Displaying items by tag: INC

Paraguay: The association of cement distributors in Vallemi has expressed its concern over low production levels at Industria Nacional del Cemento’s (INC) plant. The association says that the cement plant has been unable to guarantee clinker production or dispatches of cement, according to the ABC newspaper. Cement shortages are expected unless normal production is resumed.

The kiln at INC’s plant in Vallemi as reportedly stopped repeatedly since September 2017. It stopped operating on 27 December 2017 and has been waiting for engineers from ABB to carry out repairs. Parts were due to arrive in mid-January 2018. INC has denied reports that cement production and supply have been affected.

Paraguay: Industria Nacional del Cemento (INC) sold 9.85 million bags of cement in the first nine months of 2017, representing 74.6% of its total sales in 2016. The aim is to achieve sales of at least 13.5 million bags in 2017, up from 13.2 million bags sold in 2016.

INC’s sales were boosted by a new mill and a new dryer in Villeta. The firm will also be able to use alternative fuels in its kiln from late 2017. The plant will increase its capacity by 45% and will shortly issue a US$500,000 tender for a new cement packing plant at its plant in Villeta to achieve this.

Paraguay: Yguazu saw record sales of 1.1 million bags of cement in July 2017, according to Ernesto Acosta, the firm's industrial manager, largely because of supply issues that affected state-run cement firm INC. Yguazu reported that it ‘even had to open on Sundays.’ Normally, Yguazu’s sales stand at 0.9  -1.0 million bags per month. INC has now resolved its issues.

Paraguay: Paraguay's Industry and Trade Minister Gustavo Leite has revealed that the possibility of turning Industria Nacional del Cemento (INC) into a cement importer with immediate effect is being considered by the authorities, which are concerned about on-going cement supply issues and cement prices.

A public-private partnership to increase capacity to 1Mt/yr is being sought, but this will require a new cement plant, which takes between three and four years, so it will not solve the existing problems. A tender process to import cement could be organised before the end of October 2015 and the product could arrive in November 2015.

Paraguay: Industria Nacional del Cemento (INC) is looking to diversify its fuels mixture to include other types of oils and possibly biofuels. The company has signed an agreement with the engineering faculty at Asuncion National University (FIUNA) to certify the use of biofuels. INC's president Jorge Mendez believes that, from 2016, INC may start using a variety of fuels, following a US$50m investment in its furnace. This could save US$22m/yr, but it will not necessarily mean that biofuel will be used.