Cements

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 ...

Icra revises down growth forecast for cement industry to 4-5% for FY25

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 ...

Raipur BJP MP seeks govt intervention for rollback of hike in cement prices

Raipur BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal has raised objection over the "steep" hike in cement prices by its manufacturers and demanded intervention of the Chhattisgarh government and the Centre for a rollback of the increased cost. Agrawal said the sudden increase in the cement prices by Rs 50 per sack would affect infrastructure projects, including roads, buildings, bridges, schools, colleges and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. In separate letters to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Competition Commission of India on September 6, Agrawal said despite Chhattisgarh being a state rich in minerals, iron, coal and energy resources, the cement manufacturers, by forming a cartel, tremendously increased the prices from September 3. The attitude of cement companies has become that of "looting" the innocent people of Chhattisgarh, he said, adding the government needs to take strict action against cement manufacturers. Mines, coal, energy, cheap ...

UltraTech to acquire 32.7% stake in India Cements to up South play

Open offer may raise total cost to Rs 7,100 cr

Prism Johnson slips 6% on 1,420-acre land transfer plan to Ramco Cements

The company will also transfer a mining lease granted by the government over to Ramco Cements for an area of 663.46 hectares

Dalmia executes definitive agreements with JAL to acquire cement assets

Dalmia Bharat on Wednesday said it has executed definitive agreements with debt-ridden Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) to acquire the latter's cement assets as per an earlier announcement. Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd (DCBL), a subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat, on Tuesday executed definitive agreements with JAL for the acquisition of JP Super Cement Plant in Uttar Pradesh at an enterprise value of Rs 1,500 crore and costs and expenses of up to Rs 190 crore. However, this will be subject to various clearances and approvals related to JP Super plant and mines, said a regulatory update from Dalmia Bharat Ltd (DBL). Moreover, it is also subject to "fulfilling certain conditions precedent including the final outcome of the pending arbitration between JAL and Ultratech Cement Ltd." On December 12, 2022, DBL had announced that it will acquire cement assets of Jaypee Group's flagship company JAL and its associate firm at an enterprise value of Rs 5,666 crore. As part of that, DCBL also executed

Cement demand climbs up, not unusual profitability for Indian cos: Moody's

The infrastructure led investments in India will drive up the demand for cement and other building materials, said Moody's Investors Service in a report.

GST Council will decide on cement tax rate after expert study, says CBIC

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's Goods and Services Tax Council will decide whether to cut tax rates on cement after an expert team submits its recommendation, chairperson of the CBIC said on Friday.

Cement shares in focus; Ambjua, JK Lakshmi Cement hit record highs

With ease in restrictions from July onwards, demand is expected to pick up

Ramco Cements Q2 profit up 40% to Rs 236 cr even as revenue drops

Price stability, better sales of flagship and premium products in trade segment improve margins

Birla Corp aims 20 MT to become fifth largest cement company in India

While the Mukutban project has been financed by a Rs 1,625 crore term loan stretching 12 years from a consortium of four banks led by the Bank of Baroda at less than 9 per cent interest

Realisations still under pressure for cement firms as demand remains muted

With growth having shrunk 0.5 per cent year-on-year during FY20 so far, as per latest estimates, price recovery seems distant

Expect cement prices, demand to recover in second half of FY20: Srinivasan

He expects increased spending on infrastructure projects by the Centre and acceleration in infrastructure projects and development schemes by the new government in Andhra Pradesh to spur the industry

India Cements Q4 profit up 49% at Rs 51 cr

Company plans to invest around Rs 350 cr over next three years