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Dangote linked to PPC bid 11 September 2017
South Africa: Dangote Cement is considering making a bid for PPC. The interest of the Nigerian company could start a bidding contest for the South African cement producer, according to sources quoted by the Cape Times newspaper. Canada’s Fairfax Financial Holdings with AfriSam made an offer for PPC in early September 2017. However, PPC said that the offer was ‘undervalued.’ It also reported to shareholders that it had received two other offers. It is expected to present any offers it has received to shareholders in early October 2017.
Holcim US proposes solar unit for Hagerstown cement plant 11 September 2017
US: Holcim US has proposed a 10MW solar unit for its Hagerstown cement plant in Maryland. NRG Solar Hagerstown, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, will build the array and lease the site for 35 years, according to Herald-Mail Media. The solar unit could meet up to 20% of the plant’s annual power requirements and the project is expected to last for at least 20 years. Construction is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2018 and it is planned to last up to five months. No value for the project has been disclosed.
RHI and Magnesita make sales ahead of merger 11 September 2017
Europe: RHI and Magnesita have announced divestment agreements ahead of their proposed merger. RHI has signed a contract with a European refractories supplier for an undisclosed sum regarding the sale of its dolomite business in the European Economic Area. The sale consists of the production sites at Marone in Italy and Lugones in Spain. Magnesita has entered into a definitive agreement with Intocast to divest its business related to the production and supply of magnesia carbon bricks produced at the company's Oberhausen plant in Germany for Euro20.3m. Both sales were required by the European Commission as part of the merger process.
“With the sale of the two sites, the combination of RHI with Magnesita is also still right on schedule,” said RHI’s chief executive officer Stefan Borgas with regards to his company’s divestments “We expect the confirmation by the European Commission in the near future.”
RHI signed a contract in August 2017 to sell its production sites at San Vito in Italy and Sherbinska in Russia that produce fused cast refractories for the glass industry. Production at the company’s plant at Aken in Germany was stopped in the first half of 2017 for an indefinite period. RHI plans to sell or close the plant to maintain its production utilisation rate across the business.
Long Son opens second production line at cement plant 08 September 2017
Vietnam: Long Son has started operating its second production line at its Long Son cement plant in Thanh Hoa province. Following the upgrade the unit has increased its cement production capacity to 5Mt/yr from 2.5Mt/yr, according to the Viet Nam News newspaper. Following the opening of the new line the site has become one of the largest cement plants in the country.
Mozambique government announces new cement plant for Niassa 08 September 2017
Mozambique: President Filipe Nyusi has announced that work on building a new cement plant in Niassa province will start later in 2017. The unit is expected to source many of its raw materials locally, such as limestone and clay, according to the Mozambique News Agency. Once operational the plant is expected to create over 500 jobs. The project follows the reopening of the Cuamba to Lichinga railway in late 2016.