09 April 2024

Kenya: President William Ruto has commissioned a Cemtech clinker plant in Sebit, West Pokot, valued at US$345m. Construction of the plant began in 2010 and it will produce 6000t/day of clinker with a cement capacity of 2Mt/yr. After production, the clinker will be transported to a grinding plant in Eldoret.

Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said "The production is enough feed for all cement plants in the country. The demand for this critical material will now be met with the excess available for export." The opening of this plant is a ‘major relief’ for cement companies in Kenya, which have historically had to import 60% of their clinker. Currently, National Cement and Mombasa Cement manufacture clinker, while Bamburi Cement, Savannah Cement, Rai Cement, and Ndovu Cement import it.

Located at the Sebit limestone mines in Kipkomo subcounty, the plant has generated over 2000 job opportunities.

Vietnam: In the first quarter of 2024, Vietnam's cement and clinker exports maintained a volume of 7.9Mt but represented a 11.7% year-on-year decrease in value to US$298m, according to the General Statistics Office.

The value decrease is reportedly attributed to China's sluggish real estate market and anti-dumping duties imposed by the Philippines. Export prices also declined slightly, with the average price in 2023 dropping by 3% year-on-year. The Vietnam Cement Association anticipates further challenges for these exports in 2024, facing increased competition from the Philippines, Central America and South Africa. Domestic production is expected to exceed demand, with consumption estimated at 60-62Mt, prompting intensified export efforts to manage an excess production of around 30Mt.

India: Jahangirabad police have raided a cement warehouse, seizing 437 bags of counterfeit cement. The owner has been arrested under the Copyright Act of the Indian Penal Code.

The raid followed a complaint from Delhi resident Raunak Joshi, head of a company identifying fake and adulterated products. Joshi reported unauthorised sales of cement under the UltraTech brand in Jinsi Square, Jahangirabad. The police's operation at Mohammad Siddiqui's shop and warehouse uncovered the counterfeit cement, some falsely labelled as UltraTech and others with different brand labels.

Thailand: Biochar Life and Siam Cement Group (SCG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop biochar-infused cement and sustainable building materials. This collaboration aims to utilise biochar in the construction industry and reduce carbon emissions.

The partnership will begin with a pilot project at Chiang Mai University, focusing on constructing biochar-infused cement roads. Biochar Life will evaluate the scalability of biochar production to meet SCG's material requirements. Both companies will engage in research and development to optimise the production and application of biochar in construction, considering environmental benefits and carbon removal credit opportunities.

SCG also plans to extend Biochar Life’s smallholder farmer program, incorporating mobile industrial units and other technologies. This joint effort is directed towards incorporating carbon-negative biochar into building materials. This will lower construction-related carbon emissions, aid in atmospheric carbon sequestration, and improve the durability and performance of these materials.

Ghana: A nine-member committee has been established to monitor and coordinate the local cement industry in Ghana, in line with the Manufacture of Cement Regulations (LI 2480).

The committee, inaugurated in Accra on 5 April 2024, is chaired by Professor Alex Dodoo of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA). Other members include representatives from the GSA, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Institution of Engineering, Association of Ghana Industries, Chamber of Cement Manufacturers of Ghana, and an expert in cement production nominated by the Minister.

During the inauguration, Trade and Industry Minister Kobina Hammond said “The committee will appraise, evaluate and approve local content and local participation plans and reports of cement manufacturing entities. They will also promote the production, wholesale and retail of cement and cement components.”

According to LI 2480, there is a requirement for manufacturers of cement to register with the Committee. Regulation 11 in LI 2480 state that ‘A person shall not manufacture cement in the country unless the person registers with the Cement Manufacturing Development Committee in accordance with these Regulations.’ The regulations state that a person who did not register with the Cement Manufacturing Development Committee to manufacture cement shall not be granted a licence to manufacture cement under these regulations.