03 June 2015
INC looks to expand fuels mixture 03 June 2015
Paraguay: Industria Nacional del Cemento (INC) is looking to diversify its fuels mixture to include other types of oils and possibly biofuels. The company has signed an agreement with the engineering faculty at Asuncion National University (FIUNA) to certify the use of biofuels. INC's president Jorge Mendez believes that, from 2016, INC may start using a variety of fuels, following a US$50m investment in its furnace. This could save US$22m/yr, but it will not necessarily mean that biofuel will be used.
House of Representatives try to avert clash between Edo and Kogi over limestone deposit 03 June 2015
Nigeria: On 2 June 2015 the House of Representatives intervened in a dispute between Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim and Company (AICO) in Kogi State and Okpella in Edo State over the ownership of a limestone deposit. The motion on the issue, which came as a matter of Urgent National Importance, moved by Edo lawmaker Abubakar Momoh, was unanimously adopted by the House.
"This peaceful co-existence is being threatened by the purported sale of OBU Limestone in Okpella, owned by Okpella Cement, to Dangote Company by Alhaji Ado Ibrahim. This is with a view to frustrating BUA Cement Company, which acquired Okpella Cement as a private investor," said Momoh.
According to Momoh, BUA has also built a cement plant in Okpella, which is due for inauguration in June 2015. "The House recalls that when in 1994, this same ownership of OBU Limestone deposit arose, the Okpella community went to court on the issue. The suit was filed against AICO, which prompted AICO to file application in 1997 to the Okpella community for local consent. The consent was turned down on account of having already granted the same to Edo Cement, which owned the mining license of the deposit," said Momoh.
According to Momoh, if nothing was done immediately to settle the matter, it might lead to a clash between the parties. He urged the security agencies to make adequate security arrangements in the location. "The governments of Edo and Kogi should intervene and settle the matter amicably, before it degenerates into serious inter-communal clash between the two states. The National Boundary Commission is urged to intervene with a view to permanently establishing the boundary between Edo and Kogi."
The acting speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the plenary session, advised the two communities to maintain peace and assured them that the house would do its best to resolve the issue.
Devnya Cement opens Euro166m cement line 03 June 2015
Bulgaria: Devnya Cement, part of Italcementi Group, has formally launched a Euro166m clinker and cement line at its plant near Varna on the Black Sea. The investment project, which was launched in 2012, included an overhaul of the existing conveyer belt for raw materials to the plant and the construction of new infrastructure, logistic and office facilities.
Egypt: Arabian Cement reported an 11% year-on-year increase in revenues to US$76.7m during the first quarter of 2015. This, however, did not lessen the significant drop in the company's net profits, which plummeted by 52% to US$7.34m. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 19% year-on-year to US$24.1m. Profit before tax declined by 45% to US$11.3m.
The company said that higher transportation costs led to higher costs of production and impacted the quarterly results. The company added that the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound against the US Dollar had influenced the company's foreign losses, which surged to US$4.06m in the first quarter of 2015, compared to a US$301,422 loss in the same period of 2014.
Arabian Cement said that, despite it being a tough quarter, it had succeeded in operating at above 90% clinker capacity and also increased its sales volume. Its market share also grew by 1%, rising from 7% in the first quarter of 2014 to 8% in 2015.