Displaying items by tag: approval

US: The state governments of Arizona, Maryland and Vermont have approved the use of Portland limestone cement (PLC) in public construction projects. The rule changes bring the total number of states in which PLC may be used in this way to 44.

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has welcomed the decision. The association said "Widespread acceptance of PLC marks a significant step to reducing the carbon footprint of concrete construction and advancing the goals laid out in the PCA Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality."

India: The state government of Orissa has approved cement grinding plant projects proposed by My Home Industries and Ramco Cements. My Home Industries plans to build a new 3Mt/yr grinding plant at Badchana in Jajpur. The Orissa Diary newspaper has reported the value of the producer’s planned investment as US$89.0m. Ramco Cements has proposed a 0.9Mt/yr at Haridaspur in Jajpur. The unit will cost US$26.0m and employ 60 local people.

Germany: The Federal Cartel Office has approved the takeover of Heinrich Teufel by Holcim Deutschland. The subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim said it had agreed to acquire the ready-mix concrete and aggregates in July 2021. The purchase is intended to increase the company’s presence in southern Germany.

India: Synergy Metals Investments Holding has received the Competition Commission of India’s approval via the accelerated ‘green channel notice’ to acquire a minority stake in JSW Cement. The Press Trust of India has reported that the accelerated procedure aims to improve merger regulation through transparent review with a minimal waiting period.

India: Dubai-based Synergy Metals has made an offer and sought the permission of the Competition Commission of India to acquire a minority stake in JSW Group subsidiary JSW Cement. The New Indian Express has reported that JSW Group is seeking to reduce its stake ahead of an initial public offer (IPO) for the producer. The company is valued at over US$2.0bn and is seeking to sell US$200m-worth of stakes.

Egypt: The Egyptian Competition Authority has approved a request by 23 cement producers for permission for a temporary reduction in their cement output by 11%, with additional cuts of 3% per kiln line. Reuters has reported that the reduced quotas will be in force between 15 July 2021 and 15 July 2022. Previously, two cement executives quoted by the source said that the proposed cuts seemed unfair on multinational companies, like them, that operate older plants.

Russia: Mikhailovsky Building Material Works (Mikhailovsky KSM), part of Smikom Group, has received conditional approval to acquire Eurocement. Interfax has reported that the Federal Antimonopoly Service made its approval on a number of conditions including the requirement that Mikhailovsky KSM submits to it a quarterly performance report. If prices rise by more than 5% in a month then the company will be required to explain why to the regulator. The producer will also be obliged to fulfil any existing contracts and preserve the technological capability of its production base.

Eurocement currently holds a 35% market share in Central district, the region where Mikhailovsky KSM produces its building materials.

Lithuania: The Lithuanian Competition Council has permitted Germany-based Schwenk Zement to increase its stake in Akmenes Cement to 97% from 47%. The markets authority also granted permission for Schwenk Zement’s 75% acquisition of limestone and clay producer Kalcitas and 100% acquisitions of building materials suppliers Cemeka and Lanku Bokstai.

India: Shree Cement has received approval from the state government of Karnataka for its planned US$81.5m Doddaballapur cement grinding and bagging plant. The Hindu newspaper has reported that, when operational, the plant will employ 300 local people.

Pakistan: The government of Punjab Province has approved five cement plant plans worth a total of US$1.25bn. The Frontier Post newspaper has reported that Chief Minister Usman Buzdar chaired a cabinet meeting in which No Objection Certificates (NOCs) were issued to five planned cement plant projects.