Concrete

World Cement Association Calls for Industry Action

The cement industry is responsible for 8 per cent of global CO2 emissions

Published

2 years ago

February 18, 2025

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The cement industry is responsible for 8 per cent of global CO2 emissions—a staggering figure that demands urgent action, particularly as 2024 marked the first year the planet surpassed the 1.5°C global warming limit. Recognising this critical juncture, the World Cement Association (WCA) has released a landmark White Paper, “Long-Term Forecast for Cement and Clinker Demand”, which projects a sharp decline in long-term cement and clinker demand. By 2050, annual clinker production is expected to fall below 1 Gt from its current level of 2.4 Gt, with far-reaching implications for global carbon emissions and the viability of carbon capture projects.

WCA CEO Ian Riley underscores the complexity of this challenge:
“Carbon capture remains a vital tool for tackling emissions in hard-to-abate sectors like cement. However, flawed demand assumptions and the fragmented nature of cement production globally could undermine the feasibility of such projects. Industry stakeholders must rethink their strategies and embrace innovative, sustainable practices to achieve meaningful emissions reductions.”

Key Findings from the WCA White Paper
The WCA White Paper provides a comprehensive roadmap for the industry’s decarbonisation journey, highlighting the following critical insights:
1. Declining Cement and Clinker Demand: Global cement demand is expected to drop to approximately 3 billion tonnes annually by 2050, while clinker demand could decline even more steeply, reaching just 1.5 billion tonnes annually.
2. Implications for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): With reduced clinker production, the need for CCS is expected to decline, necessitating a shift in investment and policy priorities.
3. Alternative Materials and Clinker-Free Technologies: These innovations hold transformative potential for reshaping demand patterns and cutting emissions.
4. Supply Chain Optimisation: Enhancing logistics and reducing waste are key strategies for adapting to evolving market dynamics.

A Path to Lower Emissions
Clinker production, the largest source of CO2 emissions in cement manufacturing, generates one-third of emissions from fuel combustion and two-thirds from limestone decomposition. According to our white paper, transitioning to lower-carbon fuels could reduce specific fuel emissions per tonne of clinker by nearly 70% by 2050. Overall CO2 emissions from cement production are forecast to decline from 2.4 Gt in 2024 to less than 1 Gt by 2050, even before factoring in carbon capture technologies.

Ian Riley emphasised: “This white paper provides actionable insights to help the cement industry accelerate its decarbonisation journey. By prioritising innovation and collaboration, the industry can achieve substantial emissions reductions and align with global climate goals.”

Related Topics:Cement Industry CO2 emissions global warming limit.WCA World Cement Association

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UltraTech Cement Expands in Andhra Pradesh with Rs. 26.5 bn

Petnikota plant adds 3.6 MTPA cement dispatch capacity

Published

1 hour ago

October 23, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has expanded its manufacturing footprint in Andhra Pradesh with the commissioning of Petnikota Cement Works, an integrated cement plant built with an investment of around Rs. 26.5 bn. The facility is located in Petnikota village in Kolimigundla mandal of Nandyal district, in the Rayalaseema region.

Construction of the plant began in May 2025. The facility has a clinkerisation capacity of 3.3 MTPA and a cement dispatch capacity of 3.6 MTPA, strengthening the company’s production and distribution presence in the State.

The plant is expected to provide direct employment to 650 people and indirect employment to another 2,000. It has been designed to operate entirely on green energy and does not have a captive thermal power plant. The project also uses no groundwater, according to information released by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology, said in the release that the facility was taken from groundbreaking to commissioning in 14 months. He described the project as a state-of-the-art addition to the company’s operations in the State and said it would create 2,650 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Petnikota Cement Works adds to UltraTech Cement’s manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh while supporting industrial activity in Nandyal district. The plant’s energy design and stated groundwater-use policy are also intended to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. The company has identified the facility as part of its continuing capacity expansion in the Indian cement market.

Concrete

Nuvoco reports 13.5% revenue growth in Q2 FY27

Cement sales rose 9% to 4.7 MMT, while EBITDA increased 11%.

Published

1 hour ago

October 23, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. reported consolidated revenue of Rs 27.9 billion for Q2 FY27, up 13.5% year on year. Cement sales volume rose 9% to 4.7 million tonnes (MMT), while EBITDA increased 11% to Rs 4.11 billion.

The company said it began its cement operations in 2014 with a 2.3 MMT per annum (MMTPA) operation at Nimbol. It now aims to reach 35 MMTPA of cement capacity by FY28, nearly 15 times its initial capacity. Its portfolio spans cement, ready-mix concrete and modern building materials.

On sustainability and cost efficiency, Nuvoco partnered with CleanMax for a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid renewable energy project in Rajasthan. Once operational, the project is expected to generate about 100 million units of renewable electricity annually. The company expects it to reduce reliance on conventional power sources and improve long-term cost certainty across its Rajasthan operations.

Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., said, “Q2 FY27 was a testament to resilient execution in a challenging operating environment. Despite intense and erratic rainfall in our key markets, global and regional logistics & supply chain disruptions, and elevated input costs stemming from ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, the Company delivered strong YoY growth in Revenue, EBITDA, and PAT. Our performance reflects the strength of our strategic levers of premiumisation and geographical mix optimisation, which helped realisations amid muted cement prices.”

He added, “During the quarter, the Company achieved a significant growth milestone with the successful commissioning of the 2 MMTPA Grinding Unit at Limla, Surat, underscoring our strong project execution capabilities. This achievement reinforces our confidence in delivering the remaining modules of the Vadraj Cement Project at Kutch and Sachana within the planned timelines. Looking ahead, while we remain mindful of evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical dynamics, we remain focused on operational excellence, accelerating premiumisation, optimising supply chain efficiencies, and executing our growth projects as planned.

Concrete

Meghalaya Cabinet Approves MCCL Closure, Writes Off Rs. 244.3 mn

Cabinet approves winding up of state-owned cement company

Published

4 days ago

October 19, 2026

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The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the closure and winding up of Meghalaya Cherra Cement (MCCL), a state-owned cement company, with pending liabilities of approximately Rs. 244.3 mn to be written off as part of the process. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on October 13, 2026.

The approved write-off comprises about Rs. 89 mn in sales tax dues and Rs. 155.3 mn in royalty dues. The Cabinet’s decision addresses the liabilities that remained after the company’s operations and enables the government to proceed with its formal closure.

Sangma said employee dues owed by MCCL had been settled in line with the state government’s commitment. The settlement of employee-related liabilities is a key part of the winding-up process and removes outstanding obligations to the company’s workforce.

The Chief Minister explained that MCCL is owned by the government, meaning the pending liabilities would otherwise involve transfers between the state government and its departments. Writing off the dues is intended to simplify the accounting and administrative steps required to complete the closure.

The decision is also intended to ensure that the winding-up does not create an additional financial burden for the state government. With employee payments settled and the sales tax and royalty liabilities addressed through the approved write-off, the Cabinet’s approval marks a further step towards completing the formal closure of MCCL.

The action follows the state government’s decision to discontinue the company and resolve its outstanding obligations through an orderly winding-up process. The approved measures cover the principal liabilities identified for settlement and allow the government to advance the remaining formal procedures associated with closing the state-owned enterprise.