02 April 2020

Mexico: The National Cement Chamber (CANACEM) has suspended the activity of all member producers with cement plants in the country following the government’s national industrial shutdown in response to coronavirus. The suspension will last until 30 April 2020, during which time employees will draw their full salaries. CANACEM President Jaime Rocha Font said, "It is necessary to carry out technical, operational and administrative actions in each of the plants whose activity will be suspended in order to be able to completely stop operations in a safe and technically orderly manner.” Companies have until 10 April 2020 to complete the shutdown.

Cement dispatches to public and private works, as well as to the country’s 62,000 cement retailers, will proceed until 3 April 2020.

China: China Tianrui Group’s net 2019 profit was US$256m, up by 50% year-on-year from US$171m. Sales rose by 20% to US$1.70bn from US$1.42bn. This was due to increased volumes and prices.

Spain: Coronavirus has forced the suspension of operations at all Cementos Molins facilities, in accordance with a royal decree. Europa Press has reported that the company began the progressive shutdown of the 1.6Mt/yr integrated line at its Sant Vincenç dels Horts cement plant in Barcelona, Catalonia, on 31 March 2020, and switched off the plant on 2 April 2020.

Cementos Molins said that it has already suspended production in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Colombia and Tunisia. It says it has ‘implemented the teleworking model in the areas of the company where its application is possible.’

Ireland: UK-based Breedon Group has announced the suspension of operations at its 0.7Mt/yr integrated Kinnegad plant in County Westmeath and all other sites in Ireland. Breedon Group guaranteed 100% to pay to all Irish and UK staff to 30 April 2020.

Two non-executive directors of Breedon Group, Susie Farnon and Peter Cornell, have taken retirement.

Oman: Construction companies have reported delays to several projects resulting from a cement shortage that begun on 21 March 2020. Al-Watan newspaper has reported that most of the affected works are residential. The reason for the shortage is the suspension of cement imports from UAE from mid-March 2020.