15 October 2019

Panama: 0.87Mt of domestically produced cement was sold in Panama in the six months to 31 July 2019, corresponding to a drop in production of 12.8% compared to the same period of 2018. Figures released by the treasury office showed total cement imports at a high of 85,600t; 10% of domestic consumption.

Kenya: The new owners of Athi River Mining Cement entered the company’s 0.7Mt/yr integrated Kaloleni cement plant on 14 October 2019. The Standard has reported that Narendra Raval, chairman of Devki Group, which also owns National Cement, was held up for some time at the entrance, because security guards had not received orders to let him in. Raval spoke to employees, promising that all 1100 would keep their jobs following completion of the takeover, whereupon all salaries would be harmonised with those of their National Cement colleagues.

Oman: Al Tasnim Cement Products has opened a 425m³/hr ready-mix concrete plant in Duqm’s Special Economic Zone. Arab Finance has reported that four batching plants will supply cement to the facility; one on-site and three elsewhere in Duqm.

Mauritius: Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG)’s subsidiary GuarantCo has filed an insolvency petition against Dalmia Bharat Cement’s subsidiary Calcom Cement India for the alleged non-payment of US$27.5m. The Financial Express has reported that GuarantCo was the guarantor for various loans which Calcom obtained from Indian banks in 2007. A Dalmia spokesperson has stated that the procedures are intended “to put pressure on Calcom Cement,” which “has not committed any default in making payments to GuarantCo.”

Switzerland: Holcim Switzerland has ratified a new collective labour agreement (CCL) with two unions. Finanznachrichten has reported that under the new arrangement the company’s 570 employees will be able to receive two weeks’ paid paternity leave. Lena Frank, head of personnel negotiations, stated that “the compatibility between work and family is central to equality. The new regulation is therefore an important step forward.”