14 November 2024

Türkiye: OYAK Cement has announced net sales of US$333m and a 17% year-on-year rise in earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to US$111m for the third quarter of 2024. The company recorded a net profit of US$61.3m for the third quarter and US$155m for the first nine months of 2024.

India: RLJ Infracement plans to more than double the production capacity of its 0.3Mt/yr Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, grinding plant to 0.66Mt/yr.

Reuters has reported that the plant's cement supplier, Prism Johnson, now plans to terminate its supply agreement with Rockhill Hi-Tech Cement. Rockhill Hi-Tech Cement operates the 0.22Mt/yr Patna grinding plant in neighbouring Bihar.

Puerto Rico: The Puerto Rico Economic Development Bank (BDE) has reported an increase in cement sales, reaching 1.41 million 43kg bags in October 2024, the highest since March 2023. This marks a 15% rise from October 2023, with recent months averaging 1.28 million bags.

BDE President Luis Alemañy said "We see a recovery in the construction sector, particularly in cement sales, which predicts a good impact on infrastructure development and job creation in Puerto Rico. Although the 2024 fiscal year closed with a 1% decrease in cement sales compared to the previous year, the start of the 2025 fiscal year shows a 6% increase in sales between July and October. This allows us to anticipate a progressive recovery in this key sector for our economy."

China: Shandong Province will curb cement production from 15 November 2024 to 15 March 2025 to reduce air pollution. The measure, similar to last winter's, was announced by the Province's industry and environment ministries. Shandong's reliance on inefficient captive coal-fired power plants means the measure could reduce coal demand significantly.