Global Cement News

Saudi Arabia: Hail Cement has announced a net loss of US$7.1m, the third consecutive year with a net loss, although it reduced its loss from US$10.9m in 2011. Hail reported a 29.5% drop in revenue to US$391,635 and negative operating cash-flow.

UAE: Ras Al Khaimah Cement made a net loss of US$2.0m during the whole of 2012 despite a 15.1% increase in its revenue to US$60.5m. 2012 was the third year in five that the company made a loss. In 2011 the company made a net loss of US$5.4m.

India: HeidelbergCement India has successfully completed and commissioned two projects in Damoh district in central India, with production starting today at both facilities. It has increased production at its Narsingarh, Madhya Pradesh, plant from 1.2Mt/yr to 3.1Mt/yr. In Imlai it has taken its cement capacity from 1Mt/yr to 2Mt/yr.

HeidelbergCement India said that the expanded capacity will enable the company to increase its market share in central India, where the company's brand 'mycem' is already a premium brand.

Ireland/UK: Lagan Cement and Quinn Building Products have dropped plans to form a joint venture (JV).

"Discussions have now concluded and both companies have decided not to progress further with the proposed joint venture," the companies said in a statement.

The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding December 2012 to explore the possibility of a JV between their cement and building products businesses based in Ballyconnell, Derrylin, Kinnegad, Belfast, Cork and Benelux. At the time, Quinn Manufacturing Group chief executive Paul O'Brien and his opposite number, Jude Lagan, said that the idea was to create a 'sustainable' independent Irish cement producer.

The decision follows the receipt of a package containing a bullet which was sent in the post to the Lagan's chief executive, Kevin Lagan. The bullet, which was sent to Lagan at his Belfast office, was accompanied by a message stating, "Quinn ... is this what you want".

"This is clearly an attempt to intimidate myself and the Lagan Group at a time when we are engaged in discussions with Quinn on combining our cement and building products businesses," said Lagan in a statement released on 14 February 2013.

Nepal: Nepalese cement plants are increasingly using their self-produced clinker for cement production in Nepal. In 2011 three cement manufacturers, Siddhartha, Bridge and Supreme, all based in the Lumbini Industrial Corridor, used to rely on clinker imported from India. Now, they produce more than 90% of the clinker that they require. These highlights show that areas of the country are slowly moving towards self-reliance on clinker.

According to cement producers quoted by the Katmandu Post, Nepal requires around 3Mt/yr of clinker. Of the total demand, only 18% is fulfilled by domestic production. With such demand, more domestic cement producers are starting clinker production. Sarbottam Cement, promoted by Saurav Group, and another cement factory of Dugar Group are also planning to start clinker production.

"There are a lot of hassles while importing clinker from India. If the industrial environment is improved, clinker import will not be required within the next three years," said Rajesh Agrawal, managing director of Argakhachi Cement. "It will save US$416.7m/yr."

In a bid to make the country self-reliant on clinker, the government recently decided to ban clinker imports within five years. According to the Industrial Promotion Board, domestic cement producers should either produce clinker on their own or manufacture cement by using clinker produced by Nepalese manufacturers after the imposition of the ban.

US: The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a rule called 
'National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and Standards of Performance for Portland 
Cement Plants.'

The rule, published in the Federal Register on 12 February 2013 by Lisa P Jackson, US EPA Administrator, states, "On 18 July 2012 the EPA proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and the Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants. This final action amends the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for the Portland cement industry."

"The EPA is also promulgating amendments with respect to issues on which it granted reconsideration on 17 May 2011. In addition, the EPA is amending the new source performance standard for particulate matter. These amendments promote flexibility, reduce costs, ease compliance and preserve 
health benefits."

"The amendments also address the remand of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants for the Portland cement industry by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on 9 December 2011. Finally, the EPA is setting the date for compliance with the existing source national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants to be 9 September 2015."