Cement Industry CEMENT INDUSTRY Cement Industry is a

Cement Industry

CEMENT INDUSTRY Cement Industry is a basic industry of India is the second largest producer of cement in the world after China. This industry plays an important role in the construction of buildings, roads, canals, bridges, runways etc. There are 190 large scale and 360 small scale units operating in India. Out of these 20 belong to the public sector and rest are of private sector.

Consumption and production of cement in India: In 2015 -16, the production of cement industry was 2832 lakh tonnes. Per capita annual consumption of cement was 190 kg. In India, production of cement is growing at a faster rate. Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh are major cement producing states in India.

Development of cement industry: • 1879 - 1 st cement industry, "South Indian Ltd. " was established in Chennai, India. • 1904 - production was started. (not a success. ) • 1914 - 1 st successful factory was set up in Gujrat. 2 nd was set up in Rajasthan. 3 rd in Madhya Pradesh. • 1918 - during the end of WW 1 , India was producing 85000 tonnes of cement. • 1925 - industry received protection. • 1926 - Indian Cement Manufacturers Association was founded.

• 1927 - Concrete Association of India was set up to promote production and distribution of cement. As a result, production of cement was increasing. • 1930 - Cement Marketing Company of India was established. • 1936 - all companies jointly set up Associated Cement Company(ACC). Mgt. and sale of production of almost all factories was done by ACC. • 1938 - 1 st public sector industry was set up at Bhadravati in Karnataka.

• 1947 - there were 18 cement producing factories in India. They produced 14. 5 lakh tonnes of cement. • 1965 - Govt. set up Cement corporation of India. 11 factories were installed. • 1991 - cement industry was delicenced and made free from all types of government control.

Cement Industry and Five Year Plan

Problems of Cement Industry 1. Regional Imbalance : Cement Industry is regionally imbalanced. It is mainly located in six states of western and southern India. Because of regional imbalance, cost of transportation of cement becomes quite excessive. 2. Difficulties of Transportation : Raw material and finished product of cement industry are both heavy, hence there is need for adequate facilities of transport. However, the same are not available. 3. Increase in Capital Cost : Cost of installation of cement plant has escalated very much. Consequently, it is becoming increasingly difficult to set up new factories. 4. Shortage of Technical Manpower : Due to rapid growth of the industry, shortage of technical manpower is being experienced. It also tells upon the management, productivity and expansion of the industry. 5. Per Capita Less Consumption : Per capita consumption of cement in India is very low as compared to other countries. 6. Modernisation : Some of the cement factories are very old. Their machines need replacement and modernisation. Replacement of existing plants is urgently required to make optimum use of their capacity.

Measures and Suggestions for the Growth of Cement Industry 1. There should be uninterrupted supply of coal and electricity to the industry. 2. Indigenous machines and tools be used in cement industry. 3. Mini Cement plants be encouraged. Government also favors these plants. 4. Efforts to be made to reduce the cost of packing of cement. 5. Cement Research Institute should be developed on sound lines. 6. Central & State governments should make more use of cement for constructing roads and brick-lining of canals. It will add to the demand for cement. 7. A training programme for the workers of cement industry has been started under the guidance of World Bank. 8. To ensure better quality of cement, in India only such cement, can be manufactured, sold or disturbed, which is as per the prescribed standards of Bureau of Indian Standards.