Global Cement News

Germany: The University of Trier is transforming post-consumer materials into ‘ecological’ cement through a new research project that aims to find sustainable alternatives for the construction industry. The project involves using low-CO₂ industrial post-consumer materials as alternative cement binders, such as sludge from gravel and sand mining, as well as dust from quartzite extraction. The research will run for two years and is supported by the German Federal Environment Foundation.

India: UltraTech Cement, a subsidiary of Aditya Birla, has purchased a 33% stake in India Cements for US$472m. UltraTech now controls a 55% stake and plans to make an open offer for a further 20% at US$4.66 per share. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, values India Cements at approximately US$1.39bn and could increase UltraTech's holding to 75.49%, according to The Northlines news.

Tunisia: Votorantim Cimentos has signed an agreement to sell its Tunisian assets to China-based Sinoma Cement for US$130m, according to Yicai Global. The deal's completion depends on regulatory approvals from China, Tunisia and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa).

All of Votorantim Cimentos' plants and offices in Tunisia will continue to operate as usual during the regulatory review.

Nigeria: Dangote Cement has reported its financial results for the first half of 2024. The company recorded a net profit of US$117m, marking a 6% year-on-year increase from US$110m in the first half of 2023. Revenue also saw an increase to US$1bn, up by 85% year-on-year from US$587m. During the period, the company’s production volume was 13.8Mt, representing a 4% increase from the 13.2Mt produced during the first half of 2023. The group also reported a year-on-year increase of 50% in earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$411m.

Afghanistan: The National Development Corporation has announced that the production capacity of the Ghori Cement plants in Baghlan has increased to 700t/day from 350t/day previously, according to Bakhtar News Agency. This increase is reportedly due to attention from Islamic Emirate’s officials and the efforts of the National Development Corporation under the country’s new government.

Engineer Shafiullah Wahidi, director of Ghori Cement, revealed that 700 technical staff are working in three shifts to maintain production levels. Local residents and traders are urging further production increases to favour domestic products over foreign imports.