Global Cement News

Germany: HeidelbergCement has reported that its result from current operations (RCO) for the fourth quarter of 2019 grew by 3% year-on-year to Euro603m, from Euro584m in the fourth quarter of 2018. Its result from current operations before depreciation and amortisation (RCOBD) grew by 13% to Euro968m from Euro858m, while its revenue declined by 3% year-on-year from Euro4.70bn to Euro4.58bn.

HeidelbergCement reported that its cement sales were 31.4Mt for the quarter, 2% lower than the 32.0Mt sold in the fourth quarter of 2018. It will release its consolidated financial results on 19 March 2020.

Italy: Cementir Holding, a Caltagirone Group company, closed 2019 with revenues of Euro1.21bn, according to the consolidated preliminary results examined yesterday by the board of directors chaired by Francesco Caltagirone Jr. This represents a year-on-year rise of 1.2% compared to 2018.

Cementir’s gross operating margin grew by 10.6% to Euro263.8m. Cement and clinker volumes, however, fell by 3.4% to 9.5Mt. On a like-for-like basis, cement and clinker sales were down 5%. The company attributed this to a ‘negative trend’ in Turkey, partially balanced by the positive performance of Belgium and Denmark. Ready mixed concrete sales also fell due to the effects of the Turkish economy. Overall ready mixed concrete sales fell to 4.1Mm3/yr, a drop of 16.4% year-on-year.

France: French press has reported that Vicat, the last remaining cement producer in French hands, has accumulated a large stockpile of EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) credits, sufficient to last it until 2030. It says that this makes it unique among cement producers covered by the scheme. It has never sold any of the credits that it was over-allocated in the first three stages of the ETS. It is thought that this will put it at a competitive advantage from the start of stage 4 in January 2021, when free allowances for the sector will become significantly scarcer.

Vicat has a stock of credits that represent 5Mt of CO₂, valued at Euro120m at the current market price. "It covers our activity in France and Switzerland and we will still be in a surplus position in 2030. We are entering the next European regulatory phase in a good condition," said CEO Guy Sidos.

Vicat is keen to point out that this does not mean it is complacent or will pollute at all costs. "At the end of 2019, we reduced our CO₂ emissions by 15% compared to 1990. The objective is a further decrease of 13% between today and 2030," explained Sidos.

Vietnam: Cement and clinker production in Vietnam is expected to rise by 4-5% to 101-103Mt in 2020, according to the Ministry of Construction. This includes domestic consumption of 69-70Mt and exports of 32-34Mt.

Chairman of the Vietnam Cement Association Nguyen Quang Cung said that cement demand has expanded at higher pace compared to GDP growth in previous years. He added that cement producers will have to face major challenges in 2020, with rising input costs, environmental and technological issues, as well as increasing wage costs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Construction said that Vietnamese cement exporters would face fierce competition as China and Thailand increase exports. It recommended that domestic firms study market trends to adjust their production plans, stabilise cement prices and map out long-term business strategies.

The ministry has asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to direct the Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (Vinacomin) to provide sufficient coal, and the Vietnam Electricity to ensure adequate power for cement production activities.

India: JSW Cement is planning to expand the cement capacity of its plant in Bilakalagudur, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh from 4.8Mt/yr to 6.0Mt/yr, at a cost of approximately US$59m. The project will involve expansion of clinker capacity from 2.5Mt/yr to 3.4Mt/yr and the construction of an 18MW captive coal-fired power plant. The work on the project is expected to commence by September 2020.