemicals & Fertilizers in reducing emissions by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial processes and converting it to value add products such as synthetic fuels, Urea, Soda, Ash, chemicals, food grade CO2 or concrete aggregates. CCU provides a feasible pathway for these tough to decarbonise industries to lower their carbon footprint and move towards achieving Net Zero Goals while continuing their operations efficiently. DST has taken major strides in fostering R&D in the CCUS domain.
Concrete is vital for India’s economy and the Cement industry being one of the main hard-to-abate sectors, is committed to align with the national decarbonisation commitments. New technologies to decarbonise emission intensity of the cement sector would play a key role in achieving of national net zero targets.
Recognizing the critical need for decarbonising the Cement sector, the Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST) Division of Department launched a unique call for mobilising Academia-Industry Consortia proposals for deployment of Carbon Capture Utilisation (CCU) in Cement Sector. This Special call envisaged to develop and deploy innovative CCU Test bed in Cement Sector with thrust on Developing CO2 capture + CO2 Utilisation integrated unit in an Industrial set up through an innovative Public Private Partnership (PPP) funding model.
As a unique initiative and one of its first kind in India, DST has approved setting up of five CCU testbeds for translational R&D, to be set up in Academia-Industry collaboration under this significant initiative of DST in PPP mode, engaging with premier research laboratories as knowledge partners and top Cement companies as the industry partner.
On the occasion of National Technology Day celebrations, on May 11, 2025 the 5 CCU Cement Test beds were announced and grants had been handed over to the Test bed teams by the Chief Guest, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh in the presence of Secretary DST Prof. Abhay Karandikar.
The five testbeds are not just academic experiments — they are collaborative industrial pilot projects bringing together India’s top research institutions and leading cement manufacturers under a unique Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Each testbed addresses a different facet of CCU, from cutting-edge catalysis to vacuum-based gas separation.
The outcomes of this innovative initiative will not only showcase the pathways of decarbonisation towards Net zero goals through CCU route in cement sector, but should also be a critical confidence building measure for potential stakeholders to uptake the deployed CCU technology for further scale up and commercialisation.
It is envisioned that through continuous research and innovation under these test beds in developing innovative catalysts, materials, electrolyser technology, reactors, and electronics, the cost of Green Cement via the deployed CCU technology in Cement Sector may considerably be made more sustainable.
Secretary DBT Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Dr Ajai Choudhary, Co-Founder HCL, Dr. Rajesh Pathak, Secretary, TDB, Dr Anita Gupta Head CEST, DST and Dr Neelima Alam, Associate Head, DST were also present at the programme organized at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.

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Concrete

JK Lakshmi Adopts EVs to Cut Emissions in Logistics

Electric vehicles deployed between JK Puram and Kalol units

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JK Lakshmi Cement, a key player in the Indian cement industry, has announced the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) in its logistics operations. This move, made in partnership with SwitchLabs Automobiles, will see EVs transporting goods between the JK Puram Plant in Sirohi, Rajasthan, and the Kalol Grinding Unit in Gujarat.
The announcement follows a successful pilot project that showcased measurable reductions in carbon emissions while maintaining efficiency. Building on this, the company is scaling up EV integration to enhance sustainability across its supply chain.
“Sustainability is integral to our vision at JK Lakshmi Cement. Our collaboration with SwitchLabs Automobiles reflects our continued focus on driving innovation in our logistics operations while taking responsibility for our environmental footprint. This initiative positions us as a leader in transforming the cement sector’s logistics landscape,” said Arun Shukla, President & Director, JK Lakshmi Cement.
This deployment marks a significant step in aligning with India’s push for greener transport infrastructure. By embracing clean mobility, JK Lakshmi Cement is setting an example for the industry, demonstrating that environmental responsibility can go hand in hand with operational efficiency.
The company continues to embed sustainability into its operations as part of a broader goal to reduce its carbon footprint. This initiative adds to its vision of building a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
JK Lakshmi Cement, part of the 135-year-old JK Organisation, began operations in 1982 and has grown to become a recognised name in Indian cement. With a presence across Northern, Western, and Eastern India, the company has a cement capacity of 16.5 MTPA, with a target to reach 30 MT by 2030. Its product range includes ready-mix concrete, gypsum plaster, wall putty, and autoclaved aerated fly ash blocks.

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Holcim UK drives sustainable construction

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Holcim UK has released a report titled ‘Making Sustainable Construction a Reality,’ outlining its five-fold commitment to a greener future. The company aims to focus on decarbonisation, circular economy principles, smarter building methods, community engagement, and integrating nature. Based on a survey of 2,000 people, only 41 per cent felt urban spaces in the UK are sustainably built. A significant majority (82 per cent) advocated for more green spaces, 69 per cent called for government leadership in sustainability, and 54 per cent saw businesses as key players. Additionally, 80 per cent of respondents stressed the need for greater transparency from companies regarding their environmental practices.

Image source:holcim

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