Page 4 - Cement Industry

ACC Q4 profit dips 1.8% as rising costs offset strong sales growth

Its sales volumes rose 14% on-year, above the 5%-12% range estimated by at least three brokerages, and lifted overall revenue by 12% to 59.49 billion rupees

UltraTech acquires Wonder WallCare at enterprise value of Rs 235 crore

The deal is expected to close in the next 90 days, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and compliance, the company said in a statement

Higher mineral tax likely to pose a challenge to cement sector recovery

Limestone is a key raw material for cement. It amounts to about 65 per cent of the total raw material cost

On track to achieve all our initial targets: Birla Opus CEO Raksit Hargave

Birla Opus is the paints division of the Aditya Birla Group subsidiary Grasim Industries

Cement prices see three-month rise; dealers optimistic about future

Average pan-India cement prices are about 2-2.5 per cent higher compared to the October-December quarter of 2024-25 (Q3FY25)

Cement demand to exceed 640 mn tonnes per annum by FY30, says UltraTech

Cement demand is expected to cross 640 million tonnes per annum by FY30, said leading player and Aditya Birla group flagship firm UltraTech Cement in an investor presentation. It expects the cement demand to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7 to 8 per cent between FY24 and FY30, citing industry estimates and research reports. The cement demand was at 424 MTPA in the financial year which ended on March 31, 2024, according to the investor presentation, a copy of which was submitted to exchanges last week. The "cement demand expected to cross 640 MTPA by FY30," said UltraTech Cement Ltd. The company is expanding its grey cement production capacity and has projected to have 209.3 MTPA output by FY27. UltraTech's capacity has increased to 182.8 MTPA so far in FY25, which includes 5.4 MTPA in overseas, from an overall 140.8 MTPA of FY24. The Aditya Birla group firm is expanding its capacity through acquisitions and brownfield as well as greenfield expansions. It plans to add

Star Cement proposes Rs 3,200-cr plant in Assam, agreement signed

Star Cement Ltd has proposed to set up a Rs 3,200-crore cement clinker and grinding plant in Assam. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed between the state government and the company on the concluding day of the Advantage Assam business summit on Wednesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Apart from this, an agreement was inked between the state government and Matheson Hydrogen Lvt Ltd, which is willing to set up a Rs 1,500-crore hydrogen and steam generation plant. The state government also signed a Rs 500-crore MoU with Global Health Ltd, while two non-financial agreements were signed with ITE Education Service. Sarma said he was grateful to the companies for their support, and noted that more agreements will be signed during the day. A total of 164 MoUs of investment proposals with companies in 15 sectors were signed on day one of the 'Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025' on Tuesday.

UltraTech Cement lines up Rs 1.8K crore capex for cables biz foray

Over the past few years, Aditya Birla Group has also adopted a closer-to-the-end-consumer approach, with an expanded presence in jewellery, fashion retail, real estate, and paints

Top 5 cement makers adopt different strategies amid Q3 earnings slump

For the October-December 2024 period, analysts and industry executives estimated demand growth of 4-5 per cent at the industry level

Increased spending on housing projects will drive demand: Cement makers

Increased spending on large-scale housing and infrastructure projects announced in the Budget by the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will drive demand for construction materials, and allow capacity expansion, said cement makers. The Budget presents a vision for India's economic growth emphasising rural and urban development, increased infrastructure investment, employment-led growth and strategic investments, said the Cement Manufacturers' Association (CMA) welcoming the Union Budget. "The focus on increased investments on infrastructure across states amplifies opportunities and avenues for the growth of the cement sector. We appreciate the sustained core focus on infrastructure and reiterate our commitment to being partners in the Nation's progress," said CMA President Neeraj Akhoury. Moreover, the government's push on large-scale housing and infrastructure projects will drive demand for construction materials and help in capacity expansion, he said. "We are certain that despi

Key infra sectors' growth slows to 4% in Dec 2024, shows govt data

The output of eight key infrastructure sectors slowed down to 4 per cent in December 2024, as against 5.1 per cent growth registered a year ago, according to official data released on Friday. On a monthly basis, the growth rate in the production of these sectors was lower than the 4.4 per cent expansion recorded in November 2024. In December, production of natural gas output recorded a negative growth. The production growth of coal, refinery products, fertiliser, and steel moderated to 5.3 per cent, 2.8 per cent, 1.7 per cent, and 5.1 per cent, respectively, against 10.8 per cent, 4.1 per cent, 5.9 per cent and 8.3 per cent in December last year. However, cement and electricity output rose to 4 per cent and 5.1 per cent in the month under review. The growth of core sectors -- coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement and electricity -- was 4.2 per cent during April-December this fiscal. It was 8.3 per cent in the same period last fiscal. The eight

Ambuja Cements Q3 results: Net profit more than doubles to Rs 2,115 cr

Higher volume, one-time tax-related reversals and receipt of certain governemnt incentives aided profitability

UltraTech in advanced talks to acquire HeidelbergCement in Rs 3,381 cr deal

Aditya Birla Group's UltraTech Cement acquired 55.49% stake in India Cements and 8.69% stake in Star Cement for Rs 851 crore in 2024

Most brokerages lift targets for UltraTech Cement as Q3 nos. top estimates

Goldman Sachs reportedly has maintained a 'Buy' rating and increased its target price to Rs 12,580, up from Rs 12,460, citing volume recovery and lower costs contributing to margin improvement

18 school students hospitalised in Chhattisgarh, locals blame cement plants

At least 18 students of a government school were hospitalised on Wednesday after they complained of uneasiness in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, officials said. While officials said the exact reason behind the situation was yet to be ascertained, locals claimed pollution from nearby cement plants was causing serious health issues for them. During the day, the authorities, however, shut down the Alternate Fuel Resources (AFR) centre at one cement plant in the area over the alleged violation of green norms. At least 18 students of Government Higher Secondary Girls School at Khapradih village complained of uneasiness and drowsiness following which they were shifted to the Community Health Centre in nearby Suhela, Balodabazar-Bhatapara Collector Dipak Soni told PTI. Later, six of them were referred to different facilities, including the district hospital, he said. Their condition was reported to be stable, he said. Complaints were received about pollution at AFR centr

UltraTech to buy 8.69% stake in Meghalaya-based Star Cement for Rs 851 cr

Aditya Birla Group company to expand presence in East India with new acquisition

Cement industry eyes 8% growth in 2025 on infra boost, higher margins

The Indian cement industry, witnessing a consolidation and heightened rivalry between two corporate houses snapping smaller players, pins its hope on 2025 for an improvement in sales realisation, higher margins and acceleration in demand, expecting around 8 per cent sales growth helped by an increased government spendings on big-ticket infra projects. Over 50 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) capacity are being acquired for USD 4.5 billion by two leading players - Aditya Birla group firm UltraTech Cement and billionaire Gautam Adani-led Ambuja Cements, besides organic expansion of the existing units as they have kept their war chest ready prowling for opportunities. The industry faced challenges on numerous fronts in 2024, right from moderate capacity utilisation to lower sales realisation, which impacted the topline of several makers, contraction of margins and slower volume growth. However, 2024 would also be known for big-ticket acquisitions by UltraTech and Adani Cement to ...

Ambuja Cements to merge Sanghi Industries, Penna Cement with self

The Adani Group-promoted firm had acquired SIL and PCIL in 2023 and 2024 respectively

Ambuja Cements commissions 200 MW solar power project in Gujarat

Ambuja Cements, part of Adani Group firm, on Friday announced the commissioning of a 200 MW solar power project in Khavda, Gujarat, to supply green power to 20 cement plants. The Khavda project is part of Adani Cements' plan to have 1 GW of renewable power from solar and wind projects, along with 376 MW from WHRS (Waste Heat Recovery Systems). "The balance 806 MW capacity from this project is at various stages of commissioning and expected to start transmitting in phases between March 2025 and June 2025," said a statement. Of the remaining 806 MW capacity from this project, 156 MW of wind power from Khavda and a further 300 MW of solar power from Rajasthan are expected to be commissioned by March 2025 in phases. The balance of 350 MW of solar power is expected to be commissioned by June 2025. This will "positively impact the company's EBITDA" as this development leads to an impressive 70 per cent savings compared to current power cost, it added. The company is spending around Rs

Ultratech to Shriram Cement: Price hikes key trigger for cement majors

Ultratech Cement saw volumes up 3 per cent, while Shriram Cement was the top volume gainer at 9 per cent, with Dalmia Bharat up 8 per cent