Displaying items by tag: GCW704

Nepal: Hetauda Cement Industry resumed cement production on 7 April 2025 following a five-month suspension due to electricity shortages. According to general manager Nabin Kumar Karna, the plant requires 8MW/day of electricity to crush limestone.

The plant reportedly holds 1900t of coal in reserve and is acquiring a further 4000t through a bidding process. Though its capacity is 18,000 bags/day, current output is only 12,000 bags/day.

Pakistan: Lucky Cement has successfully completed Pakistan’s first ever clinker shipment to Brazil. Senior export manager Rafique Ahmed posted the news on social media, saying that the company had now ‘expanded [its] global footprint’ and strengthened Pakistan's presence in international markets.

Ukraine: Ukrainian cement and concrete producers are ready to expand capacity to meet reconstruction demand, according to a survey by Consumer and Business Research Ukraine (CBR), despite reduced funding and limited state budget. Cement production dropped to 5.4Mt in 2022 from 11Mt in 2021 but stabilised at 7.4Mt in 2023 and 7.97Mt in 2024. CBR estimates that 8Mt/yr is feasible during wartime, rising to 12Mt/yr in the third or fourth year of reconstruction.

The Ukrainian Cement Association (UkrCement) head Pavlo Kachur said “Reconstruction will begin with demining, reinforcing the front lines and restoring energy infrastructure. Large-scale construction will likely not begin until the third or fourth year.”

At present, plant capacity utilisation varies across regions. Plants in western Ukraine are operating at higher capacity, while those in the south and east remain underutilised. In 2022, plants operated at a loss but retained staff. In 2023, volumes were sufficient to break even. Two-thirds of surveyed consumers increased production in 2023, though 2024 expectations were cautious.

Kachur said “Time will be needed for training, planning and securing financing—and cement producers will use that time to fill the market, primarily by investing in modernisation and capacity expansion. For example, two major projects to build new kilns are already ready in Kryvy Rih and Ivano-Frankivsk.”

The study notes that building brand new plants is unlikely, but modernising existing kilns can be accomplished within a year. It expects at least two plants to launch new kilns, increasing capacity by 2Mt/yr. For example, Kryvyi Rih Cement has obtained a permit to develop the Maryanske limestone deposit (60km from the plant) and plans to build a clinker kiln at the site.

CBR researcher Tetiana Sytnyk said “Cement companies are ready to make rapid investments in modernisation and to launch additional kilns once recovery begins. They’re waiting for clear signals to proceed – such as the allocation of reconstruction funds or a surge in demand to at least 9.5Mt/yr.”

Ukraine exported 1.7Mt of cement in 2024, up from 56,000t in 2021, with Kachur adding that exports have ‘saved’ the local industry during the war. Developed countries will be capable of meeting Ukraine’s reconstruction needs, though this could hurt local producers. Kachur added “During the recovery phase, Ukraine’s market must be as localised as possible with domestic products. Only countries that supported us during the war should have access.”

Pakistan: Total cement despatches, including domestic sales and exports, fell by 9% year-on-year to 3.57Mt in March 2025, according to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association. Domestic sales dropped by 11% to 2.96Mt, while exports remained stable at 0.61Mt. North-based plants recorded an 85% year-on-year fall in exports to 0.019Mt from 0.12Mt. South-based plants increased exports by 23% to 0.59Mt from 0.48Mt a year earlier.

Between July 2024 and March 2025, total despatches declined by 1% year-on-year to 34Mt. Domestic sales dropped by 7% to 27.5Mt, while exports rose by 28% to 6.53Mt.

Türkiye: Medcem has completed testing of its new waste heat recovery (WHR) facility, which will recover 25% of the energy demand of the plant’s second rotary kiln line commissioned in 2024.

The 9.6MW facility uses an organic rankine cycle (ORC) system to generate electricity from a single heat source. The company says that this will lead to significant cost savings in energy expenses while also reducing CO₂ emissions.

Ghana: Cement dealers have raised concerns over a growing shortage of brands including SOL Cement, Empire Cement and Dzata Cement, according to Citi Newsroom. Dealers have cited a scarcity of clinker and rising port charges behind recent supply disruptions and price increases. One cement retailer, Augustine Aduful, said that they paid for cement but have been left out of pocket for two weeks. Ghacem, in particular, has reportedly been facing a shortage, with customers having to switch to alternatives like Diamond Cement.

Ghana Chamber of Construction Industry CEO Emmanuel Cherry said that Ghana cannot continue to rely solely on clinker in cement production and that the country should begin to look for viable alternatives.

Another retailer, Isaac Frimpong, said “The clinker shortage is being caused by overseas supply issues. Even the recent price hikes are tied to external factors. We hope that with government intervention, the situation will stabilise.”

Trinidad & Tobago: The government will reduce the rate of duty on other hydraulic cement from 10% to 0%, following the fifth price rise by Trinidad Cement since 2021, including the most recent 7% increase in early 2025.

The nation’s cabinet suspended its cement quota and registration system in February 2024. Cement remains on the import negative list, requiring a licence and compliance with Caricom standards. The legal order for the duty cut will be published in the coming days.

Saudi Arabia: Sinoma Overseas has marked the construction of the preheater tower as part of a relocation and upgrade of Yamama Cement’s production line. The previously 10,000t/day line now has a capacity of 12,500t/day. The placement of the final structural element on the preheater tower was attended by representatives from both companies.

Sinoma posted on social media that the company had “overcom[e] significant engineering and logistical challenges – from dismantling and moving massive equipment to integrating new technology.”

With the preheater tower now complete, the company looks ahead to the plant’s commissioning and final delivery.

China: Hebei Wushan Cement has completely dismantled a 1000t/day clinker line formerly used to support its 3000t/day clinker line. The line will not resume production.

The producer also dismantled the original rotary kiln of a 2000t/day line and upgraded it to a 3000t/day new dry-process clinker line using a rotary kiln (Φ = 4.3m, L =  60m).

Russia: Kavkazcement plans to spend US$224m on equipment modernisation after cement production costs rose by 30–34% in 2024, according to local news reports. The producer recorded a production increase of 11% year-on-year to 2Mt in 2024 and aims to grow output by a further 10% in 2025.

General director Sergey Bogomaz said “Cement from Kavkazcement is in demand in many regions of Russia. The main deliveries go to the Rostov Region, Volgograd Region and Krasnodar Krai. In our region, we see an increase in construction volumes. New infrastructure projects are emerging, such as the construction of the first airport in Karachay-Cherkessia.”