
Displaying items by tag: Asia
Cahya Mata Sarawak to launch new clinker line at Mambong plant
24 January 2025Malaysia: Cahya Mata Cement will build a second line at its Mambong facility in Kuching to increase cement production and support Sarawak's infrastructure development. Construction is expected to take 24 months, with expected completion in March 2027.
The project will add 6000t/day of clinker capacity, raising output to 1.92Mt/yr. This will enable the company to become self-sufficient in its clinker supply and therefore eliminate the need for imports.
The company signed a technical consulting agreement with Sinoma Industry Engineering in November 2023 to design and construct the new production line. It will feature a waste heat recovery system, generating up to 6MW of power, alongside a dust filter designed to cut emissions to half of the current regulatory limit, according to the New Straits Times. The new line will also use locally-sourced alternative raw materials to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Cahya Mata Cement acting division head Choong Ju Tang said "Once the project is approved and construction is completed, Cahya Mata Cement will be well-positioned to meet the construction industry's demand.”
Pakistan: Cement exports have increased by 23% to US$167m from July to December 2024, compared to US$136m in the same period of 2023, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Export volumes rose by 34% from 3.51Mt to 4.69Mt. In December 2024, exports grew by 45% year-on-year to US$31.9m, up from US$22m in December 2023. The data also showed a 3% month-on-month rise in December 2024 compared to November 2024.
UltraTech Cement reports 2025 third quarter financial results
23 January 2025India: UltraTech Cement’s profit after tax for the third quarter of the 2025 financial year declined by 17% year-on-year to US$166m, compared to US$199m in the third quarter of the 2024 financial year. Net sales rose slightly, by 1.4%, to US$1.87bn from US$1.84bn in the previous corresponding period.
The company projected a future growth in volume of 7-8%, due to its focus on infrastructure and housing projects, as well as increased demand. It said that its capacity expansion program remains on track, with 1.8Mt/yr added during the quarter. Including its acquisition of The India Cements, UltraTech’s total cement capacity has reached 171Mt/yr. It expects to reach 200Mt/yr capacity by the end of the 2027 financial year.
India: Shiva Cement, a JSW Cement subsidiary, has signed an agreement with Bhushan Power and Steel (BPSL) for the development of a 1Mt/yr cement grinding unit at BPSL's premises in Sambalpur, Odisha. The agreement formalises the proposed transaction following board and shareholder approvals in 2024, as well as the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
Under the agreement, BPSL will construct, install and operate the grinding unit for Shiva Cement. The total transaction value is capped at US$44m.
China: The Conch Zongyang Line 4 preheater modernisation project, based on KHD technology, has been selected as a pilot project under the Sino-German Energy Efficiency Improvement Demonstration in Key Industries programme. The initiative will be executed by KHD, its parent company AVIC International Beijing, and Conch Group’s research and development department. Results are expected by the end of 2025.
The programme stems from a 2023 agreement between China and Germany on climate change and ‘green’ transition cooperation. The programme was announced in 2024. It evaluated 12 candidate projects before selecting the Conch Zongyang project for its integration of technologies to achieve energy efficiency and a reduction in CO₂.
This project is one of several provided by AVIC to Chinese cement producers using KHD’s pyroprocessing, grinding, alternative fuel and digitalisation solutions.
China: Sinoma International Engineering has appointed Yin Ling as its chief financial officer and as a vice president. She succeeds Wang Yuan in the post. Yuan will continue to work as a vice president for the company.
Ling holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and is trained as an accountant. She has worked for Huazheng Certified Public Accountants, China Fiberglass and as the general manager for the finance department of China National Building Materials.
India: Dalmia Bharat recorded a 2% year-on-year decline in cement sales volumes to 6.7Mt in the third quarter of the 2025 financial year, compared to 6.8Mt in the previous corresponding period. Profit before tax dropped by 77% to US$9.6m, while earnings by interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) dropped by 34.5% to US$5.9m from US$9m in the same period last year.
Managing director and CEO Puneet Dalmia said “After multiple years of high growth, India witnessed a slightly slow start to the year, but the government's continuous focus on investment-led growth underpin my confidence in a rebound of the Indian economy. In this backdrop, I believe cement demand growth will regain momentum. Our capacity expansion plans are on track, as we will reach 49.5Mt/yr by the end of 2025.”
CFO Dharmender Tuteja added “Cement demand growth in the third quarter fell short of our earlier expectations. Our volumes declined by 2% year-on-year while EBITDA fell 34.5% year-on-year to US$5.9m with persistent weakness in cement prices. With demand now gaining traction and prices showing signs of optimism, we are confident about a stronger performance in the upcoming quarters.”
Nuvoco Vistas releases 2025 third quarter financial results
22 January 2025India: Nuvoco Vistas has reported 16% year-on-year growth in its consolidated cement sales to 4.7Mt in the third quarter of the 2025 financial year ending on 31 December 2024. Consolidated revenue from operations stood at US$279m and consolidated EBITDA at US$30m. In its release, the company stated that the cement industry was recovering following a challenging first half of the 2025 financial year and subdued demand.
Nuvoco stated that it had achieved the industry's ‘lowest carbon emissions’ at 457kg of CO₂ per tonne of cementitious materials.
Managing director Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said “The company proactively seized demand opportunities to bolster its position in the market and delivered strong volume growth during the quarter. The company is confident in its expansion strategy and ability to execute on growth plans pertaining to Vadraj Cement, which will diversify its market footprint in western India, thereby supporting long-term growth ambitions and further consolidating its position as the fifth largest player in India.”
The company is reportedly on track to achieve 31Mt/yr cement capacity by the third quarter of the 2027 financial year.
Attock Cement commissions 4.8MW wind turbine
21 January 2025Pakistan: Attock Cement has commissioned a 4.8MW wind turbine project at its Hub site, it stated in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The company says that the project aligns with its commitment to sustainable cement production and aims to reduce power costs.
Cambodia waives tax on cement industry until December 2026
20 January 2025Cambodia: The government has waived the 5% tax on domestic cement products from January 2025 to December 2026 to support the local cement industry, as announced by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The exemption reportedly aims to alleviate financial burden on the industry and promote growth. Local cement companies must comply with obligations including tax filings, maintaining comprehensive records and submitting annual reports detailing production, costs and social initiatives.
To date, Cambodia’s cement industry has attracted over US$1.2bn in investments, creating more than 2700 jobs and ‘significantly’ contributing to the economy, according to Construction & Property news.