Global Cement News

Thailand: SCG’s cement business’ earnings have risen due to higher local prices and cost savings in the first quarter of 2018. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBTIDA) rose by 7% year-on-year to US$201m in the first quarter of 2018 from US$195m in the same period in 2017. The company said that local demand for cement remained flat in the reporting period as increased demand from the government sector balanced out declines elsewhere. Local exports rose by 20% to 1.2Mt.

Uzbekistan: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a resolution that fixes the price of cement to support housing and infrastructure projects. The new legislation will force approved suppliers to sell 2Mt of cement for a fixed price to contractors, according to Uzbekistan Daily. Tax levels for cement producers have also been increased.

Pakistan: Cement producers have proposed finding an alternative water source in a case about the Katas Raj Temples being adjudicated by the Supreme Court. They have also agreed to pay the Punjab government for any water they use until then, according to the Statesman newspaper. The court was investigating allegations that the pond at the Hindu heritage site was drying out due to water consumption by nearby cement plants.

Bestway Cement and DG Khan Cement proposed that they would submit up to US$17m and US$4m respectively as security deposits until they find alternative water sources. They have also proposed building a small dam in the area, the outflow of which will be maintained in a way that the pond at Katas Raj is not adversely affected. Local cement plants of the two companies are currently using water from nearby river and underground sources.

Bosnia & Herzegovina: Austria’s Asamer Baustoffe has made a bid for the remaining share of Fabrika Cementa Lukavac. At present it owns 99% of the cement producer. Fabrika Cementa Lukavac operates 0.8Mt/yr integrated plant at Lukavac.

Brazil: Mineração Belocal, a subsidiary of Belgium’s Lhoist, has purchased L-Imerys, a lime producer that operates a plant at Doresópolis in Minas Gerais. L-Imerys is a subsidiary of France’s Imerys, according to the Diário do Comércio newspaper. The 0.4Mt/yr lime plant was inaugurated in 2013. The sales is depending on approval by the relevant competition bodies. No value for the acquisition has been disclosed.