Shree Cement Ltd has announced an investment of Rs 20 billion to set up a new cement plant in Maharashtra, the country’s third-largest cement maker said on Friday at the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) 2025. The letter of intent for the proposed investment was signed in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Shree Cement chairman Hari Mohan Bangur said the company will establish a 2 million tonnes per annum plant in Chandrapur district, where land has already been acquired. He added that the project is awaiting environmental clearance and, once approved, is expected to be completed within two years. The expansion will be funded through internal cash reserves, with the company reporting a cash balance of Rs 65.41 billion at the end of FY25. Shree Cement currently has an installed capacity of 62.8 million tonnes per annum. During the second quarter of FY26, the company commissioned a 3.65 mtpa clinker unit at Jaitaran in Rajasthan, while a 3 mtpa cement mill at the same location is expected to start operations shortly. A 3 mtpa integrated plant at Kodla in Karnataka is in the final stages of development and is scheduled to be commissioned within the third quarter of FY26. Following these ongoing expansions, the company’s total capacity is expected to rise to 68.8 mtpa, according to an ICICI Direct Research note dated 29 October. Analysts estimate that Shree Cement’s capacity could reach between 72 and 75 mtpa by FY27E, with further potential to scale up to 80 mtpa by FY28E or FY29E, depending on demand trends. However, market observers have flagged medium-term risks, noting that industry-wide capacity additions may outpace demand growth through FY28-29, particularly in northern and western India where significant new capacity is expected. At the same time, cement prices declined sharply in the third quarter, especially in eastern and southern regions, though analysts expect some recovery from January, led by the South and East. The announcement comes amid aggressive expansion plans by larger peers. UltraTech Cement recently raised its capacity target from 167 mtpa to 240 mtpa by FY28, while the Adani Group increased its cement capacity target by nearly 10 per cent to 155 mtpa by the same period. Shree Cement reported a 15 per cent year-on-year rise in revenue to Rs 43.03 billion in the September quarter, driven by higher volumes, premiumisation efforts and a value-over-volume strategy. The company’s chief financial officer Ashok Bhandari has guided for capital expenditure of around Rs 30 billion in FY26-27, with a similar level expected in FY27-28. Shares of Shree Cement ended 0.18 per cent lower on Friday, while the benchmark Sensex closed 0.53 per cent higher.