UltraTech enters race to buy Holcim’s stake in Ambuja Cement, ACC
Cement

UltraTech enters race to buy Holcim’s stake in Ambuja Cement, ACC

UltraTech Cement of the Aditya Birla group has formally joined the race to acquire Swiss cement giant Holcim’s stake in Ambuja Cement and ACC Limited.

Gautam Adani-owned Adani Group, and Sajjan Jindal’s JSW group jumped into the race to acquire control that would instantly boost their position in the cement market.

On Wednesday, Ambuja Cements' shares opened in the green at Rs 360.80 apiece on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), while the ACC scrip rose to Rs 2,207 apiece. The Aditya Birla Group is ready to divest voluntary assets of approximately 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), as a solution to comply with market share norms.

India’s antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has provided long-form merger notifications in eight out of 16 cement agreements since 2011. Of these eight, UltraTech independently had filed for five since 2013 with the CCI.

UltraTech was optimistic about getting the antitrust regulator’s green signal.

CCI lawyers are of the view that if firms can come up with possible solutions, approvals can come in as early as 30 working days. All five Aditya Birla Group cement agreements have been approved within the 30-working day period – also known as phase I approvals.

However, in phase II approvals, the regulator can take up to 210 calendar days from the time of obtaining the application to clear a proposal, if no corrective measures are provided.

Birla will volunteer a remedial plan involving divesting assets for a fast phase I approval.

Given the strong market presence of both players coupled with the oligopolistic nature of the industry, the CCI will generally concentrate on the combined market shares of parties, the extent of barriers to access in the market, and the position of their competitors in the market.

Image Source

Also read: JSW, Adani set to battle for Holcim's India cement assets

UltraTech Cement of the Aditya Birla group has formally joined the race to acquire Swiss cement giant Holcim’s stake in Ambuja Cement and ACC Limited. Gautam Adani-owned Adani Group, and Sajjan Jindal’s JSW group jumped into the race to acquire control that would instantly boost their position in the cement market. On Wednesday, Ambuja Cements' shares opened in the green at Rs 360.80 apiece on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), while the ACC scrip rose to Rs 2,207 apiece. The Aditya Birla Group is ready to divest voluntary assets of approximately 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), as a solution to comply with market share norms. India’s antitrust body, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has provided long-form merger notifications in eight out of 16 cement agreements since 2011. Of these eight, UltraTech independently had filed for five since 2013 with the CCI. UltraTech was optimistic about getting the antitrust regulator’s green signal. CCI lawyers are of the view that if firms can come up with possible solutions, approvals can come in as early as 30 working days. All five Aditya Birla Group cement agreements have been approved within the 30-working day period – also known as phase I approvals. However, in phase II approvals, the regulator can take up to 210 calendar days from the time of obtaining the application to clear a proposal, if no corrective measures are provided. Birla will volunteer a remedial plan involving divesting assets for a fast phase I approval. Given the strong market presence of both players coupled with the oligopolistic nature of the industry, the CCI will generally concentrate on the combined market shares of parties, the extent of barriers to access in the market, and the position of their competitors in the market. Image Source Also read: JSW, Adani set to battle for Holcim's India cement assets

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Shivraj Chouhan Launches PMGSY IV and Announces Package for Madhya Pradesh

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) IV at Bhairunda in Sehore district during the 25 year celebrations and announced a development package for Madhya Pradesh. The programme was organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and attended by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, ministers of state, state ministers, legislators and senior officials from the centre and the state. The minister said the central government under the Prime Minister is committed to strengthening rural livelihoods through improved connectivity, housing and women's in..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

DMR Engineering Reports FY 25-26 Financial Results

DMR Engineering reported its half year results for the financial year ended 31 March 2026 and published full year figures on a standalone basis. Standalone revenue from operations decreased by 2.01 per cent year-over-year to Rs 102.58 million (mn), while profit after tax declined by 43.94 per cent to nine point five six mn, leaving a profit after tax margin of nine point zero five per cent. Earnings per share stood at Rs zero point nine two, a fall of 44.71 per cent year-over-year. The company attributed part of the decline to one-off provisioning for bad debts and additional financing charges..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Atlanta Electricals Posts Strong FY26 Growth And Debt Free Finish

Atlanta Electricals reported audited consolidated results for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2026. The company recorded significant year-on-year revenue growth driven by capacity ramp-up at new facilities and higher utilisation at legacy plants. The announcement summarised operating improvements and strategic milestones achieved during the year. For Q4 the company reported revenue of Rs 7.48 bn and for FY26 revenue of Rs 18.52 bn, representing robust growth versus the prior year. EBITDA in Q4 was Rs. 1.49 bn and Rs. 3.44 bn for the full year, with margins expanding to 20 per cent in the q..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement