The Binani group is planning to focus more on its relatively new cement portfolio, moving away from its traditional zinc smelting business.

Binani Industries is planning to eventually have a cement making capacity of 7 million tpa at its Sirohi cement unit in Rajasthan.

Currently, an expansion programme to double the capacity to 4 million tpa is underway. Around Rs.250 crore have been raised by selling equity stake to JP Morgan.

Binani's cement market is concentrated in north India. Almost 50 per cent of its production is sold in Rajasthan, while another 30 per cent is directed to Gujarat. The rest is consumed by other northern states.

Zinc operations: Binani Industries currently operates a zinc smelter of capacity 38,000 tpa in Kerala. It however does not have its own zinc concentrate mines -- an impediment that has curtailed the company's expansion plans.

The company has tied up with the Rajasthan and Gujarat governments in forming a joint venture for zinc concentrate mining. Mining leases are proposed to be transferred to the new joint venture, to be named RGB Minerals.