Displaying items by tag: Asia

India: Gebr. Pfeiffer has officially inaugurated its new manufacturing site in India, just one year after construction began, according to a Linkedin post. The facility is positioned as a key addition to the company’s global production network, complementing its existing base in Germany. Gebr. Pfeiffer said the project strengthens its international footprint while also aligning with long-term goals of efficiency and sustainability.

Pakistan: Burj Clean Energy Modaraba (BCEM) and Power Cement (PCL) have signed a ‘green’ captive power transaction, a US$5.3m project to establish a 7.5MW wind captive power plant.

The deal is backed by a finance facility arranged by The Bank of Punjab, with participation from the National Bank of Pakistan and Pak Kuwait Investment Company. Power Cement said the initiative will allow it to generate clean and reliable electricity on-site, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting Pakistan’s wider clean energy goals.

India: Penna Cement Industries, a subsidiary of Ambuja Cements, has commissioned a 2Mt/yr brownfield expansion of its cement grinding unit in Krishnapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. With this commissioning, Ambuja Cement’s consolidated cement capacity has risen to 106.45Mt/yr.

India: JK Lakshmi Cement has increased its cement production capacity from 16.5Mt/yr to 18Mt/yr following the commissioning of a new grinding unit in Surat and de-bottlenecking of cement mills at Jaykaypuram and Sirohi. According to the company’s filing, the Surat grinding unit adds 1.35Mt/yr.

Pakistan: Cement sales in September 2025 are projected to reach 3.9Mt, reflecting a 1% year-on-year decline but a 2% increase compared to August 2025, according to Pakistan Business News. Local cement shipments are expected to grow by 3% year-on-year to 3.08Mt, despite a 1% month-on-month fall. Analysts attributed the decline to ongoing flood impacts, though sales rebounded in the third week of September 2025.

Cement exports are forecast to fall by 15% year-on-year but rise by 11% month-on-month, with flood-related disruptions continuing to weigh on annual comparisons. For the first quarter of the 2026 financial year, total cement sales are projected to rise by 12% year-on-year, supported by a 10% increase in domestic sales and a 21% rise in exports. Capacity utilisation in September 2025 is estimated at 55%, the same as the same month in 2024 but slightly below the 56% recorded in 2023. Analysts continue to forecast 8% year-on-year growth in local shipments, underpinned by increased construction activity and a more relaxed monetary policy.

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is updating its regulatory framework for cement to ensure safer and more durable materials for infrastructure.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said “Given our country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, we must ensure that all construction materials, including cement, meet the highest quality and safety standards. This ensures the safety of Filipinos, starting from the foundational materials of our homes and buildings.”

The DTI is revising Department Administrative Order 17-06:2017, with proposed rules calling for post-shipment inspection and full product testing of cement. Public and stakeholder comments on the draft circular will be accepted until 4 November 2025. As of September 2025, the DTI reported 179 active cement manufacturer licensees, comprising 95 for Portland cement, 81 for blended hydraulic cement and three for masonry cement. All are compliant with Philippine National Standards.

Bangladesh: Crown Cement has approved the purchase of 1.34 hectares of land at West Mukterpur in Munshiganj at a cost of US$1.1m, according to a company disclosure. The acquisition is reportedly part of the company’s ongoing expansion strategy. Crown Cement’s total production capacity currently stands at 5.7Mt/yr, with the new land purchase set to strengthen its manufacturing base.

Azerbaijan: The total value of the materials production by Azerbaijan’s construction materials sector was US$460.5m in January-July 2025, according to the State Statistical Committee. This represents a 5.8% decline compared to the same period of 2024. Cement production fell by 3.2% year-on-year over the same timeframe.

Pakistan: The Punjab government has approved the construction of a new Gharibwal Cement plant in Chakwal. The Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman described the approval of a new cement plant in Chakwal as a milestone for industrial growth that would support the construction sector and stabilise the local economy.

India: The groundbreaking of UltraTech Cement’s US$42.2m expansion project at its Cuttack plant took place on 15 September 2025 at the project site in Khamar Nuagaon and Kolathpangi village, Athagarh tehsil. The expansion will double the unit’s capacity from 3Mt/yr to 6Mt/yr. Ardhendu Mohapatra, head of Aditya Birla group in Odisha, and Abhinash Rath, plant head of Ultratech Cement Cuttack, were present at the event.