Pakistan: The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has received a request from the Pakistan government to lower cement prices. The International News newspaper has reported that Finance and Revenue Minister Shaukat Tarin spoke with APCMA representatives about trends in cement pricing in the three years prior to August 2021 and the importance of cement in stimulating economic growth. Tarin encouraged the establishment of a consultative session between the association and relevant stakeholders, with the task of proposing a sustainable pricing mechanism.

Algeria: An Egypt-based investment company has initiated legal action against Algeria over issues relating to two cement plant projects. The Global Arbitration Review newspaper has reported that the company is seeking to claim US$900m in damages.

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has ranked first on PWR Advisory’s Nigerian Exchange Top 20 companies for gender diversity. 46% of the group’s board seats are female-occupied, up from 40% in 2020.

Chair Adebode Adefioye said “Lafarge Africa's commitment to female representation at the board and management rank and file level is unwavering. Our diversity and inclusion targets, which align with our sustainability strategy, set us apart and are a clear indication of our resolve to continue on this trajectory for more extraordinary outcomes. We remain resolutely committed.”

Canada: Lafarge Canada has supplied the first EcoPact Zero near-zero net CO2 ready-mix concrete in Canada. The subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim supplied the concrete to a Habitat for Humanity housing development site in Kingston, Ontario.

Finland: Metso Outotec has launched the Xtreme forged crusher head. The supplier says that this completes the portfolio for Nordberg MP800, MP1000, MP1250, HP800, and HP900 crushers. It is made of one-piece forged material, with geometrical features to assure consistent bearing loading within machine design parameters.

Crushing products senior vice president Chad Smallwood said “Metso Outotec now has a complete range of crusher heads in the portfolio and our customers can choose the level of durability based on their application and needs. The new Xtreme forged head is the most reliable crusher head in the industry. The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) design ensures optimal crushing even where equipment may be pushed beyond design limits.”

US: Cemex USA has announced plans for an upcoming 600,000t/yr aggregates plant in Brierfield, Alabama. The Birmingham Business Journal newspaper has reported that, when operational, the plant will supply the company’s ready-mix concrete operations in the state. The subsidiary of Mexico-based Cemex operates 30 batching plants in Alabaster, Tuscaloosa and Vance.

Mid-South regional president Marc Tyson said “The Brierfield plant gives us a new opportunity to support our existing customers and earn the business of new ones by leveraging the wealth of experience of our team and providing them materials sourced from all parts of Cemex USA's supply chain.”

India: Holcim subsidiary Ambuja Cements has launched trial production at its new 3.0Mt/yr Marwar integrated cement plant in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district. The launch follows a total investment of US$316m in the plant’s construction. The plant is equipped with an additional 2.0Mt/yr of grinding of grinding capacity and a waste heat recovery (WHR) plant.

Managing director and chief executive officer Neeraj Akhoury said “It’s a proud moment for us at Ambuja Cements. Our endeavour shall always be to become a strong partner and a builder of progress for India."

China: China Tianrui Group has recorded first-half consolidated sales of US$883m in 2021, up by 9% year-on-year from US$809m in the first half of 2020. Cement sales volumes grew by 10.6% to 17.5Mt from 15.8Mt. Its profit attributable to owners was US$116m, up by 5% from US$111m. The group reported that the national cement industry recorded record production in the first half of 2021 however this slowed in May and June due to poor weather and increasing commodity prices.

Trinidad & Tobago: Barbados-based Rock Hard Cement has ended the operations of its Trinidad & Tobago-based subsidiary Rock Hard Distributors after losing a court case against the country’s Ministry of Trade and Industry in July 2021. The Barbados Today newspaper has reported that chief executive officer Mark Maloney said "Unfortunately, a limit on imports of 75,000t, combined with an import duty of 50%, means that Rock Hard Distributors simply cannot operate in Trinidad." He added, "it is with extreme sadness and disappointment, therefore, that we have closed our business in Trinidad and will now pursue opportunities in other Caribbean countries until such time as we are afforded equal treatment in our home country.”

Kenya: Cement producers recorded a 28% year-on-year increase in production in the first five months of 2021 to 3.35Mt from 2.65Mt in the first five months of 2020. The Business Daily newspaper has reported that the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics recorded a 27% increase in cement consumption to 3.35Mt from 2.64Mt. The increases follow a rise in infrastructure investment by the government, especially in the roads and dams segments. Increased credit requests by property developers also indicate a recovery in the private sector following the decline of the Covid-19 outbreak. Kenyan gross domestic product (GDP) growth is forecast at 6% in the 2021 full year.