September 2024
Yguazu takes up slack during INC outage 07 August 2017
Paraguay: Yguazu saw record sales of 1.1 million bags of cement in July 2017, according to Ernesto Acosta, the firm's industrial manager, largely because of supply issues that affected state-run cement firm INC. Yguazu reported that it ‘even had to open on Sundays.’ Normally, Yguazu’s sales stand at 0.9 -1.0 million bags per month. INC has now resolved its issues.
Ramco to ramp up grinding capacity 07 August 2017
India: Ramco Cements is planning to make an investment of about US$172m in various projects, on the back of anticipated higher demand for cement in the near future. The company will invest in a range of projects, including expansion of its satellite grinding unit capacity. This move will enable the company to increase its presence in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal and will raise its total capacity to 7.1Mt/yr from 4.0Mt/yr at present. Expansions will be undertaken at its Visakhapatnam and Kolaghat plants, as well as at a new new grinding unit in Odisha. The projects will be commissioned within 18 months.
France: Vicat’s earnings have been negatively affected by the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound and performance issues in Turkey. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 8.7% year-on-year to Euro188m in the first half to 2017 from Euro206m in the same period in 2016. Its sales fell by 0.8% to Euro1.25bn from Euro1.24bn. By business line its cement sales fell by 4.2% to Euro612m and its cement sales volumes declined by 2.6% to 10.8Mt.
“The Vicat Group’s first-half performance was affected by very unfavourable weather conditions in Europe, the US and Turkey, especially at the beginning of the year, and by a difficult macro-economic and industrial environment in Egypt. Other key regions such as India, the US and France recorded improvements. In a year that should be characterised by a very strong seasonality effect, Vicat now expects to benefit from a marked progression in its activities in the second semester,” said the group’s chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Guy Sidos.
Buzzi Unicem sees recovery in Europe in first half of 2017 04 August 2017
Italy: Buzzi Unicem has reported a recovery in Central Europe, a positive change in Eastern Europe and an improvement in Italy thanks to increased exports. It also noted muted demand in the US, particularly during the first quarter. Its net sales rose by 7.3% year-on-year to Euro1.35bn in the first half of 2017 from Euro1.26bn in the same period in 2016. Its cement sales volumes increased by 2.3% to 12.5Mt from 12.2Mt. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 8.4% to Euro241m from Euro223m.
Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed its support for a plan to require cement importers to secure licenses and clearances for their products. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez backed the plan first issued in February 2017, according to the Philippines Star newspaper. The Department Administrative Order requires the application of the Philippine Standards licenses on foreign producers of cement imports and import commodity clearance on cement imports, as well as setting a minimum paid capitalisation of US$0.4m for all cement importers. The measures are intended to support domestic self-sufficiency in the cement industry.
Aumund sets up Aumund Group Field Service company 04 August 2017
Germany: Aumund has created a new company, Aumund Group Field Service, to carry out industrial installation services on behalf of the group subsidiaries, Aumund Fördertechnik, Schade Lagertechnik and Samson Materials Handling. It will also offer this service to customers outside of the Aumund Group. Its purpose will be to supervise the installation and commissioning of machines as well as servicing, maintenance and repair work. It has amalgamated work previously conducted by the other group subsidiaries.
The new subsidiary was incorporated in July 2017 with Erwin Last as its managing director. It is based in Rheinberg next to Aumund’s headquarters. It has 28 employees.
Philippine Competition Commission expects to complete investigation of cement industry by 2019 03 August 2017
Philippines: The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) expects to complete an investigation in alleged violations of competitive practice by the cement industry by 2019. PCC commissioner Stella Quimbo made the comments at a forum on the Philippines Competition Act (PCA), according to the Philippines Star newspaper. The investigation follows a probe earlier in 2017 in which the commission says it found reasonable grounds to proceed based on allegations made by the former trade undersecretary Victorio Dimagiba. According to a legal statement made by Dimagiba, the Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP), led by its president Ernesto Ordonez, Lafarge Holcim Philippines and Republic Cement and Building Materials violated the provisions of the PCA by engaging in anti-competitive agreements.
FLSmidth to build cement plant for Cielo Azul in Uruguay 03 August 2017
Uruguay: FLSmidth has been awarded an order from Cielo Azul Cementos y Calizas to build a 1200t/day cement plant at Treinta y Tres. The order is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017. The plant will be ready mix concrete producer Cielo Azul’s first cement production site.
The equipment being supplied includes an Atox 25.0 vertical mill for raw grinding, an Atox 13.5 vertical mill for coal grinding, a pyro processing system with low NOx ILC calciner, 3 base kiln, a Jetflex Burner, a Cross-Bar CB 6x29 cooler and OK 25-3 vertical mill for cement grinding, planetary gear units for vertical mills, bag filters, packing plant, control system, plant automation, weighing and metering systems.
Tunisia: Carthage Cement’s cement sales have fallen due to a ban on sales to Algeria. Its clinker production volumes fell by 27% year-on-year to 0.57Mt in the first half of 2017 from 0.78Mt in the same period in 2016 and its cement production fell by 13% to 0.72Mt from 0.83Mt. Cement export sales fell by 79% and overall its sales fell by 18% to Euro31.6m from Euro38.7m. However, the cement producer said it increased its market share in the period.
UltraTech Cement launches brand in Andhra Pradesh 03 August 2017
India: UltraTech Cement has launched its brand in Andhra Pradesh following its acquisition of cement plants belonging to Jaiprakash Associates in June 2017. The cement producer said that its expansion is aligned to government infrastructure development targets, according to the Hindu newspaper. The move is intended to increase the company’s presence in the south of the country.