Global Cement News

Denmark: M&J Recycling has appointed René Normann Christensen as its new CEO, effective immediately. Christensen brings extensive leadership from previous CEO roles at Kohberg Bakery Group, engineering firm Glunz & Jensen and circular food packaging producer Plus Pack. He has a degree in Finance from Syddansk Universitet.

M&J Recycling says that Normann Christensen’s appointment marks a strategic step towards the company's next growth phase. It thanked previous CEO Uffe Hansen for his ‘tremendous job’ in building a new, resilient organisation, ready for future growth.

ChairCarsten Knudsen said “After a successful carve out from Metso in 2021, M&J Recycling has now reached a point on the growth journey where it is necessary to change focus and increase momentum. There is a significant global potential for M&J’s industrial waste shredders, and I am confident that René Normann Christensen will, as the new CEO, strengthen the organisation and take M&J Recycling to the next level.”

India: JK Cement has inaugurated a US$341m new line at its Panna cement plant in Madhya Pradesh. The new line doubles the plant's capacity from 3.3Mt/yr to 6.6Mt/yr. Press Trust of India News has reported that the line is equipped with optimised kiln systems, energy-saving technologies and a waste heat recovery plant. The expanded Panna plant will help serve ‘growing demand’ in Central India, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Managing director Raghavpat Singhania said "Our new Panna plant production line is a key pillar in our comprehensive business expansion plan, propelling us towards our vision of becoming a leading player in the cement industry. This strategic expansion allows us to meet the rising demand for high-quality cement, ultimately enhancing our ability to serve our customers.”

Nigeria: Dangote Cement's sales more than doubled to US$584m in the first quarter of 2024. Group earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 67% to US$221m. Profit grew by 3% to US$80.5m. Consolidated cement volumes rose by 16% to 7.3Mt, while domestic Nigerian volumes rose by 26% to 4.6Mt.

CEO Arvind Pathak said “These results underscore our ability to adapt and thrive in a dynamic business environment while delivering value to our stakeholders.” He added “We continue to prioritise innovation, cleaner energy transition, and cost leadership towards achieving our vision of transforming Africa and building a sustainable future.”

Nigeria: BUA Cement reported sales of US$115m in the first quarter of 2024, up by 51% from US$76m in the first quarter of 2023. The producer’s cost of sales, meanwhile, more than doubled to US$83m. As such, post-tax profit declined by 33% to US$12.8m.

India: Orient Cement has successfully commissioned Phase 2 of the new waste heat recovery (WHR) plant at its Chittapur cement plant in Karnataka. Reuters has reported that the new phase raises WHR power capacity at the plant to 10.1MW.