Ambuja Cement records 1.2% increase in standalone net sales

India’s Ambuja Cement (LafargeHolcim) has announced a 1.2 per cent YoY increase in standalone net sales to INR57.59bn (US$834m) for the 1H19. EBITDA rose 2.9 per cent to INR11.62bn from INR11.29bn. However, sales volumes fell to 12.19Mt from 12.59Mt.

In the second quarter, net sales declined 0.5 per cent to INR29.12bn against INR29.27bn in the year-ago period. However, EBITDA advanced 12.2 per cent to INR6.98bn from INR6.22bn. Sales volumes decreased to 5.82Mt from 6.37Mt in the 2Q18.

"Ambuja delivers a strong performance in the quarter backed by higher realisations and accelerated cost-saving actions. Despite higher fuel costs, the company did well by optimising logistics costs, reducing raw material and fixed costs. Cement demand growth was muted in the quarter," said Bimlendra Jha, managing director and CEO.