September 2024
Germany: Heidelberg Materials has secured a patent for a new method for producing Portland composite cement (PCC) using calcined clay and recycled waste cement. GlobalData News has reported that the process involves grinding clay with quartz and feldspar and calcining the clay, before mixing it with the cement. The PCC’s cement content varies from 30% to 80%, while its calcined clay content varies from 10% to 70%.
Cemex launches clinker micronisation method 05 March 2024
Mexico: Cemex has launched a new process called clinker micronisation, developed at its Research and Development Center in Switzerland. The method enables cement producers to lower the clinker factor of their cement by up to 50%, while maintaining its strength. It also offers the additional benefit of allowing concrete users to reduce the proportion of cement in their mixes.
CEO Fernando González said “We are finding new ways to boost our decarbonisation roadmap in the production of cement and concrete. We remain committed to achieving our ambitious 2030 decarbonisation goals on the path to becoming a Net Zero company by 2050.”
Vietnamese cement firms increase US exports 05 March 2024
Vietnam/US: Several Vietnamese cement companies, including Long Son Cement, Nghi Son Cement, Vicem Ha Tien Cement, Thanh Thang Cement, and Xuan Thanh Cement, raised their exports to the US in early 2024. The reasons for the increase include an ongoing local shortage in the US, Việt Nam News has reported.
In 2023, Vicem Ha Tien Cement and Nghi Son Cement made their first shipments of cement to the US, averaging 40,000t per shipment. Vietnam's cement industry, with a production capacity of 120Mt/yr, is experiencing a surplus of 60Mt. To address this, producers have increased their exports, with the majority of sales going to China, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Taiwan and some Middle Eastern countries.
Dangote Cement records 36% sales growth in 2023 04 March 2024
Nigeria: Dangote Cement has reported a 36% year-on-year rise in its sales to US$1.44bn in 2023. Meanwhile, the producer’s profit after tax grew by 19% to US$300m. Dangote Cement’s expansion of its market share across Africa continued, with pan-African volumes growth of 13%, to 11.3Mt.
BUA Cement raises sales by 27% year-on-year in 2023 04 March 2024
Nigeria: BUA Cement recorded 27% year-on-year growth in sales in 2023, to US$300m. This was in spite of ‘economic challenges,’ including a rate of inflation of the Nigerian Naira of 30% at the end of the year. Costs rose by 39% to US$180m, both due to inflation and energy crises. Nonetheless, the group grew its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) by 10% to US$111m. Profit after tax dropped by 31% to US$45.4m.
Managing director and CEO Yusuf Binji said “Clearly, the operating environment in 2023 was challenging, given the different headwinds confronted at the start of the year and especially with the devaluation of the Naira.” Looking ahead to the current year, Binji added “We could commission the new 3Mt/yr lines at the Sokoto and Obu cement plants, activate a new 70MW gas power plant in Sokoto and eagerly await the activation of the 70MW gas power plant at Obu during the first quarter of 2024. Apart from these, we took delivery of over 500 trucks to support our distribution activities, which further deepened our market presence.”
The Daily Trust newspaper has reported that religious leaders held thanksgiving services for a 50% pay rise for BUA Cement's employees at the company’s Sokoto cement plant on 1 March 2024.
Cementos Argos to invest US$128m in operations in 2024 04 March 2024
Colombia: Cementos Argos will benefit from US$128m in new investments in 2024. Reuters has reported that the investments will focus on enhancing operations and quality assurance. Parent company Grupo Argos plans to invest a total of US$509m in its subsidiaries throughout the year.
Australia: Belgium-based Etex has acquired BGC Fibre Cement and BGC Plasterboard from BGC. The assets include the Canning Vale fibre cement board plant in Western Australia. Both businesses reported total sales of US$101m in the 2023 financial year.
Etex CEO Bernard Delvaux said “We warmly welcome our 200 new teammates coming from BGC. Joining forces with their plasterboard and fibre cement activities is a strategic opportunity for Etex. With this, we take a top three position in the fibre cement market and are eager to start delivering quality fibre cement to new customers.”
Portland Cement Association to join with other industry associations against new particulates standard 04 March 2024
US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA)’s Environment and Energy Committee met in Tampa, Florida, to discuss the formation of a new coalition with other industry bodies under the leadership of the US Chamber of Commerce. The PCA said the coalition will take legal action against the US government, following the Environmental Protection Association (EPA)'s introduction of new, lower particulates emissions standards. The association says that the revised standards may lead to layoffs and lower cement and concrete production.
Other items on the agenda for the committee’s biannual meeting include permitting and regulatory reform for carbon capture, utilisation and storage and alternative fuels for cement production.
Eastern Province Cement and Sinoma CDI conclude Khursaniyah cement plant Line 5 contract 01 March 2024
Saudi Arabia: Eastern Province Cement Company has entered into a contract with China National Building Material subsidiary Sinoma CDI to build its Khursaniyah cement plant’s upcoming 10,000t/day Line 5. Mubasher News has reported the value of the contract as US$271m. The contract includes engineering, supply, construction, installation, testing, operation and training services on a complete turnkey basis.
CEO Fahd bin Rashid Al-Otaibi said “The project aims to replace some low-efficiency production lines, enhancing energy efficiency and the company's capacity to meet local demand. This initiative aligns with the kingdom's vision to maximise shareholder returns and support future infrastructure projects that improve quality of life.”
The company secured approval from its board to award the contract to Sinoma CDI in January 2024.
Spain: FCC’s sales rose by 17% year-on-year to €9.03bn in 2023. Meanwhile, the company’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 17% to €1.53bn. The company reported a profit growth of 88% to €591m, following the stabilisation of its main business areas, particularly in cement. The cement business registered a 19% increase in turnover. The business includes Cementos Portland Valderrivas.