Displaying items by tag: GCW182
Vietnam: The World Bank is expected to provide US$200m in loans for Vietnamese cement plants to invest in waste heat recovery (WHR) systems according to the Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA). The VNCA said the financing pledge is part of the bank's programme to finance efficient energy consumption for the local cement industry.
At present only Holcim and Ha Tien 2 in southern Vietnam, and Chinfon and Cong Thanh in northern Vietnam have invested in WHR systems. In April 2014 the VNCA admitted that there had been a delay to build WHR systems in all cement plants with a clinker production capacity of 2500t/day by 2015.
Ibeto and Nigercem ownership dispute continues
07 January 2015Nigeria: The Ebonyi State Government in Nigeria has warned Ibeto Cement Company over an alleged illegal entry into the premises of Nigercem cement premises located at Nkalagu. The entry was perceived as an act of provocation by governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, as Nigercem is still subject of an ownership dispute in the courts.
"Following dispute between the State government and Ibeto Group on the ownership of Nigercem, Ebonyi State Government exercised its illegal right of land ownership by revoking the certificate of all the land upon which Nigercem is situated," said Elechi. "By going into the premises of Nigercem without the permission of the State Government, the Ibeto Group has demonstrated an alarming desire to acquire the God-given mineral wealth of Ebonyi people for its interest".
Eastern Bulkcem Nigeria Limited owns a 65% stake in Nigercem. The origins of the current dispute arise from Eastern Bulkcem's failure to modernise the ageing plant, instead opting to use its ownership of the plant to obtain import licences for bulk cement. The Ebonyi State Government resorted to extra-judicial means to shut it down, revoking Nigercem's certificate of occupancy pending a Judicial Commission to investigate the state of affairs in the company.
Holcim and Cemex close transactions in Europe
06 January 2015Europe: Holcim and Cemex have announced the successful closure of a series of transactions in Europe.
Holcim has acquired Cemex's operations in western Germany and the Netherlands, while Cemex has taken over Holcim Czech Republic with all of its subsidiaries in that country. In Spain, Cemex has purchased Holcim's Gador cement plant and Yeles grinding station, while Holcim keeps its remaining operations.
As a result of the transactions, Cemex paid Holcim Euro45m in cash. Holcim expects sustainable additional operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of at least Euro10m/yr.
NEMC builds road to court for Tanga Cement
06 January 2015Tanzania: The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) has vowed to take Tanga Cement to task over allegations of importing thousands of tonnes of hazardous materials. The official environmental overseers allege that Tanga Cement Company Ltd (TCCL) has been importing thermal coal from South Africa in violation of a 10-year-old law that bans an individual or company from importing hazardous materials unless authorised by the NEMC. NEMC officials believe that TCCL's coal is an environmental hazard because it was imported from South Africa, not only without their knowledge, but also without their consent.
"We don't have anything personal, we just want them to abide by the law," said NEMC environment officer Magori Wambura. He added that TCCL had not only ignored the marine conservation laws, but also the government and the public it serves. "We'll take this issue seriously until we make sure they are punished," said Wambura. The NEMC has the power to revoke operational permits for the violating organisations, to settle environmental disputes and to file civil and criminal cases in the court of law.
Legal counsellor John Mnyele from the environmental monitoring council in Tanga said that they would also take TCCL to task for violating the agreement that it had signed with another State environmental monitoring offshoot, the Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP) on the purchase of coal. Mnyele said that the agreement restricted TCCL's import of coal, limiting it to the use of thermal energy from Kiwira Coal Mines in Mbeya and other sources from Ruvuma region. Mining experts say there are about 1Bnt of coal reserves in southern Tanzania alone.
Tamil Nadu government launches 'Amma Cement'
05 January 2015India: The Tamil Nadu government has rolled out 'Amma Cement,' a scheme that will see it sell cement at a subsidised rate. According to the scheme, the government will procure 200,000t of cement from the private sector and sell it at US$3/bag in all corporation, Municipalities and other local body limits.
The initiative was launched in Tiruchirappalli on 5 January 2015 and will be expanded in phases and implemented throughout Tamil Nadu by 10 January 2015. Beneficiaries can avail a minimum of 50 bags of cement for 100ft2 and a maximum of 750 bags for 1500ft2 at US$3/bag. They have to submit the approved building plan with the local authorities to use the scheme. Further, 10 - 100 bags will be provided for house repair work. The scheme will also be available to those constructing houses under the government's solar-powered green houses scheme.
Attock Cement and K-Electric sign MoU for coal-fired plant
05 January 2015Pakistan: Attock Cement Limited and K-Electric have agreed to set up 40MW coal-fired plant, enough to power its cement plant. Surplus electricity will be sold back to the grid.
"Attock Cement has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with K-Electric for the installation of 40MW coal-fired plant at its Hub plant for its own utilisation and sell surplus power to K-Electric," said Attock Cement.
Fed up with constant electricity cuts and soaring energy prices, Pakistani businesses are exploring options to generate electricity from coal-fired plants. Attock Cement has already discussed various aspects of its planned coal-fired project with suppliers of plants and machinery.
US/UK: HeidelbergCement has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with an American affiliate of Lone Star Funds to sell its North American and UK building products business for an aggregate purchase price of US$1.4bn. HeidelbergCement said that up to US$100m will be payable in 2016, depending on the performance of the business in 2015. The deal excludes HeidelbergCement's Western Canada business. HeidelbergCement expects the transaction to close in the first quarter of 2015.
The sale of Hanson Building Products is consistent with HeidelbergCement's strategy of focusing on processing and refining raw materials for its core products of cement and aggregates and further downstream activities, according to a HeidelbergCement spokesperson. HeidelbergCement will retain its Hanson units in the cement, crushed stone, sand and asphalt businesses in the UK.
Hungary: Lafarge Cement Magyarország has opened a storage facility for waste that will be used to help fuel its plant in Királyegyháza, southwestern Hungary. The project, involving an investment of EUro2.2m, will be used to store plastic, rubber and industrial and farm by-products.
Savannah Cement plans US$200m plant upgrade
02 January 2015Kenya: Savannah Cement plans to spend US$200m in 2015 to increase its production capacity by building a new cement grinding plant. The project will be funded through internal cash reserves and is expected to start in early 2015. The new plant will be based in Kitengela, where its current cement plant stands. Savannah Cement management said that the investment would to help to meet growing demand for its products in the market.
"Once the two plants are installed, Savannah Cement will take pole position as a truly integrated and eco-friendly cement manufacturer," said Savannah Cement managing director, Ronald Ndegwa. "We shall also be expanding our product range to meet our customers' demands." Ndegwa said that the installation of the second grinding plant and the clinker production plant is part of the firm's strategy to operate a fully-integrated cement manufacturing business.
Swiss CemIn West buys 96.6% of Ivano-Frankivskcement
23 December 2014Ukraine: Switzerland-based CemIn West SA has bought a 96.6% stake in Ukrainian building materials producer Ivano-Frankivskcement. The majority holding was bought from Cyprus-based companies Permixo Ltd, Basmaren Enterprises Ltd and Prenters Engineering Ltd, which sold their respective stakes of 36.98%, 20.76% and 13.3% in the Yamnitsa-based entity. Ivano-Frankivskcement manufactures cement, slate, asbestos cement pipes and concrete products. The plant made a net profit of Euro6.7m in 2013.