How cost competitive are the cement units in the state, mini cement units in particular?
The cement plants in the state are cost competitive vis-a-vis any plants in the country. But there is always a scope for further modernisation and the industry is doing it. The Indian cement industry is 70 years old. Some of the latest installations are the best in the world. Unlike in the past, today the best technology is available for mini cement plants too. Andhra cement firms appear to be doing well even though the prices in the state are the lowest in the country? Today, the prices across the country are going up to unprecedented levels and plants here are able to reach out to far away places in tune with the demand. As a result, all the cement plants in the state are operating at 100 per cent capacity utilisation and with improved bottomlines. The logistic cost for AP companies in meeting the local demand is less compared to other states since cement plants are scattered all over the state. Earlier, the local demand was hardly 30 per cent of the capacity and the prices in other