Cement Sector Investment Hinges on Profitability: Report

30 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Indian cement industry must significantly boost its profitability, with EBITDA surpassing Rs 1,000 per tonne, to justify future investments, according to an IKIGAI Asset Manager report. Despite strong demand and consolidation, achieving this profitability requires substantial pricing support. Currently, the industry achieves an EBITDA of Rs 800 per tonne, with a post-tax return on capital employed (ROCE) of only 3 per cent after accounting for depreciation and capacity utilization. To justify incremental investments, profitability needs to double. The report also highlights challenges such as the expiration of over 25 per cent of limestone mines by 2035 and the need for enhanced efficiencies and better pricing strategies. Renewable energy costs, offering cheaper alternatives to grid power, could help improve margins. The report stresses that cement pricing power remains weak, with prices increasing by just 50 per cent in the past decade, far behind inflation in other sectors. The next phase of growth for the industry will depend on optimising pricing strategies, increasing green energy use, and enhancing operational efficiencies to sustain profitability. (ANI)

Infrastructure Energy

14 Aug 2026

Asian Energy Services Q1 FY27 PAT Rises 129 Per Cent

Asian Energy Services Limited reported a 129 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit to Rs 128 million for Q1 FY27, compared with the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue increased 135 per cent year-on-year to Rs 2.71 billion, supported by continued momentum across its services business, disciplined execution and contributions from domestic and international operations. EBITDA grew 81 per cent year-on-year during the quarter.As of June 30, 2026, the company’s standalone order book stood at Rs 17.54 billion, with around 60 per cent coming from oil and gas services and 40 per cent from min..

BioBTX to Build First Commercial-Scale Circular Chemicals Plant

Dutch circular chemistry technology developer BioBTX is building what it says will be the world’s first commercial-scale plant to convert mixed plastic waste into high-quality aromatic chemicals using its proprietary Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process (ICCP) technology.The facility will be built at Chemical Park Delfzijl on the northern coast of the Netherlands and is expected to create 35 jobs. Covestro, which has been a shareholder and strategic partner of BioBTX since 2024, holds a mid-single-digit million-euro investment in the company.BioBTX’s ICCP technology uses catalytic pyrolys..

Awfis Q1 FY27 PAT Jumps 140% as Revenue Rises 27%

Awfis Space Solutions reported a 140 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated profit after tax (PAT) to Rs 240 million for Q1 FY27, compared with Rs 100 million in the corresponding quarter last year.Revenue from operations increased 27 per cent to Rs 4.25 billion from Rs 3.35 billion, while EBITDA rose 28 per cent to Rs 1.62 billion. EBITDA margin improved to 38.2 per cent from 37.8 per cent. Profit before tax increased 135 per cent to Rs 240 million.The company's co-working business recorded 27 per cent year-on-year growth, supported by demand from enterprises, Global Capability Centres (G..