September 2024
India: UltraTech Cement recorded consolidated sales of US$1.74bn in the third quarter of the 2022 financial year, up by 5.8% year-on-year. Its net profit in the quarter was US$229bn.
The Business Standard newspaper reported that the producer maintained a strong cement volumes growth trajectory, with 13% year-on-year cement sales growth throughout the first nine months of the 2022 financial year.
Zimbabwe: Lafarge Zimbabwe has concluded its assessment of the collapse of its Manresa grinding plant’s roof, which occured in October 2021. The company warned investors that continued disruptions to cement production and the cost of repairs will have a negative impact on its 2022 first-quarter results. It added that normal operations would resume ‘as soon as possible.’
Holcim completes PTB-Compaktuna acquisition 18 January 2022
Belgium: Holcim has completed its acquisition of speciality building products company PTB-Compaktuna. The group said that the acquisition further expands its service-led offering in the repair and refurbishment market.
CEO Jan Jenisch said “I am excited to add PTB-Compaktuna to the Holcim family as another step in the expansion of solutions and products, advancing our Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth. This addition strengthens our presence in Europe in key markets like repair and refurbishment. Building on the entrepreneurial vision and legacy of the Smessaert family, I look forward to investing in this business’ next era of growth and warmly welcoming their employees into the Holcim family.”
Dalmia Cement (Bharat) commissions upgraded Murli cement plant 17 January 2022
India: Dalmia Cement (Bharat) has commenced cement production at its upgraded 2.9Mt/yr Murli cement plant in Maharashtra. The company invested US$125m to install a new fueling system, waste heat recovery (WHR) plant and solar power plant at the facility. It acquired the plant from Murli Industries for US$55.2m in 2020.
The new commissioning brings Dalmia Cement (Bharat)’s total installed capacity to 35.9Mt/yr.
Tangshan Jidong Cement predicts 2021 full-year profit drop 17 January 2022
China: Tangshan Jidong Cement says that it expects its consolidated net profit to drop by up to 3.5% year-on-year to US$441m in 2021 from US$457m in 2021. Its full-year cement and clinker sales were 99.7Mt in 2021, down by 7% year-on-year.
San Miguel Equity Investments granted tax incentives for construction of Mindanao cement plant 17 January 2022
Philippines: The Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) has approved the grant of tax incentives to San Miguel Equity Investments a for the construction of its 2Mt/yr Mindanao cement plant. The Manila Bulletin newspaper has reported that the producer will pay no tax on its income from the plant during its first two years of operations, and reduced taxes during the subsequent five years.
The FIRB said that it expects the US$195m plant to stimulate downstream businesses, promote the use of energy-efficient equipment and lead to a transfer of knowledge and increased productivity in the underdeveloped area where it will be located.
Alcoa of Australia extends Cockburn Cement lime supply contract 17 January 2022
Australia: Aluminium company Alcoa of Australia has extended its contract for the supply of lime from AdBri subsidiary Cockburn Cement until January 2023. Business News Western Australia has reported the value of the extension as US$18m – 25.3m. Alcoa of Australia switched to using imported lime at its Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup refineries in Western Australia in June 2020. Prior to this, it had bought a total of US$50.5m-worth of lime from Cockburn Cement.
Adbri’s managing director Nick Miller said "The extension reinforces our position as a reliable and high quality supplier of lime through our local manufacturing and distribution network across Western Australia, supporting local manufacturing jobs, the resources sector and the broader Western Australia economy."
Firma Vasútvill to acquire 49% stake in MABA Hungaria 17 January 2022
Hungary: Kirchdorfer Gruppe subsidiary Kirchdorfer Concrete Solutions has agreed to sell a 49% stake in prestressed concrete sleepers producer MABA Hungaria to railway overhead line construction company Firma Vasútvill. Austria-based Kirchdorfer Concrete Solutions will retain its majority stake in the company.
Kirchdorfer Gruppe CEO Michael Wardian said that the group was delighted to have secured a strong partner for its Hungarian operations.
HeidelbergCement to continue share buyback programme 14 January 2022
Germany: HeidelbergCement plans to proceed with its on-going share buyback programme in early 2022 with a second tranche of purchases worth Euro300 – 350m. The group expects to conclude the tranche in mid-2022. It previously finished buying back 2.7% of its shares in December 2021. On 13 January 2021, HeidelbergCement announced that it had retired all shares purchased under this previous tranche.
Brazilian cement sales rise to 64.7Mt in 2021 14 January 2022
Brazil: The Brazilian National Cement Industry Association (SNIC) has recorded cement sales of 64.7Mt by Brazilian cement producers in 2021, up by 6.6% year-on-year from 2020 levels. Home construction work, property development and infrastructure building all contributed to the rise. Capacity utilisation rose to 69% from 65% across the country’s 94Mt/yr, 91-plant cement network.