Displaying items by tag: construction

Iraq: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has launched six industrial projects worth US$1.17bn in Muthanna province, including five cement plants. According to Iraqi News, Al-Sudani initiated commercial operations at the 6000t/day Najmat Al-Samawa Cement Plant 2, and launched construction of the Al-Arabi, Khairat Al-Muthanna and Al-Ittihad plants, each with a capacity of 6000t/day. The 6600t/day Al-Samawa cement plant has also commenced construction.

Al-Sudani said that the main objective of the current projects is to ‘secure the needs of the local market’ and stop imports. The government is reportedly constructing residential complexes in Baghdad and other provinces, where there are more than a million housing units. 200,000 housing units are also being built in seven large residential communities.

Kenya: Cement sales fell by 8% year-on-year to 8.47Mt in 2024, the sharpest annual decline in over two decades, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The fall reflects budgetary cuts on public infrastructure projects and a broader slowdown in construction activity, which contracted by 3% in the third quarter of 2024, following a 2% drop in the second quarter.

KNBS said in its report “The contraction was reflected by trends in key industry indicators. For instance, cement consumption declined by 10% to 2.2Mt in the third quarter of 2024, from 2.4Mt in the same quarter of 2023.”

According to the Nation newspaper, the slowdown follows delays in the government’s payments to contractors and the stalling of infrastructure projects. The government indicated that most of the stalled projects will begin to receive funding in the next few days and weeks.

Ukraine: Ukrainian cement and concrete producers are ready to expand capacity to meet reconstruction demand, according to a survey by Consumer and Business Research Ukraine (CBR), despite reduced funding and limited state budget. Cement production dropped to 5.4Mt in 2022 from 11Mt in 2021 but stabilised at 7.4Mt in 2023 and 7.97Mt in 2024. CBR estimates that 8Mt/yr is feasible during wartime, rising to 12Mt/yr in the third or fourth year of reconstruction.

The Ukrainian Cement Association (UkrCement) head Pavlo Kachur said “Reconstruction will begin with demining, reinforcing the front lines and restoring energy infrastructure. Large-scale construction will likely not begin until the third or fourth year.”

At present, plant capacity utilisation varies across regions. Plants in western Ukraine are operating at higher capacity, while those in the south and east remain underutilised. In 2022, plants operated at a loss but retained staff. In 2023, volumes were sufficient to break even. Two-thirds of surveyed consumers increased production in 2023, though 2024 expectations were cautious.

Kachur said “Time will be needed for training, planning and securing financing—and cement producers will use that time to fill the market, primarily by investing in modernisation and capacity expansion. For example, two major projects to build new kilns are already ready in Kryvy Rih and Ivano-Frankivsk.”

The study notes that building brand new plants is unlikely, but modernising existing kilns can be accomplished within a year. It expects at least two plants to launch new kilns, increasing capacity by 2Mt/yr. For example, Kryvyi Rih Cement has obtained a permit to develop the Maryanske limestone deposit (60km from the plant) and plans to build a clinker kiln at the site.

CBR researcher Tetiana Sytnyk said “Cement companies are ready to make rapid investments in modernisation and to launch additional kilns once recovery begins. They’re waiting for clear signals to proceed – such as the allocation of reconstruction funds or a surge in demand to at least 9.5Mt/yr.”

Ukraine exported 1.7Mt of cement in 2024, up from 56,000t in 2021, with Kachur adding that exports have ‘saved’ the local industry during the war. Developed countries will be capable of meeting Ukraine’s reconstruction needs, though this could hurt local producers. Kachur added “During the recovery phase, Ukraine’s market must be as localised as possible with domestic products. Only countries that supported us during the war should have access.”

Saudi Arabia: Sinoma Overseas has marked the construction of the preheater tower as part of a relocation and upgrade of Yamama Cement’s production line. The previously 10,000t/day line now has a capacity of 12,500t/day. The placement of the final structural element on the preheater tower was attended by representatives from both companies.

Sinoma posted on social media that the company had “overcom[e] significant engineering and logistical challenges – from dismantling and moving massive equipment to integrating new technology.”

With the preheater tower now complete, the company looks ahead to the plant’s commissioning and final delivery.

Nigeria: Dangote Group has resumed construction of a 6Mt/yr cement plant in Itori, Ogun State, according to Business Insider Africa. Itori is 10km from Ewekoro, the site of a 3.9Mt/yr plant owned by Lafarge Africa. Construction of the plant is expected to be completed by November 2026. The company will also build ‘Nigeria’s largest seaport’ at the Olokola Free Trade Zone, also in Ogun State. The plant will have two lines and sits on 533 hectares of land.

Ogun State is already home to the 12Mt/yr Dangote Cement Plant in Ibese. Upon completion of the Itori project, the state’s total cement production capacity will reach 18Mt/yr. Dangote Cement reportedly has a production capacity of 52Mt/yr across Africa, with 70% of production in Nigeria.

Aliko Dangote said “We earlier on abandoned our vision of investing in the Olokola Free Trade Zone but, because of governor Dapo Abiodun’s policies and investor-friendly environment, we are back and will work with the government to return to Olokola. Plans are underway to construct the largest port in the country.”

He said that the nearly US$800m Itori cement plant should have been completed earlier, but was delayed due to opposition from former governor Ibikunle Amosun.

India: The Adani Group has launched new investment plans in the states of Assam and Madhya Pradesh, including in their cement sectors. Chair Gautam Adani says that the group will invest US$5.73bn in Assam and US$12.6bn in Madhya Pradesh. The Business Standard newspaper has reported that the latter investment will generate over 100,000 new jobs and involve the construction of a new smart city.

Thailand: Siam Cement Group (SCG) has forecast a 5% year-on-year rise in its full-year revenues due to economic revival and the government’s current stimulus package. President and CEO Thammasak Sethaudom said that increased customer purchasing power in Vietnam will raise SCG’s local cement and building material sales

SCG’s additional focuses will be on entering the Australia and North America markets and developing its high value-added products segment.

Nigeria: The Bauchi State government has approved a US$7.9m road project to support the development of the Gwana cement plant in Alkaleri. 10,000 people will be employed in the construction of the plant before it commences production in the next two years, according to Leadership News. Feasibility studies for the plant have reached an advanced stage for the location of the plant by Resident Cement Company.

The plant will generate 100MW of electricity for the plant from coal, with surplus power supplied to nearby communities.

Chile: The combined cement sales of Cbb, Melón and Polpaico continued a three-year decline with a 4% year-on-year drop in the first half of 2024, to 1.83Mt. In terms of market shares, Polpaico retained 40%, Melón 34% and Cbb 26%. Noticias Financieras News has reported that low domestic demand caused the fall in sales. Despite the general downturn, Cbb succeeded in more than doubling its profit to US$18.5m, by increasing its shipments of cement, which offset a decline in concrete sales.

Polpaico said "During the second quarter of 2024, the cement and concrete industry in Chile continued to face significant challenges, reflected in a slowdown in the construction sector." It added that there was ‘constant price competition’ exacerbated by an ‘abnormal volume of rainfall’ in June 2024.

Melón said "There has been a slowdown in projects under development compared to previous periods. On the other hand, production and distribution costs have continued to be under pressure, which in this period are mainly related to the increase in the exchange rate."

US: C-Crete Technologies has poured its granite-based cement-free concrete in its first construction application at the upcoming JPMorgan Chase headquarters at 270 Park Avenue, Manhattan. Ecology, Environment and Conservation News has reported that the concrete generates no net CO₂ emissions by sequestering atmospheric CO₂ in its curing process. The concrete conforms to ASTM International standards, with a compressive strength exceeding 5000psi. Other partners on the project included engineering firm Severud Associates Consulting Engineers and construction management firm AECOM Tishman.

C-Crete Technologies president Rouzbeh Savary said "We are thrilled to introduce our new granite-based concrete at such a prestigious and iconic location. The building at 270 Park Avenue is set to become a landmark not only for its architectural grandeur, but also for its sustainable construction practices."

Severud Associates Consulting Engineers senior associate Fortunato Orlando said "The performance of C-Crete for concrete on metal deck, topping slabs, pavements and landscape work, coupled with its eco-friendly attributes, makes it a revolutionary product for the future of the construction industry."

AECOM Tishman chief operating officer John Kovacs said "Just a few years ago, constructing devoid of Portland cement and CO₂ emissions would have seemed unimaginable. And yet today, we stand as the world's first, setting new thresholds of what's possible in sustainable construction. We thank all of our partners on this project and look forward to the day when CO₂ emission-free construction is not simply an idea or a new innovation, but the industry standard across every build."