Concrete

Centre Proposes Clearance Exemption For Cement Grinding Units

Move may aid Adani’s Rs 14 billion Kalyan cement project approval.

Published

3 weeks ago

October 9, 2025

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The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has proposed to exempt standalone cement grinding units without captive power plants from the requirement of prior environmental clearance, according to a draft notification issued on 26 September.

If approved, the move could benefit the Adani Group’s proposed Rs 14 billion (Rs 1,400 crore) 6-million-tonne-per-annum cement grinding plant in Kalyan, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The plant, belonging to Ambuja Cement Ltd, an Adani Group company, has faced strong opposition from residents of Mohone and ten surrounding villages.

At a Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) public hearing last month, citizens expressed concerns over potential health hazards and environmental risks from the project, questioning how such a large-scale industrial facility could be allowed in a densely populated area.

Locals highlighted the risk of emissions including particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

However, the ministry’s draft notification proposes that standalone cement grinding units — which do not carry out high-temperature “calcination” or “clinkerisation” processes — be exempted from detailed Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports and public consultation requirements. The ministry argues that such units have a lower pollution potential compared to integrated cement plants but are still subjected to equally stringent compliance measures, resulting in disproportionate regulatory burdens.

Officials explained that these standalone facilities consume less energy and generate less waste, as they do not undertake the heating and chemical breakdown processes integral to full-scale cement manufacturing.

Furthermore, the draft encourages the use of green logistics, such as the transportation of raw materials and finished products through railways and electric vehicles. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC), after detailed deliberation, recommended the exemption to promote “environmental governance and green logistics.”

Sources said the Ambuja Cement plant, located near Ambivli railway station, is likely to rely on rail transport for raw materials, aligning with the EAC’s sustainability criteria.

The public has 60 days from the date of notification to submit comments or objections. Once finalised, the amendment will form part of the 2006 EIA notification that governs environmental clearance norms.

Subhash Patil, president of the Gramastha Mandal Mohone Koliwada — a local group opposing the project — said residents were unaware of the new proposal. “I don’t think it’s a good move by the government. We’ll review the notification and decide our next steps,” he said.

An MPCB official confirmed the ministry’s draft, stating that feedback will be reviewed before the final decision is taken.

According to the project summary, the proposed plant will occupy 26.13 hectares, with 9.67 hectares reserved for green belt development and 5.49 hectares for the grinding unit, storage, and packing facilities.

The project, planned on the former National Rayon Company (NRC) site in Ambivli near Titwala, will house a 6-million-tonne-per-annum grinding capacity. The NRC facility, established in 1945, ceased operations in 2006 and was acquired by the Adani Group through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in 2020 after a long-standing labour dispute.

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Nuvoco Vistas Reports Record Q2 EBITDA, Expands Capacity to 35 MTPA

Cement Major Nuvoco Posts Rs 3.71 bn EBITDA in Q2 FY26

Published

1 week ago

October 22, 2025

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Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., one of India’s leading building materials companies, has reported its highest-ever second-quarter consolidated EBITDA of Rs 3.71 billion for Q2 FY26, reflecting an 8% year-on-year revenue growth to Rs 24.58 billion. Cement sales volume stood at 4.3 MMT during the quarter, driven by robust demand and a rising share of premium products, which reached an all-time high of 44%.

The company continued its deleveraging journey, reducing like-to-like net debt by Rs 10.09 billion year-on-year to Rs 34.92 billion. Commenting on the performance, Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, said, “Despite macro headwinds, disciplined execution and focus on premiumisation helped us achieve record performance. We remain confident in our structural growth trajectory.”

Nuvoco’s capacity expansion plans remain on track, with refurbishment of the Vadraj Cement facility progressing towards operationalisation by Q3 FY27. In addition, the company’s 4 MTPA phased expansion in eastern India, expected between December 2025 and March 2027, will raise its total cement capacity to 35 MTPA by FY27.

Reinforcing its sustainability credentials, Nuvoco continues to lead the sector with one of the lowest carbon emission intensities at 453.8 kg CO? per tonne of cementitious material.

Concrete

Jindal Stainless to Invest $150 Mn in Odisha Metal Recovery Plant

New Jajpur facility to double metal recovery capacity and cut emissions

Published

2 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

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Jindal Stainless Limited has announced an investment of $150 million to build and operate a new wet milling plant in Jajpur, Odisha, aimed at doubling its capacity to recover metal from industrial waste. The project is being developed in partnership with Harsco Environmental under a 15-year agreement.

The facility will enable the recovery of valuable metals from slag and other waste materials, significantly improving resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The initiative aligns with Jindal Stainless’s sustainability roadmap, which focuses on circular economy practices and low-carbon operations.

In financial year 2025, the company reduced its carbon footprint by about 14 per cent through key decarbonisation initiatives, including commissioning India’s first green hydrogen plant for stainless steel production and setting up the country’s largest captive solar energy plant within a single industrial campus in Odisha.

Shares of Jindal Stainless rose 1.8 per cent to Rs 789.4 per share following the announcement, extending a 5 per cent gain over the past month.

Concrete

Vedanta gets CCI Approval for Rs 17,000 MnJaiprakash buyout

Acquisition marks Vedanta’s expansion into cement, real estate, and infra

Published

2 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

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Vedanta Limited has received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) for approximately Rs 17,000 million under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process. The move marks Vedanta’s strategic expansion beyond its core mining and metals portfolio into cement, real estate, and infrastructure sectors.

Once the flagship of the Jaypee Group, JAL has faced severe financial distress with creditors’ claims exceeding Rs 59,000 million. Vedanta emerged as the preferred bidder in a competitive auction, outbidding the Adani Group with an overall offer of Rs 17,000 million, equivalent to Rs 12,505 million in net present value terms. The payment structure involves an upfront settlement of around Rs 3,800 million, followed by annual instalments of Rs 2,500–3,000 million over five years.

The National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL), which acquired the group’s stressed loans from a State Bank of India-led consortium, now leads the creditor committee. Lenders are expected to take a haircut of around 71 per cent based on Vedanta’s offer. Despite approvals for other bidders, Vedanta’s proposal stood out as the most viable resolution plan, paving the way for the company’s diversification into new business verticals.