Shree Cement, a leading cement manufacturer in India has announced the appointment of Vishal Bhardwaj as its new Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The appointment reinforces the company’s commitment to enhancing its social impact and aligning its CSR efforts with national priorities.
Vishal Bhardwaj brings nearly 30 years of multifaceted industry experience, having successfully led CSR strategies across India and international markets. His professional background spans the cement, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Before joining Shree Cement, he held the position of Group CSR Head at Indorama Corporation in Dubai, where he led the company’s global CSR framework. A strong believer in community-driven transformation, Mr. Bhardwaj is dedicated to driving inclusive growth, forging long-term partnerships, and building sustainable futures.
In his new role, he will lead the development and execution of Shree Cement’s CSR strategies, focusing on strengthening implementation models and forging impactful partnerships to expand the company’s community outreach with measurable and meaningful results.
Neeraj Akhoury, Managing Director, Shree Cement, shared his thoughts on the leadership addition:
“At Shree Cement, we view social responsibility as an essential pillar of our business philosophy. We are delighted to welcome Vishal Bhardwaj whose global perspective and grassroots understanding of CSR will help us scale our efforts meaningfully and sustainably. His leadership will be instrumental in aligning our social investments with national development priorities.”
On joining the company, Mr. Bhardwaj said : “I am honoured to join Shree Cement, a company with a strong legacy of nation-building and community engagement. I look forward to collaborating with teams across locations to design and implement innovative, inclusive, and high-impact CSR programs that empower people and create lasting social value.”
Shree Cement has a consistent record of impactful CSR, reaching over 6.7 lakh people through programs aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Its focus areas include healthcare (such as mobile medical vans and health centres), education (supporting schools, infrastructure, scholarships), women empowerment (vocational training and Sukanya initiatives), rural development, and environmental conservation. Among its standout initiatives is ‘Project Naman’, launched in December 2021, which offers free cement to families of fallen armed forces personnel, helping build homes as a tribute to their service.
Recent Developments & Sustainability Highlights
Shree Cement continues to strengthen its sustainability profile and market position through innovation and strategic initiatives. In May 2025, the company earned the “CARE ESG 1” rating from CARE ESG Ratings Limited, acknowledging its top-tier performance in environmental, social, and governance practices.
In its Q4 FY25 results (ending March 31, 2025), the company reported a 3.3% year-on-year increase in operational revenue, reaching ₹5,240 crore. This was supported by record quarterly sales volumes of 9.84 million tonnes in cement and clinker. Although net profits declined, Shree Cement maintained healthy operational margins. The board proposed a final dividend of ₹60 per share, adding to the interim dividend of ₹50 declared earlier in January.
To diversify its portfolio, Shree Cement entered the Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) space with the launch of Bangur Concrete in March 2024. The company has already commissioned its first Greenfield RMC plant in Hyderabad and acquired five operational units in Mumbai. These moves are part of its larger goal to surpass 80 million tonnes in production capacity in the coming years.
As a pioneer in sustainable cement manufacturing, Shree Cement has developed a patented process for Synthetic Gypsum and operates one of the world’s largest waste heat recovery power systems in the cement sector. Its installed power capacity has exceeded 1 GW, with more than 55% of energy derived from green sources — the highest in India’s cement industry. Plans are also in place to invest ₹700 crore in FY25 to develop 148 MW of additional renewable power capacity across five states.
