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India: UltraTech Cement has completed its US$2.5bn acquisition of six integrated cement plants and five grinding plants from Jaiprakash Associates. The transfer was made effective at a meeting of the Scheme Implementation Committee of the board of directors of UltraTech Cement. The purchase includes plants in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh with a total production capacity of 21.2Mt/yr.
“This move is essentially for geographic market expansion, enabling UltraTech’s entry into the high growth markets of India where it needed greater reinforcement,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of UltraTech. He added that the acquisition would add synergies in manufacturing, distribution and logistics.
Following the purchase UltraTech holds 18 integrated plants, one standalone clinker production plant, 25 grinding plants and seven bulk terminals, increasing its Ordinary Portland Cement capacity to 93Mt/yr. UltraTech said that the new production units will make it the fourth largest cement producer in the world outside of China and that it confirms its place as the largest producer in India.
Belgium: The European Commission has cleared a proposed merger between Brazil’s Magnesita and Austria’s RHI Group subject to the divestment of a number of production sites in Europe. Magnesita is required to sell its plant in Oberhausen, Germany along with its Oberhausen business in the European Economic Area (EEA). RHI is required to sell its dolomite business in the EEA including plants in Maroni, Italy, and Lugones, Spain. Magnesita and RHI said they are speaking to potential buyers at present.
“With today’s milestone, we have come significantly closer to the planned merger with Magnesita – and thus a globally leading company in the refractory industry which optimally combines the strengths of both companies,” explains Stefan Borgas, chief executive officer (CEO) of RHI and designated CEO of the future RHI-Magnesita Group.
Outstanding approvals required to complete the merger include that from the Brazilian Antitrust Authorities and the approval of the cross-border merger, of RHI AG with its subsidiary RHI MAG NV in the Netherlands, by the RHI General Meeting.
Itacamba’s Yacuses cement plant installs WEG motors 29 June 2017
Bolivia: Itacamba’s Yacuses cement plant in Germán Busch province has installed several electric motors from Brazil’s WEG. The scope of supply included W22 IP66 low voltage motors and medium voltage slip ring motors with a brush lifting system for continuous operation. Although WEG did not specify the exact application of the motors these products are usually used in drive mills, crushers and fans at cement plants.
Itacamba is a joint venture between Brazil’s Votorantim and Spain’s Molins. WEG has previously supplied its motors with the brush lifting system to several cement plants operated by Votorantim.
Canada: NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers’ (NACC) Canadian subsidiary has been awarded a long-term time charter agreement with Lafarge Canada, for the provision of a modern pneumatic cement carrier early in 2018. A bulk carrier owned by NACC will be converted into a pneumatic cement carrier. It will have maximum cargo deadweight in excess of 12,500t. The conversion process is expected to take around 10 months.
The vessel will primarily carry cement from Lafarge Canada's cement plant in Bath, Ontario to distribution facilities throughout the Great Lakes but the vessel will be capable of other services for Lafarge. NACC Shipping Canada will operate and manage the vessel in Canada. No duration for the contract has been released.
Bhutan: Manufacturers fear that India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) may reduce exports of cement. Input costs such as coal and limestone may fall in India when rates decrease following the introduction of the new tax regime on 1 July 2017 said Naman Sidarth of the Ims Taxo service in a presentation to the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), according to the Kuensel newspaper. India is the main target of cement exports from Bhutan and it has previously benefited from the differing taxes implemented between its states. The new GST will amalgamate taxes levied by the central and state governments.