Strict quality norms for asbestos cement products to boost domestic manufacturing
Cement

Strict quality norms for asbestos cement products to boost domestic manufacturing

The government has issued mandatory quality norms for asbestos or fibre cement-based products to curb the import of sub-standard goods and boost domestic manufacturing. A notification was issued in this regard by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Under these orders, items cannot be produced, sold, traded, imported and stocked unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark. It will come into force on the expiry of six months from the date of publication of this notification in the official gazette. Mandatory QCOs help curb the import of sub-standard products, prevent unfair trade practices and ensure the safety and well-being of consumers as well as the environment.  

Consolidation to continue in cement sector
Over the past decade, the market share of the top five cement companies has steadily risen, reaching 54 per cent as of December 2023 from 45 per cent in March 2015. According to ICRA, forecasts suggest this trend will continue, with expectations of a further surge to 55 per cent by March 2025, indicating a notable consolidation within the sector. This shift is being propelled by several factors, chiefly among them being the robust demand prospects for cement. Through acquisitions or mergers, acquirers gain access to ready-made capacities and essential resources like limestone reserves, bypassing the lengthy gestation periods associated with setting up Greenfield cement plants.

Bullet Train Project: Giving a major thrust to industry
The Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train project with its 508 km alignment, 12 stations, 24 river bridges, eight mountain tunnels and one undersea tunnel is providing a major boost to the construction industry, employment opportunities and skill development of workforce. High quality construction technology is being adopted for this mega project. About 20,000 cubic metres of concrete equivalent to eight buildings of 10 storeys each is being used every day for the project across Gujarat and Maharashtra. Till date, about 7.8 million cubic metres of concreting work has been completed by deploying 1.3 million large transit mixers. This scale of work is made possible with the dedicated working of about 20,000 workmen every day for the last 2 and half years resulting in employment generation.
 
Industry on green logistics drive, pilot testing 150 E-trucks
As part of its green logistics drive, India’s cement industry, which is the second largest in the world with an installed capacity of around 670 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), is piloting the usage of EV trucks (E-trucks) and has already deployed around 150 E-trucks. For each MT of capacity, an investment of around `10 billion is required. The industry is heavily reliant on road transport and internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks for moving cement, clinker and other raw materials across an average distance of 300km. The report said that the cement industry currently accounts for 2.3 MTPA of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The report said that the transition to E-trucks presents an opportunity to slash logistic costs by 25-40 percent.

UltraTech offers to acquire 31.6 per cent in RAKWCT
Aditya Birla group firm UltraTech Cement said it has made an offer to acquire a 31.6 per cent stake in UAE-based RAK Cement Co for White Cement and Construction Materials PSC (RAKWCT).
RAKWCT was incorporated in September 1980 and had a turnover of Rs.4.82 billion in CY21. UltraTech has a consolidated capacity of 138.39 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of grey cement. It has 23 integrated manufacturing units, 29 grinding units, one clinkerisation unit and eight bulk packaging terminals.
Contact: UltraTech Cement
Tel: 022-66917800
Email: www.ultratechcement.com

The government has issued mandatory quality norms for asbestos or fibre cement-based products to curb the import of sub-standard goods and boost domestic manufacturing. A notification was issued in this regard by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Under these orders, items cannot be produced, sold, traded, imported and stocked unless they bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark. It will come into force on the expiry of six months from the date of publication of this notification in the official gazette. Mandatory QCOs help curb the import of sub-standard products, prevent unfair trade practices and ensure the safety and well-being of consumers as well as the environment.  Consolidation to continue in cement sectorOver the past decade, the market share of the top five cement companies has steadily risen, reaching 54 per cent as of December 2023 from 45 per cent in March 2015. According to ICRA, forecasts suggest this trend will continue, with expectations of a further surge to 55 per cent by March 2025, indicating a notable consolidation within the sector. This shift is being propelled by several factors, chiefly among them being the robust demand prospects for cement. Through acquisitions or mergers, acquirers gain access to ready-made capacities and essential resources like limestone reserves, bypassing the lengthy gestation periods associated with setting up Greenfield cement plants.Bullet Train Project: Giving a major thrust to industryThe Mumbai Ahmedabad Bullet Train project with its 508 km alignment, 12 stations, 24 river bridges, eight mountain tunnels and one undersea tunnel is providing a major boost to the construction industry, employment opportunities and skill development of workforce. High quality construction technology is being adopted for this mega project. About 20,000 cubic metres of concrete equivalent to eight buildings of 10 storeys each is being used every day for the project across Gujarat and Maharashtra. Till date, about 7.8 million cubic metres of concreting work has been completed by deploying 1.3 million large transit mixers. This scale of work is made possible with the dedicated working of about 20,000 workmen every day for the last 2 and half years resulting in employment generation. Industry on green logistics drive, pilot testing 150 E-trucksAs part of its green logistics drive, India’s cement industry, which is the second largest in the world with an installed capacity of around 670 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), is piloting the usage of EV trucks (E-trucks) and has already deployed around 150 E-trucks. For each MT of capacity, an investment of around `10 billion is required. The industry is heavily reliant on road transport and internal combustion engine (ICE) trucks for moving cement, clinker and other raw materials across an average distance of 300km. The report said that the cement industry currently accounts for 2.3 MTPA of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The report said that the transition to E-trucks presents an opportunity to slash logistic costs by 25-40 percent.UltraTech offers to acquire 31.6 per cent in RAKWCTAditya Birla group firm UltraTech Cement said it has made an offer to acquire a 31.6 per cent stake in UAE-based RAK Cement Co for White Cement and Construction Materials PSC (RAKWCT).RAKWCT was incorporated in September 1980 and had a turnover of Rs.4.82 billion in CY21. UltraTech has a consolidated capacity of 138.39 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of grey cement. It has 23 integrated manufacturing units, 29 grinding units, one clinkerisation unit and eight bulk packaging terminals.Contact: UltraTech CementTel: 022-66917800Email: www.ultratechcement.com

Next Story
Resources

Ajmera Realty launches tree drive on Environment Day

Ajmera Realty & Infra India marked World Environment Day with a large-scale tree plantation initiative—Plant-with-Purpose—across its projects in Mumbai and Bangalore. The drive was inaugurated at Ajmera Manhattan and Ajmera Greenfinity in Wadala, with senior company officials and residents in attendance. The campaign encourages residents to embrace eco-conscious, self-reliant lifestyles by growing useful plants and trees within their communities. Horticulture expert Devendra Bhekar guided residents on creating and maintaining green spaces. Ajmera Realty planted over 500 trees..

Next Story
Resources

Twaron®-reinforced tyre powers Brunel’s solar race car

Teijin Aramid’s Twaron® with circular content will debut in Bridgestone’s race tyres for the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, supporting the Brunel Solar Team’s Nuna 13 car. This marks the first use of the recycled-content aramid in a high-performance race tyre. The Twaron®-reinforced belts help enhance durability, reduce rolling resistance, and maintain lightweight strength—critical for the 3,000-km solar race across Australia. Bridgestone combines this with ENLITENTM tech and other recycled inputs to maximise environmental and performance outcomes. Teijin Aramid, a..

Next Story
Building Material

Kamdhenu Paints launches new wood coating range

Kamdhenu Paints has launched a comprehensive premium wood coating range designed for both interior and exterior applications. The collection includes high-performance solutions like Kamwood 2K PU for a rich matt or high-gloss finish, Kamwood 1K PU for clarity and stain protection, and the Kamwood Melamyne system for a smooth, durable finish. Also featured are Kamwood Wood Stains, which enhance wood grains with vibrant colour, and NC Sanding Sealer for high-build grain filling. The range is supported by Kamwood Thinners for ease of application and optimal finish. Saurabh Agarwal, MD, ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?