Global Cement News

US: Texas Industries (TXI) has seen its cement sales rise by 20% year-on-year to US$104m for the first quarter of its 2013 – 2014 financial year, compared to US$87.3m in the same period in the previous year. Cement shipments rose by 17% to 1.31Mt from 1.12Mt.

Although the company noted a general improvement in construction markets, in the cement sector it also saw an increase of sales and prices in its Texas market. CEO Mel Brekhus stated that the start up of the company's new kiln in Central Texas was the most successful of any he had been involved with in his career.

TXI reported a net income of US$429,000 for the first quarter of 2013 – 2014, up from a net loss of US$2.66m in the same period in 2012 – 2013. Net sales rose by 34% to US$233m from US$175m.

Oman: Oman Cement has disclosed that it intends to award the contract for supply and installation of a new 150t/hr cement mill to FLSmidth. FLSmidth separately confirmed that a letter of intent had been signed by Oman Cement, although final negotiations remain to be completed. No price for the contract has been released.

Other announcements from the Oman-based cement producer include an upgrade of kiln 1 to increase production and improve pollution control. Oman cement also plans similar pollution control improvements to kiln 2 with the aid of a consultant.

Bahrain: Falcon Cement Company (FCC), the first Bahrain-based fully integrated cement producer, has announced that it has been approved for ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification by Bureau Veritas.

"We are delighted to have received this prestigious certification," said executive director Salah Sharif.

FCC, which started production in 2009, currently produces 1000t/day of cement with expansion planned for the next year to grow it to above 2500t/day. This represents up to 60% of the current cement requirements of the Bahraini market.

Tajikistan: The first coal-fired rotary kiln at the Dushanbe cement plant is about to start operation, according to the Tajik Ministry of Energy and Industry (MoEI). Chinese contractor Beijing Uni-Construction Group has installed the 600t/day cement kiln.

The Dushanbe cement plant has four large rotary kilns with capacity of 600t/day each and two small rotary kilns with capacity of 300t/day each. The 1.2Mt/yr plant has not been in operation since the beginning of 2013 due to a lack of natural gas.

Pakistan provides the majority of cement imports to Tajikistan, supplying 1.7Mt/yr.

Bangladesh: Loesche has been thanked by the Charity: Water non-government organisation for its donation towards a clean water project in the community of Lutarupara-Molliktola, Char region in Bangladesh. Thanks to the funding, the village has received a tube-well and now has access to clean water and sanitation.

Due to Loesche's donation in late 2011, 347 people in Lutarupara-Molliktola now have access to safe and clean drinking water. In December 2012 Loesche donated again to Charity: Water to help a community in Malawi that will be completed un 2014.

Charity: Water is a non-profit organisation that provides clean and safe drinking water in developing countries. In addition to helping communities access clear water the organisation trains beneficiaries on best sanitation and hygienic practices, safe water storage and water point management.