Cement is among the biggest and the most significant industrial sectors in India. After China, India is the largest contributor in the global cement production. By the end of April 2009, total installed capacity in the sector was 219 MT. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the capacity is expected to touch 236.16 MT and 262.61 MT by the end of FY 2011 and 2012, respectively.

The cement industry is moderately fragmented with the top 20 players accounting for more than 70% of the market share and no single manufacturer has more than 12% of the share. Among the leading players in the cement industry are, Associated Cement Company Ltd (ACC), UltraTech, Dalmia Cements, Ambuja Cements Ltd, Madras Cement Ltd, J.K Cement Ltd., Grasim Industries Ltd, India Cements, and Holcim.

 Like other heavy industries, environmental concerns, including legal requirements, are significant for the cement industry. In the recent years, there have been various technological innovations, such that almost 93% of the current installed capacity is based on the environment-friendly dry process technology.