China: Anhui Conch’s net profit has fallen by 29% year-on-year to US$506m in the first half of 2016 from US$710m in the same period in 2015. Its revenue fell slightly to US$3.61bn from US$3.65bn. It sold 128Mt of cement in the period, a rise of 11% year-on-year, but falling prices reduced its revenue. By region the sales were up overseas and in Central China but they fell in East China and South China. The group blamed the fall in profit on an economic downturn and intense market competition.

During the reporting period three clinker production lines at PT Conch South Kalimantan Cement, Myanmar Conch Cement and Yingjiang Yunhan Cement and seven cement-grinding units at Ganzhou Conch Cement and Guangxi Sihegongmao were put into operation. The group’s clinker and cement production capacities have increased by 4.6Mt/yr to 240Mt/yr and by 8.1Mt/yr to 300Mt/yr respectively. Four waste heat recovery systems have also been commissioned, adding 25.5MW capacity.

International projects in Indonesia and Myanmar have completed construction and started operation during the reporting period. The group’s Merak grinding mill project in Indonesia is continuing as scheduled with trial operation planned for the second half of 2016. Preliminary work on projects in Laos and Cambodia and research for future projects in Russia and Turkey is also continuing.