Displaying items by tag: GCW662
Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is enforcing stricter measures against non-compliant cement importers to protect the local market from substandard products. The DTI Bureau of Philippine Standards recently made a suspension after it conducted a market surveillance in Iloilo as part of its intensified monitoring of cement imports entering the country. The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) praised the recent actions of the DTI against cement importers, arguing that there has been ‘excessive’ and ‘unfairly priced’ volume of imported cement in the country to the detriment of local manufacturers, according to The Philippine Star.
CeMAP said “This recent action of the DTI-BPS sends a resounding message that non-compliance and unfair trade practices will not be tolerated. The impact of the DTI’s actions extend beyond the cement industry itself. A strong and competitive local cement sector is vital in supporting the Philippines’ continued infrastructure development and economic growth.”
Spain: The Cemex plant in Alcanar has been granted €3m from the PERTE project for industrial decarbonisation, facilitated by the Ministry of Industry. This subsidy is part of a broader initiative involving 19 projects with a total aid of €96m under Line 1 of the programme. Cemex aims to contribute to decarbonisation of the clinker production process at its Alcanar facility by centralising compressed air production to enhance energy efficiency, replacing 14 old compressors with two more powerful and efficient units. The plant also plans to increase the use of alternative fuels in clinker production by integrating waste-derived and biomass fuels.
Lemi cement plant in Ethiopia set to launch
03 June 2024Ethiopia: The Lemi National Cement Factory is preparing to begin production within two months. Located in Amhara Regional State, 130km north of Addis Ababa, the plant will produce 6.4Mt/yr of cement, nearly doubling the nation's current production capacity. The plant represents a joint investment between Ethiopian and Chinese investors and according to 2Merkato News, is expected to become the largest cement plant in Africa.
Adani Group records profit rise
03 June 2024India: In the fiscal year April 2023 to March 2024, Adani Group recorded a profit increase of 55% year-on-year to US$3.6bn from US$2.3bn. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 40% to US$7.9bn, although sales fell by 6%. Adani Group plans to spend US$90bn on capital expenditure over the next 10 years.
Egypt: Sinai Cement Company reported a consolidated net profit of US$6.4m for the first quarter of 2024, a turnaround from a net loss of US$1.2m in the same period last year. The company's net sales reached US$24.6m, down slightly from US$26.3m in the first quarter of 2023.
Cement consumption drops in Andalusia
03 June 2024Spain: Cement consumption in Andalusia fell by 15% in the first quarter of 2024, to 0.67Mt, marking a decrease of 0.11Mt from the same quarter in 2023. The Cement Manufacturers Group of Andalusia (AFCA) attributes the significant 29% drop in March 2024 to the timing of Holy Week and heavy rainfall, which impacted construction activities. Exports of clinker and cement also decreased by 34.2%, with a volume of 97,609t in the first quarter of 2024. Over the last 12 months, consumption declined by 3.8% to 3.06Mt.
President of AFCA, Carmen Díaz Canabal, said "We will have to wait for the second quarter data to see the real evolution of the behaviour of the cement market, and therefore of construction, during this year."
Ireland mandates green procurement for cement
31 May 2024Ireland: In a move towards sustainability, the Irish government has mandated green procurement requirements for low carbon cement, effective from September 2024. This initiative is part of Ireland's goal to achieve a net-zero carbon society by 2050.
The new regulations require a 30% reduction in clinker use and the elimination of high clinker cement for all government and public works. Additional provisions include the necessity for Environmental Product Declarations and comprehensive life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions assessments for major new projects. This aims to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from the construction sector.
US: Cemex and Clean Energy Fuels have entered into a fuelling agreement to supply renewable natural gas (RNG) to 39 of Cemex US’s ready-mix and cement bulk trucks in Southern California. The agreement is projected to provide around 1.1Ml/yr of RNG. Cemex plans to complete the project by the end of 2024 and start fuelling the trucks on-site soon after.
Francisco Rivera, Cemex US Regional President West Region, said "As leaders in the building materials industry, we recognise the pivotal role we play in building a more sustainable future. Embracing renewable fuels isn't just an option; it's an imperative.”
Spain: The Cemex plant in Morata de Jalón, Zaragoza, has won €2.8m in aid from the Spanish Ministry of Industry's first Perte resolution for industrial decarbonisation. This funding, part of a larger €96m aid package, will support the plant's clinker production process and its transition to using sustainable fuels.
The aid will increase the use of alternative fuels in clinker production by incorporating waste-derived and biomass fuels.
Uzbekistan limestone production doubles
31 May 2024Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan's limestone output reached 0.92Mt in the first quarter of 2024, representing a 50% year-on-year increase, according to the Statistics Agency. The country's construction materials sector also saw a rise in exports, to US$153m.
The government has ambitious targets for 2024, aiming to produce construction materials valued at US$3bn and a focus on local production, the country aims to become self-sufficient and reduce reliance on imports. The country aims to boost exports to US$1.1bn in 2024.