Introduction
India is the second largest producer of cement in the world. India has a lot of potential for development in the infrastructure and construction sector and the cement sector is expected to largely benefit from it. Some of the recent initiatives, such as development of 98 smart cities, is expected to provide a major boost to the sector.
Aided by suitable Government foreign policies, several foreign players such as Lafarge-Holcim, Heidelberg Cement, and Vicat have invested in the country in the recent past. A significant factor which aids the growth of this sector is the ready availability of raw materials for making cement, such as limestone and coal.
Market Size
Cement production reached 329 million tonnes (MT) in FY20 and is projected to reach 381 MT by FY22. However, the consumption stood at 327 MT in FY20 and will reach 379 MT by FY22. The cement production capacity is estimated to touch 550 MT by 2020. As India has a high quantity and quality of limestone deposits through-out the country, the cement industry promises huge potential for growth.
According to CLSA (institutional brokerage and investment group), the Indian cement sector is witnessing improved demand. Key players reported by the company are ACC, Dalmia and Ultratech Cement. In the second quarter of FY21, Indian cement companies reported a sharp rebound in earnings and demand for the industry increased, driven by rural recovery. With the rural markets normalising, the demand outlook remained strong. For FY21, CLSA expects a 14% YoY increase in EBITDA in the cement market for its coverage stocks.
Investments
According to the data released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), cement and gypsum products attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth US$ 5.28 billion between April 2000 and March 2020.
Some of the major investments in Indian cement industry are as follows:
Government Initiatives
In order to help private sector companies, thrive in the industry, the Government has been approving their investment schemes. Some of the initiatives taken by the Government off late are as below:
An outlay of Rs. 27,500 crore (US$ 3.93 billion) has been allotted under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the Union Budget 2020-21.
Road Ahead
The eastern states of India are likely to be the newer and untapped markets for cement companies and could contribute to their bottom line in future. In the next 10 years, India could become the main exporter of clinker and gray cement to the Middle East, Africa, and other developing nations of the world. Cement plants near the ports, for instance the plants in Gujarat and Visakhapatnam, will have an added advantage for export and will logistically be well armed to face stiff competition from cement plants in the interior of the country. India’s cement production capacity is expected to reach 550 MT by 2025.
Due to the increasing demand in various sectors such as housing, commercial construction and industrial construction, cement industry is expected to reach 550-600 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by the year 2025.
Number of foreign players are also expected to enter the cement sector owing to the profit margins and steady demand.
Note: Conversion rate used in December 2020, Rs. 1 = US$ 0.01357
References: Media Reports, Press releases, Union Budget 2019-20, Edelweiss Securities Ltd.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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