Ambuja Cements invests $1.5 billion to increase capacity to 155 million tons per year by FY2030

AmaZulu FC has strengthened its commercial portfolio by signing a new sponsorship agreement with the multinational brewing company Amstel. The Durban-based club confirmed that Amstel will be featured on the sleeve of the playing kit as part of this partnership, thereby adding another recognized brand to Usuthu's commercial structure.

AmaZulu President, Sandile Zungu, characterized the agreement as a significant step for the club, emphasizing that the collaboration goes beyond mere visibility on the jersey. He stated: 'Today is an important moment for the club. We welcome the new partner [Amstel], but we are also reflecting on what AmaZulu Football Club represents and where we want to go next.'

Zungu continued, noting that respect is the foundation of a long-term partnership: 'The position that Amstel and AmaZulu Football Club hold today was earned over time. Both understand that respect brings gold. This gives us a solid foundation for a partnership that can grow meaningfully, not just in visibility. It's not just about visibility. The strongest partnerships do not require either party to become someone else. They are built on values that are already recognized by both.'

This partnership opens up the opportunity to add value where it matters most—around the team, the fans, and the entire AmaZulu community. This announcement is another step in AmaZulu's efforts to expand its commercial reach and build relationships that can benefit the club beyond the football pitch.

Furthermore, this agreement follows the club's announcement in September 2026 of a strategic youth development partnership with Spanish club Levante UD, demonstrating AmaZulu's ambitions to forge connections that extend beyond football development.

AmaZulu now becomes the second Premier Soccer League club in South Africa to partner with Amstel, following Orlando Pirates, which also features the brewing brand as a commercial partner. For Usuthu, this latest deal provides another opportunity to strengthen its brand and create added value for its supporters and the wider football community.

JK Cement Ltd announced on Saturday a 6.31 percent increase in its consolidated net profit, reaching INR 169.3 crore for the September quarter of fiscal year 2026-27. This growth was attributed to increased sales volumes.

According to regulatory filings from JK Cement Ltd (JKCL), the flagship company of JK Organisation Group, the net profit from July to September last year stood at INR 159.25 crore.

In the September quarter of FY 27, the company's operating revenue increased by 23.65 percent, amounting to INR 3,733.42 crore compared to INR 3,019.20 crore the previous year. JKCL noted in its investor presentation that the company demonstrated 'sustainable volume growth and higher profitability despite cost pressures.'

The sales volume of grey cement grew by 21 percent, reaching 5.37 million metric tons (MT) in the second quarter of FY27. Similarly, the white cement volume increased by 13 percent, totaling 0.49 MT.

Furthermore, JKCL's total expenses in the September quarter of FY'27 rose by 24.34 percent to INR 3,515.71 crore. Meanwhile, total income, including other receipts, grew by 22.84 percent, reaching INR 3,771.29 crore.

In a separate report, JKCL stated that its board of directors, at a meeting held on Saturday, approved a proposal from its wholly-owned subsidiary, JK Maxx Paints Ltd, to establish a new plant for water-based paints. This plant will have an annual capacity of 75,000 kiloliters and will be located in Suryapet, Telangana district, Ragunadhapuram.

The company specified that the plant construction will require capital expenditure of approximately INR 130 crore, which will be financed from investments in the paint business amounting to INR 600 crore, already approved by the board of directors. The plant is expected to become operational within 12 months of construction commencement.

Currently, JK Maxx Paints has an annual capacity of 73,000 kiloliters at its Bhiwadi, Rajasthan facility, which operates at a 60 percent utilization rate. The company forecasts that the existing production site will reach full capacity by FY28, necessitating the expansion of capacities.