"On the pure cement volume, we have achieved a growth of almost 10 percent from 6,02,000 to 6,63,000, which apparently has helped the margins also", Bina Engineer, Director of Sanghi Industries told CNBC-TV18.
The National Green Tribunal sought a response from the Centre on the plea of an environment activist who has sought ban on use of all forms of petroleum coke, also called Petcoke, as it emits fine particulate matter (PM), which is harmful to human health
The plea has sought direction to the Centre to issue appropriate "notification/order/direction" to all the state governments and project proponents to stop using all forms of petroleum coke which emit large amount of sulphur dioxide in the environment.
On account of continued margin pressures, most cement companies are hoping to increase prices for the first time in calendar year 2011. However, this hike may not be sustainable. "Logistical inadequacy is causing price hikes in the cement sector," says Sanjay Ladiwala president of the Cement Stockists and Dealers Association of Mumbai.