- Written by Oxana Bristowe, OxanaBristowe.com
Since the end of the Second World War, cement production has grown into a huge global industry. The Global Cement Directory 2017 details over 2200 integrated cement plants and 500+ grinding plants worldwide that can produce around 4.2Bnt/yr of cement. But growth brings challenges. There are profitable and unprofitable cement plants. Overall return on capital isn’t high and overcapacity is a major factor in certain markets. Consolidation is now well-established, with the chairman of the World Cement Association recently expressing the view that a return to profitability will require even more consolidation in the future.
- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
The consolidation of the global cement sector continued in 2017 after a busy 2015 and 2016. CRH has continued to grow, with two major acquisitions in the US. HeidelbergCement, fresh from its acquisition of Italcementi, has bought up Cementir Italia, while assets have also changed hands in South Korea, Germany, Belgium and India. There is also the question of which company will end up with PPC’s assets in South Africa. Prior to the release of the final print version of the Global Cement Directory 2018, we present a run down of the top cement-producing nations and cement producers as they stand at the start of the New Year.
- Written by Bruno Vanderborght, Lesscoo GmbH
Up until 2014, the Egyptian cement industry principally used state-subsidised natural gas and heavy fuel oil to fire their kilns. Due to the gradual phasing out of the subsidies, using natural gas and heavy fuel is no longer economically viable.
- Written by Peter Edwards, Global Cement Magazine
Cement producers around the world are looking for measures on how to improve productivity and lower operating and maintenance (O&M) costs, yet many are still resistant to external consulting. However, good results have been achieved by providers of specialised services, including full O&M contracts. In this interview we hear about the findings of a recent market report by Joe Harder, Managing Director of OneStone Consulting.
- Written by Chris Every & Miri Zlatnar, Coomtech Ltd
Low cost drying and clean fuels company Coomtech has developed an innovative and patented Surface Moisture Removal (SMR) drying technology for pulverised fuel ash (PFA) with significant benefits for the cement and building products industries.
