UAE: Arkan has closed its Emirates Cement plant in Al Ain blaming increasing gas and electricity costs. The building materials company temporarily closed the plant in late 2016 but this has now become permanent, according to the National newspaper. Production will move to its newer Al Ain Cement plant that is now running at almost full production capacity. The decision to close the older plant is expected save the company US$12m/yr. The Emirates Cement plant was one of the oldest cement plants in the country with operation since the 1970s.
