08 March 2022

Mexico: Cemex says that it plans to restart Line 2 at its CPN cement plant in Sonora State. The line has a capacity of 0.8Mt/yr. Cemex will invest US$29m in restarting it, bringing its total recent investments in the CPN plant to US$44m. It previously invested US$15m in a restart of the plant’s 1Mt/yr Line 1 in 2021. When operational in mid-late 2022, Line 2 will join the existing line in supplying cement to Arizona, California and Nevada in the US.

Cemex USA president Jaime Muguiro said “Many cement customers in the western US have been impacted by tight supply constraints for several months, and at Cemex, we are proactively looking for opportunities to further alleviate those conditions and enrich customer experiences by enhancing how we operate while utilising our global reach.” He continued “Customers require more cement to keep pace with the region’s growth, and we want to ensure they have stable and steady access to the high-quality materials that are essential to meet their needs.”

Argentina: Loma Negra’s full-year sales rose to US$655m in 2021, up by 17% year-on-year from 2020 levels. Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 15% to US$215m. Nonetheless, an increased operating income only partially offset the impacts of a higher income tax rate. During the year, the producer inaugurated its L’Amali cement plant’s new Line 2.

Mexico: Cemex has successfully commissioned its new Line 2 at its Tapeaca, Puebla, cement plant.

Cemex’s Mexico regional vice president operations and technology Ernesto Felix said that the work ‘brought together a great team’ of Cemex colleagues.

Saudi Arabia: Yanbu Cement’s sales recorded a 0.6% year-on-year decline to US$251m in 2021 from US$249m in 2020. Arab News has reported that the company’s net profit fell by 43% compared to 2021 levels.

Sri Lanka: Lanwa Sanstha Cement says that it will invest US$60m in expanding its newly commissioned Hambantota grinding plant in order to enable it to serve 60% of local demand.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said "Construction is a key contributor to the local gross domestic product (GDP). Our construction sector has a competitive edge in the global context, given its focus on technology and its emphasis on ethics and sustainability. We are certain this endeavour would serve to boost investor confidence, which is timely."