Saudi Arabia: The crowded cement sector in Saudi Arabia is experiencing tensions due to its varying market shares, according to Majed Al Osailan, vice chair of the National Cement Committee. He noted that despite initial slow demand, renewed spending on construction has led to a shift, with most companies now able to meet market needs. The cement sector saw its first merger between Qassim Cement and Hail Cement, according to Argaam news, with another planned between City Cement and Umm Al-Qura Cement. NCC chair Badr Johar said that demand for cement is expected to strengthen substantially from late September 2024 to February 2025.
Cement production rises in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan: Cement companies in Uzbekistan produced 9.08Mt of cement from January to July 2024, marking a 34.6% rise year-on-year. In July 2024, production reached 1.33Mt.
Cement shortage in Jamaica
Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company has confirmed a shortage of cement due to increased demand following the impact of Hurricane Beryl. Despite concerns about its effect on the construction sector, former president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica Lenworth Kelly, says the lack of supply is typical for the local market and not a cause for concern, expecting a return to normality within a week, according to Radio Jamaica News. Caribbean Cement Company has stated that it has a supply of cement in storage for the period during its scheduled maintenance.
Kelly said "It's just a matter of when supply gets back to you. And I know the supply is back up, but it has to get to every little town, every little location. I know the bulk suppliers would be receiving now, but I'm not expecting any significant contribution to a decline, as it were. We had a significant spike, and so we would expect some trending down."
Stiga invests over €32m in new wood-wool cement board plant
Latvia: Stiga RM is investing more than €32m in a new wood-wool cement board plant in Tukums, expected to complete construction by late 2024 and be operational by the end of 2025. Covering 15,000m2, the plant will create almost 100 new jobs and focus on high-quality wood products, primarily for export markets in Europe, Scandinavia and North America. The plant has a capacity of 4.5Mm2/yr of acoustic wood-wool cement boards. The company has an agreement with SCM Group for the supply and installation of the production equipment at the plant.
Manager Sandis Fogelmanis said "We are pleased that the construction of the new plant is progressing according to plan and, at some stages, is even ahead of the original schedule."


