Argentina: Total despatches of cement grew by 11% year-on-year to 8.54Mt in the first eight months of 2022 from 7.67Mt in the same period of 2021. Data from the Asociación de Fabricantes de Cemento Portland (AFCP) shows that local despatches increased by 11.5% to 8.47Mt but exports fell by 10% to 67,800t.

Senegal: SOCOCIM Industries, a subsidiary of France-based Vicat, has reportedly stopped producing cement at its integrated plant at Rufisque. The move has been blamed on the high price of coal and other raw materials, according to local media. In August 2022 Dangote Cement placed all of the staff from its integrated plant at Thiés on leave for the month. The government previously set a so-called ceiling price of cement in 2019 in responses to high prices.

Chile: Despatches of cement fell by 10% year-on-year to 2.25Mt in the first seven months of 2022 from 2.51Mt in the same period in 2021. Data from the Cámara Chilena de la Construcción (CCHC) shows that cumulative annual despatches have been falling month-on-month since January 2022.

UK: US-based Mississippi Lime Company (MLC) has completed its acquisition of Singleton Birch, a supplier of lime products. The move is part of MLC’s strategy to expand both geographically and with new products and technologies. No value for the transaction has been disclosed.

Singleton Birch is based in North Lincolnshire, where it employs more than 150 staff. It will continue to operate under its existing brand and the management team, led by chief executive officer Richard Stansfield, who will remain in place. Singleton Birch has a number of business lines, including a chemicals division, which provides specialty calcium products to the rubber and plastics markets. It also provides services and solutions to the renewable energy, water treatment and waste management industries.