India Cements

Overview

The India Cements Limited is an Indian cement manufacturing company headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Founded in 1946, it is one of the oldest cement producers in southern India and has historically been among the largest cement companies in the region by installed capacity. The company manufactures Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) and other blended cements, sold under brand names including Coromandel, Sankar and Raasi.

Key facts

Background

India Cements was incorporated in 1946 by S. N. N. Sankaralinga Iyer and T. S. Narayanaswami, with its first plant established at Sankarnagar in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The plant began production in the early 1950s, contributing to the post-independence expansion of indigenous cement supply in the Madras Presidency region. Over the following decades, the company expanded across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana through both greenfield projects and acquisitions.

For much of its later history, the company was led by N. Srinivasan, who served as Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, and his family members. Srinivasan is also widely known for his role in cricket administration as a former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Timeline and history

• 1946: Company incorporated by S. N. N. Sankaralinga Iyer and T. S. Narayanaswami.
• 1949–1950s: Commencement of cement production at Sankarnagar, Tamil Nadu.
• 1960s–1980s: Capacity expansion at Sankarnagar and addition of further plants across south India.
• 1990s: Acquisition of Visaka Cement Industry and Cement Corporation of India's Yerraguntla unit, expanding presence in Andhra Pradesh.
• 1998: Acquisition of Raasi Cement Limited, then a major south Indian producer, significantly raising installed capacity.
• 2008: Through its associate, the company acquired the Indian Premier League cricket franchise Chennai Super Kings; the franchise was later separated into Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited.
• 2010s: Diversification into shipping and infrastructure-related ventures alongside its core cement business.
• 2024: UltraTech Cement, the cement arm of the Aditya Birla Group, announced acquisition of a significant stake in India Cements, marking a major change in shareholding.

Operations

India Cements operates integrated cement plants and grinding units mainly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with key facilities at Sankarnagar and Sankari Durg in Tamil Nadu, and at Yerraguntla, Chilamakur, Dalavoi (Malkapur) and Vishnupuram in southern India. The company also operates captive limestone mines and captive thermal and wind power capacity to support its energy requirements.

Beyond cement, the group has had interests in shipping through subsidiaries such as India Cements Shipping, and has been associated with sports and sports infrastructure, most prominently through its long-running connection with the Chennai Super Kings franchise of the Indian Premier League.

Significance

India Cements is recognised as a foundational firm in the modern Indian cement industry, and for several decades was the single largest producer in southern India. Its growth through acquisition during the 1990s contributed to the consolidation of the south Indian cement market, while its role in financing and incubating the Chennai Super Kings linked the company to the development of the Indian Premier League. The 2024 stake purchase by UltraTech Cement is regarded as one of the more significant ownership changes in the Indian cement sector in recent years.

Related topics

• Cement industry in India
• UltraTech Cement
• Chennai Super Kings
• N. Srinivasan
• Board of Control for Cricket in India
• Tirunelveli district
• Economy of Tamil Nadu

References

• Wikidata entity: Q6019276
• Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India company filings and disclosures.
• Annual reports and corporate communications of The India Cements Limited.