Saudi Arabia: Saudi Cement Company’s revenue fell by 5.5% year-on-year to US$299m in 2018 from US$316m in 2017. Its net profit decreased by 11.7% to US$107m from US$121m. It blamed the loss of profit on poor domestic sales, rising selling and marketing costs and an increase in Islamic finance costs.

Uzbekistan: Akhangarancement, part of Russia’s Eurocement, has installed a new Wikov gearbox on the rotary kiln at its plant in Akhangaransky as part of a US$1.5m upgrade project. Other work included upgrades to the clinker conveyors, the sludge line, the cooler, the heat exchanger and other equipment. A new production line is currently being built at the 2Mt/yr plant. It is scheduled for commissioning in 2020.

Turkey: Akçansa’s sales revenue grew by 13% year-on-year to Euro285m in 2018 from Euro252m in 2017. Its net profit increased by 21% to Euro29.8m from Euro24.7m. The joint venture between Sabancı Holding and Germany’s HeidelbergCement attributed its sales growth to continued efforts to protect its domestic market against competition and its growth overseas. Umut Zenar, Akçansa General Manager, said that the company started exporting products from Ambarlı Port in 2018. The cement producer aims to double its exports during 2019.

Bolivia: Sacyr Industrial and Imasa Ingenieria y Proyectos have awarded a contract to Claudius Peters for a packing and palletising system for the Potosí cement plant. The scope of delivery consists of a 12 spout Pacpal Roto Fill with a capacity of 3600bags/hr, an automatic bag applicator with cassette magazine as well as a palletizing system Pacpal Palletiser 5000. The palletiser is designed for 50kg bags and suitable for a five-bag layer type on slip sheets. The plant is operated by the state-run cement producer Empresa Publica Productiva Cementos de Bolivia (ECEBOL). No value for the order has been disclosed.