Nigeria: Dangote Cement has formally launched BlocMaster Cement product in Kano. The new cement product is described as ‘extra strong’ and targeted at block moulders, according to the Vanguard newspaper. At the official launch event Joe Makoju, the group managing director of Dangote Cement, said the new brand had followed ‘years’ of research and that it had been tested and approved by builders in the country.

Vietnam: Tan Thang Cement has ordered additional integrated digital automation and electrical equipment from Switzerland’s ABB for a new 2Mt/yr plant it is building in Nghe An province. The order is a follow- up order to the initial automation and electrical systems delivery from ABB for this site, which is currently under construction.

The follow-up order includes a 110kV AIS Substation (Air Insulated Substation), with a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system based on ABB Ability System 800xA for Power Control, as well as telecommunications, and High Voltage primary and secondary equipment to support the electrical infrastructure. ABB will also deliver power transformers, distribution transformers, an Intelligent Motor Control Centre, Auxiliary Control Centre, Emergency Diesel Generator, DC power supply, various field devices and related commissioning services.

ABB’s initial delivery included ABB Ability System 800xA DCS (Distributed Control System) to integrate control, electrical and communication systems for optimal visibility into all processes for stable production and efficient use of raw materials and energy. It also included ABB Ability Knowledge Manager and Expert Optimizer software, as well as basic communication and electrical system infrastructure and equipment.

The project is scheduled to be commissioned in late 2019.

Pakistan: Maple Leaf Cement’s profits have fallen due to mounting costs of goods. Its profit after taxation fell by 4% year-on-year to US$37m in the year to 30 June 2018 from US$39m in the same period in 2017. Despite this its sales rose by 7.5% to US$208m from US$194m. The cement producer added that it had approved a US$8.1m loan to its holding company Kohinoor Textile Mills to meet ‘working capital requirements.’

US/China: The Office of the US Trade Representative has started implementing a 10% tariff on mineral and other products from China, including cement, following a consultation period. Mineral products affected by the proposed tariffs of interest to the cement industry include limestone flux, quicklime, slaked lime, gypsum, anhydrite, clinkers of Portland, aluminous, slag, supersulphate and similar hydraulic cements, white Portland cement, Portland cement, aluminous cement, slag cement, refractory cements, additives for cement, cement based building materials and more.

The latest tariff list follows an earlier decision by the US government to tax imports from China worth US$34bn that came into force in early July 2018.