Displaying items by tag: Supply

Sweden: A court has granted Heidelberg Materials a 30-year licence to continue limestone mining at its Slite quarry on the island of Gotland, securing the future of the plant that produces 75% of Sweden’s cement. The court ruling replaces a 2022 four-year concession and follows a 2021 rejection of a long-term extension that had threatened cement rationing and job losses, according to Reuters.

Heidelberg Materials deputy CEO Karin Comstedt Webb said “The permit ensures a robust supply of cement to Sweden's construction sector for many years.”

Kyrgyzstan: A total of 0.58Mt of cement was produced during the first quarter of 2025. This was a rise of 51.6% year-on-year compared to 0.38Mt in the first quarter of 2024, according to the National Statistical Committee. It was also higher than the first quarter of 2023, when 0.45Mt of cement was produced.

However, construction companies and buyers of construction materials have recently encountered cement shortages in the capital city Bishkek. Local finance media source Tazabek reported that it has contacted several construction stores, wholesale and retail points of sale of cement, which confirmed shortages. Cement is expected to be back in stock within 10 days.

Myanmar: Authorities are working to expedite the reopening of cement plants in Kyaukse, Mandalay Region, following the earthquake in late March 2025, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. Kyaukse District administrator U Kaung Myat Naing said that one plant expects to resume supplying 100,000 bags of cement per day by mid-May 2025. The reopening of cement plants will help to meet the growing demand in the country.

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.

Ghana: Cement dealers have raised concerns over a growing shortage of brands including SOL Cement, Empire Cement and Dzata Cement, according to Citi Newsroom. Dealers have cited a scarcity of clinker and rising port charges behind recent supply disruptions and price increases. One cement retailer, Augustine Aduful, said that they paid for cement but have been left out of pocket for two weeks. Ghacem, in particular, has reportedly been facing a shortage, with customers having to switch to alternatives like Diamond Cement.

Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry CEO Emmanuel Cherry said that Ghana cannot continue to rely solely on clinker in cement production and that the country should begin to look for viable alternatives.

Another retailer, Isaac Frimpong, said “The clinker shortage is being caused by overseas supply issues. Even the recent price hikes are tied to external factors. We hope that with government intervention, the situation will stabilise.”

Canada: Lithium Universe has signed a memorandum of understanding with Lafarge Canada for the supply of aluminosilicate product (ACSR) from its Bécancour lithium refinery for use in Lafarge Canada’s cement.

The parties will work towards a definitive supply agreement, which would see Lafarge sourcing all ACSR from the facility in a bid to reduce waste and support a circular economy.

Lithium Universe chair Iggy Tan said “This is great news for Lithium Universe as we partner with Lafarge Canada to enhance the North American battery materials supply chain and promote sustainable innovation in Canada’s cement industry. This collaboration will not only advance our focus on building Bécancour Lithium Refinery’s secondary product supply chain but also strengthen local supply chains, foster a more circular economy in Québec, and contribute to greener construction materials.”

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) says it continues to focus on improving its cement inventories and deliveries to the local market, amid disruption in September and early October 2024.

The company stated that further measures have been implemented to enhance inventory deliveries to its island-wide depots. It stated that it was currently operating at full production capacity and had successfully addressed various operational challenges, including those caused by adverse weather conditions relating to Hurricane Milton, which recently affected the region.

“Our valued customers and the public can expect further improvements in cement delivery over the coming week,” said the company. “CCCL remains committed to better serving its customers and enhancing services to ensure a reliable local supply of products.” The company added that it sincerely appreciated the ‘patience and understanding’ of all of its customers.

Vietnam: Deputy director of Tan Quang Cement, Tran Van Hung, has proposed reducing cement plant capacity to address the significant supply-demand imbalance. With a current supply of 120Mt/yr and a demand of only 56Mt/yr, the oversupply has led to price pressures, according to the Vietnam News Brief Service. This strategy aims to stabilise prices amid rising input costs and declining sales, further challenged by China's competitive stance and increased export taxes.

Van Hung has suggested regulating plant operations through energy limits and penalties to control supply and stabilise prices.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company has confirmed a shortage of cement due to increased demand following the impact of Hurricane Beryl. Despite concerns about its effect on the construction sector, former president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica Lenworth Kelly, says the lack of supply is typical for the local market and not a cause for concern, expecting a return to normality within a week, according to Radio Jamaica News. Caribbean Cement Company has stated that it has a supply of cement in storage for the period during its scheduled maintenance.  

Kelly said "It's just a matter of when supply gets back to you. And I know the supply is back up, but it has to get to every little town, every little location. I know the bulk suppliers would be receiving now, but I'm not expecting any significant contribution to a decline, as it were. We had a significant spike, and so we would expect some trending down."

Algeria: Germany-based motor manufacturer Menzel Elektromotoren supplied a fan motor for an Algerian cement plant. According to the company, the replacement was for a failed slip ring motor, and was manufactured and delivered within 13 weeks. The motor was a MEBSSL-type 6-pole slip ring motor in frame size 630, with a rated output of 1950kW, an operating voltage of 11,000V and a rated torque of 18,754Nm.