Concrete

Ambuja delivers robust performance in a challenging quarter

Published

5 years ago

October 19, 2021

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EBITDA growth of 61% for the quarter
78% rise in Operating EBIT with EBIT margin expansion of 310 basis points backed by strong growth in volumes and efficiency gains
The greenfield integrated plant at Marwar Mundwa to commence operations in the third quarter of 2021
Embarking on the next step of our growth journey with cement capacity expansion of 1.5 million tonne at Ropar (Punjab)
Health and Safety remains key priority; focus on vaccination drives

Neeraj Akhoury, CEO India, Holcim and Managing Director and CEO Ambuja Cements Limited said:

??mbuja registered a strong performance in the second Quarter of 2021 with 78% growth in operating EBIT and 310 basis points expansion in the EBIT margin. This performance resulted from strong growth in sales of premium products and successful execution of efficiency improvement programs which has partly been impacted by rising energy and raw material costs. Synergies under the master supply agreement have significantly benefited both Ambuja and ACC as we leverage our national footprint.

Along with delivering robust financial performance, we remain committed to be best in class in sustainability goals. Our waste heat recovery systems projects are progressing as per plan and along with reduction in emissions will also reduce our dependence on thermal energy. With support of our parent, Holcim, we are focused on conserving natural resources by utilising alternative fuels and raw materials. We have used about 46 lakh tonnes of waste-derived resources in the first six months of 2021. Our increased focus on sustainability, digitisation and innovation is enabling us to reach closer to our global goal of net zero emissions.??/p>

Covid-19 update

The second wave of Covid-19 in the country was managed proactively by the company. We continue to ensure strict adherence to government guidelines across all our plants and offices. Our 24×7 Covid-19 crisis control room support is enhanced with a third party medical services provider for close end to end support to our people across the country. We have also facilitated vaccination drives wherein more than 97% of our employees, dependents and third party workers have been covered. Our plants are operating under strict Covid-19 protocols in line with the current risk which is being dynamically assessed on a daily basis.

Financial performance for the quarter ended 30 June 2021

Net Sales during the quarter stood at Rs 3,342 cr compared to Rs 2,145 cr in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, resulting in a growth of 56%. Premium products volume grew at 69% compared to the same period last year.

Total operating cost per ton sees a marginal decline, despite continuous headwinds faced on account of rising input costs. The operational efficiency programs in the plants along with logistics efficiencies partly mitigated the impact. EBITDA during the quarter at Rs 960 cr showed a growth of 61% and Operating EBIT at Rs 829 cr showed a robust growth of 78%.

Ambuja helped 8,347 customers to save about 260 lakh litres of water at construction sites by providing value added services such as modular curing, concrete mix proportions, and rain water harvesting systems.

New Expansion Project

In line with our expansion plans, the board has approved 1.5 million tonne cement capacity expansion at the existing grinding unit at Ropar in Punjab.

Consolidated unaudited financial results for the quarter and half year ended 30 June 2021

EBITDA higher by 63%
Margin expansion for the quarter by 180 basis points
Growth in Operating EBIT is 87%

Performance of ACC Limited, a Material Subsidiary

Net Sales during the quarter increased to Rs 3,810 cr and recorded a growth of 51% vs previous year. EBITDA during the quarter up by 65% vs previous year at Rs 869 cr, with an EBITDA margin expansion of 200 basis points. The company also witnessed strong delivery on cost efficiency actions under project ??arvat??across cost levers combined with healthy working capital despite volatility due to the second wave of COVID 19.

Outlook

GDP for fiscal 2021-2022 is projected to grow at the rate of 9.5% and is expected to remain strong going forward. The measures announced by the government including higher spending for infrastructure development will support revival of economic activity in general and lead to higher cement demand. With the operational efficiency programs and expansion projects, the company feels confident to capture the future growth.

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Concrete

UltraTech Cement Expands in Andhra Pradesh with Rs. 26.5 bn

Petnikota plant adds 3.6 MTPA cement dispatch capacity

Published

14 hours ago

October 23, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has expanded its manufacturing footprint in Andhra Pradesh with the commissioning of Petnikota Cement Works, an integrated cement plant built with an investment of around Rs. 26.5 bn. The facility is located in Petnikota village in Kolimigundla mandal of Nandyal district, in the Rayalaseema region.

Construction of the plant began in May 2025. The facility has a clinkerisation capacity of 3.3 MTPA and a cement dispatch capacity of 3.6 MTPA, strengthening the company’s production and distribution presence in the State.

The plant is expected to provide direct employment to 650 people and indirect employment to another 2,000. It has been designed to operate entirely on green energy and does not have a captive thermal power plant. The project also uses no groundwater, according to information released by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology, said in the release that the facility was taken from groundbreaking to commissioning in 14 months. He described the project as a state-of-the-art addition to the company’s operations in the State and said it would create 2,650 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Petnikota Cement Works adds to UltraTech Cement’s manufacturing capacity in Andhra Pradesh while supporting industrial activity in Nandyal district. The plant’s energy design and stated groundwater-use policy are also intended to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. The company has identified the facility as part of its continuing capacity expansion in the Indian cement market.

Concrete

Nuvoco reports 13.5% revenue growth in Q2 FY27

Cement sales rose 9% to 4.7 MMT, while EBITDA increased 11%.

Published

14 hours ago

October 23, 2026

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Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd. reported consolidated revenue of Rs 27.9 billion for Q2 FY27, up 13.5% year on year. Cement sales volume rose 9% to 4.7 million tonnes (MMT), while EBITDA increased 11% to Rs 4.11 billion.

The company said it began its cement operations in 2014 with a 2.3 MMT per annum (MMTPA) operation at Nimbol. It now aims to reach 35 MMTPA of cement capacity by FY28, nearly 15 times its initial capacity. Its portfolio spans cement, ready-mix concrete and modern building materials.

On sustainability and cost efficiency, Nuvoco partnered with CleanMax for a 46.4 MW wind-solar hybrid renewable energy project in Rajasthan. Once operational, the project is expected to generate about 100 million units of renewable electricity annually. The company expects it to reduce reliance on conventional power sources and improve long-term cost certainty across its Rajasthan operations.

Jayakumar Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Nuvoco Vistas Corp. Ltd., said, “Q2 FY27 was a testament to resilient execution in a challenging operating environment. Despite intense and erratic rainfall in our key markets, global and regional logistics & supply chain disruptions, and elevated input costs stemming from ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, the Company delivered strong YoY growth in Revenue, EBITDA, and PAT. Our performance reflects the strength of our strategic levers of premiumisation and geographical mix optimisation, which helped realisations amid muted cement prices.”

He added, “During the quarter, the Company achieved a significant growth milestone with the successful commissioning of the 2 MMTPA Grinding Unit at Limla, Surat, underscoring our strong project execution capabilities. This achievement reinforces our confidence in delivering the remaining modules of the Vadraj Cement Project at Kutch and Sachana within the planned timelines. Looking ahead, while we remain mindful of evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical dynamics, we remain focused on operational excellence, accelerating premiumisation, optimising supply chain efficiencies, and executing our growth projects as planned.

Concrete

Meghalaya Cabinet Approves MCCL Closure, Writes Off Rs. 244.3 mn

Cabinet approves winding up of state-owned cement company

Published

5 days ago

October 19, 2026

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The Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the closure and winding up of Meghalaya Cherra Cement (MCCL), a state-owned cement company, with pending liabilities of approximately Rs. 244.3 mn to be written off as part of the process. The decision was announced by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on October 13, 2026.

The approved write-off comprises about Rs. 89 mn in sales tax dues and Rs. 155.3 mn in royalty dues. The Cabinet’s decision addresses the liabilities that remained after the company’s operations and enables the government to proceed with its formal closure.

Sangma said employee dues owed by MCCL had been settled in line with the state government’s commitment. The settlement of employee-related liabilities is a key part of the winding-up process and removes outstanding obligations to the company’s workforce.

The Chief Minister explained that MCCL is owned by the government, meaning the pending liabilities would otherwise involve transfers between the state government and its departments. Writing off the dues is intended to simplify the accounting and administrative steps required to complete the closure.

The decision is also intended to ensure that the winding-up does not create an additional financial burden for the state government. With employee payments settled and the sales tax and royalty liabilities addressed through the approved write-off, the Cabinet’s approval marks a further step towards completing the formal closure of MCCL.

The action follows the state government’s decision to discontinue the company and resolve its outstanding obligations through an orderly winding-up process. The approved measures cover the principal liabilities identified for settlement and allow the government to advance the remaining formal procedures associated with closing the state-owned enterprise.