September 2024
RHI Magnesita cement and lime market held back by China 06 November 2018
UK: RHI Magnesita’s cement and lime business has been held back by reduced production in China. It also said that its on-going focus on pricing and quality, ‘against more commoditised competitors,’ had reduced its division’s performance in the third quarter of 2018. Overall the refractory products producer said that its had seen ‘good’ trading performance in the third quarter of 2018 following positive trends seen in the first half of the year.
China Resources Cement to divest of three units in Shanxi 05 November 2018
China: China Resources Cement plans to divest three companies it owns in Shanxi province. It intends to dispose of its majority stake and shareholder loans in Shanxi China Resources Fulong Cement, China Resources Cement (Changzhi) and China Resources Concrete (Lucheng). The subsidiaries will be sold in a public tender conducted through the Shanghai United Assets and Equity Exchange.
Shanxi China Resources Fulong Cement is based in Lvliang City and it operates a 4Mt/yr plant with two integrated production lines and four grinding lines. China Resources Cement (Changzhi) is based in Changzhi City and it operates a 2Mt/yr plant with one integrated line and two grinding lines. China Resources Concrete (Lucheng) operates a concrete batching plant.
Penna Cement prepares for US$211m initial public offering 05 November 2018
India: Penna Cement has filed for a US$211m initial public offering (IPO) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). It plans to use the funds for expansion and to reduce its debts, according to the Economic Times newspaper. the cement producer is planning to increase its production capacity to 16.5Mt/yr by 2020 with projects in Odisha and Kolkata. At present it holds a capacity of 10Mt/yr in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.
Kyrgyz president opens cement plant in Aravan 05 November 2018
Kyrgyzstan: President Sooronbai Jeenbekov has opened a cement plant in Aravan as part of a trip to the Osh region, according to the 24 Kg News Agency. The US$88m project was previously reported as having a cement production capacity of 2500t/day.
Uzbekstian sells 80% of cement sales through commodity exchange 05 November 2018
Uzbekistan: 80% of local cement sales were made through the Uzbek Commodity Exchange in the first nine months of 2018. Local sales fell by 4.7% year-on-year to 5.6Mt from 5.9Mt, according to the Trend News Agency. 4.5Mt of this total was sold through the commodity exchange. Falling sales have been blamed on rising natural gas and electricity prices. Tariffs for gas and electricity have increased by at least 60% during 2018 for industrial users in the construction industry, including cement producers.
Jordan Cement Company in legal dispute over land 05 November 2018
Jordan: Jordan Cement Company is in a legal dispute with local landowners over land ‘illegally’ acquired near its Fuheis plant. The plaintiffs argue that forgery was used by the company in acquiring land, according to Roya TV. The subsidiary of Switzerland’s LafargeHolcim operates two integrated plants, at Fuheis and Rashadiyah.
Construction works starts on Angren cement plant in Uzbekistan 02 November 2018
Uzbekistan: An event marking the laying of the foundation stone at the Angren cement plant has taken place. Construction work is scheduled to be completed by November 2019. The project is a joint venture between Russia’s Eurocement Group and UzQurilishMateriallari.
Myanmar ministry seeks investors for cement plant in Chin State 02 November 2018
Myanmar: The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MNREC) is seeking expressions of interest from foreign and local investors to run a feasibility project ahead of building a new cement plant at Hakha Township in Chin State. Early studies suggest that the area has sufficient limestone reserves to support a 5000t/day plant, according to the Myanmar Times newspaper. A new unit in the region is expected to boost the local economy as Chin State has no cement plants.
Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana supports new build code 02 November 2018
Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) has praised the introduction of the country’s first building code. The Building Code for Ghana was launched by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia in late October 2018, according to the Ghana Multimedia Group. The 1700-page document, in 38 sections, covers all essential areas for the operation of the building and construction industry. The production and launch of the code is intended to end irregularities in the building and construction sector and set standards to ensure that local construction is safe and meets international standards.
“Today is a very significant day in the annals of the history of this country. For the first time ever, through the collaborative efforts of different agencies, Ghana has a comprehensive Building Code. The Ghana Building Code, GS1207 of 2018 is a document that is long overdue but which has finally been delivered,” said Bawumia. He added that the code would reassure people about the risk of collapsing buildings.
Lagan bagged cement products rebrand as Breedon 02 November 2018
Ireland/UK: Lagan Group’s bagged cement, brick and tile products have been rebranded within the Breedon Group. The Irish company was acquired by Breedon Group earlier in 2018. It manufactures a range of bagged cement, concrete roof tiles and clay facing bricks, which it supplies to builders’ merchants across the UK and Ireland. The newly branded range has widened the product range available through Breedon’s distributor network.
As James Cousins, regional director responsible for Breedon’s specialist building products, said, “It’s a very exciting time to be part of Breedon. We’ve spent the last few months getting to know our new colleagues, as well as the products and plants within the group, and the rebranding from Lagan to Breedon demonstrates our commitment to the market to move forward as a single brand, leveraging the strength of the enlarged group to offer our customers high quality products and the highest level of customer service.”