18 October 2017
ACC boosts third quarter cement sales as new plants come online 18 October 2017
India: ACC’s cement sales rose by 18% year-on-year to 5.96Mt in the third quarter of 2017 from 5.07Mt in the same period of 2016 as its Jamul and Sindri plants have come online. Its sales volumes increased by 10% to 19.3Mt in the first nine months of the year. Net sales rose by 16.5% to US$1.46m in the first three quarters and its net profit after tax rose by 27% to US$110m.
Despite its positive result the cement producer warned against rising import costs from higher slag prices and fuel costs. Higher usage of imported and auctioned coal, caused by a limited availability of linkage coal, adversely affected fuel costs. However, the company said that it partly mitigated this through improved raw material mixtures and fuel mix optimisation.
Semen Indonesia suspends construction of Aceh plant 18 October 2017
Indonesia: Semen Indonesia Aceh has suspended construction of its Pidie cement plant in Aceh due to a land dispute. Local community leaders say they support the project but are calling for the disagreement to be resolved first to avoid problems later on, according to the Antara news agency. Locals are also waiting for environmental impact report requirements to be met. Previously, Semen Indonesia Aceh halted a plant construction project in Laweung until land issues were resolved.
Angolan government to tackle unfair competition in cement market 18 October 2017
Angola: President João Lourenço plans to submit a competition law to parliament to tackle imbalances in the cement market. He has decided to do this in response to rising cement prices following the shutdown of two plants, according to the Angola Press Agency. Lourenço made the comments at the opening meeting of the First Legislative Session of the Fourth Legislature of the National Assembly.
Peruvian cement production down so far in 2017 18 October 2017
Peru: Cement production fell by 3% year-on-year to 7.3Mt in the first nine months of 2017 from 7.5Mt in the same period in 2016. Data from the Association of Cement Producers (Asocem) shows that the third quarter of 2017 is the first quarter where production rose so far during the year. This was due to a 4.3% increase to 0.88Mt in September 2017 from 0.85Mt in September 2016.
Canadian cement industry meets with government 18 October 2017
Canada: Representatives from the Canadian cement and concrete industries have met with government ministers, members of parliament, senators and civil servants in Ottawa, Ontario as part of a two-day advocacy event.
"The cement and concrete industry is uniquely positioned to help all levels of government in Canada achieve their climate change priorities, while also ensuring best value for money invested," said Michael McSweeney, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Cement Association of Canada.
More than 60 industry delegates hailing from across the country and industries have gathered for the event. The delegation includes the CEOs of Canada's cement industry and representatives from the ready mixed concrete, insulated concrete forms, masonry, precast concrete and precast concrete pipe sectors. They hope to highlight the economic and lifecycle benefits of their products to legislators.
PPC workers strike at Slurry cement plant 18 October 2017
South Africa: Members of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members at PPC’s Slurry cement plant in North West province have gone on strike over wages. The NUM gave the cement producer a notice to strike in mid-October 2017 and then workers started taking action on 17 October 2017. The union wants a pay rise on 12% and other benefits, but PPC has only offered 6%.