Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director at Shree Cement, sat down with World Cement to discuss sustainable growth, digital innovation, and the company’s long-term vision.

Over the past four decades, Shree Cement’s journey has been one of steady transformation from a regional player into one of India’s leading cement producers. Our focus has always been on disciplined execution, cost optimisation, and sustainability. In FY14, our installed capacity stood at 17.5 million tpy, and today it has reached 62.8 million tpy.

The next phase of our growth is already in motion with new capacities coming up in Rajasthan and Karnataka. These projects strengthen our regional balance and reflect our commitment to meeting growing market demand through advanced technology, automation, and process excellence. We are also expanding our ready-mix concrete footprint. Currently we have 26 plants across India, including new facilities in Raipur, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, and expected to reach 40 in FY26 itself.

Together, these developments move us closer to our long-term goal of crossing 80 million tpy by 2029 and building a manufacturing network that is efficient, innovative, and aligned with India’s infrastructure growth story.

Shree Cement emphasises a ‘value-over-volume’ approach. How does this philosophy shape your decision-making across production, pricing, and market development strategies?

At Shree Cement, our growth philosophy is built on creating value rather than just adding volume. We focus on profitability, quality, and sustainability at every step instead of chasing scale.

Today, more than 85% of our production comes from blended cements like PPC and PSC, which not only enhance performance but also significantly lower our carbon footprint. Whether it is OPC for large infrastructure projects, Shree Jungrodhak Cement known for durability, or our expanding RMC portfolio, every product reflects our commitment to consistency and reliability.

Advanced quality control systems, automation, and continuous innovation help us maintain these standards across all plants. By keeping value, quality, and sustainability at the core of our operations, we have built a strong, trusted brand that prioritises long-term relationships over short-term gains.

Digitalisation today is at the heart of how we run Shree Cement.

We have built integrated digital platforms that connect plant operations, logistics, and resource management, giving us real-time visibility and truly data-driven decision-making. Our plants now run on machine learning-based control systems, robotics-enabled quality checks, and an IIoT layer with over 25 000 sensors. Combined with advanced SCADA and PLC systems, these technologies strengthen process control, optimise energy use, and enable predictive maintenance rather than reactive firefighting.

We are now moving toward next-generation solutions such as AI-led predictive analytics and digital twin models to further enhance reliability, safety, and asset productivity.

For us, digital is not about technology for its own sake. These innovations help us produce cement more efficiently, reduce our environmental footprint, and build a smarter, greener, and more resilient Shree Cement, ready to support India’s growth for decades to come.

Sustainability lies at the heart of our business. As of H1 FY26, over 60% of our total electricity comes from renewable sources, one of the highest in the sector. Our total green-power capacity stands at approximately 600 MW, with nearly half coming from solar. This includes major installations such as our 20 MW solar plant at Chitrakoot and others across Rajasthan, Haryana, and Karnataka.

All our plants operate as zero liquid discharge facilities, reusing 100% of wastewater. Our water-positivity index is above 8x, and we continue to improve it through rainwater harvesting and recycling initiatives. Nearly 70% of our cement output now comes from blended, low-carbon products. A good example is Bangur Marble, a premium slag cement that combines performance with sustainability.

Our Jaipur RMC plant, powered entirely by solar energy, is another milestone, being the first of its kind in India.

Each of these initiatives reflects our commitment to responsible growth and our alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) principles.

Enjoyed what you've read so far? Read the full article and the rest of the February issue of World Cement by

A podcast series for professionals in the cement industry featuring short, insightful interviews. Subscribe on your favourite podcast app to start listening today.

(copy the HTML code below):

This article has been tagged under the following: