Displaying items by tag: Pakistan

Pakistan: The Pakistan International Bulk Terminal plans to invest US$70m in increasing its coal capacity by 40% to 17Mt/yr from 12Mt/yr with the installation of a second conveyor belt. The expanded terminal will open in late 2023 or early 2024. The Dawn newspaper has reported that cement producers previously called for an expansion of the country’s coal import infrastructure. The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) lobbied the government in July 2021 to permit coal discharge at the 10,000t/day Karachi Port Trust port. By contrast, the Pakistan International Bulk Terminal currently has a capacity of around 30,000t/day. It charges importers US$5.49/t of coal, plus a US$1/t handling fee for use of its berth.

Pakistan: DG Khan has connected its upgraded Hub cement plant and power infrastructure to the national grid. The Pakistan Observer newspaper has reported that the facilities generate 40MW of power via a 10MW waste heat recovery (WHR) plant and 30MW coal-fired power plant. China National Building Material (CNBM) subsidiary Sinoma Energy Conservation provided engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for both power plants.

Pakistan: The Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) has asked the government to appoint a commission to investigate rises in cement prices. The Pakistan Observer newspaper has reported that ABAD chair Fayyaz Ilyas alleged that producers had colluded as a cartel. He said that price rises have prevented the construction sector from being able to realise the aims of the Naya Pakistan housing scheme.

Pakistan: The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has received a request from the Pakistan government to lower cement prices. The International News newspaper has reported that Finance and Revenue Minister Shaukat Tarin spoke with APCMA representatives about trends in cement pricing in the three years prior to August 2021 and the importance of cement in stimulating economic growth. Tarin encouraged the establishment of a consultative session between the association and relevant stakeholders, with the task of proposing a sustainable pricing mechanism.

Pakistan: Maple Leaf Cement’s sales rose by 22% year-on-year to US$216m in the financial year to 30 June 2021 from US$177m in the same period in 2020. It reported a profit after tax of US$23.2m compared to a loss of US$21.6m previously.

Pakistan: Lucky Cement’s consolidated sales in the 2021 financial year, which ended on 30 June 2021, were US$1.26bn. The figure corresponds to a rise of 67% year-on-year from US$752m in the 2020 financial year. Standalone cement sales rose by 31% to 9.96Mt – consisting of 7.56Mt of local sales and 2.41Mt of exports – from 7.60Mt in the 2020 financial year. The company more than doubled its consolidated profit after tax to US$171m from US$44.4m. Its cement segment’s profit after tax more than tripled to US$85.5m from US$20.3m, and all group companies were profitable.

Lucky Cement attributed the sales growth to increased capacity due to the commissioning of a new line at one of its cement plants in the second half of the 2020 financial year. During the 2021 financial year, the company commenced trial production at its new 1.2Mt/yr-capacity Samawah cement plant in Iraq. It overcame Covid-19-led disruptions to complete the trial in March 2021.

Pakistan: Research by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) think tank shows that the cement sector was the largest national emitter of CO₂ from coal in the financial year for 2018 – 2019. Coal was responsible for 19% of emissions in the reporting period. Cement comprised 49% of this followed by power generation at 28% and brick manufacture at 22%. The report looked at CO₂ emissions from the Pakistan energy sector. It concluded that the cement industry was often missed out in discussions about carbon emissions in the country despite its high coal consumption and the number of new plants currently being planned.

Pakistan: Bestway Cement and Reon Energy have commissioned a 14.3MW captive solar power unit at the former’s integrated cement plant at Farooqia, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The unit is part of a 50MW project deal that is planned to install solar units at the cement producer’s plant at Farooqia, Chakwal, Kallar Kahar and Hattar, according to the Pakistan Observer newspaper. Energy generated at the new solar plant at Farooqia is expected to reduce energy costs and reduce reliance on the national electricity grid.

Pakistan: Cherat Cement’s board of directors has approved plans for a US$215m integrated cement plant at Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakthunkhwa. The company has already invested US$8.24m in acquiring land and leases for the plant. When commissioned in mid-2024, it will have a capacity of 11,000t/day.

Pakistan: Adani Enterprises has incorporated Adani Cement as a wholly-owned subsidiary. The Pioneer newspaper has reported that the new company will produce various classes of cements. However, it is yet to start business operations.