Displaying items by tag: GCW684

Kazakhstan: Aktobecem will build a cement plant in the Aktobe region with a production capacity of 2Mt/yr. The company intends to invest US$143m in the facility, which will create over 500 jobs, according to Trend. Construction is set to begin in spring 2025, with operations commencing in 2026. The construction of the new plant will reportedly supply 80% of the cement needs of the region and reduce logistics costs.

Romania: CRH has launched a wind farm to supply renewable electricity to its Medgidia cement plant. The wind farm comprises five turbines with a total capacity of 30MW and is expected to generate 80GWh/yr. Now fully operational, the facility can reduce the CO₂ footprint of the cement produced at the plant and contribute to reducing Romania's energy-related CO₂ emissions by 40,000t/yr.

Türkiye: IFC has provided a US$70m 'green' loan to Çimsa to support its decarbonisation efforts, according to a press release from the IFC. The investment will fund energy efficiency projects, modernisation and the installation of solar photovoltaic panels. Expected outcomes include a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy usage to 20% by 2025. IFC's Cement Decarbonisation Tool Advisory Service will also assist Çimsa in identifying operational enhancements and further investments for achieving its sustainability goals.

Jamaica: Caribbean Cement has reported a decline in its September 2024 quarter sales by 11% year-on-year, falling to US$37.2m. Third quarter operating earnings dropped by 76% to US$3.6m, largely due to Hurricane Beryl impacting sales and production, alongside increased costs from a scheduled plant maintenance. Earnings before taxation for the third quarter also saw a 69% decline to US$4.8m, and net income dropped by 66% to US$4.2m. ​

From January – September 2024, however, revenue slightly rose by 1% to US$129m. Operating earnings for the nine-month period reached US$36m, up by 4.3% year-on-year. Earnings before taxation for the nine months grew by 11% year-on-year to US$37.2m, while consolidated net income was US$30m, a 12% increase year-on-year.

Belarus/Russia: Belarusian Cement Company has reached an agreement with the Republic of Khakassia for the delivery of regular coal shipments for its cement plants. The new agreement will ensure the weekly transport of approximately four trains loaded with coal from November 2024 - January 2025, meeting 100% of the demand of the Belarusian plants.

Thailand: Siam Cement Group (SCG) plans to cut costs by US$147m in 2025 to address a 75% year-on-year fall in nine-month profit to US$202m. Despite stable revenue of US$11.2bn during the period, earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) dropped by 10% year-on-year to US$1.15bn.

In the third quarter of 2024, SCG reported revenue of US$3.79bn and EBITDA of US$292m, with profits dropping by 81% to US$21.3m due to currency exchange losses.

SCG aims to boost liquidity by selling assets and enhancing production efficiency, including a 50% increase in alternative fuel use in cement production, according to The Nation newspaper. Non-profitable businesses will be suspended, with further evaluations by mid-2025.

Thammasak Sethaudom, president and CEO of SCG, anticipates only a 3% rise in revenue for the coming year amidst global economic fluctuations and regional market challenges.

Tanzania/Kenya: Amsons Group will build a US$320m cement plant in northern Tanzania's Tanga area with a production capacity of 5,000t/day, Bloomberg reports. The company also plans to implement a major upgrade at the recently acquired Mbeya Cement in Tanzania, including a new grinding mill, according to Capital News Kenya. Additionally, Amsons plans to invest US$400m in Holcim’s Kenyan subsidiary Bamburi Cement, contingent on its successful US$180m bid.

Edha Nahdi, managing director at Amsons Group, said "Thanks to the support of the Tanzanian and Kenyan governments, our regional expansion plans are now firmly on course. We plan to be one of the largest cement manufacturers in Kenya and Tanzania by 2030."

US: Summit Materials has announced a 50% year-on-year increase in net revenue to US$1.11bn for the third quarter of 2024, attributed largely to the acquisition of Argos US. The company's operating income rose by 52% in the third quarter to US$195m. Despite these gains, net income decreased to US$105m from US$230m in the same period in 2023. Adjusted earnings by interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the quarter increased by 51% to US$314.7m, reflecting contributions from the Argos US assets, pricing gains and operational improvements.

The cement segment saw net revenues rise to US$323m. However, organic sales volumes fell by 11% due to adverse weather and moderating demand, leading to lower imported volumes. For the full year 2024, Summit has adjusted its EBITDA forecast to between US$970m and US$1bn and expects capital expenditures to be between US$390m and US$410m.

North Macedonia: Cementarnica Usje, a subsidiary of Titan, reported a 40% year-on-year increase in net profit to US$26.5m for the January - September 2024 period. The company's total operating revenues remained stable compared to 2023’s figures at approximately US$79.7m, while its total operating expenses decreased by 12% year-on-year to around US$50.9m, according to its financial statement.

Canada: Lafarge Canada has selected ABB to update the process control system at its Bath cement plant in Kingston, Ontario. ABB will supply, commission and support its ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system, which aims to enhance plant process visibility and control. The Bath plant produces over 1Mt/yr of OneCem low-carbon cement and is the site of a pilot carbon capture project.

Andrew Stewart, vice president of cement at Lafarge Canada, said "We are dedicated to advancing sustainable construction, not least through rigorous decarbonisation efforts. From working with ABB to upgrade our process control system, to integrating low-carbon fuels and upgrading to energy-efficient kiln technology, we are significantly leading the way in sustainable construction by reducing our carbon emissions per tonne of cement produced. For example, our pilot carbon capture initiative with Hyperion has also been critical, as it leverages innovative processes to capture and sequester CO₂, bringing us closer to our goal of net-zero emissions."