ACC plans million-tonne cement unit in Udupi district

ACC Ltd, India’s largest manufacturer of cement, plans to expand its capacity in Karnataka by setting up a 1-million tonne per annum (mtpa) fly ash-based Portland Pozzolana unit in the coastal area. The company plans to invest Rs 280 crore to set up the plant, its fifth in the state. “We have signed the (deal) with the state government and are working out the specific details like capacity, investment and land availability before going to the board for final approval,” P N Iyer, director, sales, south, told Business Standard.

ACC is looking for land in Yellur and Padebettu villages in Udupi district, close to the Udupi Power project, from where it wishes to source fly ash. The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has identified 71.19 acres of land in these villages.

Another 94 acres of private land has also been identified and the final notification for acquisition is yet to be issued, state government sources said.

“We have a very good market in coastal Karnataka and the new plant will help us serve the local market effectively,” Iyer said. ACC’s current installed capacity in the country is 30 mtpa. It has 16 cement factories and 40 ready-mix concrete making units. Its Wadi plant in Gulbarga district has the single largest cement kiln in the world, of 13,000 tonnes a day.