China: China National Building Material subsidiary Nanjing Kisen has signed a long-term collaboration agreement with France-based Schneider Electric. The partners plan to develop models for increasing operational efficiency, digitisation and sustainability. Alliance News has reported that they will establish a series of joint pilot projects. They plan subsequently to explore plant engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) opportunities outside of China together.

Vietnam: Vicem sold 29.4Mt of cement and clinker in 2021, in line with its sales volumes in 2020. Viet Nam News has reported that the company produced 24.1Mt of cement during the year, down by 2.1% year-on-year. Its sales were US$1.46bn, in line with 2020 sales.

Vietnamese domestic cement consumption fell by 5.2% year-on-year to 59Mt in 2021.

Australia: In the third quarter of the 2022 financial year, James Hardie’s net sales rose by 22% year-on-year to US$900m. Its Asia Pacific fibre cement business recorded sales of US$140m, up by 20% and adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBIT) of US$38.2m, up by 17%. James Hardie’s North America fibre cement business’ sales also rose, by 24% to US$645m, while its adjusted EBIT rose by 18% to US$183m. Following the results, James Hardie raised its 2022 net income guidance to US$620 – 630m from US$605 – 625m.

Interim chief executive officer Harold Wiens said, "I am pleased to report the James Hardie team has continued to execute well on our stated global strategy.” He attributed the successes to “Firstly, enabling our customers to make more money by selling more James Hardie products and, secondly, marketing directly to the homeowners to create demand of our high value products through our customers."

Wiens also announced the launch of the company’s new Architectural cement boards collection.

Malawi: Lafarge Cement Malawi, which Huaxin Cement acquired from Holcim in December 2021, has renamed itself Portland Cement Malawi.

The Nyasa Times newspaper has reported that company secretary Constance Musopole said "Portland Cement Malawi will remain the home of our trusted brands which include DuraCrete, SupaSet, Kumanga and Khoma. We wish to inform the general public that the reputable legacy and the superior quality of goods and services that have been built over 65 years of existence in Malawi will indeed continue and also improve.” She added "Huaxin is among the 10 largest cement manufacturing companies globally with 115Mt/yr in capacity. We are excited to begin this new chapter in the legacy of the company."

India: JK Cement recorded a third-quarter consolidated net profit of US$18.8m in the third quarter of its 2022 financial year. The figure represents a 35% year-on-year decline from US$29.1m in the third quarter of the 2021 financial year.

US: Total shipments of cement in the US in the first 11 months of 2021 were 99.2Mt, up by 4.1% year-on-year from 95.3Mt in the corresponding period of 2020. The country imported 15.2Mt of cement, up by 17% from 13Mt.

Domestic clinker production for the year totalled 72.2Mt, up by 0.4% from 71.9Mt.

Vietnam: Vicem Bút Son sold 3.2Mt of cement in 2021, 91% of the volume stipulated in its plan for the year. Its clinker sales were 2.8Mt, 96% of planned volumes. Viet Nam News has reported that the company is targeting a 14% increase in cement sales to 3.4Mt in 2022. Its clinker sales target is 600,000t.

Mexico: Holcim Mexico has replaced 11% of its concrete truck fleet with 61 new natural gas and Euro V diesel-fuelled Sinotruk vehicles worth US$6.2m. The company says that some of the trucks run on 100% natural gas, reducing both their CO₂ and particulate emissions by 25%. Parent company Holcim hopes eventually to roll out Sinotruk vehicles throughout operations in its Latin American region. Each truck has an 8m3-greater capacity than Holcim Mexico’s previous models, and also generates less noise.

France: Private equity firm EIM Capital has acquired precast concrete products company Bonna Sabla from Consolis. The producer says that the new ownership will help it to capitalise on its commercial, economic and social situation through an ecological, energy and technological transition.

Chief executive officer Eric Lobbé said “We have the right teams and set of manufacturing facilities in France to pursue and develop our drainage precast solutions through well-known brands as Bonna Sabla, MPB and ABM. To be a pure player will allow us to capture significant organic growth opportunities, as well as being ready for future acquisitions. We will keep on pushing innovation to serve our customers.”

Bangladesh: LafargeHolcim Bangladesh’s full-year sales were US$243m in 2021, up by 27% year-on-year. Its net profit was US$45.8m in 2021, up by 64%, according to the New Nation newspaper.

During the year, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh launched its new Water Protect and Shokti cements and continued to accelerate alternative fuel (AF) co-processing across its cement plant network.