The Indian cement industry is sprucing up to meet the increase in demand from both domestic and global markets.
On the domestic front, the Government of India’s infrastructure projects, housing development and setting up of concrete highways and roads, are encouraging the cement industry. On the global front, the construction boom in the Middle-East and the stabilisation of international prices have increased exports. During Apr-Oct 2004, the Indian cement industry exported 2.3Mt of cement (1.9Mt during Apr-Oct 2003).
The industry is also buoyed by technology upgrading, quality improvement and enhancement of production capacity. The Government of India has also contributed to the growth by fully decontrolling it in 1989. The top players in the Indian cement industry are Associated Cement Companies Limited, Jaiprakash Associates Limited and Ultratech Cement Limited.
To sustain the growth and improve the prospects, the industry has to overcome challenges such as low quality coal, power supply failures and poor rail transportation facilities.
