Displaying items by tag: Strategy

India: Ramco Cements plans to inaugurate its upcoming Nandyal cement plant in Kalvatala, Andhra Pradesh, on 28 September 2022. The Sakshi Post newspaper has reported that the plant will have a cement capacity of 2Mt/yr. Ramco Cements’ planned total capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments during the 2023 and 2024 financial years (1 April 2022 – 31 March 2024) are expected to reach US$154 – 167m.

Two West Bengali welders fell to their deaths at the site of the upcoming Nandyal cement plant on 25 September. The welders had been working on a conveyor system when it snapped. The Times of India newspaper has reported that both workers died immediately. Police have informed their relatives and are conducting post-mortems.

UK: Clean Energy Ministerial CCUS (CEM CCUS) and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) have announced a new partnership aimed at scaling up the deployment of carbon capture technologies in global cement and concrete production over the 10-year period up to 2033. The partners will explore incentives, policy frameworks and finance solutions that can best facilitate industrial-scale CCUS projects. Additionally, they will seek to ensure the long-term development of CCUS via technological developments.

CEM CCUS Norway initiative co-lead Henriette Nesheim said “This is a great opportunity to work together with a vitally important industry. In Norway we are already building our first cement CCS project in Brevik, and we look forward to sharing the experience with others.”

Belgium: Holcim has completed its acquisition of façade and external insulation systems producer Cantillana. Holcim said that the deal expands its position in building renovation and energy efficiency solutions, aligning with its Strategy 2025 – Accelerating Green Growth plan.

Europe: The European Commission has approved the IPCEI Hy2Use plan for the construction of an international hydrogen electrolysis, transport and storage network. IPCEI Hy2Use consists of multiple projects planned for completion by 2026, with the commissioning of all infrastructure scheduled for 2036. 13 EU member states and Norway will contribute Euro5.2bn in funding, with a view to attracting private investments worth Euro7bn.

US: Royal White Cement has leased a site on the Houston Ship Channel in Houston, Texas. Local press has reported that the company plans to build its second cement terminal in the city there. Houston Peninsula Terminals will operate unloading systems for the storage of cement across three facilities at the site. It is also equipped with multiple railway tracks and heavy truck loading facilities. Royal White Cement owner Marcel Fadi said that the move would help the producer to expand its footprint in Houston and beyond.

Fadi said "We have long operated in the Houston market, but this direct access to storage and bulk unloading along the channel will provide greater efficiencies and flexibility, allowing Royal White Cement to handle and store approximately 100,000t of multiple cementitious products such as slag, grey cement, and white cement."

India: The board of directors of UltraTech Cement has approved the addition of an extra 22.6Mt/yr-worth of cement production capacity across the company's footprint. The new additions will span all of India and consists of both new plant builds and expansions. New capacity will commence production in a phased manner from mid-2024. UltraTech Cement expects to invest US$1.61bn in the growth phase.

Chair Kumar Mangalam Birla said "The Aditya Birla Group’s pace of activity, range of businesses and depth of global presence provide a useful compass to navigate this age of disruption. Against the backdrop of our long history as a group, dynamism leaps out as a common theme. Over the years, we have witnessed multiple business cycles. Across businesses and markets, our evolution is a story of continuous renewal and regeneration, as we aggressively invest in growth and create long-term value for all stakeholders."

Sri Lanka: Insee Cement has broken ground on its construction of a 45,000m³-capacity storage facility at Hambantota International Port. When commissioned in early 2023, the facility will store ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) for use in Insee Cement's cement production. Daily News has reported the cost of the facility's construction as US$3m. At 17,300m², the Hambantota storage facility will be the largest warehouse at any port in Sri Lanka.

Insee Cement chair and CEO Nandana Ekanayake said "Hambantota Port is a vital link in our raw materials supply chain. Insee Cement has been using this port since 2018 and so far we have cleared around 1.7Mt of bulk cargo through the port, of which we did a little over 1Mt in 2021. Today, we laid this foundation as another step to strengthen our partnership with Hambantota International Port Group." Ekanayake concluded "We see great potential in developing channels through Hambantota International Port and we will double our investment in the future."

India: JK Cement’s consolidated sales were US$272m in the first quarter of its 2023 financial year, up by 33% year-on-year from US$205m. The company sold 3.56Mt of cement, up by 18% from 3.02Mt in the first quarter of the 2022 financial year. Its costs per tonne rose to US$62.32/t from US$51.32/t. This restricted the group’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) growth to 0.1% year-on-year, at US$50.3m, compared to US$50.2m one year previously.

JK Cement forecast 10% year-on-year cement volumes growth in the 2023 financial year as a whole. It said that it expects to accelerate its rate of sales growth from September 2022. Its focus throughout the financial year will be on capturing new markets and increasing its blended cement share.

Botswana: Cheetah Cement Botswana aims to achieve a cement production capacity of 900,000t/yr by June 2023. Cheetah Cement Botswana currently has a capacity of 36,000t/yr since commissioning its US$40m Francistown cement plant in February 2022. Botswana Investment and Trade Centre CEO Keletsositse Olebile said that the expansion will create 200 new direct jobs.

Xinhua News has reported that the move will turn Botswana, which consumes 620,000t/yr of cement, into a regional cement exporter and reduce its net imports by US$90m/yr.

Sri Lanka: Tokyo Cement Group increased its turnover to US$45.2m in the first quarter of it 2023 financial year, up by 53% year-on-year from first-quarter 2022 financial year levels. A shortage of imported raw materials and the country’s on-going fuel crisis hampered local cement demand. The group’s cement sales volumes declined during the quarter, while its cost of sales increased by 24% year-on-year. ‘Steep’ currency depreciation compounded the effects of the increase in expenses. Nonetheless, the company recorded a profit of US$1.48m.

The producer said “Tokyo Cement has taken many proactive measures to minimise the impact of economic downturn on the group's performance. Anticipating a challenging environment, the group has reforecasted demand, rescheduled sourcing and production plans, and adjusted cash flows accordingly. The group has deployed drastic cost saving measures, streamlined operations, and postponed capital expenditure. While the short to medium term economic landscape remains uncertain, Tokyo Cement has a proven track record of resilience and resurgence, and is committed to rebuilding the nation, stronger than ever before.”