Concrete

Star Cement to Invest Rs 32 Bn in Assam for New Clinker Plant

The MoU was signed at Advantage Assam 2.0 to boost state’s industrial growth.

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2025

admin

In a significant boost to Assam’s industrial expansion, Star Cement Ltd has announced a Rs 32 billoninvestment to establish a state-of-the-art cement clinker and grinding plant in the region. The commitment was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Assam government and the company on the concluding day of the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing the gathering, lauded the commitment of leading investors towards the state’s economic progress. He underscored that such projects reinforce Assam’s position as an emerging industrial hub. “The investment commitments we have received reflect Assam’s potential as a centre for industries and innovation. These projects will significantly contribute to our vision of a developed and self-reliant Assam,” he stated.

This ambitious proposal by Star Cement aligns with Assam’s broader vision of fostering large-scale industrialisation, particularly in key sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and green energy. The project is expected to create significant employment opportunities and contribute to the state’s economic landscape.

Surge in Investments Across Sectors
Beyond Star Cement’s investment, the Assam government secured several other strategic MoUs during the summit. Among them was an agreement with Matheson Hydrogen Lvt Ltd, which will set up a Rs 15 billion hydrogen and steam generation facility, marking a crucial step in Assam’s transition towards clean energy.

Additionally, the state signed a Rs 5 billion MoU with Global Health Ltd to bolster healthcare infrastructure, while ITE Education Services partnered with the government to enhance educational facilities through two non-financial agreements.

Over the two-day event, Assam witnessed the signing of a record-breaking 164 MoUs spanning 15 sectors, reinforcing its status as a promising investment destination. The chief minister hinted at further agreements being finalised, underscoring the growing confidence of investors in Assam’s potential.

Market Outlook: Assam’s Industrial and Economic Trajectory
The surge in investments at the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit highlights the state’s evolving business landscape. With an emphasis on industrial diversification, infrastructure development, and sustainable energy solutions, Assam is poised to emerge as a key player in India’s economic growth story. The increasing participation of major companies across various sectors signals a robust economic trajectory, further solidifying Assam’s reputation as a preferred destination for investors seeking growth and innovation.

Up Next

UltraTech Cement Ventures into Wires and Cables with Rs 18 Bn Plan

Don't Miss

Kaushalya Logistics Expands with New Varanasi Depot for Adani Cement

Concrete

UltraTech Cement FY26 PAT Crosses Rs 80 bn

Company reports record sales, profit and 200 MTPA capacity milestone

Published

4 hours ago

April 29, 2026

admin

UltraTech Cement reported record financial performance for Q4 and FY26, supported by strong volumes, higher profitability and improved cost efficiency. Consolidated net sales for Q4 FY26 rose 12 per cent year-on-year to Rs 254.67 billion, while PBIDT increased 20 per cent to Rs 56.88 billion. PAT, excluding exceptional items, grew 21 per cent to Rs 30.11 billion.

For FY26, consolidated net sales stood at Rs 873.84 billion, up 17 per cent from Rs 749.36 billion in FY25. PBIDT rose 32 per cent to Rs 175.98 billion, while PAT increased 36 per cent to Rs 83.05 billion, crossing the Rs 80 billion mark for the first time.

India grey cement volumes reached 42.41 million tonnes in Q4 FY26, up 9.3 per cent year-on-year, with capacity utilisation at 89 per cent. Full-year India grey cement volumes stood at 145 million tonnes. Energy costs declined 3 per cent, aided by a higher green power mix of 43 per cent in Q4.

The company’s domestic grey cement capacity has crossed 200 MTPA, reaching 200.1 MTPA, while global capacity stands at 205.5 MTPA. UltraTech also recommended a special dividend of Rs 2.40 billion per share value basis equivalent to Rs 240.

Concrete

Towards Mega Batching

Optimised batching can drive overall efficiencies in large projects.

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2026

admin

India’s pace of infrastructure development is pushing the construction sector to work at a significantly higher scale than previously. Tight deadlines necessitate eliminating concreting delays, especially in large and mega projects, which, in turn, imply installing the right batching plant and ensuring batching is efficient. CW explores these steps as well as the gaps in India’s batching plant market.

Choose well

Large-scale infrastructure and building projects typically involve concrete consumption exceeding 30,000-50,000 cum per annum or demand continuous, high-volume pours within compressed timelines, according to Rahul R Wadhai, DGM – Quality, Tata Projects.

Considering the daily need for concrete, “large-scale concreting involves pouring more than 1,000–2,000 cum per day while mega projects involve more than 3,000 cum per day,” says Satish R Vachhani, Advanced Concrete & Construction Consultant…

To read the full article Click Here

Concrete

Andhra Offers Discom Licences To Private Firms Outside Power Sector

Policy allows firms over 300 MW to seek distribution licences

Published

2 days ago

April 27, 2026

admin

The Andhra Pradesh government will allow private firms that require more than 300 megawatt (MW) of power to apply for distribution licences, making the state the first to extend such licences beyond the power sector. The policy targets information technology, pharmaceuticals, steel and data centres and aims to reduce reliance on state utilities as demand rises for artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Approved applicants will be able to procure electricity directly from generators through power purchase agreements, a change officials said will create more competitive tariffs and reduce supply risk. Licence holders will use the Andhra Pradesh Transmission Company (APTRANSCO) network on payment of charges and will not need a separate distribution network initially.

Licences will be granted under the Electricity Act, 2003 framework, with the Central and State electricity regulators retaining authority over terms and approvals. The recent Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 sought to lower entry barriers, enable network sharing and encourage competition, while the state commission will set floor and ceiling tariffs where multiple discoms operate.

Industry players and original equipment manufacturers welcomed the policy, saying competitive supply is vital for large data centre investments. Major projects and partnerships such as those involving Adani and Google, Brookfield and Reliance, and Meta and Sify Technologies are expected to benefit as capacity expands in the state.

Analysts noted India’s data centre capacity is forecast to reach 10 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and cited International Energy Agency estimates that global data centre electricity consumption could approach 945 terawatt hours by the same year. A one GW data centre needs an equivalent power allocation and one point five times the water, which authorities equated to 150 billion litres (150 bn litres).

Advisers warned that distribution licences will require close regulation and monitoring to prevent misuse and to ensure tariffs and supply obligations are met. Officials said the policy aims to balance investor requirements with regulatory oversight and could serve as a model for other states.