NCB

What NCB does

NCB (National Council for Cement and Building Materials), originally founded as Cement Research Institute of India (CRI) on 24 December 1962, is the premier government body under the administrative control of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, with a statutory mandate for technology development, transfer, continuing education, and industrial services for the cement and construction sectors. The organization operates from four units — Ballabgarh (HQ, ~17 acres), Hyderabad (~15 acres), Ahmedabad, and Bhubaneswar — and delivers services through six interconnected centres: Centre for Cement Research and Independent Testing (CRT), Centre for Mining, Environment, Plant Engineering and Operations (CME), Centre for Construction Development and Research (CDR), Centre for Industrial Information Services (CIS), Centre for Continuing Education Services (CCE), and Centre for Quality Management, Standards & Calibration Services (CQC). NCB's infrastructure includes advanced analytical instrumentation (XRF, XRD, SEM-EDS, ICP, FTIR, isothermal calorimetry, particle size analysis, bomb calorimetry, DTA, compression testing), cement plant operation simulators at two units, a learning resource centre with ~50,000 bibliographic records, and 93 patents covering cement manufacturing processes, refractory technologies, sustainable concrete, nanosilica-blended cement, and geopolymer compositions.

NCB's business model is built on six fee-based revenue streams: (1) testing and laboratory services for raw materials, cement, clinker, coal, fly ash, slag, and construction materials; (2) NABL-accredited calibration services for force, temperature, mass, volume, dimension, pressure, and RPM equipment; (3) training programmes including an AICTE-approved one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Cement Technology (since 1983), short-term courses, simulator-based courses, and on-site group training; (4) NABL-accredited Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes — NCB is the first NABL-accredited PT provider in India under ISO/IEC 17043; (5) sale of Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) and 21 Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs) — Indian Certified Reference Materials traceable to SI units via CSIR-NPL; and (6) Total Quality Management consultancy covering ISO 9001/17025 training and NABL accreditation assistance. Customers span India's leading cement manufacturers (Dalmia, Ambuja, Shree Cement, UltraTech, Heidelberg Cement, Lafarge India), central and state PSUs (NTPC, NHPC, Delhi Metro, Indian Railways, CPWD, BRO, GAIL, HPCL), and international cement companies and development agencies across 10 countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE. Distribution is entirely direct and institutional — services are delivered on-campus at NCB units, on-site at client facilities, or through government procurement channels — with no commercial product distribution or marketing-led motion.

Name

NCB

Legal name

National Council for Cement and Building Materials

Website

https://ncbindia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCB (National Council for Cement and Building Materials) is India's premier DPIIT-controlled government body, delivering cement and construction materials R&D, NABL-accredited testing, calibration, training, proficiency testing, and certified reference materials (BNDs) to cement manufacturers, PSUs, and government departments across India and 10 international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cement and Building Materials Research, Testing, and Training Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civil & Structural Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAA), Engineering & Technical Professions (PE, Engineering CPD) (EDAAALAF), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Cement research services
• Building materials testing
• Construction industry training
• Cement technology consultancy
• Industrial materials calibration

Headquarters

HQ city

Ballabgarh

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Testing and Laboratory Services: Fee-based physico-chemical, mineralogical, and instrumental testing services for raw materials, cement, clinker, coal, fly ash, slag, and construction materials. Includes Limestone Consumption Factor (LCF) studies, raw mix optimization projects, diagnostic studies, and refractory engineering investigations. Revenue generated through per-project consultancy contracts and per-sample testing fees.
2. Calibration Laboratory Services: NABL-accredited calibration services for force, temperature, mass, volume, dimension, pressure, and RPM measuring equipment for cement plants, process industries, and testing laboratories. Billed per equipment type per calibration exercise.
3. Training and Education Programmes: Revenue from full-time PG Diploma course (AICTE-approved), short-term courses, simulator-based courses, contact training programmes, and on-site group training programmes. Includes course fees for residential/non-residential participants at Ballabgarh, Hyderabad, and on-site locations.
4. Proficiency Testing (PT) Schemes: NABL-accredited PT scheme services for chemical and mechanical testing fields for cement, clinker, fly ash, limestone, coal/coke, granulated slag, and water. Corporate group-specific PT schemes generate fee-based revenue.
5. Standard Reference Materials (SRMs / BNDs): Sale of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) and Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs) for cement and construction materials sector. Includes SRMs for cement types, limestone, gypsum, coal, petcoke, and industrial wastes.
6. TQM Consultancy Services: Total Quality Management consultancy including laboratory assessment, ISO 9001/ISO 17025 training workshops, NABL accreditation assistance, quality assurance system assessment, and internal audit training. Billed per consultancy engagement.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NCB is the premier government body providing R&D, independent testing, calibration, proficiency testing, training, and consultancy services for the cement and building materials sector in India. It operates six specialized centres — Cement Research & Independent Testing, Mining/Environment/Plant Engineering, Construction Development & Research, Industrial Information Services, Continuing Education, and Quality Management/Standards/Calibration — delivering fee-based services to cement plants, PSUs, government departments, academia, and overseas clients, and selling SI-traceable Indian Certified Reference Materials (BNDs).

Product overview

National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) operates as a multi-centre research and training institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio organized around six interconnected centres: Centre for Cement Research and Independent Testing (CRT) provides advanced instrumental testing and analysis services for cement, raw materials, and industrial wastes; Centre for Mining, Environment, Plant Engineering and Operations (CME) delivers energy audits and technical assessments; Centre for Construction Development and Research (CDR) focuses on construction practices and concrete technology; Centre for Industrial Information Services (CIS) manages industry data and IT solutions; Centre for Continuing Education Services (CCE) delivers training through multiple formats including a one-year AICTE-approved Post Graduate Diploma in Cement Technology; and Centre for Quality Management, Standards & Calibration Services (CQC) provides calibration services, Standard Reference Materials (BNDs), and proficiency testing. NCB also operates an Incubation Centre (NCB-IC) for startup innovation. The centres collectively provide research, testing, calibration, training, and consultancy services across the cement and construction materials sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NCB-IC (Incubation Centre): Incubation centre focused on innovation in cement and building materials sector, including CemHack for Green Infra.

Products and services

• Centre for Cement Research and Independent Testing (CRT) Independent physico-chemical, mineralogical, and microstructural testing, evaluation, and R&D services for raw materials, cement, clinker, coal/coke, industrial wastes, and by-products. For cement manufacturers, government bodies, and research institutions.
• Centre for Mining, Environment, Plant Engineering and Operations (CME) Six programmes covering Geology, Mining & Raw Materials, Environmental Management, and Plant Engineering & Operations. Provides energy audits, diagnostic studies, environmental assessments, and technical evaluations for cement plants and allied industries.
• Centre for Construction Development and Research (CDR) Four programmes covering Structural Optimization and Design, Structural Engineering, construction practices, concrete technology, and infrastructure development research. For government departments, PSUs, infrastructure developers, and construction companies.
• Centre for Industrial Information Services (CIS) Six programmes covering Industrial Information and Data Bank, Integrated IT Solutions, library, publications, and data management services for the cement and construction industry. Maintains a 50,000-record bibliographic database and access to international databases.
• Centre for Continuing Education Services (CCE) World-class training for the cement, concrete, and construction industries, including long-term PG Diploma, short-term courses, simulator-based courses, on-site/in-house special group training programmes, and technology awareness programmes. Includes an advanced cement plant operation simulator installed at Ballabgarh and Hyderabad units.
• Centre for Quality Management, Standards & Calibration Services (CQC) Four programmes: Standard Reference Materials (SRMs/BNDs), Calibration Laboratory Services (NABL-accredited per ISO/IEC 17025), Inter-laboratory Services / Proficiency Testing (NABL-accredited per ISO/IEC 17043 — first in India), and Total Quality Management consultancy. For cement plants, testing laboratories, and process industries.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Cement Technology Full-time one-year Post Graduate Diploma course in Cement Technology, approved by AICTE, for engineering and science graduates seeking careers in cement and construction materials.
• Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs) – Indian Certified Reference Materials 21 Indian Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) developed by NCB for cement, cementitious materials, limestone, gypsum, coal, petcoke, and industrial wastes, traceable to SI units via CSIR-NPL. Sold to cement plants, testing laboratories, and process industries as the national reference standards.
• Limestone Consumption Factor (LCF) Studies Studies for rationalization of limestone consumption in cement production, estimation of royalty for limestone from captive mines, and internal material audit. Performed for cement plants across India on a project basis.
• Refractory Engineering Services Technical audit of refractory materials, installation practices, performance/lining life assessment, and benchmark establishment for performance indicators. For cement plants.
• Simulator Based Training Simulator-based training on cement plant operations (VRM, Roller Press, Ball Mill systems, Precalciner Kilns, and pyro-processing) for cement plant personnel, delivered at NCB's Ballabgarh and Hyderabad units.
• NCB Incubation Centre (NCB-IC) Incubation centre providing mentorship, focused-area support, and innovation programmes (including CemHack for Green Infra) for startups in the cement and building materials sector.
• Proficiency Testing (PT) Schemes NABL-accredited Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes in chemical fields (cement, clinker, fly ash, limestone, coal/coke, granulated slag, water) and mechanical fields (cement, fly ash, aggregate) for testing laboratories and cement plants.
• On-site / Special Group Training Programmes Customized on-site/in-house training programmes on cement manufacturing technology, concrete QC/QA, NDT, and modern construction practices, delivered at client locations for cement companies, PSUs, and government bodies.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~200 Limestone Consumption Factor (LCF) studies completed for cement plants across India
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers25 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature16 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2018NCB signed an MoU with CSIR-NPL for BND (Bhartiya Nirdeshak Dravya) certifications on the occasion of World Metrology Day, 21 May 2018. BNDs developed by NCB derive their traceability to SI units from CSIR-NPL, the custodian of national standards in India. NPL has communicated to BIS to incorporate BNDs in Indian standards. NABL has agreed to amend its documents for wide acceptance of BNDs among laboratories. NCB is the first organization outside CSIR-NPL to receive BND marking for reference materials.
• All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAICTE (Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India) provides formal approval for NCB's one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Cement Technology. NCB has been conducting the PG Diploma since 1983 with AICTE approval, enabling the programme to meet quality standards for technical education in India.
• Youth4workminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMoU between AICTE and Youth4work enables NCB's PG Diploma students to participate in online talent tests. Youth4work provides an online skill assessment platform accessible to NCB students and post-graduate candidates applying to NCB programmes.
• Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCB collaborates with IIT Delhi on a research project evaluating Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3). Research findings were presented at the 5th Stakeholder Meeting on LC3 held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Collaboration involves joint research on cement systems including work with TARA on LC3 investigations.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCB's BNDs have been communicated by NPL to BIS for incorporation in Indian standards. NCB provides technical input to BIS for cement and construction materials standards. Many NCB CRMs are mandatory for calibration of equipment under BIS scheme of Testing and Inspection (STI) for cement industry.
• National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNABL provides accreditation to NCB's calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025) and PT provider programmes (ISO/IEC 17043). NCB is the first NABL-accredited PT provider in the country. NABL Director agreed to amend NABL documents for wide acceptance of BNDs among laboratories.
• Dalmia Bharat Cement LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShri Ashwani Pahuja (Executive Director, Dalmia Bharat Cement Ltd) serves as Chairman of NCB's Research Advisory Committee (RAC). Dalmia Cement and Bharat Ltd collaborated with NCB for cement manufacturing technology training (GETs) and R&D project work including raw mix design optimization.
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)coreOthersNCB is under the administrative control of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India. DPIIT exercises oversight and administrative control over NCB's operations and mandate.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS India: Global testing, inspection, and certification major with a significant Indian presence in cement, construction materials, and minerals. Competes with NCB for non-mandated industrial testing and certification work.
• Bureau Veritas India: International TIC firm with strong India operations covering construction materials testing, ISO certifications, and industrial asset inspection. Comparable as a multi-accredited testing services provider competing for the same enterprise clients as NCB.
• TÜV SÜD South Asia: German-origin TIC firm operating in India across construction materials, energy, and industrial testing. Comparable for accredited laboratory, calibration, and ISO certification services that overlap with NCB's portfolio.
• Intertek India: Global TIC player offering cement, minerals, and construction materials testing and certification. Provides a like-for-like comparison point for NCB's testing, calibration, and quality management services.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): India's national standards body that sets cement and construction materials specifications. NCB contributes technical input to BIS, and BIS incorporation of NCB's BNDs creates direct interlinkage. Comparable as a statutory standards and accreditation body.

Direct peers

• Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC): Government body under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs promoting building materials research, standards, and technology — analogous to NCB's mandate within the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Comparable as a public-sector construction-materials R&D and standards organization.
• CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL): India's custodian of national metrology standards; NCB's BNDs derive SI traceability from CSIR-NPL under a 2018 MoU. The two organizations are co-developers in India's certified reference material ecosystem.
• Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI): CSIR laboratory focused on building and construction materials R&D, structural engineering, and disaster mitigation. Closest peer in the Indian government R&D system to NCB's CDR and CRT centres.

Others

• Cement Manufacturers' Association (CMA): Industry association representing Indian cement producers, including several NCB clients (UltraTech, Dalmia, Ambuja, Shree). Functions as a key industry interface for NCB's training, testing, and R&D service delivery.

Emerging players

• TARA (Technology and Action for Rural Advancement): Development organization co-developing Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) technology with IIT Delhi and partners including NCB. Comparable as a co-research actor in alternative low-carbon cement binder systems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NcbIndia
• Facebookfacebook.com/National-Council-for-Cement-and-Building-Materials-100045427102390

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NCB