Displaying items by tag: Asia

India: JSW Cement has launched CHD Waterguard, a water-repellent slag-based cement designed for the high-moisture conditions of southern India. The product uses ‘Turbo Gel’ Technology, which the company says ensures a polymer-enriched ‘hydration matrix’ for improved workability and compressive strength.

CEO Nilesh Narwekar said “The tropical climate of Southern India, with its intense humidity, coastal salt air and heavy monsoons, compromises the longevity of concrete structures. With CHD Waterguard, we’re offering a specialised solution that actively protects homes from seepage, dampness, salt corrosion and moisture-related damage.”

Fiji: Fijian Holdings subsidiary Pacific Cement (PCL) has resumed cement production following the completion of commissioning works on its repaired mill, according to the Fiji Times. Fijian Holdings deputy chair Sakiusa Raivoce said supply of bulk and bagged cement had normalised.

Production had halted in March 2025 due to a mill breakdown. Raivoce said PCL is now fast-tracking an upgrade of the existing mill to reduce future risks and improve reliability. Persistent failures in recent years had resulted in a reliance on cement imports to satisfy local demand.

Philippines: Taiheiyo Cement Philippines (TCPI) has said it is on track to open its US$64.9m cement terminal in Calaca, Batangas by early 2026. The facility will produce 0.7Mt/yr of blended cement, increasing the company’s total capacity to 4Mt/yr.

The new terminal forms part of the company’s multi-phase investment programme. TCPI plans to expand its production capacity to 5Mt/yr by 2030, while securing a 10% market share. The Department of Trade and Industry confirmed in a statement that manufacturing will begin in the second quarter of 2026.

Australia: Boral’s Berrima Cement Works celebrated a milestone of using more than 100,000t of alternative fuels in cement manufacturing at its facility during the 2025 financial year, according to a post by the producer on Linkedin. The facility displaced over 80,000t of coal. The fuels included high-biomass waste and tyres, which were diverted from landfill.

Boral said that it has achieved over 30% thermal energy substitution in the plant’s kiln, with successful trials reaching 45%. With recent upgrades such as the chlorine bypass and further infrastructure investment, the company targets 60% substitution in coming years.

China: National cement production fell by 4% year-on-year to 815Mt in the first half of 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Output in June 2025 declined by 5% year-on-year to 155Mt. Production for the first half of 2024 stood at 850Mt, indicating a volume decrease of 35Mt. Looking forward to the third quarter of 2025, the industry expects that the cement market will continue to operate weakly, with sluggish demand ad low prices across the country.

India: Shree Cement has commissioned a 6MW solar power plant at its Roorkee unit in Uttarakhand, located next to its existing cement operations. This raises total solar capacity at the site to 7MW. The project cost US$1.8m, and brings the company’s total solar footprint to 294MW. It is expected to offset 6500t/yr of CO₂ emissions.

Indonesia: The government has called on cement producers to expand exports and develop sustainable products to counter oversupply, according to Antara news. This comes after a visit by the Director General at the Ministry of Industry, Taufiek Bawazier, to the Solusi Bangun Indonesia cement plant in Bogo, West Java. Bawazier said that national cement production capacity currently stands at 122Mt/yr, while demand is only around 70Mt/yr, resulting in low utilisation and inefficiency.

Bawazier said “This is a serious challenge for the industry. If left unresolved, it could lead to unhealthy business competition. Strengthening the domestic component level policy is also a priority. Currently, local cement products have achieved a 60–70% domestic content level.”

He added that production capacity could be controlled by imposing a moratorium on new cement industry permits in regions where the market is already saturated. Several cement producers, such as Semen Indonesia, already export to Australia and even the US.

South Korea/Algeria: The Korea Cement Association and the Algerian Cement Industry Group (GICA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation following a delegation visit to the country, led by vice president Lee Chang-ki and Hanil Cement Dan-yang plant head Jeon Jae-cheol. Chosun Biz news reported that Algeria ‘requested for help’ from Korea, and that the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy promoted the resumption of the Korea-Algeria economic Joint Committee meetings, which had been suspended since 2007.

Lee Chang-ki announced the ‘2050 Carbon Neutral Strategy for the Korean Cement Industry’, and the parties had the opportunity to visit Algerian cement plants and discuss future cooperation. The two parties agreed to form an operating committee to oversee implementation over the next two years.

Pakistan: Dewan Cement has commissioned a 6MW solar power system at its Dhabeji plant in Karachi, the company disclosed to the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The system now reportedly provides over 50% of the plant’s operational energy requirements. The company said that the investment in renewable energy would improve energy security and deliver cost savings amid rising fuel prices.

Türkiye: The Malatya Metropolitan Municipality and the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry plan to build a cement plant in the region through a joint venture, according to the Malatya Time newspaper. The proposed site is reportedly located near raw material resources. The City Council is reviewing a request to authorise MESTON, a municipal subsidiary, to begin feasibility studies, environmental assessments and legal preparations. The joint venture will initially be capitalised equally by both parties.