Displaying items by tag: Fiji

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.

Fiji: The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has assured the public that there should be no shortage of cement despite the temporary suspension of operations at Pacific Cement. CEO Senikavika Jiuta said FCCC is working closely with suppliers and monitoring the supply chain to prevent unfair practices.

Pacific Cement suspended operations on 21 March 2025 after its mill sustained mechanical damage. Repairs are underway and expected to finish by 27 May 2025. FCCC engaged with both Pacific Cement and Tengy Cement to conduct a market study, concluding that Tengy Cement’s increased production at its Suva and Lautoka plants will meet demand until Pacific Cement resumes full operations.

Fiji: Pacific Cement has suspended its cement production following a mill breakdown.

The Fijian Holdings subsidiary has sent the damaged mill part to Australia for repairs and expects the outage to last for around three months.

Fiji: Fijian Holdings (FHL) plans to construct a new cement plant within the next two to three years in Lami, replacing the current facility which began operations in 1962. According to CEO Jaoji Koroi, the existing plant, operated by subsidiary Pacific Cement, has faced issues with machine breakdowns, which have affected production and profitability. In 2023, damaged machine parts forced the plant to close down for two months. The proposed new plant reportedly aims to produce more ‘environmentally-friendly’ products. The announcement follows a year where Pacific Cement saw reduced sales due to price controls and outdated equipment.

Fiji: The Construction Industry Council of Fiji (CIC) has named cement among possible 'questionable' building materials being imported that are below Fijian quality standards. The Fiji Times newspaper has reported that CIC president Gordon Jenkins called on authorities to implement better quality checks at points of entry. Jenkins named South Korea as a current source of low-price cement, which he said buyers do not know is 'good or not.'

Fiji: A court has ordered Pacific Cement, Tengy Cement and haulage contractor RPA Group to pay damages to Fiji Fish Marketing Group for creating a nuisance. The Fiji Times newspaper has reported that the court found that the cement importers emitted dust during the unloading of clinker, which caused Fiji Fish to incur a loss. The damages amounted to US$900,000.

Fiji: The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a price control order for cement with effect from 22 June 2021. It applies to the ex-factory, wholesale and retail supply of cement products in all qualities, quantities, grades and classes, according to the Fiji Times newspaper.

Indonesia: Semen Indonesia has detailed its plans for future exports of cement to North America. The Investor Daily newspaper has reported that the producer and subsidiary Solusi Bangun Indonesia will target 0.5 – 1Mt of cement exports to North America in 2021, according to president director Hendi Santoso. The export plans will be carried out in partnership with Japan-based Taiheiyo Cement, which already has a US market presence and owns a 15% stake in Solusi Bangun Indonesia. Hendi said that the move aims to ‘cushion’ the decline in domestic cement sales, down by 28% bulk and 13% bagged year-on-year in 2020. The company successfully exported cement to Australia, Bangladesh, China, Fiji and Sri Lanka in 2020.

President commissioner Rudi Antara said, "The Covid-19 outbreak still colours our lives. There is no other choice but to increase business efficiency and the top line outside of our main markets."

Fiji: Grinding units in Lami have ceased operations since mid February 2021. The reason for the pause is complaints by community stakeholders about pollution, including clinker spillages on the road from the Port of Suva. The Fiji Times newspaper has reported that plant owners met stakeholders on 23 February 2021.

Environment and Waterways Ministry permanent secretary Joshua Wycliffe said, "The origins of the issue are the transport itself: there was spillage on the way to the cement factories. We have stopped the companies; if it is the transport companies that are breaching, we have stopped them. We are open to someone else doing it provided they have the permits, proper paperwork and also follow the rules and conditions.”

Fiji: Pacific Cement has been forced to suspend production at its 0.1Mt/yr-capacity integrated Lami cement plant in Rewa Province following the issue of a stop order by the Department of Environment on 7 August 2020. Truck drivers employed by the company say that they are losing US$300/day as a result, according to the Fiji Times newspaper.

The Lami cement plant previously suspended operations subject to a stop order from the Department of Environment due to complaints about dust emissions on 7 December 2018.