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Yguazu takes up slack during INC outage 07 August 2017
Paraguay: Yguazu saw record sales of 1.1 million bags of cement in July 2017, according to Ernesto Acosta, the firm's industrial manager, largely because of supply issues that affected state-run cement firm INC. Yguazu reported that it ‘even had to open on Sundays.’ Normally, Yguazu’s sales stand at 0.9 -1.0 million bags per month. INC has now resolved its issues.
Ramco to ramp up grinding capacity 07 August 2017
India: Ramco Cements is planning to make an investment of about US$172m in various projects, on the back of anticipated higher demand for cement in the near future. The company will invest in a range of projects, including expansion of its satellite grinding unit capacity. This move will enable the company to increase its presence in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal and will raise its total capacity to 7.1Mt/yr from 4.0Mt/yr at present. Expansions will be undertaken at its Visakhapatnam and Kolaghat plants, as well as at a new new grinding unit in Odisha. The projects will be commissioned within 18 months.
France: Vicat’s earnings have been negatively affected by the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound and performance issues in Turkey. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 8.7% year-on-year to Euro188m in the first half to 2017 from Euro206m in the same period in 2016. Its sales fell by 0.8% to Euro1.25bn from Euro1.24bn. By business line its cement sales fell by 4.2% to Euro612m and its cement sales volumes declined by 2.6% to 10.8Mt.
“The Vicat Group’s first-half performance was affected by very unfavourable weather conditions in Europe, the US and Turkey, especially at the beginning of the year, and by a difficult macro-economic and industrial environment in Egypt. Other key regions such as India, the US and France recorded improvements. In a year that should be characterised by a very strong seasonality effect, Vicat now expects to benefit from a marked progression in its activities in the second semester,” said the group’s chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Guy Sidos.
Buzzi Unicem sees recovery in Europe in first half of 2017 04 August 2017
Italy: Buzzi Unicem has reported a recovery in Central Europe, a positive change in Eastern Europe and an improvement in Italy thanks to increased exports. It also noted muted demand in the US, particularly during the first quarter. Its net sales rose by 7.3% year-on-year to Euro1.35bn in the first half of 2017 from Euro1.26bn in the same period in 2016. Its cement sales volumes increased by 2.3% to 12.5Mt from 12.2Mt. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 8.4% to Euro241m from Euro223m.
Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed its support for a plan to require cement importers to secure licenses and clearances for their products. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez backed the plan first issued in February 2017, according to the Philippines Star newspaper. The Department Administrative Order requires the application of the Philippine Standards licenses on foreign producers of cement imports and import commodity clearance on cement imports, as well as setting a minimum paid capitalisation of US$0.4m for all cement importers. The measures are intended to support domestic self-sufficiency in the cement industry.