As we delve into the third quarter of the fiscal year, the cement sector is poised to witness a notable 3 per cent quarter-over-quarter growth, with southern India emerging as a key contributor to this upward trajectory. A case in point is UltraTech Cement’s 6 per cent increase in cement sales during the third quarter of the 2024 financial year, mainly driven by domestic demand, spurring its capacity to 138Mt/year as of 1 January 2024.
The robust expansion in the cement industry is not merely a statistical trend but carries profound implications, especially in the context of India’s ambitious goal to achieve ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2070.
In the pursuit of a sustainable future, the government envisions a pivotal role for the cement industry, recognising its significance in infrastructure development. However, a critical challenge looms large – only 40 per cent of the annual CO2 emissions from India’s cement sector can be addressed through existing measures. To bridge this gap, experts at the 9th ICR Conference deliberated extensively on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) as the indispensable solution for mitigating the remaining emissions.
The recent surge in discussions surrounding CCUS reflects the industry’s commitment to exploring innovative approaches to curb carbon footprints. The insightful perspectives shared at the conference, detailed in our coverage, shed light on the potential of CCUS to revolutionise the cement sector’s approach to sustainability.
We are grateful to the industry for the overwhelming response given to the 14th Cement EXPO. With more than 1500 visitors and 80 exhibitors from every vertical relevant to the cement industry, we witnessed a plethora of innovations, technology, new products and inspiring solutions that are paving the way for our industry’s march towards net zero targets.
The keynote speaker Emir Adiguzel, Founder & Director, World Cement Association, remarked that, “Given your visitor count, your show is easily the biggest show globally, in terms of attendance.”
The 15th Cement EXPO in 2025 will continue to be a beacon for furthering the cause of sustainability within the industry. The EXPO promises to be a platform where the latest technologies, strategies and solutions will converge, offering stakeholders a unique opportunity to witness the evolution of the cement sector towards a greener and more sustainable future.
I encourage our readers to stay informed about the dynamic landscape of the cement industry and its crucial role in India’s journey towards a ‘net zero’ future.

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