Growing cement demand to fuel consolidation in cement sector: Moody's

26 May 2025 Evaluate

Moody's Ratings in its latest report has said that growing cement demand will fuel consolidation in the cement sector, where large players are acquiring smaller regional players as they rush to increase production capacity to match the rising consumption. It said over the past five years, the cement sector in India has witnessed significant industry consolidation and top 10 producers in the country have acquired around 140 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of domestic cement capacity, valued at around Rs 890 billion ($10.5 billion), from smaller regional players. 

The report said large companies with a pan-India presence such as UltraTech and Ambuja will continue to engage in M&A (merger and acquisition) to acquire smaller regional producers with weaker capacity utilisation and lower profitability. It said given the presence of a large number of smaller cement producers, numbering over 70, companies in South India are more exposed to industry consolidation compared with those domiciled in other parts of the country. South India, with an installed capacity of more than 200 MMTPA, comprising states of Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, is the largest cement-producing region in the country followed by the north and east, each with a capacity of around 150 MMTPA.

According to report, cement demand in India is expected to grow substantially through the end of the decade with a consumption growth of 6 to 7 per cent CAGR, supported by tailwinds such as rising housing needs and government-led infrastructure spending. This will force the industry to expand capacity by a third in the next five years to cater to growing demand. Larger players with a pan-India presence will likely acquire smaller regional producers with weaker capacity utilisation and lower profitability. It noted that ongoing industry consolidation combined with steady demand growth will keep capacity utilisation stable for the incumbents. It added that the industry capacity will likely expand by a third in the next five years as leading companies increase capacity to cater to growing demand.  


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