ACC Cement  has posted a 6 per cent rise in its production at 2.03 million tonnes for December 2011, year-on-year. The cement maker said its despatches also grew 9 per cent to 2.09 million tonnes during the period.

For January-December 2011 period, cement production stood at 23.68 million tonnes up 12 per cent Y-o-Y. Its dispatches were also up 11 per cent to 23.68 million tonnes Y-o-Y.

ACC shares were marginally up to Rs 1,109 at 12:40 hours.

Meanwhile, Ambuja Cements sales in Dec 2011 also rose by 5 per cent month-on-month and 6 per cent Y-o-Y to 1.93 million mt. As per cement dealers, most of this monthly improvement has been on account of inventory push by the company as Ambuja follows calender year.

Brokerages say that as per their interactions with industry participants, they expects industry sales for December 2011 to grow between 4-6 per cent M-o-M . This would imply nine months YTD growth at 5.4 per cent Y-o-Y. Cold weather conditions in the Northern half of India and lack of infrastructure and realty projects would continue to subdue demand growth at least for the next two months.