Concrete

ICRA Flags Margin Pressure Despite Steel Demand Growth

FY26 demand seen up 8 per cent, but prices to cap profitability

Published

10 months ago

December 22, 2025

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Domestic steel demand in India is expected to grow by around 8 per cent in FY26, although softer steel prices are likely to keep profitability under pressure for producers, according to ICRA.

In a recent report, the rating agency projected the industry’s operating margin to remain largely flat at about 12.5 per cent in FY26, lower than its earlier expectation of an improvement. It noted that while demand growth remains healthy, incremental capacity additions have created a temporary surplus, resulting in continued pressure on steel prices.

“Although steel demand growth is projected at 8 per cent for FY26, additional supply has led to a near-term surplus, weighing on prices,” said Girishkumar Kadam, Senior Vice-President and Group Head, Corporate Sector Ratings, ICRA.

Domestic hot-rolled coil (HRC) prices, which had risen to Rs 52,850 per tonne in April 2025 following the imposition of a safeguard duty, corrected to around Rs 46,000 per tonne in November and are currently trading below import parity. At a global level, structural headwinds in China have pushed its steel exports to an all-time high of 88 million tonnes in the first nine months of calendar year 2025, further weighing on international prices.

Chinese HRC export prices averaged about USD 465 per tonne during the first seven months of FY26, compared with USD 496 per tonne in the corresponding period a year earlier. While India’s finished steel imports have declined sharply by around 33 per cent year-on-year in the current financial year, ICRA stressed that the continuation of the safeguard duty remains critical to prevent a resurgence in imports.

Under its base-case scenario, the agency expects domestic HRC prices to average around Rs 50,500 per tonne in FY26. Operating profit per tonne of steel production is estimated at USD 108, marginally lower than the USD 110 per tonne recorded in FY25. The overall sector outlook has been maintained at ‘Stable’.

ICRA also highlighted execution and balance-sheet risks linked to the industry’s large capacity expansion plans. Domestic steel producers are targeting capacity additions of 80–85 million tonnes over FY26–31, involving investments of USD 45–50 billion. However, the agency cautioned that unless earnings improve meaningfully, such large-scale investments could lead to a sharp rise in industry leverage over the medium term.

On green steel, Kadam said its share in India’s total steel demand is expected to rise from about 2 per cent, or roughly 4 million tonnes, in FY30 to nearly 40 per cent, or around 150 million tonnes, by FY50. However, he added that the economics remain challenging, with widespread adoption unlikely until green hydrogen prices decline to around USD 1.5–1.6 per kg, a level not expected in the near to medium term.

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Concrete

JSW Cement Commissions 1 MTPA Unit in Rajasthan

Rajasthan grinding capacity rises to 3.50 MTPA after commissioning

Published

27 minutes ago

October 9, 2026

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JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 MTPA cement grinding unit in Nagaur, Rajasthan, taking the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.1 MTPA. The commissioning was announced on Tuesday, October 6.

The company said the new unit had increased the total cement grinding capacity at its Rajasthan plant to 3.50 MTPA. The expansion adds to JSW Cement’s production infrastructure as it continues to build capacity across its operating network.

The company’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including capacity at its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA. Clinker is an intermediate material used in cement production, and its availability supports the company’s grinding operations.

JSW Cement is also pursuing a proposed merger of its listed subsidiary Shiva Cement with the company. The scheme, approved by the boards of the respective companies, involves issuing five fully paid-up JSW Cement equity shares for every 41 shares held by Shiva Cement shareholders other than JSW Cement.

The arrangement remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals. JSW Cement currently holds 66.23 per cent of Shiva Cement’s paid-up equity share capital, and the shares held by JSW Cement in the subsidiary will be cancelled under the proposal without any issue of JSW Cement shares against that holding.

The scheme has an appointed date of April 1, 2026, and the company has indicated that completion could take 12 to 14 months, depending on the receipt of approvals. These include clearances from stock exchanges, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the National Company Law Tribunal and other applicable authorities, along with approvals from shareholders and creditors where required. JSW Cement shares closed at Rs. 113.15 on the BSE, up Rs. 2.05, or 1.85 per cent.

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

8 hours ago

October 9, 2026

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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.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit in Rajasthan

The Nagaur expansion takes JSW Cement’s total grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

Published

1 day ago

October 8, 2026

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JSW Cement has commissioned an additional 1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) cement grinding unit at its Nagaur Integrated Plant in Rajasthan. The commissioning takes the company’s total cement grinding capacity to 25.10 MTPA.

JSW Cement’s total clinker manufacturing capacity, including its joint venture JSW Cement FZC, now stands at 9.74 MTPA.

The company began operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and a 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the latest expansion, the plant’s total grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA.

The additional capacity will cater to cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a combination of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2026, JSW Cement also commissioned an Alternate Fuel Handling System and a Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS) at the Nagaur plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said the additional grinding capacity was a strategic priority for the company’s expansion in North India. He added that the Alternate Fuel Handling System and WHRS were expected to reduce production costs.