Displaying items by tag: Asia

Kazakhstan: Steppe Cement narrowed its losses in the first half of 2025 as higher sales volumes and stronger margins offset rising energy costs and inflationary pressures, according to Sharecast. The company reported revenue of US$40.9m for the six months ending 30 June 2025, up by 19% from US$34.4m in 2024, driven by an 18% increase in sales volumes to 850,000t. Net loss fell sharply from US$3.5m to US$0.5m in 2024.

The producer said that production costs remained flat in tenge terms despite higher electricity, diesel and consumable prices. Clinker output rose by 4% in the first six months and remains on track for 8% growth in 2025. The producer has reportedly invested in ecological compliance measures, including new filters, and commissioned a dynamic separator for its third raw mill. It is also exploring ways to boost clinker capacity at its Line 6 and optimise its wider asset base.

Kazakhstan’s cement market grew by 19% in the first half of 2025, supported by favourable weather, economic growth, infrastructure spending, population increases and subsidised mortgage lending. However, Steppe expects growth to slow in the second half of 2025. The company aims to maintain its domestic market share at around 14% for the full year, with total volumes between 1.8Mt and 1.85Mt. Exports fell from 0.45Mt to 0.4Mt in the same period of 2024, while imports increased to 7.7% of the market amid higher supply from Uzbekistan. Steppe Cement reported clinker and cement inventories valued at US$7.3m.

Uzbekistan: Czech Republic-based PSP Engineering will build the Jizzakh cement plant for local company Jizzakh Avantage Plus, with an investment of US$183m, according to Forbes Czech Republic. The turnkey project is scheduled for completion at the start of 2028.

The plant will have a production capacity of 1Mt/yr, covering about 5% of Uzbekistan’s annual cement output once operational. Turkish company SanDeks is participating as a strategic partner, while selected Czech companies will contribute to the supply chain. The project is reportedly financed by an international investment fund. Jaroslav Koutňák, technical director and board member of PSP Engineering, said the Jizzakh Avantage Plus plant represents the company’s largest project in Central Asia and the Middle East.

Pakistan: Lucky Cement commissioned 28.8MW of wind power at its south Karachi plant in the second quarter of the 2025 financial year, bringing its total renewable energy portfolio to 160MW. This includes 74MW of solar and 56MW of waste heat recovery (WHR).

The company said renewable sources now cover more than 55% of its cement operations’ electricity demand, with the remaining 45% supplied by the national grid.

Lucky Cement also reported that cement dispatches rose by 8% year-on-year in the 2025 financial year, driven largely by stronger exports. The company said that it has retained its position as Pakistan’s largest cement exporter, with African markets accounting for the bulk of volumes.

India: Environmental activists and residents of the villages of Ambivli, Atali, and Mohane in Kalyan have raised objections to Ambuja Cement’s proposed 6Mt/yr Ambivli cement grinding unit, citing air pollution and risks to the nearby Kalu and Ulhas rivers, according to local press. A public hearing by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board is scheduled for 16 September 2025.

The US$159m plant will be located on a 26 hectare site, 9.67 hectares of which have been earmarked for green belt development, while 5.49 hectares will be used for installation of the grinding unit, storage facilities and a packing plant.

Opponents argue that the project violates environmental guidelines requiring a minimum 500m buffer from residential areas.Nitin Nikam of Mi Kalyankar said “The project will affect the health of thousands of commuters travelling from Ambivli station. Hundreds of thousands of residents in Ambivli, Atali and Mohane live just 150–200m away and will be exposed to air pollution from the plant.”

Stalin D, director of Vanashakti, said “The proposed unit will add to the pollution levels of the Ulhas River. As cases related to the river’s pollution are pending at the Supreme Court, the government should not encourage any project that risks worsening the situation.”

Nikam also called for the hearing to be postponed by one month, noting that the notice does not specify the exact venue where the hearing is due to be held.

Pakistan: Thatta Cement has approved the issuance of a US$19.5m Sukuk, a type of financial bond that complies with Sharia law, to finance the expansion of its production capacity or to acquire an operational company.

In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the company said that the Sukuk includes a green shoe option of US$1.8m. The funds, along with internally generated resources, will be used to expand existing production capacity or acquire an operational company.

Thatta Cement said the initiative is designed to accelerate growth, diversify revenue streams, strengthen its competitive position and generate sustainable returns for shareholders.

Myanmar: The Myanmar Cement Manufacturers Association held a coordination meeting at the Ministry of Industry in Nay Pyi Taw on 9 September 2025. Union Minister for Industry Charlie Than said that the Mandalay earthquake had damaged domestic cement plants, pushing up cement prices. However, he said that coordinated efforts between the association and relevant ministries meant that plants had quickly resumed operations and prices were returning to normal.

Indonesia: Domestic cement sales dropped by 3% year-on-year to 27.7Mt in the first half of 2025, down from 28.5Mt in the same period of 2024, according to the Indonesian Cement Association (ASI). Cement production also fell by 6% to 28.8Mt from 30.5Mt a year earlier.

ASI chair Lilik Unggul Raharjo said demand had contracted across most regions, except in Sumatra and Maluku-Papua, which posted growth of 4.9% and 5% respectively. He attributed the sales decline to weak household purchasing power and reduced government spending on infrastructure projects. The market remains oversupplied, resulting in a capacity utilisation rate of 56%. However, corporate secretary at PT Indocement Dani Handajani said that the company expects volumes to increase in the second half of 2025.

India: Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu has appealed to the union government to revive the defunct Cement Corporation of India (CCI) plant in Adilabad. At a meeting with senior officials, the proposals for restoration were reviewed. CCI management indicated that about US$227m would be needed to modernise the facility with ‘advanced’ equipment. Once operational, the unit could reportedly employ nearly 3000 people, according to Telangana Today.

Sridhar Babu said Adilabad would greatly benefit from the plant’s revival, but that it should remain under the government’s control and not become privatised. He also said that more than 809 hectares of limestone deposits are available in the region, providing long-term raw material security and ensuring the plant’s viability.

Vietnam: The country exported 19.8Mt of cement and clinker worth US$745m in the first seven months of 2025, up by 9% in volume and 7% in value year-on-year, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The Philippines remained the largest buyer with 3.87Mt worth US$147m, accounting for nearly 20% of total shipments. However, exports to this market fell by 17% in volume and 21% in value compared to 2024. Bangladesh ranked second with 3.53Mt worth US$116m, while Taiwan and Malaysia followed, each importing more than 850,000t.

India: JK Cement has commenced construction of a US$340m greenfield cement plant in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The new facility, spread across 212 hectares, is scheduled for completion by early 2027. The plant will reportedly ensure long-term raw material security through access to local limestone reserves, while also being close to high-demand markets in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana.