India is the world's second largest region for cement - both in terms of production and consumption. Growth in the cement industry is driven by investments in infrastructure, housing and urban development.

Positive expectations on the industry prospects returned with some of the industry players breaching the price barrier to an extent riding on the continued demand growth which is to fuelling renewed hopes.

Our share is about 50:50 for expansion and replacement requirements.

The performance of 3,292 companies in Q1 FY19 over the last year (Q1 FY18) reveals an improvement, with net sales registering a double-digit growth during the quarter over Q1 FY18 performance.

Slag is the glass-like by-product left over after a desired metal has been separated (i.e., smelted) from its raw ore. Slag is usually a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide. However, slag can contain metal sulphides and elemental metals. Slag is generally used to remove waste in metal smelting.

Art can turn the most mundane things in life into vibrant marvels, bringing colours and illuminating people’s lives.

The ongoing unrest in the Kashmir Valley has had a major negative impact on the state´s cement industry. The sector has suffered a loss of nearly Rs 200 crore, as the disturbance has put almost all industries to a halt, thereby further denting the sluggish economy of the state.

Tata Steel has launched a new value- added product, a ground granulated blast furnace (GGBS) for the construction industry. GGBS cement is routinely specified in concrete production to provide protection against both sulphate attack and chloride attack. GGBS has now effectively replaced sulfate-resisting Portland cement (SRPC) in the market for sulfate resistance. The Tata Steel Group will now be offering Ground Granulated BF Slag, straight from its steel plant to the construction industry. T

The annual numbers of cement companies have turned out to be a mixed bag, with the industry leaders putting up an impressive performance while the medium and smaller players reeling under the onslaught of multiple odds stacked up against the industry.