Global Cement News

India: JK Cement has advanced its diversification into the energy sector with four new acquisitions. The Free Press Journal has reported that the cement producer has signed agreements to acquire stakes in CleanMax Matahari, Fourth Partner Energy, Nay Energy and Renewable Energy V.

Vietnam: The government recorded growth of 0.3% year-on-year in exports of cement and clinker from Vietnam during the first 10 months of 2023. They ended the period at a cumulative 26.2Mt, compared to 25.9Mt a year earlier. Việt Nam News has reported that the value of exports fell by 2.4%, to US$1.13bn.

Uzbekistan: The State Statistics Committee has reported that cement plants produced 9.2Mt of cement during the first nine months of 2023, up by 5.9% year-on-year from the corresponding period of 2022. The Uzbek Building Materials Producers’ Association says that the new 1.4Mt/yr Karakalpak cement plant will further add to full-year production volumes in 2023 when it comes online later in the year.

Qatar: The board of directors of Qatar National Cement has approved the proposed sale of the company’s Cement Plant No. 1 in Umm Bab, Al-Shahaniya Municipality. Reuters has reported the plant’s buyer as Arab International Metal Trading.

India: UltraTech Cement announced planned new capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments worth US$1.56bn to grow its production capacity, beginning in the 2026 financial year (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026). The Telegraph newspaper has reported that the growth will expand UltraTech Cement’s capacity by 13% to 187Mt. 33.8Mt-worth of this (18%) will be in its native West India, 40.4Mt-worth (22%) in East India, 36.2Mt-worth (19%) in North India, 35.7Mt-worth (19%) in Central India and 35.5Mt-worth (19%) in Central India, with the remainder situated overseas. The new capacity consists of four new production facilities and four upgrades to existing facilities, supported by four new cement terminals. The producer says that it will come online in a phased manner, up to an unspecified end date.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, chair of parent company Aditya Birla, said "Over the past seven years, UltraTech has strategically invested over US$6bn to support India's rapidly changing infrastructure landscape. Our fresh commitment of US$1.56bn underscores our deep-rooted belief in India's economic potential. With each investment, we have not only expanded our footprint, but also empowered India in meeting its need for housing, roads and other vital infrastructure."