India's UltraTech Cement's domestic volumes rise 13.8% in Q2 despite monsoon disruptions

India's UltraTech Cement reported Oct. 19 domestic gray cement sales volumes of 35.94 million metric tons in the second quarter of fiscal 2026-27 (July-September), up 13.8% from 31.58 million mt a year earlier.

The company said in the statement that the increase in sales volumes was supported by a wider market footprint, cost optimization efforts and stronger sales of premium products.

Capacity utilization increased to 71% from 66% in the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2025-26 despite a monsoon-affected quarter and Middle East disruptions, the company said.

Ultratech Cement expanded its manufacturing base during the quarter, commissioning 3.6 million metric tons/year of integrated cement capacity at Petnikota in Andhra Pradesh and adding a further 1 million mt/year through debottlenecking projects at existing plants, it said.

As of Sept. 30, UltraTech's domestic gray cement capacity stood at 204.7 million mt/year, while its global capacity, including overseas operations, reached 210.1 million mt/year. The company said it remains on track to increase total capacity to more than 240 million mt/year by March 2028.

Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed ASTM Type I cement FOB Vietnam at $38/metric ton Oct. 15, down from $39/mt a week earlier. Platts assessed clinker FOB Vietnam at $36/mt, up from $33.50/mt the previous week.