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Highlighting the Future of Smart, Sustainable Infra

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Roads form the backbone of any modern economy, facilitating trade, connectivity, and socio-economic growth. Across the world, road networks continue to expand, adapting to the challenges of sustainability, urbanisation, and technological evolution. India, the world’s second-largest road network with 6.3 million km of highways, state roads, and local roads, has become a focal point for infrastructure transformation. With increasing investments in expressways, tunnels, and smart roads, the sector is poised for a technological revolution that balances innovation with sustainability.

With Bharatmala Pariyojana, India’s government has set an ambitious goal of constructing 50,000 km of expressways and access-controlled highways by 2047. The nation’s budget for road infrastructure has surged to Rs 2.6 trillion in 2023, with further increases expected in 2024. However, as roads continue to serve as a key economic driver, the industry must adapt to increasing demands for sustainable materials, automation, and intelligent transport solutions—precisely what RAHSTA Expo 2025 aims to address.

The 15th RAHSTA Expo—Asia’s premier roads and highways exhibition—will be held on September 3rd and 4th, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre. As part of the 11th India Construction Festival, this grand event is presented by First Construction Council and backed by key industry associations such as the National Highways Builders Federation, International Road Federation – India Chapter, and CSIR -Central Road Research Institute. With an expected 10,000+ visitors, 200+ exhibitors, and 50+ speakers, RAHSTA Expo 2025 will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, engineers, and innovators to discuss, exhibit, and implement new technologies in the global road construction industry.

RAHSTA, an acronym for Roads and Highways, encapsulates the expo’s mission: to revolutionise the road construction industry with cutting-edge technologies, materials, and safety standards. The event stands as a vital international platform where stakeholders can explore solutions for high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable road construction. With exhibitors and attendees spanning continents, this expo fosters cross-border collaborations that shape the future of mobility.

One of the focuses of the expo is road safety, a global challenge that sees over 1.3 million deaths annually due to poorly designed and maintained roads. The event will introduce automation in construction, a transformative force that enhances efficiency in this traditionally labour-intensive industry. Attendees will witness demonstrations of AI-powered predictive maintenance, automated asphalt laying, and drone-based road inspections.

Future-proofing road construction

With growing concerns over carbon emissions, resource depletion, and climate resilience, RAHSTA Expo 2025 is putting sustainability at the forefront. Roads must not only support increasing traffic loads but also be built with environmentally friendly materials.

New innovations to be showcased at the expo include self-healing roads, plastic roads, permeable pavements, solar roads, and nano-technology-enhanced materials. These advancements will help the industry align with global sustainability goals, ensuring that infrastructure growth does not come at the cost of environmental degradation.

With the rise of smart infrastructure, the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming roads into intelligent transport networks. RAHSTA Expo 2025 will feature groundbreaking developments such as: smart roads with real-time traffic monitoring, predictive maintenance using Digital Twin Technology, autonomous construction machinery, and drones for surveying and quality control.

This fusion of digital technology with civil engineering is paving the way for more resilient, efficient, and adaptive road networks globally.

The India Construction Festival

RAHSTA Expo 2025 will be a flagship event under the 11th India Construction Festival, a multi-event platform that celebrates advancements in infrastructure. Alongside RAHSTA Expo, the festival will feature:

  • 15th India RAHSTA Conference – Engaging discussions on policy, investment, and future technologies.
  • 13th Equipment India Awards – Recognising excellence in construction equipment innovation.
  • 23rd Construction World Global Awards (CWGA) – Honouring the industry’s most impactful projects and leaders.
  • 20th Construction World Architect & Builder (CWAB) Awards – Honour the visionaries shaping the country’s skyline – Top Architects, Top Builders, and Noteworthy Projects.

Attendees at RAHSTA Expo will have access to these prestigious industry events, making it the most comprehensive construction and infrastructure gathering in Asia.

Be a Part of RAHSTA Expo 2025

The 15th RAHSTA Expo 2025 presents a golden opportunity for stakeholders, investors, and innovators from across the globe to converge in Mumbai and explore cutting-edge advancements in road construction. As the world moves towards more intelligent, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, this expo will serve as the ultimate platform to drive change and innovation in the sector.

To book your exhibition space, explore sponsorship opportunities, or register as a delegate, visit:

  • www.RAHSTAexpo.com
  • www.IndiaConstructionFestival.com

For booking exhibition space and sponsorships, contact:

  • Sujoy Gomes: +91 86577 95881 | Email: Sujoy.G@ASAPPinfoGlobal.com

For delegate registrations, contact:

  • Siraj: +91 97695 77206 | Email: Siraj.K@ASAPPinfoGlobal.com

RAHSTA Expo 2025 is not just about roads—it’s about the future of mobility, sustainability, and innovation. Be there to witness the transformation of the global infrastructure industry!

Road Development Projects in Maharashtra

Maharashtra is leading the way with ambitious infrastructure projects, including several key expressways, metro systems, and coastal road developments. These projects, estimated to cost billions, are part of the state’s road development plan under the Maharashtra Samruddhi Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), Maharashtra State Industrial Development Corporation (MSIDC), and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The total value of these projects is significant, with the $33.14 billion allocated in the Union Budget 2025-26 for infrastructure development across India. Here are some of the key road projects in Maharashtra:

These projects represent a significant opportunity for infrastructure development, particularly in the road construction sector, which will see substantial demand for advanced construction machinery and technology.

The construction equipment industry in India is witnessing rapid growth, driven by extensive infrastructure projects across the country, particularly in the road and highway sector. The market is booming, with an expected CAGR of 12.6 per cent from 2023 to 2030. As of now, the market value of the construction equipment industry in India is approximately $7.5 billion, and it is projected to reach $18.7 billion by 2030.

This rapid growth is primarily driven by increasing infrastructure investments, including large-scale road and highway projects, which require advanced machinery, automation, and AI-powered equipment to meet the scale and complexity of these developments.

The demand for construction equipment in India presents a golden opportunity for international companies looking to enter the Indian market and capitalise on the infrastructure boom. With the industry expected to continue its growth trajectory through 2030, it offers immense potential for both existing players and new entrants in the construction machinery space.

Economy & Market

Hindalco Buys US Speciality Alumina Firm for $125 Million

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This strategic acquisition marks a significant investment in speciality alumina, a key step by Aditya Birla Group’s metals flagship towards becoming future-ready by scaling its high-value, technology-led materials portfolio.

Hindalco Industries, the world’s largest aluminium company by revenue and the metals flagship of the $28 billion Aditya Birla Group, has announced the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity stake in US-based AluChem Companies—a prominent manufacturer of speciality alumina—for an enterprise value of $125 million. The transaction will be executed through Aditya Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary.

This acquisition represents a pivotal investment in speciality alumina and advances Hindalco’s strategy to expand its high-value, technology-led materials portfolio.

Hindalco’s speciality alumina business, a key pillar of its value-added strategy, has delivered consistent double-digit growth in recent years. It has emerged as a high-growth, high-margin vertical within the company’s portfolio. As speciality alumina finds expanding applications across electric mobility, semiconductors, and precision ceramics, the deal positions Hindalco further up the innovation curve, enabling next-generation alumina solutions and value-accretive growth.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, called the acquisition an important step in their global strategy to build a leadership position in value-added, high-tech materials.

“Our strategic foray into the speciality alumina space will not only accelerate the development of future-ready, sustainable solutions but also open new pathways to pursue high-impact growth opportunities. By integrating advanced technologies into our value chain, we are reinforcing our commitment to self-reliance, import substitution, and building scale in innovation-led businesses.”

Ronald P Zapletal, Founder, AluChem Companies, said the partnership with Hindalco would provide AluChem the ability and capital to scale up faster and build scale in North America.

“AluChem will benefit from their world-class sustainability and safety standards and practices, access to integrated operations and a consistent, reliable raw material supply chain. Their ability to leverage R&D capabilities and a talented workforce adds tremendous value to our innovation pipeline, helping drive market expansion beyond North America.”

An Eye on the Future

The global speciality alumina market is projected to grow significantly, with rising demand for tailored solutions in sectors such as ceramics, electronics, aerospace, and medical applications. Hindalco currently operates 500,000 tonnes of speciality alumina capacity and aims to scale this up to 1 million tonnes by FY2030.

Commenting on the development, Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries, said the deal reinforced their commitment to innovation and global expansion.

“As alumina gains increasing relevance in critical and clean-tech sectors, AluChem’s advanced chemistry capabilities will significantly enhance our ability to serve these fast-evolving markets. Importantly, it deepens our high-value-added portfolio with differentiated products that drive profitability and strengthen our global competitiveness.”

AluChem adds a strong North American presence to Hindalco’s portfolio, with an annual capacity of 60,000 tonnes across three advanced manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Arkansas. The company is a long-standing supplier of ultra-low soda calcined and tabular alumina, materials prized for their thermal and mechanical stability and widely used in precision engineering and high-performance refractories.

Saurabh Khedekar, CEO of the Alumina Business at Hindalco Industries, said the acquisition unlocked immediate synergies, including market access and portfolio diversification.

“Hindalco plans to work with AluChem’s high performance technology solutions and scale up production of ultra-low soda alumina products to drive a larger global market share.”

The transaction is expected to close in the upcoming quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

 

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Concrete

Shree Cement reports 2025 financial year results

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Shree Cement posted revenue of US$2.38 billion for FY2025, marking a 5.5 per cent decline year-on-year. Operating costs rose 2.9 per cent to US$2.17 billion, resulting in an EBITDA of US$528 million—down 12 per cent from the previous year. Net profit fell 50 per cent to US$141 million. The company reported cement sales of 9.84Mt in Q4 FY2025, a 3.3 per cent increase from 9.53Mt in Q4 FY2024, with premium products making up 16 per cent of total sales.

Image source:https://newsmantra.in/

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Concrete

Rekha Onteddu to become director at Sagar Cements

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Sagar Cements has announced the appointment of Rekha Onteddu as a non-executive independent director, effective 30 June 2025. According to People in Business News, Rekha Onteddu is currently serving in a similar capacity at Andhra Cements, the parent company of Sagar Cements.

Image source:https://sagarcements.in/

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