FY15 was a challenging year for the cement industry, which grew by just 3.5%, but this challenging period saw a wave of consolidation sweeping through the industry, with UltraTech and Holcim reinforcing their first and second spots, and with the 24 million tonne (mt) Dalmia Bharat Enterprises (DBEL) grabbing the third place. It’s pertinent to note that Dalmia Bharat has managed to enhance its presence in the south by emerging as one of the top five cement producers in the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu markets and now has a ready plant in Karnataka that will start commercial production by next month. Thus, Dalmia’s total capacity in the south stands at 11.5 mt, with a market share of 8%. Among the different states in the south, it has a 13% share in Tamil Nadu, 13% in Kerala and 5% each in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In the south, it competes with local players such as India Cements and Ramco Cements and national players such as Holcim and UltraTech.