September 2024
Tarmac launches new cement packing plant 10 October 2016
UK: Tarmac has launched a cement-packing unit at its Tunstead cement plant in Derbyshire. The Haver and Boecker 10-spout Adams 2000 packing plant increases the plant’s packing capacity. The launch takes place on the site’s 50th anniversary of cement production. The plant will manufacture Tarmac’s range of plastic packed and tubbed cement products for merchant and retail customers. The plant will also be used to house the company’s new 12.5kg mixer bags that were launched earlier in 2016.
“This new plant is an exciting development for us. It enhances our existing UK-wide supply capacity, ensuring we continue to offer customers and end users superior packed cement products, service and supply. As a business with a strong culture of innovation, the plant will use some of our most pioneering developments, such as plastic packaging,” said Kevan Greenhalgh, Packed Business Manager for Tarmac’s Cement business.
The plant has created 23 new jobs at Tunstead, which employs around 450 people. It will also offer training opportunities for existing employees, through the use of the packing plant’s automated technology. The plant launch coincides with the recent upgrading of Tunstead’s rail freight infrastructure, part of Tarmac’s strategy to support sustainable delivery of materials, and cut transport CO2 by 10% by 2020.
Intercem marks progress on Kampala Cement grinding plant 10 October 2016
Uganda: Intercem has released details on its project to build a cement grinding plant for Kampala Cement. The equipment producer has supplied a 90t/hr cement grinding plant with a ball mill, a clinker storage and four 1000t steel cement silos.
Intercem’s scope of supply included all works except for the foundations. Three separate vibration feeders, two belt conveyors and a bucket elevator were installed. The four silos dispose of truck loading stations and the finished product is transported via air conveyor troughs from the silos to the new packing line. The contract between Kampala Cement and Intercem was originally signed in September 2014.
An additional contract was placed by Kampala Cement at the end of 2015 to order a Pozzolan-Dryer as well as a further storage for primary crushing and drying of the raw material due to the discovery of a higher humidity content of the raw material than originally specified. Construction and installation of these additional assets has finished and the plant including the Pozzolan-Dryer, with a throughput of 40 t/hr, has also been commissioned.
Builders Association of India calls for cement regulatory body 10 October 2016
India: The Builders Association of India has asked the government to create a Cement Regulatory Authority to control the price of cement and prevent cartel activity in the sector. Avinash M Patil, national president of the BAI, told the Hindu newspaper that ‘most’ contracts in the construction industry have no price escalation clauses. Subsequently, unexpected jumps in the price of cement slow down project times. A delegation of the BAI is set to meet the prime minister to discuss the issue.
Vietnamese ministry to inspect cement plants for pollution 10 October 2016
Vietnam: The Ministries of Industry and Trade and Natural Resources and Environment have started inspecting cement and thermal power plants following the discovery of various violations of environmental regulations at certain companies. A joint delegation from the two ministries will look into the production and waste treatment facilities of the factories, according to the Viet Nam News newspaper.
Trần Tuấn Anh, Minister of Industry and Trade, has also ordered companies regulated by his ministry to provide information on environmental protection to the media. Anh has made it mandatory for contractors and investors to complete environmental protection projects in accordance with the commitments stated in their environmental impact assessments released before operation starts. Producers are supposed to publicise information on their trials so that local authorities and residents can supervise them.
Foreign workers charged at Siam Cement-CITIC Heavy Industries plant project in Myanmar 10 October 2016
Myanmar: Five foreign workers at Mawlamyine Cement, a cement plant being built by Siam Cement and CITIC Heavy Industries, have been charged for violating visa regulations. The workers failed to report the initial arrival of 11 of their colleagues’ to the local immigration authorities, according to the Myanmar Times. Four Chinese and one Thai citizen have been charged with violating three sections of the Registration of Foreigners Rules of 1948 which require the registration of foreigners with relevant immigration officials within 24 hours of arrival at a hotel.
Siam Cement and CITIC Heavy Industries signed a deal in 2013 to build a 5000t/day plant for US$197m. The plant is expected to become operational later in 2016.
Indonesian government to tackle cement industry expansion 10 October 2016
Indonesia: Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto has said that the government is preparing regulations to restrict new cement plant permits being issued in a bid to maintain stable cement prices. The ministry’s director general for chemicals, textile and miscellaneous industry, Achmad Sigit Dwiwahjono, has also confirmed the proposed regulation, according to the Jakarta Post. Airlangga added that his ministry has also been considering other measures to tackle cement oversupply.
The Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) has lobbied the government to take action on oversupply. Cement production capacity has nearly doubled from 59.3Mt/yr in 2012 to 92.7Mt/yr in 2016. However, demand is projected to only reach 65Mt in 2016, leaving a production oversupply of 27.7Mt.
LafargeHolcim to sell stake in Cemento Polpaico for US$225m 10 October 2016
Chile: LafargeHolcim has signed an agreement with Inversiones Caburga, part of the Hurtado Vicuña Group, to sell its 54.3% stake in Cemento Polpaico for US$225m. The transaction will be carried out by a public tender offer by Inversiones Caburga to all shareholders of Cemento Polpaico.
Cemento Polpaico operates one integrated plant and two grinding plants with an annual cement capacity of 2.3Mt/yr. The company is also a leading ready-mix concrete producer operating 25 plants and produces aggregates. The launch of the public tender offer is subject to the approval of the Chilean competition authorities, which is expected for the first half of 2017. Following the successful completion LafargeHolcim would exit Chile completely.
Malabar Cements to resume operations this month 07 October 2016
India: Malabar Cements will restart operations later in October 2016, says EP Jayarajan, the Industry Minister of Kerala. The publicly owned cement producer stopped production due to lack of supply of raw materials in late September 2016, according to the Hindu newspaper. Laterite and limestone required for production will be sourced from Kasaragod and Rajasthan respectively.
Ugandan government to build cement plant in Karamoja 07 October 2016
Uganda: The government intends to build a cement plant in Karamoja in partnership with Moroto Ateker Cement. The company is a formation of Uganda Development Corporation and Savannah Mines, a local firm based in Karamoja, with a shareholding of 51% and 49% respectively, according to the Monitor newspaper. Moroto Aterer has contracted India’s Saboo Technologies to build the cement plant in the Moroto Industrial Park. Saboo has completed a feasibility study and say that the plant will be completed in two phases.
ARM Cement secures US$140m from CDC Group 07 October 2016
Kenya: ARM Cement has completed an equity deal to secure US$140m in funding from CDC Group. The investment is believed to be the largest equity deal in Kenya and East Africa in 2016, and one of the largest equity deals in Kenya to date. The cement producer intends to use the investment to build a new cement plant in Kitui County.
“This deal is indicative of the increased infrastructure development in the East African region. The demand for quality and sustainably produced cement has never been higher, and this deal capacitates ARM to meet this demand head-on. The deal is good news as it is expected to create jobs due to increased production and opportunities all along the supply chain,” said Paras Shah, a partner with Bowmans Kenya, the firm that advised ARM on the legal aspects of the transaction.