The Role of Cement in Construction Industry in India

Posted by pooja late on January 23rd, 2019

Cement is a binder. A binder is a substance that sets and hardens independently. It can also bind other materials together. As opposed to that, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. The highest demand for cement is in the commercial construction, housing, infrastructure and the industrial sector. For many builders, gypsum plaster is preferred over plaster of paris. There are many reasons for choosing gypsum plaster over plaster of paris.

But coming back to our discussion, the Indian construction industry is the second largest industry of the country after agriculture. It has made a significant contribution to the national economy and provides employment to large number of people. The use of various new technologies and deployment of project management strategies has made it possible to undertake projects of a mega scale. The cement products make it possible to pursue many things.

However, the industry has to overcome a number of challenges in its path of advancement.

The Importance of Cement in Construction

Cement is a very important building material used in the construction industry. All other binding materials such as clay and lime have been replaced by cement, as cement is the strongest binding material.

In any given building construction the cement accounts to about 15-17% of the cost of construction. In some other major constructions like concrete roads and bridges, it is very much more.

The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA)

Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) was established in 1961 and is the most important apex body of cement manufacturers in India.

It is a unique body wherein there has been both private and public sector cement companies as its members. CMA also acts a connection between the Indian cement industry and the Government. The registered office is in New Delhi, Corporate Office in Noida, and the branch offices are located in Mumbai and Hyderabad.

Trade Restrictions in India

There has been in significant increase in the Indian cement industry. The Indian cement industry has transited itself into more advanced one. The Indian cement industry is meeting not only the requirements that have cropped up in the domestic sector, but is also fulfilling the demands of the international market as well. India is has also exported a good amount of cement clinker and by products of cement. Due to its super quality, the Indian cement has occupied the high position in the map of the world.

Several factors banding together has led to the slowing down of cement sector. The global slowdown has been caused by financial crisis; domestically the drop in investment in infrastructure and housing coupled with a high interest-rate regime and of course, inflation.

Cement, after all, is a long term business. One cannot think of indulging in the cement business for a short period of time. Cement factories would also be on the rise in India. As the growth of this industry is steadily on the rise, the demand for it will follow suit.

Author Bio: Kavya Shankar in this article explores the Cement Industry in India.