September 2024
Afghanistan: The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has awarded three new contracts for the construction of cement plants in Herat, Kandahar and Parwan. Xinhua News Agency has reported the total value of the contracts as US$500m.
The government aims to achieve national self-sufficiency in cement production by rebuilding destroyed cement plants and building new ones. Plans are in motion to grant further contracts for the construction of cement plants in Jawzjan, Logar and Samangan.
South Korea: Korea Cement has plans to conduct a capital increase of US$36.3m. The producer said that it will use the funds to invest in its operations.
SCG launches reduced-CO2 cement in Vietnam 19 June 2024
Vietnam: Siam Cement Group (SCG) has announced the launch of a new 20% reduced CO2 cement in Vietnam. Việt Nam News has reported that SCG achieved the reduction through technical upgrades to its cement production, alternative fuels co-processing and waste heat recovery. The producer said the move is a response to growing demand for lower-carbon alternatives in the country’s cement market.
Deputy country director for Vietnam Tanakorn Theeramankong said "For the first time, SCG has introduced a new low carbon cement to the Vietnamese market, marking a significant step forward in our journey to achieve net-zero emissions. By pursuing advanced technologies to develop low carbon cement, we not only reduce our environmental impact but also set a new standard for Vietnam’s construction industry."
Indian government to build 4m/yr new rural homes 19 June 2024
India: The newly re-elected Indian government has approved the construction of 20m new rural homes up to the end of the 2030 financial year on 31 March 2030. This will entail the construction of new units at a rate of 4m/yr. The Business Standard newspaper has reported that the government raised rural homebuilding subsidies by 67% to US$2400/home, and by 69% to US$2640 in hill country. It said that this is necessary due to a rise in the price of building materials.
Worker dies at UltraTech Cement’s Manawar plant 19 June 2024
India: A worker has died after being caught in a belt at Ultratech Cement’s Manawar cement plant in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar District on the morning of 17 June 2023. Local press reported that 30-year-old Tikam Singh succumbed to his injuries after becoming trapped in the equipment. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Europe: A joint statement by Cefic, Cembureau, Eurofer, Eurometaux and WindEurope has called for accelerated wind deployment as part of a new industrial deal to further support the Green Deal in the European Union (EU).
The organisations say that Europe's energy-intensive industries, like cement and steel, are vital for the wind energy supply chain. However, they assert that current policies lack frameworks that effectively support these industries, which have faced production curtailments due to the energy crisis. Addressing these challenges is fundamental to a new Industrial Deal for Europe, aimed at boosting renewable energy deployment to reduce energy costs. According to the International Energy Agency, the growth in solar photovolatics and wind capacity from 2021 to 2023 helped keep electricity prices lower than they would have been otherwise. Coupling the EU Green Deal with an industrial deal is seen as a strategy to provide regulatory stability, encourage investments in decarbonisation, and enhance competitiveness.
Koen Coppenholle, CEO of Cembureau, said "Cement is a critical component in the construction of wind turbine foundations and their recycling, while the growth of renewable energy is indispensable to achieve the cement sector’s net zero ambition. We look forward to a good cooperation with the wind energy sector to support a strong EU industrial policy and help building the business case for decarbonisation investments," said Coppenholle.
India: Adani Cement is upgrading its facility in Himachal Pradesh by installing a new 7800t/day double-stage cooler grate. This upgrade aims to increase efficiency, lower power consumption and clinker temperature and enhance waste heat recovery system performance, according to the company. The project involves replacing the first and second grates of the existing IKN pendulum cooler.
Philippines: Cemex has sold its Philippine cement brands to the Consunji family for US$12.55m. Cemex Holdings Philippines revealed that APO Cement and Solid Cement repurchased the brands from Cemex Innovation Holding in Switzerland. APO Cement, based in Naga, Cebu, acquired the ‘Apo Cement’ brand for US$8.2m, while Solid Cement, located in Antipolo, bought the ‘Rizal’ and ‘Island’ trademarks for US$4.53m. This follows Cemex's strategic withdrawal from the Philippines, completing the sale of Apo Cement and Solid Cement to DMCI Holdings, Dacon and Semirara Mining and Power of the Consunji family for US$305.6m in April 2024.
Vietnam: Export prices for clinker and cement in Vietnam have dropped significantly in May 2024, impacting the construction industry and raising concerns among exporters. This decline is due to decreased international demand, intense competition, and evolving trade policies, according to the Vietnam News Brief Service. The Ministry of Construction noted that after a decade of growth, export volumes have fallen sharply since 2022, with exports dropping to 10.9Mt in 2023 from 15.2Mt the previous year. Only 5.4Mt is expected to be exported in the first half of 2024.
The Vietnam Cement Association (VNCA) has highlighted ongoing challenges, particularly influenced by the downturn in China’s real estate market and competitive pressures from Chinese cement surpluses. The VNCA has urged Vietnamese exporters to explore new markets, improve product quality and increase production efficiency. Additionally, the VNCA recommends that the government consider eliminating export taxes on clinker to mitigate these challenges.
Brazil: The heavy rains and flooding in Rio Grande do Sul state have negatively affected cement sales in May 2024, with volumes dropping by 5.6% year-on-year to 5.3Mt, according to the National Union of the Cement Industry (SNIC). Overall sales for the first five months of 2024 reached 25.2Mt, a slight increase of 0.8%. Despite a 0.8% growth in GDP in the first quarter of 2023, the construction sector saw a 0.5% decline due to high interest rates impacting financing and investments. A positive business outlook is expected for the second half of the year, buoyed by labour market trends and wage increases.
Paulo Camillo Penna, President of SNIC, said "In support of the population affected by the severe floods and rains, cement plants in Rio Grande do Sul are fully operational to assist in reconstruction, with normalised supply of the product, which will be essential for the execution of hundreds of necessary projects throughout the state."