Ready-mix concrete segment is banking on the government's environmental initiatives to take off from the present level of activity in a big way.

The organised segment continues to focus on innovative special concrete, quality and timely delivery, while the unorganised players tend to reduce the operating costs by lower compliances tax evasions and employing unskilled labour at cheaper costs, says Atul Desai.

The steep demand growth in the first half FY19 has increased optimism in the industry earlier, which seems to be tapering after the latest round of fall in prices.

Indian cement industry is among the best in the world when it comes to energy efficiency. However, specialised training is essential to face and overcome certain unique challenges of the Indian cement industry.

Green shoots in IHB (Independent House Building) segment were witnessed in the last fiscal. Further, revival in rural economy is also aiding demand growth.

India has miles to go in terms of cement consumption and there is enough headroom for strong cement demand.

The demand growth trend picked up steam in FY18. Expectations are rife that FY19 will consolidate these gains and result in higher capacity utilisation, if not pricing power.

Cement is never used as cement alone but is always converted to a value-added product in practice.

If the exit quarter of FY 18 is an indication of things to come, we are going to have a bumper FY 19 for the cement industry this year. In fact, the last quarter was so good in terms of demand, that it pulled the yearly growth number to an impressive 6 per cent as against a dismal minus 1 per cent in the previous year.