Jaiprakash in talks to sell one Indian cement unit

Jaiprakash Associates is in talks to sell one of its cement units to UltraTech Cement, Bloomberg reports. The company is seeking a valuation of about INR40bn for the division and the sale may help the company cut its debt. Jaiprakash Cement’s current debt stands at INR21,500 crore, while it has a market cap of INR14,500 crore.

In a filing to exchanges in November the company said it is planning to separate its cement plants in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, UltraTech Cement – India’s largest cement company – indicated last year that it is exploring both organic and inorganic growth.