Global Cement News
Search Cement News
Steppe Cement’s sales rise as it gains market share so far in 2018 18 September 2018
Kazakhstan: Steppe Cement’s sales revenue rose by 22% year-on-year to US$32.8m in the first half of 2018 from US$26.8m in the same period in 2017. The cement producer said that the local market grew by 5% and that it had increased its market share to 15.5% from 14.5%. Its sales volumes grew by 14% to 0.74Mt from 0.65Mt. It reported that its selling expense increased as sales in the south and exports grew ‘significantly.’
The company noted that the local market is expected to be 9Mt in 2018, a figure similar to 2017. Construction was reported ‘strong’ in the west and south of the country. Imports in the country have increased by 30% so far in 2018 to 0.34Mt. Exports increased to 0.92Mt from 0.45Mt due to demand from Uzbekistan.
San Miguel Northern Cement order two mills from Loesche 18 September 2018
Philippines: San Miguel Northern Cement has ordered two mills from Germany’s Loesche for a new 5000t/day production line at its Sison plant in Pangasinan. The scope of supply includes two complete grinding plants: a type LM 56.4 mill for cement raw material and a type LM 35.3 D for sub-bituminous coal.
Loesche will supply a majority of the electro-technical components for the line and the automation systems including its LM Master product. It will be responsible for the plant engineering and the supply of filters and blowers. The new line will use also A-Tec’s Hurriclon technology for de-dusting the raw mills.
Delivery of the order is scheduled for the start of 2019.
Metso celebrates 150th anniversary with photo exhibition 18 September 2018
Finland: Metso is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a photo exhibition illustrating how the company has taken part in shaping and building the modern world. Interim chief executive officer (CEO) and chief financial officer (CFO) Eeva Sipilä will open the event on 18 September 2018 at Sanoma House in Helsinki. The exhibition will be open to the public until the end of September 2018.
The company was first established in 1868 when Erik Jan Hammarberg set up the Sunds Bruk ironworks in Sweden. As the business developed its products and services widened and its ownership changed. In 1991, the operations become part of Rauma-Repola. Rauma then merged with Valmet in 1999 to form Metso. At present the company operates in more than 50 countries and over 12,000 staff. It serves the mining, aggregates, recycling and process industries.
A central part of the company’s focus includes aggregates and minerals processing. Key parts of Metso’s development in this area include the creation of the Nordberg Manufacturing Company in 1886 by Bruno Nordberg, a Finnish migrant who settled in Michigan in the US and produced some of the first crushing equipment for mines. In 1928, Nordberg acquired Symons cone crusher technology. Bergeaud & Bruno was established in France in 1895 to manufacture crushing equipment, and in Tampere, Finland, Lokomo produced its first jaw crushers at the beginning of the 1920s. Each of these companies and their products continue to the present day as products offered by Metso.
Nigerian analysts blame earnings loss at Lafarge Africa on merger 17 September 2018
Nigeria: Financial analysts Cordros Securities have blamed falling earnings at Lafarge Africa on the merger of its Nigerian businesses with Lafarge South Africa. In a research report the analysts found that the merger increased operating costs and reduced shareholder value, according to the Vanguard newspaper. Lafarge WAPCO’s earnings per share, earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and profit before tax have all fallen since 2013. It also found that operating costs had increased ‘significantly’ following the merger, debt had risen and that earnings had also been hit by efficiency issues.
Lafarge announced plants to merge its businesses in Nigeria and South Africa in 2014. The move saw the consolidation of Lafarge South Africa, United Cement Company of Nigeria, Ashakacem and Atlas Cement to Lafarge WAPCO. It was subsequently renamed Lafarge Africa.
Taiwan Cement deal with Sanko Group progresses 17 September 2018
Taiwan/Turkey: Taiwan Cement and Turkey’s Sanko Holding have signed a memorandum of understanding and a confidentiality clause about the company’s plan to invest in Sanko’s cement business. Taiwan Cement said it would continue talks with the Turkish business group about a strategic partnership and would make details public once the parties sign a definitive contract, according to the Taipei Times newspaper. The cooperation agreement was first announced in June 2018.