Economy & Market

Gst Cut Sets the Stage for Growth

Published

7 months ago

September 11, 2025

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The recent announcement by the GST Council to reduce the tax slab on cement from 28 per cent to 18 per cent marks a decisive step towards unlocking greater efficiencies across India’s construction and infrastructure ecosystem. For years, the cement industry has sought this correction, arguing that a product so fundamental to national development should not be taxed at the highest slab. The timing of this reform is particularly significant, given that the sector is aggressively ramping up capacity in anticipation of robust demand from housing, infrastructure and industrial projects.
The direct benefits are already apparent—lower construction costs, improved affordability for homebuyers and a likely fillip to affordable housing projects. Moreover, by narrowing the cost gap between economy and premium offerings, the reduction may accelerate the shift towards branded and higher-value products, enabling leading players to consolidate market share.
At the same time, caution remains warranted. Rising input costs—particularly pet coke and gypsum—are likely to weigh on near-term profitability, while the removal of the Rs 400/tonne coal compensation cess will offer only marginal relief on power and fuel costs. Industry watchers are therefore closely tracking the interplay between policy-led cost reductions and market-led pricing challenges as we move into the second quarter of FY26.
Against this backdrop of regulatory reform and evolving market dynamics, the Cement Expo and ICR Conference & Awards gain even greater relevance. These platforms are uniquely positioned to bring industry stakeholders together to discuss how the GST cut can be translated into sustainable growth, innovation and competitiveness. The Expo will spotlight cutting-edge technologies and solutions, while the Conference will foster dialogue on strategy, policy, and demand trends. The ICR Awards, meanwhile, provide an opportunity to celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership at a pivotal moment for the industry.
We invite you to be a part of this landmark edition—explore, engage and put forward your nominations for the ICR Awards. The cement sector is on the cusp of transformative change and your participation will help shape its future.

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Concrete

WCA Welcomes SiloConnect as associate corporate member

Published

3 days ago

April 13, 2026

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The World Cement Association (WCA) has announced SiloConnect as its newest associate corporate member, expanding its network of technology providers supporting digitalisation in the cement industry. SiloConnect offers smart sensor technology that provides real-time visibility of cement inventory levels at customer silos, enabling producers to monitor stock remotely and plan deliveries more efficiently. The solution helps companies move from reactive to proactive logistics, improving delivery planning, operational efficiency and safety by reducing manual inspections. The technology is already used by major cement producers such as Holcim, Cemex and Heidelberg Materials and is deployed across more than 30 countries worldwide.

Concrete

TotalEnergies and Holcim Launch Floating Solar Plant in Belgium

Published

3 days ago

April 13, 2026

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TotalEnergies and Holcim have commissioned a floating solar power plant in Obourg, Belgium, built on a rehabilitated former chalk quarry that has been converted into a lake. The project has a generation capacity of 31 MW and produces around 30 GWh of renewable electricity annually, which will be used to power Holcim’s nearby industrial operations. The project is currently the largest floating solar installation in Europe dedicated entirely to industrial self-consumption. To ensure minimal impact on the surrounding landscape, more than 700 metres of horizontal directional drilling were used to connect the solar installation to the electrical substation. The project reflects ongoing collaboration between the two companies to support industrial decarbonisation through renewable energy solutions and innovative infrastructure development.

Concrete

Cortec® Corporation applauded for its strong safety performance

Published

3 days ago

April 13, 2026

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Cortec® Corporation has been recognised for its strong safety performance, receiving its sixth Governor’s Workplace Safety Award for its outstanding performance in 2025. As a Silver Achievement recipient, the company continues to maintain safety metrics well above national industry averages, an impressive accomplishment for a chemical manufacturing organisation. This achievement reflects Cortec’s proactive approach to workplace safety, focused on early hazard detection and employee involvement. The company will be formally recognised at the Minnesota Safety and Health Conference in May, highlighting how industrial companies are effectively strengthening workplace safety standards.