Global Cement News

China: CNBM has blamed declining sales of cement on repeated coronavirus outbreaks, a decline in the real estate market, lack of funding for infrastructure projects and a generally weak economy. Its cement sales revenue fell by 10% year-on-year to US$7.80bn in the first half of 2022 from US$8.65bn in the same period in 2021. Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) dropped by 39% to US$1.72bn from US$2.82bn. Cement and clinker sales volumes decreased by 17.8% to 128Mt and 14.6% to 18Mt respectively. Sales volumes of concrete decreased by 24% to 39.5Mm³.

Overall, the group’s revenue fell by 11% to US$15.8bn in the first half of 2022 from US$17.6bn in the same period in 2021. Its adjusted EBITDA dropped by 23% to US$2.87bn from US$3.71bn.

China: Anhui Conch’s operating revenue fell by 30% year-on-year to US$8.14bn in the first half of 2022 from US$11.6bn in the same period in 2021. Its net profit dropped by 33% to US$1.44bn from US$2.17bn. Its overall sales volumes of cement and clinker decreased by 37% to 130Mt. By region the group reported its biggest drop in sales volumes in East China. Anhui Conch blamed its falling sales and profit on continued coronavirus control measures, falling market demand and rising energy prices.

China: Huaxin Cement’s operating income decreased by 2% year-on-year to US$2.08bn in the first half of 2022 from US$2.13bn in the same period in 2021. Its net profit dropped by 35% to US$230m from US$353m. Its sales volumes of cement and clinker declined by 22% to 29Mt. Domestically, the group blamed the situation on the coronavirus pandemic, a “sharp” decline in demand for cement, the high cost of fuel and pressure on prices.

China: China Resources Cement’s (CRC) turnover fell by 21% year-on-year to US$2.05bn in the first half of 2022 from US$2.57bn in the same period in 2021. Its profit decreased by 50% to US$230m from US$463m. Its cement and concrete sales volumes dropped by 26% to 30.7Mt and 23% to 5.4Mm³ respectively. However, its clinker sales volumes rose by 5% to 2Mt. The group also reported that the capacity utilisation rate for its cement and clinker production lines were 70% and 87% in the first half of 2022 compared to 97% and 108% in the same period in 2021.

Paraguay: Cementos Concepción (CECON) has started commissioning its new plant at San Lázaro in the Concepción department by grinding raw material. Alexander Gonzalez, the project manager for the plant, told La Nación newspaper that start-up of the unit had been successful and that the process would now continue along the production line. The plant’s kiln is expected to start operation in October 2022.