26 April 2019

Mexico: Cemex’s cement sales volumes fell by 6% year-on-year to 14.9Mt in the first quarter of 2019 from 15.9Mt in the same period in 2018. It has blamed this on falling volumes in its key markets in Mexico and the US. Its net sales dropped by 3% to US$3.24bn from US$3.34bn. Its operating earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) decreased by 6% to US$562m from US$598m. Its concrete sales volumes fell slightly to 12.1Mm3 from 12.2Mm3.

“We are pleased with the 1% top-line growth we achieved during the first quarter, despite volume declines in our two most important markets: Mexico and the US. During the quarter, we enjoyed improved pricing performance in all our regions with favourable volume dynamics in Europe. In the US, ready-mix and aggregates volumes also grew despite adverse weather in part of our footprint,” said Fernando A Gonzalez, chief executive officer (CEO) of Cemex.

By region, the group also reported falling sales in its South, Central America and the Caribbean and Asia, Middle East and Africa regions. However, sales volumes of both cement and concrete increased by over 10% in Europe. Here, net sales rose by 3% to US$805m from US$781m. This was attributed to ‘strong’ domestic demand in most countries and a mild winter.

China: Huaxin Cement’s sales revenue rose by 33% year-on-year to US$887m in the first quarter of 2019 from US$669m in the same period in 2018. Its net profit nearly doubled to US$150m from US$78.7m.

Pakistan: Bestway Cement’s turnover grew slightly to US$421m in the nine months to 31 March 2019 from US$414m in the same period in 2018. Its profit rose by 9.5% to US$67.4m from US$61.5m.

Pakistan: DG Khan’s sales rose by 30% to US$215m in the nine months to 31 March 2019 from US$165m in the same period in 2018. However, its profit dropped by nearly half to US$18.5m from US$35.1m. Its cost of sales increased by 56% in the reporting period.

Pakistan: Maple Leaf Cement’s net sales fell by 5% year-on-year to US$129m in the first quarter of 2019 from US$136m in the same period in 2018. Its profit after tax dropped to US$13.4m from US$23.8m.

Pakistan: Cherat Cement’s turnover grew slightly to US$78.8m in the nine months to 31 March 2019. Its net profit rose by 25% to US$15.9m from US$12.7m. Third quarter turnover and net profit grew faster in the third quarter.

India: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued a show cause notice to Ramco Cement’s Ariyalur plant in Tamil Nadu for breaching air pollution limits. CPCB inspectors found that the particulate matter (PM) and NO_x emissions were higher than allowed during an inspection in March 2019, according to the New Indian Express newspaper. The CPCB has recommended that the unit supplies continuous data transmissions and calibrates of all of its monitors to CPCB Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems guidelines.