Global Cement News

Iran: Iran exported approximately 6.62Mt of cement and clinker in the first four months of the current Iranian year, a period that encompasses the period from 21 March 2014 to 22 July 2014. The Iranian Ministry of Industries, Mines and Trade added that the country's cement and clinker exports rose by over 378% in the 12 months to 20 March 2014 compared to the 12 months to 20 March 2013.

Vietnam: State-owned Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (Vicem) produced 10.2Mt of cement in the first seven months of 2014, a 4.7% increase compared to the same period of 2013. Vicem's clinker output, however, dipped by 1% year-on-year to 9.43Mt. In July 2014, Vicem's cement output rose by 7.8% year-on-year to 1.54Mt, while clinker output rose to 1.47Mt, a 8.1% rise.

In the first seven months of 2014, Vicem's total clinker and cement sales rose by 7% year-on-year to 12.7Mt, including 1.88Mt in July 2014, a 3.9% fall year-on-year. Of the total, 10.6Mt of cement and clinker were sold in Vietnam, down by 7.7% year-on-year. 2.12Mt were exported, an 86% rise year-on-year.

India: Shiva Cement has received approval for an Interim Business Plan for a 200,000Mt/yr capacity expansion as proposed by the Project Management Committee (PMC). Shiva Cement's board of directors has also approved the project. Besides, the PMC has been authorised to take decisions for leasing, sale, disposal, or to deal with the idle fixed assets in the best interest of the Shiva Cement.

US: Cemex USA is pleased to announce that six of its cement plants have earned the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star certification. The recognition of Cemex USA's plants in Brooksville (Florida), Miami (Florida), Clinchfield (Georgia), Fairborn (Ohio), Louisville (Kentucky) and Victorville (California), demonstrates that these plants perform among the top 25% of similar US plants for energy conservation.

2014 marks the eighth consecutive year of certification for the Clinchfield plant, an achievement realised by only one other cement plant in the US. It is also the fourth consecutive certification for the Miami plant, the third for Brooksville, Victorville and Fairborn plants and the sixth year for the Louisville plant.

Throughout the year, all of the recognised plants put into practice the energy-efficiency principles established by the Energy Star guidelines for energy management that were developed by the EPA. These plants implemented energy conservation and monitoring technologies, promoted energy-efficiency awareness among employees and completed energy-reduction projects.

"Cemex is committed to sustainable practices throughout our operations, including energy-efficiency," said Karl Watson Jr., president of Cemex USA. "We are honoured to again be recognised by the EPA and Energy Star for our commitment to sustainable practices."

China: Haver Technologies in Tianjin (HTT), which provides solutions for packing machines for solid bulk materials and filling machines for liquids and paste products, including silo components, conveyor belts, foreign material screening machines, truck loading systems and palletisers, has moved to a new location in north China to be closer to its customers. HTT's former location in southern China was no longer able to keep pace with the growing demand.

"Our focus was on finding an ideal location with respect to customer closeness, ideal infrastructure, qualified personnel and good suppliers and so we ended up in Tianjin," said Ron Garthoff, managing director of HTT. A large part of the cement industry and numerous companies in the mineral processing technology are already located in this region and China's largest chemical hub is currently being developed there. As a result, HTT guarantees that 95% of its machines can be delivered within 24 hours and that service visits by technicians are conducted as quickly as possible. In Tianjin, HTT benefits from one of China's largest seaports and an international airport, an excellent network of motorways and Beijing airport.

In just 10 months a two-storey office building with space for approximately 45 employees was built. There is also the possibility for a 4500m2 production plant and warehouse. Moreover, the possibility for future expansion was accounted for as another 2000m2 building may be built when needed. The new location is supplemented by a research and development centre that is based on the research and development centre at the German headquarters in Oelde, Germany.