Global Cement News

Spain/Mexico/Argentina: Cementos Molins plans to build its international presence outside of Spain with expansions planned for Mexico and Argentina. The company hopes to generate just 20% of revenues in Spain in 2017. The company reported a profit of Euro6.5m for the first quarter of 2014.

The Spain-based cement producer intends to invest in a Euro147m cement plant project in Veracruz, Mexico in 2015 – 2016 shared with Buzzi Unicem and Mexican company Carso. Cementos Molins also plans to upgrade its existing cement plant in San Luis, Argentina. Other projects include two cement plants at unspecified locations.

Indonesia: Siemens has received an order from ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions AG to supply an Integrated Drive System for the expansion of PT Holcim Indonesia's cement plant in Java, Indonesia. The new line will have a capacity of 4000/day. Operation is due to commence in mid-2015.

The supplied Integrated Drive System will comprise low- and medium-voltage motors as well as the associated Sinamics and Sinamics Perfect Harmony drives, including the required converter transformers, starters and compensation systems. The supply package contains 14 single-motor and multi-motor drives, 22 induction motors, one slip ring motor for the raw mill main drive and six gear units.

Siemens previously installed complete drive equipment for the first production line at the Tuban plant. Production commenced in October 2013. "By placing the follow-on contract with Siemens, we want to ensure professional project management and the smooth operation of our plant", said Sidik Darusulistyo, plant manager at PT Holcim Indonesia.

New Zealand: Holcim New Zealand has revealed that a company shake-up will result in four management jobs in Christchurch being axed in the next few months. In addition, the wind-down of the Westport cement plant in 2016 has been confirmed, which will result in the loss of about 120 jobs. It is also considering selling part or all of its lime business.

Holcim New Zealand's managing director, Jeremy Smith, will be made redundant, with Holcim announcing that it will combine its New Zealand and Australian operations. Three other management jobs will also be axed, although the head office in Christchurch will remain open.

"Other than the four senior roles announced as being dis-established in 2015, no other changes are planned in the near future," said Smith. Commenting on the status of other staff numbers once all the plans come into play, Smith said, "That is not known and it is too early to even discuss. The changes to the business model will eventually reduce the scale and scope of the New Zealand business over the coming years and it will require a smaller corporate management operation after 2016." Holcim currently employs 420 staff in New Zealand.

Holcim announced in 2013 that it was halting cement manufacturing in New Zealand and replacing it with bulk importing of cement for the New Zealand market. As such, Holcim has gained final approvals for construction to begin on its two new import cement terminals at Timaru and Auckland. Planning work is already underway on the Timaru project, where two 30,000t cement terminals are to be built. The terminals are part of Holcim's US100m investment in its New Zealand operations.

US: Martin Martietta Materials has announced that it expects to enter an agreement with the US Department of Justice that will resolve all antitrust concerns over its planned US$2.7bn acquisition of Texas Industries.

Martin Marietta said that it believes the agreement will be finalised by 27 June 2014. It anticipates that the agreement will require it to divest its North Troy quarry in Mill Creek, Oklahoma and two rail yards in Dallas and Frisco, Texas. Martin Marietta has also announced that it plans to restructure Texas Industries' debt, offering US$700m in notes due in 2017 and 2024.

Martin Marietta and Texas Industries are both scheduled to hold special shareholder meetings on 30 June 2014 to vote on proposals. With the addition of Texas Industries, Martin Marietta will operate a network of more than 400 quarries, distribution yards and plants in 36 states, Canada, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

India: The Karnataka State government has granted an extension of two years to Shree Cement to establish its mega-cement plant at Kodla-Benakanalli village, Karnataka State.

Shree Cement was given permission to establish a 3Mt/yr cement plant at an investment of US$241m in January 2010, apart from establishing a captive 150MW power plant. It purchased 5.26km² of land directly from farmers to set up the plant and mine limestone.

While Shree Cement was able to get environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests in September 2012, its application with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board was pending. The company had also applied for permission from the Water Resources Department to draw 1500kL/day of water from the Kagina River.