The Indian Cement Industry

Posted By Team MCG On

India is the 2nd leading producer of cement in the world accounting for around 6-7% of the total global production. The industry is a significant contributor to the Indian economy and provides employment to over 1.2 million people. The demand for cement in India stood at around 260 million tonnes in 2012-3 and the per capita cement consumption in India is around 200 – 210 kg.

India has large deposits of cement grade limestone spread across the country and the easy availability of the key raw material has enabled the industry to expand rapidly. The cement industry has witnessed technological upgradation and modernisation efforts over the recent years and several players have adopted eco-friendly processes.

The cement sector in India is well structured with private sector companies accounting for around 98% of the total capacity. Cement production in India is clustered around states that have limestone deposits and the clusters include Satna (Madhya Pradesh), Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Gulbarga (Karnataka), Yerranguntla (Andhra Pradesh), Nalgonda (Andhra Pradesh), Bilaspur (Chattisgarh), and Chandoria (Rajasthan). Ordinary portland, portland pozzolana and portland blast furnace slag are the major types of cement manufactured in India.

Total installed capacity (large plants) of the domestic cement industry stood at around 325 million tonnes as of February 2013. Cement production stood at around 272 million tonnes in 2012-13 witnessing a growth rate of 9.3% per year between 2007-08 and 2012-13.

Cement industry: Trends in production, 2007-13, (million tonnes)

The Indian Cement Industry

Source: Secondary research

Around 67% of the total production comprises of portland pozzolana cement followed by ordinary portland cement at 25%.

Cement production: Break up by segments, 2012-13 (%)
Total production~ 272 million tonnes

The Indian Cement Industry

Source: MCG Research

The overall domestic demand for cement stood at around 260 million tonnes in 2012-13 witnessing an increase of around 7.5% over the previous year. Housing construction accounts for as much as 55% of the demand for cement in India and demand from commercial/ industrial sectors stood at 20%. Infrastructure development comprising of roads, ports, etc., accounted for the rest

Chettinad Cement, Grasim, Heidelberg, Holcim (Ambuja Cements, ACC), India Cements, Italcementi, Jaypee Group, L&T, Lafarge, Madras Cements, Priyadarsini Cements, Ultratech and Vicat are some of the leading players in the cement industry in India.

Cement has been perceived as a price sensitive commodity and cement manufacturers are attempting to create differentiation. Several “premium” (branded) cement varieties have been launched by the leading manufacturers. It is increasingly evident that in order to improve the bottom line, cement manufactures will need to identify market segments where ‘premium’ (branded) cement can be sold.