Karnataka Cement Corridor

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Karnataka Cement industries are showing signs of good growth. Gulbarga, Bagalkot, Chitradurga have been identified as Cement Hub centers. This thread is for capturing all cement indutry related developmental activities in Karnataka.

Existing:

• ACC
  • Wadi, Gulbarga- The ACC has two cement plants of capacity 2.11 and 2.60 million tonnes per annum (mtpa)
  • Kudithini, Bellary - 1.2 mtpa
  • Thondebhavi, Chickballapur - 1.6 mtpa
• Vasavadatta Cement (B K Birla), Sedam, Gulbarga - 1.2 mtpa (Rs. 1000 crores expansion from 6 mtpa to 8 mtpa)
• Rajashree Cements (Aditya Birla, Grasim), Malkhed, Sedam, Gulbarga - 2.60 mtpa (New proposal to increase from 4.2 mtpa to 8.45 mtpa)
• Heidelberg (formerly Mysore Cement), Ammasandra, Tumkur - 0.57 mtpa
• Cement Corporation of India, Kurkunta - 0.20 mtpa
• HMP cements, Shahabad, Gulbarga - 0.48 mtpa
• Kanoria Industries, Bagalkot - 0.33 mtpa (expanded to 0.7 mtpa?)
• JK Cement, Maddapur, Mudhol, Bagalkot - 3.0 mtpa
• JP Cement (Zawar?), Shahbad - 0.2 mtpa (Rs. 3800 crores for expansion to 6 mtpa, 70 MW power plant)
• Rain Cements, Ballari - 0.4 mtpa
• Grasim, Harihara - will be expanded to 0.36 mtpa at a cost of Rs. 449 crores.

Proposed:

• Dalmia, Yadwad, Gokak, Belgaum - 4.0 mtpa?
• Dalmia, Gulbarga - 2.0 mtpa?
• Sagar Cements/Bharathi Cement/Vicat, Gulbarga - 5.5 mtpa?
• Zuari Chambal, Ferozabad, Gulbarga - 3.0 mtpa
• Chettinad, Gulbarga - 2.5 mtpa / 10 mtpa???
• Shree Cement, Gulbarga - 3.0 mtpa
• Lafarge, Gulbarga? - 3.0 mtpa? (Rs. 1500 crores)
• ACC, Udupi - 1.0 mtpa
• VRL, Bagalkot - 2.0 mtpa
• Murli Industries, ? - 3.0 mtpa
• Reliance ADAG, Chitradurga - 5.0 mtpa (Rs. 2500 crores)
• Birla Cement, (Ultratech?) Gulbarga - 6.0 mtpa (Rs. 3000 crores)
• Birla Cement, Bagalkot - 2.5 mtpa (Rs. 2500 crores)
• Orient Paper (CK Birla), Gulbarga - 3 mtpa (Rs. 1,473 crore, Rs. 247 crores 50 MW power plant.)
• Surya Vijayanagar Cement, Gulbarga - 5.0 mtpa
• Surya Vijayanagar Cement, Bagalakote - 5.0 mtpa (Rs. 26,900 crores both Gulbarga & Bagalkot together)
• Amrutha Constructions, Yadgiri - 2.0 mtpa (Rs. 960 crores, 50 MW power plant.)
• ACC, Udupi - 1.0 mtpa (Rs. 280 crores)
• Dalmia Cement (Bharat) - 2.5 mtpa
• Mexico's Cemex (Murli), Gulbarga - 3.5 mtpa & 50 MW power plant at Rs. 1,135 crores.
• JK Cement, Gulbarga - 3.5 MTPA at a cost of Rs. 2326.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Chikballapur new plant goes on stream

MUMBAI: ACC on Saturday got closer to its target of manufacturing 8.8 million tonnes of cement in a year in Karnataka with the inauguration of its Rs 350—crore greenfield plant at Thondebhavi.

“The Thondebhavi project is part of a larger expansion project being implemented by ACC in Karnataka which will enhance our capacity in the state by three mtpa from 5.8 mtpa now,” company Managing Director Mr Sumit Banerjee was quoted as saying in a rele ase.

The Thondebhavi plant has a 1.60 mtpa grinding capacity and will produce fly—ash based portland pozzolana Cement. Clinker required for the plant would come from ACC’s Wadi plant in Gulbarga district by rail.

The plant was inaugurated by Union Minister for Law and Justice Mr M Veerappa Moily.

The Thondebhavi plant is the nearest cement plant for Bengaluru city and would create direct and indirect employment for 1,200 people, the release said.

ACC claimed that it has the largest presence among cement producers in Karnataka, with more than 900 dealers and 2600 selling points in every district, tehsil and village.

ACC produced 20.8 million tonnes of cement in 2008, up from 19.9 million tonnes in 2007.

Bellary new cement plant in Karnataka goes on stream

New Delhi, Jan 4 (PTI) The country's largest cement maker ACC today started production at its 1.2 million tonnes plant in Karnataka with an investment of Rs 370 crore.

With the inauguration of the new plant, the company now has 16 cement plants with an installed annual production capacity of 26 million tonnes, a company spokesperson said.

The plant, which is fourth in Karnataka, is located at Kudithini village near Bellary.

"This new greenfield fully automated cement grinding plant has an annual capacity to produce 1.2 million tonnes of cement of superior quality. The project involved an outlay of about Rs 370 crore," ACC Ltd said in a statement here.

Clinker to feed the Kudithini facility would be supplied by ACC's Wadi plant at Gulbarga district and despatched by rail and road, the statement said.

"The plant will produce Portland Slag Cement (PSC) using slag from the Bellary region.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BANGALORE: As many as 38 projects worth a whopping Rs 1,38,300 crore spread across 14 different sectors were given in-principle approval by the state high level clearing committee (SHLCC) headed by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday.

Against a sector range including iron and steel, sugar, fertilisers and aerospace, is a weighty list of investors. Industry leaders of rank and fame — Arcelor Mittal and Posco, Wipro and Tata Elxsi, Lafarge and Rajashree, Reliance, Gail and others — figure in the list of investors The employment capacity across the 38 projects is pegged at 92,342 people and to the rain-battered North Karnataka belt has been awarded as much as 60 per cent of these projects or 70 per cent of the total investments.

Accordingly, iron and steel, cement and sugar projects — which lead the sector-wise list — will be mostly spread across the North Karnataka belt of Bellary, Raichur,Bagalkot, Koppal,Gulbarga, Bidar, and Bijapur districts. At Rs 50,300 crore,Bagalkot district ranks the highest in terms of investment flow.It is followed closely by Bellary with Rs 41,937 crore.The investment in Bagalkot is made up of two iron and steel plants and one sugar plant. The same in Bellary is made up of four iron and steel plants and one sugar plant.

Seven of the eight projects in the cement sector go to the Gulbarga belt. The only other is the fly ashbased, one million tonnes per annum capacity, plant in Udupi sanctioned in favour of ACC Limited.

Projects to mention in sectors like plastic and food are: A Rs 92.42 crore unit of biscuits, cookies, cakes, rusks and extruded snacks at Gejjalagere Industrial Area in Maddur taluk of Mandya district; two industries of plastic — pet containers, pet preforms, jars and bottles — at Bidadi and Harohalli Industrial Areas in Ramanagara.

CM gung ho Tuesday’s meeting was the 20th of the State High Level Clearing Committee.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa noted that the very fact that the world’s biggest steel manufacturer Arcelor Mittal, the world’s number one cement manufacturer Lafarge and giants like Posco and Shell figured in the list of investors made the meeting “very special”.

It is a list of over 30 of the leading industries of the world, observed an upbeat Yeddyurappa.

The project proponents will be signing their respective memorandums of understanding with the state government during the Global Investors Meeting to be held in June, it was noted.

Principal Secretary (infrastructure) V P Baligar said that projects in the category of IT/ITES can be expected to become operational in about two years time and others in about three to four years.

On the actual realisation of these approvals, Baligar observed that the all-India average of the realisation of such project approvals stood at 40 per cent. He, however, kept to the upbeat mood of the occasion, pointing out “These are not run of the mill companies”.

Source: EB

[engineer.akash]

ACC Wadi;

India's largest cement factory at wadi,Gulbarga







CC uma



BEML trucks manufactured at Mysore.

ACC inaugurates new cement plant in Karnataka

India Infoline News Service / 05:04 PM , Dec 12, 2009

ACC introduced Ready Mixed Concrete business in India as well as Karnataka in Bengaluru.

ACC – INDIA’S FIRST NAME IN CEMENT

ACC (ACC Limited) is India’s foremost manufacturer of cement and concrete. Formerly called “The Associated Cement Companies Limited”, its operations are spread throughout the country with 14 modern cement factories, 20 sales offices, and a countrywide distribution network of more than 9000 dealers. The company has a workforce of about 10000 employees. ACC Concrete Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary has 39 ready-mix concrete plants across India. ACC’s brand name is synonymous with cement and enjoys a high level of equity in the Indian market. The company manufactures Portland cements for general construction such as Ordinary Portland Cement and Blended Cements including fly ash and slag based cements. Among the first companies in India to include commitment to environmental protection as one of its corporate objectives, today each ACC cement plant has state-of-the art pollution control systems. ACC’s commitment to environment-friendliness, its high ethical standards in business dealings and its on-going efforts in community welfare programmes have won it acclaim as a responsible corporate citizen.

ACC IN KARNATAKA – A STRONG BOND

Karnataka has always been important in ACC’s map. Our association with the state goes beyond 70 years when the company’s erstwhile cement plant was set up in Shahabad. ACC Wadi was established in 1963. Later India’s first 1 million tonne plant was installed at Wadi in 1982. The New Wadi Cement plant was commissioned in 2001 boasting of the world’s largest cement kiln. Today Wadi and the adjoining New Wadi Plant are a fully integrated cement manufacturing facility with independent mines and a captive power plant. Power from this plant will be wheeled through the state Grid to run Thondebhavi Cement Works. The Thondebhavi project is part of a larger expansion project being implemented by ACC in the state of Karnataka which will enhance our capacity in the state by 3 million tonnes per annum from the existing 5.8 million tonnes per annum to 8.8 million tonnes per annum. Today ACC has the largest presence among cement producers in Karnataka, with more than 900 dealers and 2600 selling points in every district, tehsil and village.

ACC introduced Ready Mixed Concrete business in India as well as Karnataka in Bengaluru. Many landmark structures in the state have been built with ACC cement.

ACC has a special bond with the people of Karnataka. A mammoth community development scheme is under implementation at Wadi meant to improve the quality of life and provide sustainable livelihoods to the people around Wadi. Recently ACC pledged resources to help rehabilitate the people affected by the recent floods in the state. In 2007 we established an Anti-Retroviral Treatment centre for patients of HIV/AIDS approved by Government of India. Called the ACC Ayushmaan Trust, this is India’s first ART centre to be set up outside a hospital – also the first to be set by a company anywhere in the world. It is operated as a world class treatment centre and offers voluntary testing and counseling services.

With its huge investments in the state, ACC has ensured a long-term relationship with the state of Karnataka.

A GREENFIELD PROJECT

ACC Thondebhavi Cement Works was set up as a Greenfield project in the picturesque Thondebhavi village, in Gauribidanur Tehsil of Chikballapur District, Karnataka. Installed at a cost of about Rs 350 Crores, this cement grinding plant has a capacity of 1.60 Million Tonnes per annum and will produce Fly-ash based Portland Pozzolana Cement. Clinker is supplied by ACC’s modern cement plants at Wadi in Gulbarga district and despatched by rail. The Thondebhavi plant will have its own railway siding. The new plant becomes the nearest cement plant for Bengaluru city thus ensuring fresh and prompt supply of cement to this fast expanding metropolis.

ULTRA MODERN & LATEST GENERATION PLANT

Thondebhavi Cement plant is designed as a latest generation cement grinding plant that is fully automated and can be operated by a single button - making it the first one of its kind in India. The grinding system at this plant comprises state-of-the-art Vertical Roller Mill (VRM) technology, supplied by Loesche Germany with a grinding capacity of 250 tons/ hour. The Mill equipped with three masters and three support rollers will enable fine grinding to achieve fineness of 4000 Blaines and thus produce cement of superior quality.

Clinker received from ACC Wadi is stored in a large concrete silo that has a capacity of 1 lakh tonnes. Clinker and Gypsum are fed to the Vertical Roller Mill under controlled parameters where they are interground and blended with high quality processed fly-ash to make Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) of superior quality. The PPC thus produced is conveyed from the VRM and stored in two concrete silos, each capable of storing 10000 Tons. The finished product is then sent for packing through two Rotary Packers each having 16 spouts. Cement is packed in bags of 50 kilograms each or supplied in bulk.

The entire process and operations of the plant are fully automated and monitored continuously from the controlled process control through the Computerized Central Control Room (CCR).

GREEN CEMENT

ACC Thondebhavi offers Fly-ash based Portland Pozzolana Cement with hydraulic binding properties not found in ordinary cements that allow improved workability while mixing. Due to its inherent characteristics, this cement makes superior concrete that is highly corrosion resistant, more impermeable and capable of withstanding aggressive soil and environments. ACC Fly-ash based PPC has ingredients which enables concrete to grow in strength over the years.

All these contribute to make more durable concrete as compared to ordinary cements.

ACC Fly-ash based PPC provides additional advantages for practically all types of construction applications – commercial and residential complexes, foundations, columns, beams, slabs and RCC jobs. It is especially recommended for mass concreting and where prevailing soil and environment conditions take heavy toll on constructions made with ordinary cements.

ACC Fly-ash based PPC is an eco-friendly cement.

It is available in specially designed 50-kg bags that are tamper-proof and seepage-proof. Thondebhavi can also supply cement in bulk tankers to large projects and ready mixed concrete producers.

AN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY PLANT

ACC Thondebhavi is designed to demonstrate the deep commitment of its parent organization ACC to the cause of sustainable development and to protecting the environment. From the drawing board itself, this plant was envisaged as being most environmental friendly in terms of its manufacturing process, raw materials, its energy efficiency, safety standards and its general layout and aesthetics. The end product is itself totally “Green Cement”.

The cement manufacturing process involved here does not generate any waste water or effluent. Nor is any other solid waste generated. Water used in the process is recycled and reused while waste water generated from domestic usage in the plant will pass through soak pits to the ground water table. We have also taken initiatives to provide for Rain Water Harvesting. All this makes this plant a “Zero Discharge Zero Solid Waste Plant”.

ACC has invested considerable resources to ensure that the plant maintains the highest possible standards in environment management. The plant is equipped with sophisticated air pollution control systems to stop dust and fugitive emissions comprising a 14 module Bag house, Dust suppuration systems and dust collectors installed at all transfer points.

A GREEN BELT AROUND A GREEN CEMENT PLANT

To illustrate its environment-friendly ethos, the Thondebhavi Cement Plant has been designed to enhance the natural beauty of its environs. More than half of the land area of the plant campus is dedicated to cultivating of a luscious and verdant Green belt. The entire plant will stand in a greenery filled campus surrounded by carefully tended horticulture and landscaped gardens.

PARTNERING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN KARNATAKA

ACC Thondebhavi becomes the first major industrial unit to be established in Chikballapur District. Besides this the plant will generate considerable opportunities to create sustainable livelihoods to well over 1200 people through direct and indirect employment and the creation of ancillary businesses such as road transport and other trades. We expect the new plant will enable the Government of Karnataka to earn substantial revenue by way of direct and indirect taxes.

[engineer.akash]

Work begins

Special Correspondent

GULBARGA: Large- and Medium-scale Industries Minister Murugesh R. Nirani on Wednesday launched the Rs. 2,400-crore modernisation and expansion work of the Zawar Cement Plant. The plant is located in the industrial township of Shahabad in Chitapur taluk of the district.

Its production capacity will be increased to five million tonnes and the management will also install a 50 MW thermal power plant to meet the requirements of the factory and the workers’ colony.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/21/stor...2150340300.htm

[Krishnamoorthy K]

* By March 2011 its capacity would increase to 10 mt
* Next greenfield project in Gulbarga, Karnataka

Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd, which expects to grow its annual cement production capacity to 10 million tonnes (mt) in Tamil Nadu by next year, has decided to double this capacity through its expansion in Karnataka.

By the end of this decade Chettinad Cement aims to have a pan-India presence with units in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Chattisgarh.

Addressing reporters at its Puliyur factory, about 35 km from here, Mr C. Sudhakar, President, Chettinad Cement, said the company has over 8.2 mt production capacity distributed across three units in Tamil Nadu and is adding a 2.2 mt at Karikkali in Dindigul district. This capacity would be in place by March 2011, and its total in the State would increase to 10 mt.

He told the reporters who were on a tour of its production facilities organised by the company that the next stage of expansion would be in Gulbarga, Karnataka. Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd has firmed up plans to invest over Rs 2,500 crore in the next five years to add 7.5 mt cement production capacity.

Karnataka unit

But the company is seriously considering going up to 10 mt which would give it as large a production base as it has in Tamil Nadu.

The Karnataka facility will also be self-sufficient in power with 45 MW of captive production.

The company expects to place orders for the equipment by April to start production at the first line of 2.5 mt in 2012. This would be scaled up in stages to complete the expansion project by 2015. The Karnataka Government and the Central Ministry of Environment and Forests have cleared the project and work on the project has picked up pace, Mr Sudhakar said. Over 250 mt of limestone potential is available in the mine area allocated to the company to keep it going for over 25 years.

By 2020, Chettinad Cement expects to grow to 25-30 mt with units in three States in the North.

Mr M. C. Kini, President (Business Development), Chettinad Cement, said the location in Karnataka also gives it access to Maharashtra and whole of the western region. It now markets cement in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The company is in the process of strengthening its marketing network. It also plans to set up grinding units in Goa and Maharashtra linked to the expansion in Karnataka.

Its three production facilities are in Puliyur (1.6 mt; 15 MW coal-based power); Karikkali (2 mt; and to go up to 4 mt next year, and 15 MW); and Ariyalur (4.6 mt; 45 MW). The company is also exploring options of adding 2.5 mt at Ariyalur, say company officials.

Source: The Hindu Business Line

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Hubli-based transport tycoon, Vijay Sankeshwar, who operates India’s largest road transport company, VRL Logistics Ltd, is foraying into cement manufacturing business. He has formed a new company, VRL Cements Ltd, with his son Anand Sankeshwar and other family members to set up the cement unit. The company has proposed to set up a 2 million tonne per annum greenfield cement plant for an investment of Rs 954 crore in north Karnataka.

“We have submitted a proposal to Karnataka government which is developing a cement zone in the Gulbarga and Bagalkot region. We have sought land from the state government. Once the project is approved by the high level clearance committee and the land is allotted, we will prepare a detailed project report for the path ahead,” Vijay Sankeshwar, Chairman, VRL Group told Business Standard.

He said, to begin with, he along with his son, will put in the promoters’ equity contribution of Rs 100 crore to start the project. The balance funds will be raised from the market to set up the greenfield cement plant. VRL Cements has sought 300 acres from the state government in Badami taluk of Bagalkot district which has abundant reserves of limestone, a key raw material for the cement industry.

The company’s proposal is presently awaiting the nod from the high-level clearance committee. The cement facility is expected to create 180 jobs. As part of the project, VRL has also proposed to set up a 50 Mw coal-based captive power plant.

Sankeshwar said VRL Cements plans to manufacture cement clinkers, Portland cement, Portland slag cement, white cement among others. Initially, the company plans to market its products in Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala.

“The key requirement to succeed in the cement business is a good logistics network and we already have a vast network across the country. VRL is an extremely well known brand in the whole of south India and we will leverage the strength of our brand name to establish cement business,” he said.

As regards sourcing of limestone, VRL Cements plans to form a joint venture with MML, a state-owned mining company, he said.

VRL Logistics is India’s largest road transport company, which operates 1,620 vehicles (232 buses and 1,388 trucks). The company, which reported a turnover of Rs 600 crore in 2008-09, is likely to end the present fiscal with a growth of 15 per cent.

Karnataka is the seventh largest producer of cement in the country. There are 16 cement plants in the state producing around 11 million tonnes per annum, which is about 6.5 per cent of India’s production.

The state has limestone deposits of about 17,253 million tons, about 22.5 per cent of India’s reserves.

The Karnataka government has approved 19 cement projects in the last three years with a total capacity of 44 million tonnes per annum, including those of Lafarge of Switzerland and Heidelberg from Germany. The state government expects to add at least 20 million tonnes of cement by the end of 2011.

BS

[Krishnamoorthy K]

MUMBAI: Murli Industries Ltd has announced that it plans to set up cement plants in Rajasthan and Karnataka. The plants are expected to have a capacity to produce 3 MTPA of cement along with 50 MW Captive Power Plant at each location.

the Karnataka plant will concentrate on Karnataka, Goa and adjacent parts of Maharashtra. The initial investment would be approximately Rs 2300 crore for both the projects.

Read full news on ET.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Bangalore: Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group is planning to set up a cement manufacturing facility in Karnataka at an investment of Rs 1,500 crore. “The company has shown interest to build the cement plant in Chittradurga district," VP Baligar, principal secretary of the commerce and industries department, government of Karnataka, said. He said a team of officials from the company has appraised the location.

Reliance plans to have an installed capacity of 5 million tonne per annum (mtpa) at the plant.

According to official sources, the Karnataka government is expected to sign an MoU with Reliance during the forthcoming Global Investors Meet scheduled in the first week of June.

Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure (Rel Infra) has a subsidiary, Reliance Cementation, to set up cement plants across the country. During the last year's annual general meeting, Anil Ambani disclosed the company's intention of creating cement capacity of 20 million tonne per annum with an investment of nearly Rs 10,000 crore over the next five years. If this target is achieved, Reliance Cementation has a chance to become one of the top five players in the country.

According to sources at the Karnataka industrial department, the government is keen on finalising the cement project as soon as possible as it would be a good signal for other big-ticket entrepreneurs to invest in the state, particularly in the cement segment.

The state has developed ten sector-specific industrial zones, including one for cement, in the state. The cement corridor covers Gulbarga, Bagalkot, Chitradurga and Belgaum districts.

The state Cabinet has cleared the proposals of global cement giant Lafarge and Shree Cement. Both the companies would invest Rs 1,500 crore each to set up 3-mtpa cement plants in Gulbarga district. India Cements has also received the government nod for its plant

FE

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Mumbai: Jaypee Cement, the cement venture of Jaiprakash Associates, is set to buy a controlling stake in Zawar Cement’s defunct grinding unit at Wadi, in Karnataka’s Gulbarga district.

The Zawar Group, based out of Pune, has business interests in cement, power, mineral water and real estate. Zawar Cement had in turn bought the Wadi unit from ACC.

Valuations could not be ascertained, but Jaypee is expected to set up a 2.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) grinding unit in this plant. Sources say the project will be commissioned this year.

Jaypee Cement has a capacity of 25 mtpa and expects to end this financial year with a capacity of 36.5 mtpa. At present, its business is concentrated in the northern belt. It is looking to expand cement supply in Karnataka and Maharashtra though the Wadi acquisition.
Sources told DNA Money the deal was “confirmed”, but Rahul Kumar, group CFO for Jaiprakash Associates, said, “We are in discussion with them. We are yet to conclude the transaction.” He declined to offer any further details.

A report by Alchemy Research said, “The present capacity of the (Wadi) plant is 0.6 million tonne, which has been defunct
for a long time. It supposedly has lime stone reserves of 180 million tonne.” However, the limestone mine lease may need to be renewed.

Zawar had launched a Rs 2,400 crore project for modernisation and expansion work at the plant. Production capacity was supposed to further increase to 5 mtpa and include installation of a 50 mw thermal power plant. When contacted, Vijay Zawar, promoter of the Zawar Group, declined to speak on the matter.

DNA

[engineer.akash]

Karnataka gets 10 greenfield cement plants

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Karnataka has outpaced Andhra Pradesh in attracting industrial investments and has secured 10 more greenfield cement plants.

The neighbouring State will soon see the setting up of greenfield cement plants with an estimated Rs. 20,000 crore investment in Gulbarga, the district adjoining Andhra Pradesh. The Karnataka Government received proposals in this regard from India Cements, Chettinad, Reliance, Shree Cement, Zuari and Vicat Sagar among others, according to Gulbarga Collector Vishal Ravi. The new plants are in addition to the four major plants that are already operational in the area.

Karnataka is also moving ahead for finalisation of tenders for a 1,320 MW coal fired power plant. Infrastructure majors like GMR, L&T and Lanco Infratech have put forward their bids in the international competitive bidding and the State cabinet would take a final decision on the issue soon, he said. Karnataka will also sign an MoU with IL & FS-Maytas Infra for a Rs. 50 crore Greenfield airport at Gulbarga next month and the “first flight will land within a year”, Mr. Ravi said, speaking at the ‘Global Investors' Meet – 2010', a road show conducted by the government to showcase the developments in the State and the potential areas of investment.

The Hindu

[engineer.akash]

Gulbarga set to become cement manufacturing hub

Our Bureau

Hyderabad, April 29

Gulbarga district of Karnataka is poised to become a cement manufacturing hub after 10 greenfield cement plants which entail total investment outlay of Rs 20,000 crore, according to Dr Vishal Ravi, Development Commissioner in Government of Karnataka.

Clearances accorded

“All the 10 developers of these projects have been accorded necessary clearances. We expect them to complete them over the next three-four years,” Dr Ravi told Business Line on the sidelines of an Investors Meet hosted by the Government of Karnataka in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry.

The projects coming up include that of Zuari, Vicat Sagar, Shree Cement, Reliance, India Cements Ltd, Chettinad.

They are keen to the huge limestone potential in the region., estimated at one seventh of the country's reserves.

Once these projects are completed, Gulbarga district will have 14 cement plants and make a significant contribution to the cement production in the country, he explained.

POWER PLANT

“In addition, we are close to finalising the international competitive bidding process of 1,320 MW supercritical thermal project planned in Gulbarga wherein Lanco Infratech, GMR, L&T among others have evinced interest.

A decision on who will be the eventual developer of the project would be approved shortly,'' he said.

The Hindu Businessline

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Ahead of the Global Investors Meet to be held on June 3 and 4, the Karnataka government is flooded with investment proposals from cement, steel and IT majors, reports CNBC-TV18’s Vineetha Athrey.

The state has attracted fresh investments to the tune of Rs 32,600 crore. Of this, a whopping Rs 25,000 crore will come in from JSW Steel alone. The company is planning to expand its existing capacity from 10 million tonne per annum to about 15 million tonne. It also plans to add a new rail link connecting its mining area to the factory. This will come up at an investment of around Rs 78 crore.

Additionally, Birla Cement is also planning two new plants in Karnataka: in Gulbarga and Bagalkot. The Gulbarga plant will come up at an investment of Rs 3,000 crore and will have 6 million tonne annual capacity while the Bagalkot plant is expected to come up with an investment of Rs 2400 crore with an annual capacity of 2.5 million tonne.

Moneycontrol

Karnataka not to have more steel, cement plants, says Nirani

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Apart from the steel sector, the state has also attracted large amounts of investments to the cement sector. The state signed three MoUs in the cement sector with a combined investment of Rs 31,400 crore. These proposals include Surya Vijayanagar Cement Limited’s plan for a Rs 26,900 crore investment to set up a 5 MTPA cement plant in Bagalkot and Gulbarga districts. Lafarge India Pvt Ltd’s has planned for a Rs 1,500 crore investment to set up a 3 MTPA cement plant and 43 Mw coal-based thermal power plants in Gulbarga district.

Rajashree Cements has planned to invest Rs 3,000 crore to enhance production capacity of cement plant from 4.20 MTPA to 8.45 MTPA and increase captive power plant capacity from 58.5 Mw to 188.5 Mw in Gulbarga district.

BS

Birla Cement plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore on capacity expansion, while Reliance intends to spend Rs 2,500 crore on a cement plant.

[engineer.akash]

Cement industry is one which I am very keen on....

[Krishnamoorthy K]

New Delhi, June 6 (PTI) Shree Cement today said it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka government to invest Rs 2,000 for setting up a cement unit and a power plant.

The company will invest Rs 1,500 on a cement manufacturing unit with an annual capacity of three million tonnes and the remaining Rs 500 crore on operationalising a 100 megawatt power plant, Shree cement said in a statement.

"We are delighted with this development and with the signing of this MoU, we would be able to capture more opportunities in one of the fastest-growing markets in the country," Shree Cement Managing Director H M Bangur said.

The company, however, did not disclose the time for the completion of the two projects.

PTI

[engineer.akash]

Murli Indst to dilute stake to partly-fund 3 cement plants

Press Trust of India / New Delhi June 18, 2010, 17:32 IST

Nagpur-based diversified business group, Murli Industries today said it may dilute equity at the company level or project levels to partly- finance the Rs 3,600 crore investment in its three cement plants.

The company with interests in eight business segments including edible oils and power, had earlier announced plans to set up cement plants of three million tonne per annum capacity each in Rajasthan, Karnataka and Gujarat.

"We plan to fund these projects with a debt-equity ratio of 70:30. While we are in talks with banks for the debt part, we may dilute equity stake in the company or at the Special Purpose Vehicle level, apart from partly-funding with internal accruals," Murli Industries Chief Financial Officer A M Chandak told PTI.

As on March-end 2010, promoters hold 54.59 per cent stake in the company. Chandak said the company had a Rs 80 crore cash surplus, which was likely to go up to Rs 250 crore by the end of the current fiscal.

Murli Industries, which runs a three million tonnes per annum cement plant at Chandrapur in Maharashtra has acquired land in Rajasthan and Karnataka and work on cement plants will start in the next three months. They are to be completed within three years.

The company, however, is still scouting for land in Gujarat for its cement plant. "We are yet to get the land for the Gujarat project, but it is likely in the next nine months. The project may take three years from there on to go on stream," Chandak said.

"All three projects will have 50MW of power plants each," he added.

When asked about reasons for the new capacity addition, Chandak said India's cement consumption would grow in sync with the increasing demand from infrastructure and housing sectors.

However, company's Chandrapur plant in Maharashtra is running on only 40 per cent of its capacity level and the full capacity utilisation is not expected before August-end.

BS
Where is it in Karnataka???

[Krishnamoorthy K]

MUMBAI: Orient Paper & Industries (OPIL) is likely to set up a cement plant in Karnataka with annual capacity of 4 million tonne (mt) as it aims to double capacity to 10 mt in five years. The CK Birla group’s diversified company has acquired land in the state and has sought for environmental clearances for the Rs 1,500-crore project, said a person privy to the development requesting anonymity. Managing director ML Pachisia said the company does not comment on market speculation.

Orient produces 5 mt cement in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, which consume a combined one-fifth of the country’s cement demand. It has two brands — Birla A-One and Orient Gold. Cement accounts for 65% of sales and 80% of profit of the diversified company, which is also into paper and electrical businesses. It posted net profit of Rs 55 crore on sales of Rs 553 crore in March 2010.

Orient’s cement division is among the most profitable in the Indian cement industry, aided by locational advantage of its plants and high-quality limestone reserves, said Rupesh Sankhe, research analyst with Angel Securities.

Cement players have been aggressively scaling up capacity on expectation of higher demand from infrastructure activities such as highways, airports, ports and housing, raising concern that the supply may exceed the country’s demand. However, the excess supply will hit the market at least after a couple of years, said an expert.

ET

And now, more fertile land for cement plant

[engineer.akash]

UltraTech to beef up capacity

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Mumbai, July 29: UltraTech Cement Ltd — an AV Birla group firm — will spend an additional Rs 5,600 crore to expand capacity by 9 million tonnes.

The company already has a capital expenditure plan of around Rs 2,600 crore, which will be spent over the next three years to augment its grinding capacity in Gujarat and set up packaging terminals.

At a board meeting today, the company directors approved the additional capex to set up clinker plants in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka.

The company’s net profit for the first quarter ended June 30 has come down to Rs 243 crore from Rs 418 crore in the corresponding year-ago period.

Net sales fell to Rs 1,790 crore from Rs 1,953 crore a year ago.

The TELEGRAPH

UltraTech plans Rs 5,600-cr spend
Good that North east Karnataka is emerging as a cement hub

[engineer.akash]

Grasim Plans Brownfield Expansion In Karnataka

1 Aug 2010, 1547 hrs IST,AGENCIES

MUMBAI:
"We plan to spend around Rs 11,527 crore, which includes Rs 1,452 crore for the cement business, Rs 4,475 crore for cement business subsidiaries and Rs 5,600 crore for cement capacity expansion in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka," Gupta said.

The company proposes to set up the Rs 1,000 crore Vilayat project at Gujarat under its VSF division.

Grasim also plans brownfield expansions aggregating to 9.2 million TPA at its Chhattisgarh and Karnataka units.

An additional capex of Rs 5,600 crore has been earmarked for the same. The company will spend Rs 3,400 crore in FY'11 for modernisation and improving infrastructure, Gupta said.

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