September 2024
Dalmia Bharat Cement enters Karnataka to boost sales in south 20 October 2015
India: Dalmia Bharat Cement expects to improve its share of cement sales from south India by entering the Karnataka market.
"As we enter the lucrative Karnataka market, we expect to do well. The southern region has already witnessed 1.2% growth over the last year compared to the industry's country-wide sales growth of around 5%," said Mahendra Singhi, Dalmia Bharat Cement's CEO.
Dalmia Bharat Cement has commenced operations at its US$200m, 2.5Mt/yr greenfield cement plant in Belgaum and launched its 'superior grade cement' in the Karnataka market. Karnataka accounts for 5% of the total Indian cement market. "The company has engaged 300 dealers in the region, who will be supported with end-to-end marketing, technical and logistics support," said Singhi.
The plant in Karnataka is Dalmia Bharat Cement's 11th manufacturing plant in the country, making it the third-largest cement group in India with 24Mt/yr capacity. "We have a strong market presence in super-specialty cements used for oil wells, railway sleepers and air strips and are the country's largest producer of slag cement," said Singhi.
Dangote Cement in Tanzania coal deal 20 October 2015
Tanzania: Dangote Cement has signed two agreements that will enable its US$600m cement plant in Tanzania to generate 150MW from coal.
One agreement is with Tancoal. Dangote Cement has also signed a coal prospecting licence for a site in Mbinga. However, the plant will first run on diesel until it is able to generate its own electricity from coal.
The deals ends a year-long dispute between the government and the cement plant after Tanesco failed to provide electricity. The plant was considering importing coal from South Africa, which was a cheaper option than buying it from the area.
The cement plant is expected to reduce cement prices by 50% once production commences in early 2016. It will take advantage of the growing construction industry, which contributes 12.5% to the country's GDP. It will offer more than 1500 direct jobs and 9000 indirectly.
JK Lakshmi Cement to build 1.5Mt/yr grinding plant in Bihar 19 October 2015
India: JK Lakshmi Cement has gained approval to establish a 1.5Mt/yr grinding plant with a 1000m3/day 10MW diesel generator (DG) set and autoclaved aerated concrete block unit in Kishanganj, Bihar for US$46.3m.
"Based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee, the Environment Ministry has given environmental clearance to JK Lakshmi Cement's proposed project in Bihar," said a senior Environment Ministry official.
The clearance was given with certain conditions. Among the conditions specified, JK Lakshmi Cement has been asked to develop a green belt in at least 33% of the area in and around the cement plant, as per the norms. The company has also been asked to install air monitoring devices, control secondary fugitive emissions and reduce the impact of transport of the raw materials and end products on the surrounding environment, among others.
JK Lakshmi Cement has more than 9Mt/yr of installed cement capacity in India. In the first quarter of its 2015-2016 fiscal year, the company reported a standalone net loss of US$3.62m due to the subdued market and higher costs, compared to a net profit of US$6.25m in the April - June period of the previous fiscal year.
Semen Indonesia to build cement plant in Kupang 19 October 2015
Indonesia: Semen Indonesia sealed an agreement on 15 October 2015 with Semen Kupang to build a 1.5Mt/yr cement plant in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara in order to boost its distribution efficiency. The US$148m plant will cater to the cement needs in the areas around Kupang. Construction is expected to start in 2016 and cement production is expected in 2018.
Poland: The Polish Competition and Consumer Protection Office (UOKiK) has approved the acquisition of Duda Kruszywa and Duda Beton by Gorazdze Cement provided that Gorazdze sells the concrete unit in Olszowa to avoid limiting market competition. Both Duda Kruszywa, which is an aggregate producer, and Duda Beton, a producer of ready-mixed concrete, are currently owned by the Opole-based firm JD.
Dalmia Cement eyes Goan market 19 October 2015
India: Dalmia Cement Bharat plans to increase its market presence in Goa as part of its Indian expansion. The Goa market will be catered to by its newly-commissioned, US$201m, 2.5Mt/yr plant in Belgaum, according to M K Swaminathan, Executive Director - Sales.
Cement consumption in Goa is expected to receive a boost from ongoing infrastructure projects and demand will likely grow by 5 – 6% in the coming year. To grab a larger market share, Dalmia Cement has started beefing up its dealership network in the state through talks with 15 dealers initially. The company will support them with end-to-end marketing, technical and logistics support.
Ahangarancement must pay excess profit tax, will appeal 16 October 2015
Uzbekistan: The Higher Economic Court of Uzbekistan has upheld a penalty tax on excess profit of Ahangarancement JSC (a subsidiary of Russian Eurocement Group JSC) from 2009 to 2014 and penalties for its late payment.
Ahagarancement stated that it would appeal the decision because it calculated the excess profit tax in accordance with the laws of the country. It added that the calculation had been confirmed as correct by the ministry of finance and the expert council at the State Tax Committee.
"The decision significantly changes the legal practice on issues of the formation of profits of cement companies, significantly encumbers the plant with an additional tax burden, leads to a reduction of investment opportunities of the enterprise and jeopardises the implementation of the project of modernisation of the enterprise," said the company in a press release.
The tax authorities of Uzbekistan have not commented on the situation.
11 detained after alternative fuel protest turns violent 16 October 2015
China: Eleven people have been detained in Yangchun, south China's Guangdong Province, after demonstrations against a project to build a waste incinerator adjacent to a cement plant turned violent.
Protesters said the demonstrations drew hundreds of people agitated over the risk of pollution from the project."How will we survive breathing in noxious smoke?" said one of the protestors.
Tension persisted for two days, with protesters saying that hundreds of people had been gathering near the gates of the cement plant.
Italcementi and trade unions renew talks 16 October 2015
Italy: Italian cement maker Italcementi and Italian trade unions are looking for a solution for the temporary lay-off scheme that will expire in January 2016.
At a meeting on 15 October 2015, the parties determined that it is not possible to extend the current temporary lay-off scheme and consequently they are studying alternatives that would allow wider coverage compared to the initial programmes.
In a statement the trade unions explain that one of the hypotheses could entail the use of the scheme for total cessation of the activities at the plants in Monselice and Scafa, already suspended for years, as well as the partial cessation for the plants in Castrovillari, Sarche di Calavino and Salerno that could be concluded in January 2017.
Besides, a temporary lay-off scheme may be decided for the remaining group's employees that could last until September 2017. The parties will meet again on 2 November 2015.
Oman Cement posts 4% revenue increase 15 October 2015
Oman: Oman Cement's revenue increased by 4% year-on-year to US$31.6m for the third quarter of 2015. On a quarter-by-quarter basis, its revenue grew by 12.4%. Oman Cement's net profit was US$4.02m compared to US$6.03m in the third quarter of 2014.