09 November 2020

Nigeria: Dangote Cement has reported group sales of US$2.00bn in the first nine months of 2020, up by 12% year-on-year from US$1.79bn in the first nine months of 2019. Its cement volumes rose by 7% to 19.2Mt from 18.0Mt, while its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 17% to US$934m from US$797m.

Chief executive officer (CEO) Michel Puchercos said, “Dangote Cement’s strategy to offer high quality products at competitive prices is meeting customers' expectations in Nigeria and across the continent, where we continue to deploy excellent marketing initiatives and operational excellence. We remain committed to protecting our staff and communities by being fully compliant with health and safety measures in all our territories of operation. We are focused on adapting to the rapidly evolving markets in which we operate.”

The group said, “By 2021, all our countries of operation are estimated to return to growth, and we are well positioned to capture the demand eventually driven by this economic growth. We have seen a strong recovery across our operations in the third quarter of 2020, which is our strongest third quarter to date.” It added, “Our vision is for West and Central Africa to become cement and clinker independent, with Nigeria being the main export hub. This will notably contribute to the improvement of regional trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region and beyond with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”

UK: Breedon Group says that it has agreed to sell 14 sites to Tillicoultry Quarries for Euro13.5m. The sale includes a cement terminal and two quarries in Scotland, and 10 ready-mix plants and an asphalt plant in England. Breedon says it is making the divestment in order to meet the concerns of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) with regard to its takeover of part of Cemex UK’s ready-mix and aggregates operations. Once completed the group expects to be able to finalise its integration of the remaining assets acquired from Cemex into its existing business.

Chief executive officer (CEO) Pat Ward said, "We are very pleased with the outcome of this process and believe it is in the interests all stakeholders. It allows Breedon to realise fair value for the assets disposed of, which, together with the people employed in them, will be in good hands under new ownership by Tillicoultry Quarries."

China: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has named Anhui Conch Cement subsidiary Chongqing Conch’s integrated cement plant in Chongqing State a National Green Factory for its “resource conservation, recycling and harmonious development.”

The company says that its efforts include “implementation of precision denitrification, wet flue gas desulfurisation, belt corridor noise reduction, electricity conversion bags, rainwater collection and other environmental protection technology reforms,” as well as co-processing domestic waste from the city of Chongqing as fuel. The plant has also undergone greening, and its 30,000 new trees form a habitat for wildlife. It said that the scenery also “greatly enhances employees' sense of happiness and gain.”