Tag UltraTech Cement

Ambuja Cement and UltraTech Q3 FY25 Results
Q3 FY25 Results: Ambuja Cement Profit Surges 157% YoY to ₹2,115 Cr, UltraTech Profit Falls 17% to ₹1,470 Cr; Revenue Growth Continues

Ambuja Cements Ltd: Overview 

Ambuja Cements Ltd, a part of the Adani Group, is one of India’s leading cement manufacturers, known for its strong market presence and commitment to sustainable development. The company operates through an extensive network of integrated cement plants, grinding units, and a robust distribution system that spans across the country. Ambuja specializes in producing high-quality cement products, including Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), catering to a wide range of construction needs in residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. With a focus on operational efficiency, cost optimization, and sustainable practices, Ambuja Cements has adopted advanced manufacturing technologies, waste heat recovery systems, and renewable energy initiatives to enhance its production capabilities and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the company benefits from its strong brand recognition, extensive dealer network, and continuous investments in research and development, positioning itself as a key player in the competitive cement industry. The Indian cement industry is poised for strong growth, driven by increasing infrastructure development, housing demand, and government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Smart Cities Mission. The sector is expected to benefit from large-scale investments in roads, highways, metros, and rural development projects. The growing emphasis on sustainability and green cement production is also reshaping the industry, with companies investing in alternative fuels, energy-efficient technologies, and carbon reduction strategies. While the industry faces challenges such as rising input costs, supply chain disruptions, and environmental regulations, demand remains robust due to strong economic growth, rapid urbanization, and continued policy support from the government. 

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In Q3 FY25, the company achieved the highest percentage of trade sales among peers at 71%, primarily catering to the profitable Individual House Builder (IHB) segment. Premium cement contributed 26% of trade sales during the quarter, positioning the company among the industry leaders in this segment. Since the Adani acquisition from Holcim in September 2022, cost reductions have amounted to 17%, significantly improving operational efficiency. The sanctioning of additional houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has led to increased demand in Q3, with further improvement expected in Q4 FY25. The office market is experiencing robust growth, with leasing space projected to expand by 8% to 10%, driven by the rapid development of Global Capability Centers. Additionally, India’s data center industry is witnessing exponential growth, fueled by advancements in AI and the nationwide rollout of 5G technology, with capacity expected to grow by 66% by 2026. Government capital expenditure on infrastructure, which accounts for 25-30% of cement demand, is anticipated to accelerate in the second half of FY25. In Q3 FY25, the company added 631 million metric tonnes of new limestone reserves, bringing the total reserves to approximately 8,300 million metric tonnes. Freight and forwarding costs were reduced by 15%, primarily due to network optimization, which resulted in a 7% reduction in primary lead distance and a 17% reduction in secondary lead distance. 

Q3 FY25 Earnings 

  • Revenue of ₹9329 crore in Q3 FY25 up by 14.8% YoY from ₹8129 crore in Q3 FY24.  
  • EBITDA of ₹1712 crore in this quarter at a margin of 18% compared to 21% in Q3 FY24. 
  • Profit of ₹2620 crore in this quarter compared to a ₹1091 crore profit in Q3 FY24. 

UltraTech Cements Ltd: Overview 

UltraTech Cement Ltd, a subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group, is India’s largest cement manufacturer and a dominant player in the global cement industry. With an extensive production capacity of over 140 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), UltraTech is known for its wide product portfolio, which includes Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC), white cement, and specialty building products. The company has a strong presence across India, the Middle East, and other international markets, supported by its integrated cement plants, clinkerization units, and grinding stations. UltraTech’s growth strategy is driven by continuous capacity expansion, efficiency improvement, and sustainability initiatives, including the use of renewable energy, alternative raw materials, and carbon capture technologies. The company has also been actively acquiring assets to strengthen its market leadership, including the integration of assets from Jaypee Cement and Binani Cement. UltraTech’s financial strength, operational excellence, and commitment to innovation make it a formidable force in the cement industry. The Indian cement industry is expected to witness steady growth, supported by rising infrastructure investments, increased urbanization, and favourable government policies. The demand for cement is projected to rise due to massive public and private sector investments in roads, railways, ports, and urban housing projects. Additionally, the real estate sector’s recovery, coupled with rising per capita cement consumption, is expected to boost the industry’s long-term prospects. However, the sector faces challenges such as rising costs of raw materials, energy, and logistics, which could impact profitability. The industry is also undergoing a transformation with increased emphasis on sustainability, digitalization, and advanced manufacturing processes to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprints. UltraTech Cement, with its scale, strong distribution network, and technological advancements, is well-positioned to leverage these trends and maintain its leadership position in the cement market. 

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The infrastructure segment experienced a decline due to pollution control measures implemented in Delhi and nearby regions, as well as project delays caused by the farmers’ agitation in Punjab. Additionally, the average lead distance reduced to 377 km in Q3 FY25 compared to 397 km in Q3 FY24. The housing segment, on the other hand, registered growth across most regions, except in Prayagraj, where restrictions on heavy vehicle movement due to Kumbh Mela preparations impacted demand. In Maharashtra, the infrastructure sector witnessed a slowdown due to lower fund flows attributed to the state assembly elections, while in Gujarat, housing demand remained largely flat. UltraTech Cement made a strategic investment by acquiring a non-controlling financial stake of 8.42% in Star Cement Limited at a total cost of ₹776 crore. The clinker conversion ratio improved to 1.45 in Q3 FY25, compared to 1.43 in the same quarter of the previous year, reflecting enhanced efficiency in cement production. Additionally, the share of green power in the overall energy mix increased to 33.4% in Q3 FY25, up from 32.0% in Q2 FY25. Additionally, the company signed an agreement to deploy approximately 100 electric trucks to transport 75,000 metric tonnes of clinker monthly from its Dhar Cement Works in Madhya Pradesh to Dhule Cement Works in Maharashtra, covering a 400 km round trip. Realizations declined by 9.6% year-on-year but showed a slight improvement of 1.4% on a quarter-on-quarter basis. 

Q3 FY25 Earnings 

  • Revenue of ₹17193 crore in Q3 FY25 up by 2.17% YoY from ₹16740 crore in Q3 FY24.  
  • EBITDA of ₹2886 crore in this quarter at a margin of 17% compared to 19% in Q3 FY24. 
  • Profit of ₹1474 crore in this quarter compared to a ₹1775 crore profit in Q3 FY24. 
UltraTech Cement and Ambuja Cements
Future of Cement in India: Key Updates and 2025 Growth Outlook

The Indian cement industry is poised for growth in 2025, expecting improved sales realizations, higher margins, and accelerated demand. This optimism is largely fuelled by government infrastructure spending and the ongoing consolidation within the industry, driven by two major players: UltraTech Cement (part of the Aditya Birla Group) and Ambuja Cements (led by billionaire Gautam Adani). 

Key Developments in the Cement Sector: 

  • Acquisitions and Capacity Expansion: Both UltraTech Cement and Adani’s Ambuja Cements are making substantial investments to expand their market share. Together, they are acquiring over 50 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) capacity for approximately USD 4.5 billion. Adani Cement, which entered the sector relatively recently, has significantly expanded its footprint by acquiring several cement companies, including Saurashtra-based Sanghi Industries and Penna Industries, and a recent agreement to acquire CK Birla Group’s Orient Cement. With these acquisitions, Adani Cement crossed a 100 MTPA capacity, and plans are in place to reach 140 MTPA by FY28, nearly matching UltraTech Cement’s 156.66 MTPA capacity. 
  • Consolidation and Industry Leadership: The cement sector is seeing increased consolidation, with UltraTech Cement and Ambuja Cements collectively controlling a significant portion of India’s cement production capacity. In fact, the top five cement producers now account for approximately 60–65% of the industry’s total capacity. UltraTech Cement, aiming to maintain its lead, plans to reach 200 MTPA capacity by FY27, underscoring its aggressive growth strategy. 

Industry Challenges and Trends in 2024: 

  • Declining Cement Prices: The first half of FY25 saw a 10% year-on-year decline in cement prices, with the average price dropping from Rs 365 per bag in FY24 to Rs 330 per bag. This price drop reflects challenges within the industry, including moderate capacity utilization and lower sales realizations. Despite this, cement prices recovered on a month-to-month basis, rising by 2% in September 2024 compared to the previous month. 
  • Lower Growth in 2024: Cement industry growth in 2024 slowed to around 4.5–5.5%, compared to a more robust 10% growth in previous years. This slowdown was attributed to several factors: A prolonged heatwave and labour shortages during general elections. Seasonal monsoon disruptions that affected construction activity. 
  • Capacity Utilization and Volumes: Capacity utilization levels remained moderate at 70%, as several players struggled with underutilized capacity due to slow growth in demand and the impact of low cement prices. However, the industry’s outlook for the second half of FY25 is more optimistic, with expectations of a 4-5% increase in cement volumes driven by higher rural consumption, increased urban housing demand, and a boost in government infrastructure spending. 

Outlook for 2025 and Beyond: 

  • Government Infrastructure Push: A significant boost to the sector is expected from the government’s increased expenditure on infrastructure projects. This is anticipated to drive a rise in cement demand, especially in the housing and rural sectors. The industry’s growth is also being supported by higher capital expenditure from both the government and private sector players, which is likely to result in greater cement consumption. 
  • Capacity Additions and Expected Growth: The Indian cement industry is adding 35 MTPA of capacity in FY25, with an additional 70-75 MTPA capacity expected to come online in FY25-26. Despite this, overall capacity utilization is expected to remain moderate at 70% due to a lag in demand catching up with supply. The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) forecasts that cement volumes will grow by 4-5% year-on-year, reaching 445-450 million MT in FY25. 
  • Industry Transformation: The cement industry is undergoing a transformation, driven by a growing emphasis on sustainability, innovations, and increased demand for both housing and infrastructure. The Indian cement market, which now has a total capacity of 690 million tonnes, is expected to see improved price realizations and better capacity utilization in the coming years.