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Jayesh Ranjan & Cement Expo Forum Leaders converge in Hyderabad

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Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary for ITE&C and Industries & Commerce Departments, Government of Telangana, to be the Guest of Honour at the Cement Expo Forum 2025, which will be held alongside Indian Cement Review Awards and Conference on March 5-6, 2025 at Taj Krishna, Hyderabad
Highlight of the Forum will be Fireside Chat, moderated by Pratap Padode, Author of “Tarmac to Towers: India’s Infrastructure Story”, with speakers like Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement; and KVB Reddy, MD & CEO, L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad.
More than 30 industry stalwarts will share their insights on the cement industry during Cement Expo Forum 2025
The event will see the participation of cement majors JK Cement, Shree Cement, JSW Cement, Star Cement, Orient Cement, JK Lakshmi Cement, Udaipur Cement Works, Shree Digvijay Cement, NCL Industries, KCP Ltd, etc.

February 28, 2025, Mumbai

With companies striving to streamline operations, expand geographic footprint and enhance their product portfolios, the Indian cement industry has experienced considerable consolidation in recent years, with major companies acquiring smaller firms to increase their market presence. While deals in 2024 were focused on the southern markets (which comprise nearly a third of domestic cement production), 2025 could see companies expand into other regions as well.
Against this background, FIRST Construction Council (an infrastructure think tank) – along with Indian Cement Review (ICR) – will host Cement Expo Forum 2025 at Taj Krishna, Hyderabad, on March 5-6, 2025, with the theme of “Growing Profitably”. The forum will be held alongside 10th Indian Cement Review Conference and 8th Indian Cement Review Awards, which recognise the contribution of the industry in nation building. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary for ITE&C and Industries & Commerce Departments, Government of Telangana, will be the Chief Guest of the event.
It is supported by organisations such as Cement Manufacturers’ Association of India (CMA), Global Cement & Concrete Association (GCCA), Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC) and Indian Institute of Material Management (IIMM).
Highlighting the significance of Cement Expo Forum 2025, Pratap Padode, Founder & President, FIRST Construction Council, said, “India – the second largest producer of cement in the world – has witnessed significant consolidation in the cement industry following a series of acquisitions in the last couple of years. Today, the top five players hold about 62% market share, up from 45% in FY19. Due to uncertain market conditions, the industry often face operational challenges such as moderate capacity utilisation, lower sales realisation and declining margins. Hence, cement companies have to continuously focus on improving efficiency and reducing costs. With the theme of ‘Growing Profitably’, Cement Expo Forum 2025 will deliberate on ways to overcome market challenges and achieve desired profitability levels. It will also discuss strategies for net-zero path way for cement makers, who have set highly ambitious decarbonisation targets. With all stakeholders under one roof, the Forum will surely led the industry towards profitable, sustainable growth.”
India is expected to add another 210-220 million tonne (MT) of cement capacity in the next five to six years. In this growth boom, adoption of cutting-edge technologies will be crucial for cement makes to stay competitive and meet environmental standards. Indian Cement Review Conference will address critical topics such as impact of consolidation on cement industry, sustainability initiatives, technologies for improving operational efficiency, changing market dynamics and winning strategies, among others.
Cement Expo Forum will bring together industry leaders, professionals, and decision-makers from across India’s cement and construction sectors. Over 1000 delegates, representing a wide spectrum of the industry, are expected to attend the Forum. More than 30 industry stalwarts will share their insights on the cement industry during Cement Expo Forum 2025. Some of the leading experts participating in the Cement Expo Forum 2025 include: Nilesh Narwekar (CEO, JSW Cement); Ulhas Parlikar (Global Consultant for Waste Management, Circular Economy, Policy Advocacy, AFRs & Co-processing); Rajakannu Manikandan (Dy Executive Director, Dalmia Cement); Lalit Raj Meena (President, Indian Institute of Material Management); Ashwani Pahuja (Chairman & Managing Director, NextCem Consulting); K N Rao (Corporate Head EHS, AFR Energy Sustainability, My Home Industries); Manoj Rustagi (EVP & CSO, JSW Cement); Kaustubh Phadke (India Head, Global Cement & Concrete Association); Kolluru Subramaniam (Professor, IIT Hyderabad); Raji Reddy (Director Finance & CTTI, National Academy of Construction); Gulshan Bajaj (VP – Technical Operations, Heidelberg Cement Group), Roopa Bhupatiraju (Executive Director, NCL Industries), Arun Shukla (President & Director, JK Lakshmi Cement); Naveen Kumar (Director, Udaipur Cement Works); etc.
Shell India is the Gold Partner of Cement Expo Forum 2025, while Ripik.ai is the Presentation Partner and Tata Steel is the Construction Partner for the Forum.

Fireside chat to discuss infra growth story

India’s infrastructure story is a tale of transformation, from highways bridging once-remote regions to aviation networks serving millions. Over the past 25 years, this journey has been defined by remarkable milestones and notable challenges. The Fireside Chat – with the theme of “Driving Infrastructure, Cementing Growth” will explore the journey of the infrastructure sector in India and also highlight the role played by the cement industry in this journey.
Moderated by Pratap Padode, Author of “Tarmac to Towers: India’s Infrastructure Story”, the Fireside Chat will include stalwarts of the government and industry such as Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary for ITE&C and Industries & Commerce Departments, Government of Telangana; Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement; and KVB Reddy, MD & CEO, L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad.
The much-anticipated panel will discuss India’s infrastructure journey, importance of policy making and execution in national development, road ahead for infrastructure sector as 90% of the country is yet to be built, and role played by cement industry in this infra growth story and new prospects.

Creating new business possibilities

Being an election year, 2024 witnessed lower sales. In 2025, the cement industry will look to overcome last year’s shortcoming. With the government spent to increase in the coming months, demand for cement is expected to rise. As Indian cement makers gear up for expansion, the industry will have to opt for decarbonisation strategy using modern technologies based on the latest automation and IT solutions.
The Cement Expo Forum 2025 will discuss strategies for the low-carbon-footprint pathway for long-term sustainable growth. Be there to witness the unfolding of future trends creating new business opportunities.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication 

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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. 

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Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

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With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, 
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

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Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

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UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.

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