28 September 2015
Vicat to extend Kazakh plant and build new terminal 28 September 2015
Kazakhstan: The Kazakh Vice Minister of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan Albert Rau has met with President of Vicat Group Guy Sidos and honorary president of the group Jacques Merceron-Vicat to discuss the operation and possible extension of Vicat's existing production plant at Zhambyl. The meeting also announced the construction of a US$10m terminal in Astana in 2016. The terminal will also act as a packing plant, research and testing centre.
Iran losing export markets 28 September 2015
Iran: Iran is gradually losing its domestic and foreign cement markets, according to Abdolreza Sheikhan, secretary of Iran's Cement Industry Employers Association. Iran's cement industry has lost some 8% of its domestic market and 20% of its export markets in the first five months of current fiscal year (21 March 2015 to 22 August 2015).
"Cement supply and demand is not balanced in the market and this has created problems for producers," said Sheikhan. However he did not disclose exact statistics about the country's cement sales. However, each cement producing plant is permitted to store clinker equal to two months output. This means that up to 5Mt of surplus clinker could be stored in the country at any one time.
Wind blowing slowly for Suez Cement 28 September 2015
Egypt: Talks between Suez Cement (SCGC) and Egyptian authorities are continuing to ensure the continued financial viability of the SCGC's Wind Farm project, according to Managing Director Bruno Carré.
The company, which is part of Italcementi Group, is currently holding discussions with the Egyptian government to reach specific terms that could help in reaching a solution. This would then help the company present the project to banks, which would provide financing for the project.
According to Carré, negotiations have been ongoing with the government since an Economic Summit that was held in March 2014 in Sharm El-Sheikh. "It's a complex issue and it's not moving as rapidly as we wanted," Carré said. He emphasised, however, that the slow progress is understandable, noting that, on the one hand, the Ministry of Electricity is proactive in ensuring the project happens, as it will help in electricity production. However, the ministry also has to bear in mind the economic balances, and will need to consider the Wind Farm project in relation to other projects, Carré added.