Displaying items by tag: Qatar
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia's cement producers have again asked the government to lift a three-year-old ban on their exports so they can supply Egypt with 6Mt of cement, according to the chairman of Saudi Arabia's Cement Association.
"We are ready to export 6Mt of our cement surplus to Egypt following the signing of large contracts between that country and global companies this week," said Jihad Al-Rasheed, chairman of the national cement committee in the council of Saudi chambers of commerce and industry. Al-Rasheed said that it was time for Saudi authorities to lift the export ban after the emergence of 'golden' opportunities for the country's cement manufacturers to export their products to nearby Qatar, which needs large quantities of building materials for the planned stadia and other facilities for the FIFA 2022 World Cup. He added that other key markets that need Saudi cement include Kuwait, Bahrain, Sudan, Yemen and Ethiopia.
"Some Saudi cement plants were constructed in border areas with the aim of exporting their products to neighbouring countries, but the export ban has inflicted heavy losses on them and could force them to lay off workers," said Al-Rasheed. He added that cement companies in Saudi Arabia are trying to reduce a surplus of >20Mt by supplying domestic projects. "Most of the local government and private sector projects now have sufficient cement supplies. We want the Saudi government to lift the ban on cement exports in line with international trade rules," said Al-Rasheed.
Saudi Arabia partially lifted the cement export ban in 2009 before enforcing it again in 2012 to ensure enough supplies for domestic projects. According to Al-Rasheed, cement demand in Saudi Arabia stood at around 57.2Mt in 2014 and is projected to grow to nearly 59.5Mt in 2015.
Qatar National Cement to increase output by 12% in 2015
18 March 2015Qatar: Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) has announced that it will increase its cement production by 12% in 2015 to over 4Mt/yr. The company's total production was 3.5Mt/yr in 2014, a 3% rise compared to 2013.
"Our two new mills are scheduled to begin operation this year," said Salem Butti Al Naimi, Chairman and Managing Director of QNCC. "The first will commence production from 15 October 2015, while the second is expected to start by the year's end. The whole plant will start running at full capacity by early 2016 producing about 23,000t/day of cement." Al Naimi added that he expects cement demand in Qatar to continue to grow in the coming years ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Qatari investors plan US$500m cement plant in Ethiopia
26 January 2015Ethiopia: A Qatari business group plans to invest US$500m in Ethiopia. The group met with Ethiopia's president to discuss their investment plans, which include a cement plant in Dire Dawa, as well as other industrial facilities. No specifics have been announced as to the capacity of the cement plant.
Cement demand drops by 40% in Qatar during Ramadan
21 July 2014Qatar: Domestic cement demand has plunged 40% during Ramadan, which has prompted cement companies to start maintenance work.
Mohamed Al Sulaiti, general manager of Qatar National Cement Company, said that the company has utilised this as an opportunity to conduct maintenance of equipment in its plant. Maintenance work will enable it to meet the busy season starting from mid-August, when demand will increase.
Qatar National Cement Company is setting up a new plant in Umm Bab, Jariyan al Batnah Municipality, which is expected to start production in 2016. The new plant, which is its fifth, is being set up to help the company meet demand of the construction sector. Al Sulaiti said that the capacity would be 5000t/day of clinker and 5500t/day of cement. FCB has been given the contract for setting up the plant.
Tata Power may export fly ash to West Asia
09 July 2014Qatar: Four Qatari companies have shown interest in buying fly ash from Tata Power, which operates a 4000MW plant in Mundra, Gujarat, India. The plant consumes about 40,000t/day of imported coal and generates around 1600t/day of fly ash. Currently two cement makers in Gujarat and one from Rajasthan collect 100 – 200t/day of fly ash from the Mundra plant.
Qatar cement demand to double by 2017
16 April 2014Qatar: Rising government infrastructure spending is predicted to double demand for cement in Qatar by 2017. Dubai-based financial services firm Arqaam Capital has reported that the Qatari government is expected to release up to US$50bn for construction projects in 2014, a rise of 15% compared to 2013.
The move follows the state's plan to invest US$208bn on infrastructure developments in 2013 - 2018, largely linked to the 2022 World Cup. Arqaam has projected that, given that current projects are worth US$70bn and have an average churn rate of 3- 4 years, the expenditure implies that cement demand will double within the next three years. Cement demand is expected to grow to hit 9.4Mt/yr in 2017.
"We expect production capacity and demand levels to reach equilibrium by 2018. Our forecasts are on the conservative side as Qatar's Ministry of development and planning's most recently published survey suggests demand for limestone is set to increase by 131% in 2014 and 127% in 2015," said a report by Arqaam.
Qatar National Cement Company to build new cement line
01 April 2014Qatar: Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) has signed a letter of intent with Fives FCB to build a fifth cement plant line with a clinker production capacity of 5000t/day. Fives FCB and TPF Basse Sambre will work together to finalise the contract documents by the end of April 2014.
The turkey contract has been valued at US$261m. Construction will start after handing over the site on a phased manner, starting with two cement mills which will be delivered after 17 months and 19 months. The overall project will be completed in 27 months.
Fives FCB was also the contractor for the construction of plant lines two, three and four. QNCC's production capacity is expected to rise to 17,000t/day of clinker and its grinding capacity will rise to 20,000t/day.
FLSmidth to supply QNCC cement plant
29 November 2013Qatar: FLSmidth has signed a Letter of Intent with the Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) for the supply of a cement plant in Qatar. FLSmidth has confirmed that if and when the contract is finalised and becomes binding, the market shall be immediately informed. To be considered binding the contracts, down payments and guarantees must be signed and exchanged.
FLSmidth confirms cement plant agreement in Qatar
15 October 2013Qatar: FLSmidth has confirmed reports in the Qatari media that it has entered into an agreement with Qatari Investors Group to supply equipment and machinery for a cement plant in Qatar. The Danish cement plant manufacturer provided no further details although it intends to inform the market when a contract is finalised and becomes binding.
According to local media Qatari Investors Group has entered into an agreement with FLSmidth and the CNBM International for a US$190m expansion of its subsidiary, Al Khaliji Cement. The cement plant's second line will double its clinker production capacity to 12,000t/day and its cement production capacity will rise to 14,000t/day.
Qatar National Cement sees marginal improvements
26 April 2013Qatar: Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) has reported a marginal increase in its net profit to US$308m in the first three months of 2013 despite flat total income. Sales rose by 1% to US$694m while gross profit dipped by 2% to US$317m. Total income was flat at US$354m.