Cement industry crosses 100-m-tonne mark
04 May 2002
4 May 2002
Mumbai:
The Indian cement industry is the only industry in the
infrastructure segment that has shown good growth, clocking
nearly 10-per cent growth in the financial year 2001-02.
In the same period, the other core sectors have shown
marginal or negative growth. This is the first time in
the history of the Indian cement industry that annual
production of large plants has crossed the 100-million
mark.
During 2001-02, large plants have produced 102.40 million
tonnes (mt), an increase of 9.39 per cent over the previous
year (93.61 mt to 102.40 mt). Also, cement production
in March 2002 crossed the 10mt mark the highest ever
in a month.
Cement despatches during 2001-02 have increased by 9.62
per cent (93.44 mt to 102.43 mt) as compared to the corresponding
period last year. Cement consumption grew by 9.7 per cent
(90.29 mt to 99.05 mt) in 2001-02 a significant turnaround
from 2000-01 where it showed a negative growth of nearly
2 per cent.
Cement industry overview
(million tonnes)
| March 2002 | February 2002 | March 2001 | 2001-2002 | 2000-2001 | ||
|
(Apr-March) |
||||||
| (a) | Production | 10.35 | 8.88 | 9.27 | 102.40 | 93.61 |
| (b) | Despatches (including export) | 10.35 | 8.78 | 9.30 | 102.43 | 93.44 |
| (c) | Export | 0.38 | 0.33 | 0.40 | 3.38 | 3.15 |
| (d) | Closing stocks | 1.12 | 1.13 | 1.15 | ||
| (e) | Cap utilisation (%) | 92 | 79 | 93 | 79 | 82 |
Coupled
with the outstanding performance, the demand for cement
with sops given for the housing and infrastructure industry
is expected to stimulate demand for cement in most parts
of the country. The concession package proposed for Gujarat
might also lead
to faster operationalisation of the rehabilitation programmes
and is expected to have a positive impact on cement despatches
in the region.
Looking at these trends, the cement industry can now expect
a better year ahead.