India, June 17 -- The Indian cement industry enters FY27 with a familiar paradox: strong long-term fundamentals coupled with short-term uncertainty. Recent government data shows that India's core infrastructure sectors grew by 1.7 per cent in April 2026, with cement emerging as the strongest performer among all eight core industries, recording a robust 9.4 per cent year-on-year increase in output. The numbers reaffirm the central role of cement in India's infrastructure story and signal that construction activity continues to gather momentum despite global economic headwinds. Yet, beneath this encouraging growth lies a more nuanced reality. Cement producers are entering the new fiscal year with cautious optimism. While infrastructure spending, housing demand and urbanisation remain powerful growth drivers, the prolonged geopolitical tensions in West Asia have introduced a fresh layer of uncertainty. Rising fuel prices, increasing freight costs and pressure on import-dependent supply chains are expected to impact profitability over the coming quarters. Consequently, industry demand projections have moderated, with many companies now expecting growth in the range of five-seven per cent rather than the eight-nine per cent anticipated earlier. One area that is undergoing a remarkable transformation is logistics. Indian Railways has reported a dramatic increase in cement movement following the introduction of bulk cement tank containers, a development that underscores the industry's search for cleaner, more efficient transportation alternatives. Companies are exploring electric mobility solutions for bulk transport, recognising that the journey to net zero extends far beyond the factory gate. The future competitiveness of cement companies will depend on how effectively they manage not only production costs but also supply chain emissions. Green logistics is fast becoming a business necessity. The upcoming Multi Logistics Expo and Conference 2026, co-located with Cement Expo 2026, will provide an important platform for stakeholders to examine the technologies, policies and partnerships shaping the future of cement logistics. The events will be held from 15th to 17th December 2026, at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. In the years ahead, the race to decarbonise cement will be won not only at the kiln, but across every kilometre of the supply chain.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Indian Cement Review.