Ramco Cements has completed de-bottlenecking activities at its Jayanthipuram works, raising clinker capacity to 5.62 MTPA and cement grinding capacity to 4.38 MTPA.

Capacity enhancement at Jayanthipuram

The upgrade marks a significant expansion at the Jayanthipuram facility in Andhra Pradesh, with both clinker production and cement grinding lines enhanced through de-bottlenecking. The following table summarises the revised capacities post-upgrade:

Impact on aggregate capacity

With this expansion, the company’s aggregate clinkerisation capacity stands at 16.95 MTPA and cement grinding capacity at 27.17 MTPA. The de-bottlenecking exercise increased clinkerisation by 1.01 MTPA from the existing 4.61 MTPA and cement grinding by 0.73 MTPA from the existing 3.65 MTPA.

Utilisation context

For FY26, the existing capacity utilisation at the Jayanthipuram works was reported at 84% for clinker and 57% for cement grinding. The company stated that the investment required for this addition was minimal as it involved de-bottlenecking rather than new greenfield construction. The rationale cited was to enhance throughput across both operations.

What the Numbers Show

The disparity in utilisation rates highlights a potential bottleneck in downstream processing relative to upstream production. With clinker utilisation at 84% compared to just 57% for cement grinding, the company had excess clinker inventory or relied on other plants for grinding. The simultaneous increase in both capacities suggests a strategic move to balance the production chain, allowing the plant to convert more of its higher clinker output into finished cement internally rather than exporting clinker or relying on third-party grinding facilities.

The Ramco Cements Limited construction chemicals brand Hard Worker won three honours at the Kyoorius Design Awards 2026, including the Grand Prix - Grey Elephant in the Design in Action track.

The brand also received two Blue Elephant honours for Design in Action and Packaging. The awards recognise the distinctive design thinking that has shaped the brand's identity since its launch in 2025.

Brand Performance and Design Strategy

Hard Worker entered the competitive construction chemicals category with a design philosophy centred on the promise of "Hard-working products for hardworking people." The brand uses nature-inspired visuals, such as animals and birds, to represent product benefits. For instance, a camel symbolises the water-retention capability of Hard Worker Eco Plaster, while a cheetah represents the speed of Hard Worker Block Fix.

This visual language extends across packaging, retail, communication, literature, and digital platforms. The packaging relies on bold colours and distinctive animal illustrations rather than conventional construction-category codes to make product benefits easier to understand for diverse audiences, including construction workers.

Financial Milestone

Within its first 12 months, Hard Worker crossed ₹350 crore in sales. This figure reflects the scale of the brand's market journey since launch. The recognition adds to earlier accolades, including six honours at the Kyoorius Creative Awards earlier in 2026, featuring a Grey Elephant Grand Prix for its Eco Plaster film.

Executive Commentary

Mr. AV Dharmakrishnan, CEO of The Ramco Cements Limited, stated that design was fundamental to building the brand. He noted that in a largely functional category, the goal was to create a brand that people could recognise, understand, and remember instantly.

Mr. Balaji K. Moorthy, Executive Director - Marketing, added that the approach aimed to stand apart from traditional product-led communication. He highlighted that every element, from animal-led packaging to trade touchpoints, was designed to make the brand more memorable.

About Kyoorius Design Awards

The Kyoorius Design Awards recognise outstanding design work in the Indian visual communications sphere. A specialist jury of top design professionals judges entries across comprehensive categories. The 2026 awards were announced on September 12, 2026, in Goa.