Displaying items by tag: GCW220

UAE: Everest Industries of India is set to start production from its first overseas greenfield facility in the UAE in the first quarter of 2016, according to a company statement.

"The facility will be used to manufacture fibre cement boards and cater to our export markets in West Asia and Africa," said Manish Sanghi, Managing Director. Set up at an investment of US$150m, it will be able to produce up to 72,000t/yr of cement fibre boards.

Kazakhstan: The Kazakh Vice Minister of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan Albert Rau has met with President of Vicat Group Guy Sidos and honorary president of the group Jacques Merceron-Vicat to discuss the operation and possible extension of Vicat's existing production plant at Zhambyl. The meeting also announced the construction of a US$10m terminal in Astana in 2016. The terminal will also act as a packing plant, research and testing centre.

India: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved German firm HeidelbergCement's proposed acquisition of Italcementi SpA in India. The CCI first announced this information in a tweet that said that it had approved of the 'acquisition of Italcementi SPA by Heidelberg Cement AG.'

Kenya: Construction work for the long-awaited US$114m, 1.2Mt/yr cement plant project in Sebit, West Pokot will kick off early in 2016, company officials have confirmed.

Cemtech, a subsidiary of India's Sanghi Group, will begin construction work after approval by engineers who had earlier raised queries over its location, among other issues. Residents, some of whom expected to benefit either directly or indirectly from the plant construction, had waited a long time for commencement of the facility, which is long overdue.

Cemtech general manager Diptish Nandha has confirmed that all pending issues have now been resolved. Nadha said that experts had been assessing the quantity and quality of limestone and solving ground geometric technicalities that had delayed the setting up of the plant. "We have now solved the two major challenges on quality of limestone and ground geometric technicalities that delayed the start of construction," said Nadha. He disclosed that upon completion, residents nearby the plant would benefit from power supply from the company.

The cement plant was expected to start up about five years ago, but a number of challenges delayed construction. At one point, region leaders, including the governor and senator John Lonyangapuo, threatened that they would revoke operation license in favour of another investor who would show 'seriousness.'

Nandha said that the suppliers of the plant machinery are redesigning the machines to ease transportation. He revealed that the machines are expected to be on the location at Sebit by January 2016, after which construction works will begin. "The machines are very heavy and cannot be transported easily from Mombasa. That is why we have redesigned dissembled parts so that they can be easily transported from the port of Mombasa," said Nandha.

South Africa: PPC has reported flat or falling cement prices in all regions alongside tougher competition in Zimbabwe, Botswana and its home market.

"We believe that we are at or near the bottom of the cycle," said the company in a presentation on its website. "However, increasing competitive forces in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana weigh on the near-term outlook."

PPC's cement volumes in South Africa were flat in the 11 months that ended in August 2015. Its volumes increased in Botswana and Rwanda, but declined in Zimbabawe. PPC introduced a promotional price in Rwanda after opening a new 600,000t/yr plant there on 18 August 2015. While cement imports into South Africa from Pakistan declined after new duties were imposed in May 2015, increased local competition weighed on domestic prices, according to PPC. The company's expansion into other African countries 'remains on track.' Facilities under construction in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia are all about 45% complete.

Tajikistan: Tajikistan is increasing its cement capacity in order to resume exports by 2020, Tajikistan's Ministry of Economic Development and Trade has reported.

Currently, there are six new cement plants operating in various capacities under construction, which will allow Tajikistan to cover its domestic needs, as well as to resume exports. The plants are being financed by domestic and foreign funding. Several medium and large capacity cement plants, including projects in Sughd and Khatlon, are being built thanks to Chinese investments.

The construction of the Tajikistan-China joint venture cement plant, Tajchina has already begun and is expected to start operation in 2015. Other cement plants are planned for construction in the Dangara, Bobokon, Gafurov, and Isfara districts, as well as in Istiklol city. Currently, the country's largest cement plant is Huaxin Gayur Cement, a joint venture between a subsidiary of China's Huaxin Cement and Gaur Limited Liability Company.

Tajikistan's Ministry of Industry and New Technologies said in January 2015 that six new cement plants would be established within the next two years. By improving the country's cement sector, which currently is comprised of 10 plants, Tajikistan expects to become a net cement exporter. Earlier, Tajikistan imported cement in large quantities from Pakistan, Iran and China.

India: The government has decided to cancel the allotment of a cement plant given to India Cements in Gumma, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

The decision was taken after India Cements expressed its unwillingness to start works, according to local media. "It has been decided to cancel the allotment as the company is no longer keen to set up the plant and they have failed to show any progress in the years since the allotment was made," said Mukesh Agnihotri, industry minister. He added that the government cabinet would need to confirm the allotment cancellation.

Agnihotri said that the government plans to invite global bids for the proposed cement plant in Chamba have been put on hold as Jaiprakash Associates, which had earlier been given the project, has moved to court. The project in Chamba was allotted to Jaiprakash Associates in 2006 and a memorandum of understanding was signed in February 2007 to establish a 2Mt/yr capacity cement plant.

The industry department issued notices to three cement plants in addition to Jaiprakash Associates as to why their plants should not be cancelled, as they had failed to set up facilities that had been approved several years ago. The three cement plants included units by Lafarge in Alsindi, India Cement in Gumma and Harish Cement in Sundernagar. After finding the replies unsatisfactory, the government cancelled the cement plants allotted to Jaiprakash Associates and India Cements. Some of the companies have already invested a lot of money, but could not start operation due to various factors, including clearances from different agencies like the Ministry of Forest and Environment. In some cases, locals have moved to court against the projects, citing loss of agricultural land and an adverse impact on the health of people.