Economy & Market

Demand for affordable housing will improve cement business

Published

9 years ago

December 30, 2017

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Manju Yagnik, Vice Chairperson of Nahar Group, is of the opinion that the ‘Housing for All’ objective requires huge investment in infrastructure, a large-scale skill development programme, and a tremendous financial support for timely implementation.How successful is the ‘Housing for all by 2022’ programme? What are the opportunities specifically to your group?
In the past one year, looking at the massive demand, developers have modified their projects into affordable housing segment. And now with the implementation of RERA, the real estate industry is moving into a right direction. Here, land acquisition is the main and a challenging component. To simplify its process, bodies like NAREDCO and MCHI along with Government are working towards it. To further support affordable housing, the Finance Minister recently announced ‘Infrastructure’ status to it, which is likely to result in increased participation from private players. This step is expected to act as a catalyst to meet the objectives of ‘Housing for All’ by 2022. The government has now made it easier to buy land by providing offers to avail their own land at cheaper rates for affordable housing.How it is likely to benefit cement sector? Do you think cement consumption will increase because of this?
The demand for cement is steadily on the rise owing to rapid urbanisation and construction activities. Government’s infrastructure development, Smart Cities Mission and ‘Housing for All’ initiative will further accelerate the growth of the cement industry. Rising demand for affordable housing will set the demand for cement soaring.What kind of incentives are provided by the government so that more and more developers participate in the segment of affordable housing?
The government’s commitment to support mass and affordable housing has created massive opportunities for the real estate sector. We are already witnessing government agencies and private developers undertaking such projects. A sustained focus on these segments would provide the right platform for the industry in meeting the likely demand of 80 to 90 million houses in the next 10 years that caters mainly to the middle- and low-income groups. An encouraging sign is that some of the big names in the industry who are known for developing premium and luxury housing have entered these areas. Equally significant is the government’s scheme of Affordable Housing, a part of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which aims to promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) amongst the private, cooperative, financial services sectors and urban local bodies for realising the goal of affordable housing for all.Which are the states that are progressing well and providing enough opportunities for the affordable housing sector? How important is the government decision for PPPs in this space?
The ‘Housing for All’ objective requires huge investment in infrastructure, a large-scale skill development programme, and tremendous financial support for timely implementation. Innovative and aggressive steps are required without which, the goal cannot be accomplished. Also, the cost of construction is high, making it financially unfavourable for some developers.
In order to encourage the participation of private players to enter affordable housing through financial or non-financial support, the government has taken a great initiative by developing the PPP model. With PPP policy for affordable housing in India, we will see a reduction in land burden, financial and capital investment, maintenance and positive outcome of the capital invested. As land is the costliest commodity in real estate, models in affordable housing such as private land can be developed for intensive utilisation, higher FSI or in exchange for permission to build high-end housing. The PPP model has a potential to boost affordable housing if implemented in the right direction. We will witness fast approvals and transparency in the system.Affordable housing requires fast pace work completion. In this situation, do we see inclusion of new technologies? What are these?
As the demand is increasing day-by-day for affordable housing, there has to be equal supply for the demand. Precast construction is cost-efficient, fast and sustainable building technology for large housing projects that doesn’t compromise on quality. Precast is a standard building system based on ready-made, factory-manufactured elements and intelligent connections. It provides how to style and construct an ample range of appropriate homes to fulfill the requirements of city dwellers in an exceedingly affordable timeframe and at an affordable price. Such new technologies will help boost the supply faster for affordable housing at a reasonable price.How do think has been the response of private sector to the scheme? What further changes you desire to have?
Affordable housing is the need of the hour. If we look at the current scenario, there is a huge demand for affordable houses in Mumbai. India, like most major emerging economies, has been witnessing accelerating population shift from rural to urban areas. In fact, as per census 2011, for the first time since India’s independence, the absolute increase in population was more in urban areas than in rural areas. This shift is creating a larger requirement for housing and its mounting pressure on the existing infrastructure. If we do not address this, it will further aggravate the explosion of unplanned and unsustainable city.What’s your view on the present approval process of housing projects? Does affordable housing get a separate attention? What are the factors driving affordable housing in India?
In the current scenario, affordable housing is the one big thing in real estate sector. With government’s support to private developers, participation is increasing day by day to boost affordable housing. There will be immense support as there has to be six million affordable homes by 2022 in order to achieve the mission.– RAHUL KAMAT

Concrete

Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

3 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

4 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

5 days 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.