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Cement Industry
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.
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
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
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
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, 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
Rating agency Icra has revised down its volume growth forecast for the cement industry to 4-5 per cent at 445-450 million tonne for the current fiscal on account of sluggish construction activity. In July this year, Icra had forecast a year-on-year volume growth of 7-8 per cent, expecting a better pick-up in demand in the second half. However, Icra has now revised its projection "on account of slower-than-expected ramp-up in construction activity across the housing and infrastructure sectors, post the General Elections," a statement said. Besides, on a YoY basis, the operating profit margins declined by 375 basis points to 12 per cent in Q2 FY2025 and by 192 bps to 14 per cent in H1 FY2025 as prices remained under pressure due to muted demand and oversupply. In the first half of FY25 all-India cement volumes witnessed a muted rise of 2 per cent YoY to 212 million tonne on account of the slowdown in construction activity in Q1 during the elections, followed by the ample monsoon ...
The pace of capex (capital expenditure) has increased, which will help Adani Cement "achieve targeted growth ahead of time", said Adani Group Cement Business CEO Ajay Kapur in an investors' call on Monday. The Adani group, which had last week announced the acquisition of Orient Cement, aims to have a manufacturing capacity of 140 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by FY28. "Adani Cement will benefit from accelerated growth, lower costs and good synergies, all of which will contribute to leading the market and achieving sustainable performance in the near future. The pace of capex has increased, which will help to achieve targeted growth ahead of time," said Kapur. Ambuja Cement, part of Adani Group, which houses all cement assets, is a debt-free company and as of September 2024, cash and cash equivalent for the company was at Rs 10,135 crore, said Kapur. "During H1, approximately Rs 14,700 crore has been utilised, out of which Rs 12,350 crore has been spent on organic and inorganic ..