Global Cement News
Search Cement News
India: The government of Tamil Nadu has responded to a labour shortage resulting from the coronavirus lockdown by training up local minors for construction jobs. The Hindu newspaper has reported that the regular workforce consists mainly of some of India’s 9m annual migrant workers who travel from rural areas to construction hubs such as Tamil Nadu’s state capital of Chennai.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu Cement Corporation (TANCEM) has said that it will increase cement production at its Arasu plant in Ariyalur to 3000t/day from 2000t/day in anticipation of construction growth in the second half of 2020.
Barbados: The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled in favour of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in its dispute with Trinidad and Tobago-based Rock Hard Cement. Stabroek News has reported that Rock Hard’s products had previously attracted a 5% import duty due to their classification as ‘other hydraulic cements.’ However, in mid-2019 COTED approved a decision by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to permit Barbados to enforce a tariff of 35% on this class of goods, compared to 15% on ’grey cement’ until mid-2021 in order to protect domestic producer Arawak Cement. The court found this reason to be, “within the rule of law.”
Japanese cement consumption back to normal 12 June 2020
Japan: The Japan Cement Association (JCA) has reported that cement demand has resumed its pre-coronavirus outbreak levels, with all planned construction projects from mid-May 2020 going ahead. R&I News has reported that this follows the suspension of multiple major works during the crisis, leading to a domestic demand of 3.19Mt in April 2020, down by 7% year-on-year from 3.43Mt in April 2019. Although the JCA’s 2020 cement consumption forecast is 41.0Mt, the lowest since 1990, contractors will reportedly have a backlog of projects “even after the completion of projects related to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics,” suggesting the likelihood of a considerable rise in demand year-on-year in 2021, set against a moderate decrease in the medium to long term.
India: The state government of Telangana has instructed cement producers that the price of cement must fall to support the construction sector. Telangana Minister for IT, Industry, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Rama Rao said, “There is a need to extend a helping hand to the sector and the government is therefore seeking cooperation of the cement companies in bringing down the prices so that real estate picks up momentum.” The Hindu newspaper has reported that producers “responded positively to the request.” Each will decide internally on the measure of price reductions.
All Telangana producers will continue to supply cement to government projects at a pre-agreed rate.
Uzbekistan: Russia-based Eurocement subsidiary Akhangaran Cement said that it shipped 180,000t of cement in May 2020, up by 11% year-on-year from 163,000t in May 2019. Uzbekistan Newsline has reported that the increase resulted from a combination of production modernisation, business process efficiency improvement and personnel training and development.
Akhangaran Cement general director Gennady Kulikov said, “Despite the special mode of operation associated with the coronavirus pandemic, the enterprise team at all stages of the technological process is set to work efficiently. Together with the achievements of high production results, employees pay special attention to ensuring industrial safety, production culture and organisation of workplaces.” The Akhangaran Cement cement plant’s new 3.0Mt integrated line is due for completion in mid-late 2020. It will enable the company to serve 100% of demand in the Toshkent region and 30% of Uzbekistan’s total domestic demand of 17.3Mt/yr.