The capital markets regulator Sebi has put on hold the proposed Rs 40 billion initial public offering (IPO) of JSW Cement. Sebi did not provide specific reasons for this decision but stated that the "issuance of observations has been kept in abeyance," according to an update on its website on Monday. JSW Cement, a part of the diversified JSW Group, had filed the preliminary IPO papers with Sebi on August 16.

The proposed IPO includes a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 20 billion and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of Rs 20 billion by investor shareholders, as outlined in the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) submitted to the regulator. Under the OFS, AP Asia Opportunistic Holdings Pte. Ltd and Synergy Metals Investments Holding Ltd are set to offload shares worth Rs 9.37 billion each, while the State Bank of India (SBI) will divest shares valued at Rs 125 crore.

The proceeds from the fresh issue will be allocated as follows: Rs 8 billion for partially financing the establishment of a new integrated cement unit in Nagaur, Rajasthan, Rs 7.2 billion for debt repayment, and the remaining funds for general corporate purposes.

JSW Cement, which currently has a manufacturing capacity of 19 MT annually, aims to increase its capacity to 60 MTPA. The company operates manufacturing units in Vijayanagar (Karnataka), Nandyal (Andhra Pradesh), Salboni (West Bengal), Jajpur (Odisha), and Dolvi (Maharashtra). Additionally, through its subsidiary Shiva Cement, it operates a clinker unit in Odisha.

JSW Group has diversified business interests in sectors such as steel, energy, maritime infrastructure, defence, B2B e-commerce, realty, paints, sports, and venture capital. The company's IPO process is being managed by JM Financial Ltd, Axis Capital Ltd, Citigroup Global Markets India Private Ltd, DAM Capital Advisors Ltd, Goldman Sachs (India) Securities Private Ltd, Jefferies India Private Ltd, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Ltd, and SBI Capital Markets Ltd.