Economy & Market

Budget 2023

Published

4 years ago

February 14, 2023

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Union Budget 2023, which brought a mixed package for industrial India, has spelled out a positive narrative for the cement sector. ICR brings you a detailed report.

If one were to summarise the Union Budget 2023 in bulleted points, the following keywords would be highlighted:

Pre-election year budget
Inclusive development
Infrastructure and investment
Youth power
Skill development
Green growth for sustainable development
Boosting start-up growth

And amongst these the most important ones for the cement sector are infrastructure and investment. With the government raising capital expenditure by 33 per cent to Rs 10 lakh crore, it is a clear signal for steel and cement consumption to skyrocket in the next fiscal. As soon as the honourable Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a 33 percent increase in capital investment, shares of steel and cement companies took a hike. As the budget allocates a capital expenditure of 3.3 per cent of GDP, it is almost three times the outlay in 2019-20. The Union Budget 2023-24 has definitely infused the market with optimism.
Similarly, there has been an outlay of Rs 2.4 lakh crore for railways and 50 new airports and 100 critical transport infrastructure projects for last and first-mile connectivity for sectors such as coal, steel, food grain, fertiliser and ports.
And most importantly, the PM Awaas Yojana (PMAY) has received an enhanced 66 per cent to over Rs 79,000 crore. With its focus on ‘housing for all,’ the plan for affordable housing will give the real estate sector a much-needed impetus, thereby boosting the demand for cement, too.
Speaking about the budget, Vishal Kanodia, Managing Director, Kanodia Group, said, “The budget 2023-24 presented by Hon’ble Finance Minister Nirmla Sitarman under the able guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narenda Modi is balance and optimistic to attain ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’ – inclusive development of the country to place the country developed country segment by 2047. Creating urban infrastructure in tier 2 and 3 cities via establishment of Urban Infrastructure Development Fund, Jal Jeevan Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, North East Special Development Scheme. Establishment of 157 Nos Nursing College, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, etc.”
“Outlay on above projects definitely boost the demand of cement and construction materials and create more job opportunities. In addition to the above, the budget also provides tax relief to individual taxpayers and the corporate world, which will also provide major stimulants to demand generation and saving. Overall the budget is very good and it will be a positive stimulant for the construction sector, which was under pressure in the last 2-3 years due to Covid -19 pandemic.”
Sandeep Runwal, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, said, “Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) is a lofty initiative by the central government, aiming to bring affordable housing for all. The staggering 66 per cent increase in funding for the scheme to Rs 79,000 crore for the next fiscal year is expected to address more than 55 per cent of the estimated deficit in funds for projects under the scheme, providing a huge impetus in providing housing to those in need.”
Srini Srinivasan, MD, Kotak Investment Advisors, commented, “We were expecting a more populous budget with taxes going up, but that did not happen. The cap of Rs 10 crore on the capital gains deduction will impact the luxury housing segment, mainly in Mumbai. There will be bunching of sales till 31st March 2023. Additional tax on REITS was a dampener but overall the budget on housing was a good one.”
Rajiv Sabharwal, MD & CEO, Tata Capital, lauded the Finance Minister’s efforts to balance both the short and long-term growth measures. He maintained that though the budget has not proposed any new proposal for the real estate industry, it has not dented the ongoing pace of growth, as the real sector had caught a good momentum due to the government’s push for the past two years.

Power Play
Power has been under the spotlight in this budget. As the thermal power sector suffered due to coal shortage and challenges pertaining to working capital, it had an adverse impact on the cement sector. The demand for power continues to be robust and is likely to sustain even as the economy recovers.
However, with regards to the cement sector, it is renewable energy that is on the radar. India’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 was reiterated in the budget presentation and pathways for green growth were envisaged. One of them being the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an outlay of Rs 19,700 crore, with which India aspires to accomplish annual green hydrogen production of 5 MMT by 2030. This will have a direct impact on installation of more renewable energy and reduce the carbon footprint for the hard-to-abate sectors like cement, steel, shipping etc.
“Union Budget 2023 focuses on continuing the momentum towards a sustainable India. By earmarking green growth as one of the 7 key priorities, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to decarbonisation and creation of green jobs. The allocation of Rs. 35,000 crore for priority capital investment towards energy transition will help catalyse our Net Zero journey. Viability Gap Funding for battery storage projects, significant outlay for grid expansion for renewable energy and the green credit programme to incentivise sustainable behaviour are all very welcome and timely steps that will accelerate clean energy adoption,” said Rahul Munjal, Chairman and Managing Director, Hero Future Energies.
Overall, Budget 2023-24 brings positive news for the cement sector. It is now for the industry leaders to make the most of it and implement strategies to maximise the growth and fulfil the ever-increasing demand.

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Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

5 days 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 at Nagaur

Published

6 days ago

October 8, 2026

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With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA,
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.