19 October 2015
JK Lakshmi Cement to build 1.5Mt/yr grinding plant in Bihar 19 October 2015
India: JK Lakshmi Cement has gained approval to establish a 1.5Mt/yr grinding plant with a 1000m3/day 10MW diesel generator (DG) set and autoclaved aerated concrete block unit in Kishanganj, Bihar for US$46.3m.
"Based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee, the Environment Ministry has given environmental clearance to JK Lakshmi Cement's proposed project in Bihar," said a senior Environment Ministry official.
The clearance was given with certain conditions. Among the conditions specified, JK Lakshmi Cement has been asked to develop a green belt in at least 33% of the area in and around the cement plant, as per the norms. The company has also been asked to install air monitoring devices, control secondary fugitive emissions and reduce the impact of transport of the raw materials and end products on the surrounding environment, among others.
JK Lakshmi Cement has more than 9Mt/yr of installed cement capacity in India. In the first quarter of its 2015-2016 fiscal year, the company reported a standalone net loss of US$3.62m due to the subdued market and higher costs, compared to a net profit of US$6.25m in the April - June period of the previous fiscal year.
Semen Indonesia to build cement plant in Kupang 19 October 2015
Indonesia: Semen Indonesia sealed an agreement on 15 October 2015 with Semen Kupang to build a 1.5Mt/yr cement plant in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara in order to boost its distribution efficiency. The US$148m plant will cater to the cement needs in the areas around Kupang. Construction is expected to start in 2016 and cement production is expected in 2018.
Poland: The Polish Competition and Consumer Protection Office (UOKiK) has approved the acquisition of Duda Kruszywa and Duda Beton by Gorazdze Cement provided that Gorazdze sells the concrete unit in Olszowa to avoid limiting market competition. Both Duda Kruszywa, which is an aggregate producer, and Duda Beton, a producer of ready-mixed concrete, are currently owned by the Opole-based firm JD.
Dalmia Cement eyes Goan market 19 October 2015
India: Dalmia Cement Bharat plans to increase its market presence in Goa as part of its Indian expansion. The Goa market will be catered to by its newly-commissioned, US$201m, 2.5Mt/yr plant in Belgaum, according to M K Swaminathan, Executive Director - Sales.
Cement consumption in Goa is expected to receive a boost from ongoing infrastructure projects and demand will likely grow by 5 – 6% in the coming year. To grab a larger market share, Dalmia Cement has started beefing up its dealership network in the state through talks with 15 dealers initially. The company will support them with end-to-end marketing, technical and logistics support.