India's JSW Cement starts production at integrated Nagaur plant

India's JSW Cement has started production at a greenfield integrated cement plant in Nagaur, Rajasthan, expanding its clinker and cement capacities, according to a March 19 company statement.

The facility comprises a 3.3 million metric tons/year clinker production unit and a 2.5 million mt/year cement grinding unit, with an additional 1 million mt/year grinding capacity currently under construction, JSW said in the statement.

The company's total cement grinding capacity stands at 24.1 million mt/yearandclinker production capacity at 9.74 million mt/year, JSW said.

JSW's Managing Director Parth Jindal said the plant will support demand across northern India, including Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region, adding that the company remains on track to achieve 41.9 million mt/year of capacity by the 2028-29 (April-March), according to the statement.

The plant is also equipped to co-process alternative fuels and includes a 7 km overland conveyor system for limestone transport. A 16-megawatt waste heat recovery system is also planned as part of efforts to enhance energy efficiency.

Market participants in Asia said the development reflects continued investment in new cement and clinker lines in India, as producers ramp up production amid strengthening demand from the infrastructure and construction sectors.

"India's cement demand is expected to increase in the future; that's why we see producers investing and building more capacity," a Southeast Asia-based trader said.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed FOB Vietnamcement (ASTM type I) at $39/mt on March 19, down from $39.5/mt the previous week. Platts also assessed cement clinker on a FOB Vietnam basis at $36/mt, down from $36.5/mt a week earlier.