India, UltraTech Cement, which is part of the Aditya Birla Group, will acquire for US$ 912m the cement business of Kesoram Industries, which is part of the BK Birla Group. Kesoram operates two integrated cement plants with a clinker and cement capacity of 8.5 and 10.75 Mta, respectively. The largest unit is the Vasavadetta cement plant (photo) in Sedam, Karnataka, which comprises four kiln lines. The demerger of Kesoram from the cement business will help UltraTech to enhance its geographic reach in the Southern markets of the country.