India Cements has responded to BSE's inquiry regarding the recent surge in trading volume of its securities, confirming full regulatory compliance and stating no material information is pending disclosure.

BSE Inquiry and Company Response

The company received an email from BSE seeking clarification on the significant increase in trading volume of India Cements' securities across exchanges in recent times. In its formal response, the company addressed the exchange's concerns through a detailed clarification letter.

Regulatory Compliance Statement

India Cements emphasized its adherence to regulatory requirements in its response to the stock exchange:

The company specifically referenced Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, which governs disclosure of material events and information by listed companies.

No Material Information Pending

The cement manufacturer clarified that beyond the disclosures already made and available on stock exchanges, it possesses no additional information or announcements that could influence its stock performance. The company stated it has no impending announcements that, in its opinion, may have a bearing on the price or trading volume of the company's security.

Corporate Communication

The company's response demonstrates its commitment to transparent communication with regulatory authorities and maintaining investor confidence through timely clarifications.

As a prominent player in the cement industry, India Cements continues to operate under strict regulatory oversight while maintaining its obligations to provide accurate and timely information to market participants and regulatory bodies.

UltraTech Cement, India's largest cement manufacturer, has reported strong sales of over 31 million tons in Q2 FY26, defying the impact of heavy monsoons. The company also unveiled ambitious expansion plans, signaling confidence in the country's growing cement demand.

Q2 FY26 Performance Highlights

UltraTech's performance in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 was marked by resilient growth across various metrics:

• Overall sales volume growth: 6.80% (including all acquisitions)
• UltraTech brand growth: 13.20% year-on-year
• Rural market growth: 13.00%

The company's growth rates varied when excluding recent acquisitions:

• 22.30% growth excluding India Cements Limited (ICL) and Kesoram
• 9.60% growth excluding India Cements

Financial Performance

While specific financial figures were not provided, the company shared insights into its operational efficiency:

• Existing assets (166.76 million tons capacity) achieved EBITDA of INR966.00 per metric ton
• India Cements assets delivered EBITDA of INR386.00 per metric ton
• Kesoram assets reached EBITDA of INR755.00 per metric ton

Expansion and Integration Progress

UltraTech has made significant strides in integrating its recent acquisitions:

• India Cements brand conversion: 31.00% completed
• Kesoram brand conversion: 55.00% completed

The company aims to complete the brand transition for these acquired assets by June 2026.

Major Expansion Announcement

UltraTech announced plans to add 22.80 million tons of incremental capacity:

• 18.00 million tons focused on Northern markets
• 4.80 million tons for Western markets

This expansion, primarily through brownfield projects, is expected to be completed by fiscal year 2029. The company plans to fund this growth largely through internal accruals.

Operational Insights

UltraTech provided several operational details:

• Operates 65 kilns across the country
• Experienced higher maintenance costs due to 617 kiln shutdown days in Q2
• Fuel mix: 48.00% coal and 44.00% pet coke
• Fuel costs increased to INR1.80 per Kcal from INR1.78 per Kcal in the previous quarter

Market Outlook

The company expressed optimism about cement demand, citing various factors:

• Robust rural market growth
• Ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects
• Positive impact of GST changes on premium cement demand

UltraTech expects to reach a capacity of 200 million tons by the end of the current financial year and aims for a 65.00% green power mix in its operations.

Conclusion

Despite challenging weather conditions, UltraTech Cement has demonstrated strong performance in Q2 FY26. With its ambitious expansion plans and ongoing integration of acquired assets, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on India's growing cement demand. The focus on operational efficiency, brand conversion, and sustainable practices underscores UltraTech's commitment to maintaining its leadership in the Indian cement industry.