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Economy & Market

With capex plans delayed, cement sector could see better cash flows

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  • According to analysts, leveraged balance sheets of many cement players, who have been on an acquisition spree, should get some breather from this
  • Although recent cement dealers’ channel check is indicative of pent-demand, one is not sure whether the improvement will last

The already struggling cement industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis. Management commentaries on demand revival haven’t been very encouraging. So, many cement manufacturers have delayed their capital expenditure (capex) plans.

For instance, pan-India focussed cement company the Ultratech Cements Ltd has guided for a capex of ?10 billion for fiscal year 2021 (FY21). This is lower than the ?16 billion incurred in fiscal year 2020. In a post earnings conference call with analysts, the company’s management said that it has allocated any capex spend for Dalla Super in FY21. Also, it has deferred capex for the Cuttack grinding unit to FY22.

Its peer Shree Cements Ltd will decide on its large capex plan of doubling capacities in six years, after demand conditions improve. Speaking of demand outlook, the company’s management said that it expects more than 20% volume decline in fiscal year 2021.

While ACC Ltd is expanding its capacity by 18%, the management expects commissioning to happen by calendar year 2022 – this is after factoring in a likely delay of 6-12 months due to covid-19.

Not just pan-India focussed cement companies, a slew of regional firms such as India Cements Ltd, JK Cements Ltd and Orient Cements Ltd, have also postponed their capex plans.
Choosing cash over capex
Given the gloomy demand outlook, cement companies have postponed their expansion plans

Company

Delayed projects

Ultratech Cements

Cuttack grinding unit on hold

JK Lakshmi Cements

Capacity expansion by 2-2.5million tonnes in the North on hold

Birla Corporation

Work on 1.2 million tonne Kudanganj grinding unit on hold

Orient Cements

In FY21, capex to be hold as cash presrvation key area of focus

India Cements

Capex plans in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, will be decided later

Deccan Cements

Commencement of 6megawatt waste heat Recovery

According to analysts, leveraged balance sheets of many cement players, who have been on an acquisition spree, should get some breather from this.

"The operating cash flow generation has been strong in the recent past but the free cash flow generation has been impacted due to acquisitions and expansions. We expect the industry to focus on cash and, hence, capex would likely come off, which should support free cash flow," said a report by Jefferies on 19 June.

Although recent cement dealers’ channel check is indicative of pent-demand, one is not sure whether the improvement will last.

"Our channel checks with dealers suggest that cement prices receded in June 2020 with easing supply-side constraints. Rural and pent-up demand has led to higher-than-expected volumes in May-June 2020 and the industry could just suffer ~40% yoy decline in 1QFY21E volumes, better than earlier expectations," analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities said in a report on 24 June.

Source: From live Mint

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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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