Displaying items by tag: Vietnam

Vietnam: Thailand-based Siam Cement Group (SCG) says it is expanding the production of its SCG Low Carbon cement product in southern Vietnam. It plans to export up to 8000t/day of the product to the US, Canada, and Australia, as well as supplying local green-procurement projects, according to the Vietnam Business Forum. The company says its low-carbon cement reduces CO₂ emissions by up to 20%, compared to regular products, through the use of alternative fuels, renewable energy sources and installing waste heat recovery (WHR) units at its plants. SCG formally launched SCG Low Carbon Super Cement in the country in July 2024.

Philippines: The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) and Eagle Cement Corporation have backed an order by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate alleged excessive imports of cement. In a statement the parties said that the investigation ordered by DTI Secretary Cristina Roque is a critical step that underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring fair competition, according to the Manila Bulletin newspaper. They added that the move would protect the local cement industry from undue harm caused by imports.

CeMAP previously submitted its position paper to the DTI on 12 November 2024 on the issue of imports of cement. Eagle Cement has backed the Federation of Philippine Industries in its position on the need to protect the domestic cement sector.

Data from the Bureau of Customs show that cement imports rose by 5% year-on-year to 6.2Mt from January to October 2024. 94% of the imports originated from Vietnam with 5% from Japan and 1% from Indonesia.

Vietnam: Vietnam produced 149Mt of cement between January and October 2024, up by 1.7% year-on-year. In October 2024, production was 16Mt, marking a rise of 7.1% from October 2023. Total production in 2023 was 120Mt, down by 4.5% year-on-year.

Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched a safeguard measures investigation on cement imports to counter the ‘persistent influx’ affecting the Philippine market, according to the Manila Standard. This investigation has been praised by the Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines (CeMAP), and aims to support local producers who are reportedly facing competition, despite the country’s production capacity of 50Mt/yr exceeding national demand, which is currently around 35Mt/yr.

Executive director of CeMAP Renato Baja said that imported cement from countries like Vietnam, where domestic demand is low and exports are high, affects local manufacturers. Vietnam contributes 93% of the Philippine’s cement imports, followed by China and Indonesia. According to Baja, local production currently operates at only 55- 60% of its installed capacity, which has increased production costs and forced temporary shutdowns of some plants. The DTI has invited cement manufacturers to submit their views on the imposition of safeguard measures. According to The Philippine Star, the DTI will conduct a preliminary investigation to decide if safeguard measures on cement imports are necessary. This is in line with Republic Act 8800, which allows the imposition of temporary safeguards or increased tariffs to protect domestic industries from an increase in imports.

Vietnam: Major cement producers Vicem Bỉm Sơn, Bút Sơn, The Vissai, Thành Thắng Group and Xuân Thành Cement will increase prices from 20 October 2024 due to rising production costs from electricity, coal and packaging, according to Viet Nam News. A representative from Thành Thắng Group said that the company has recently faced a 4.8% rise in electricity prices, impacting production costs despite measures to improve efficiency and cut costs, like utilising waste heat recovery systems. The decision to increase electricity prices by Vietnam Electricity reportedly came into effect on 11 October 2024, with ongoing global geopolitical conflicts also contributing to rising costs for coal and oil.

The Vietnam National Cement Association said that price increases were ‘inevitable’, as cement has reportedly been sold below cost ‘for years’ and companies would likely not survive if prices were not increased to cover the additional costs. The list of cement producers raising prices is reportedly expected to increase in the coming weeks.

Vietnam: According to data from the General Statistics Office, Vietnam produced 134.5Mt of cement in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 2% rise year-on-year. In September 2024, the country's cement output reached 15.3Mt, up by 9% compared to September 2023.

Vietnam: The Philippines, Bangladesh and Taiwan were the leading importers of Vietnamese cement and clinker in the first eight months of 2024, reports the General Department of Vietnam Customs. The Philippines imported 5.35Mt valued at US$214.3m, seeing a decline of 1.8% in volume and 12.97% in value year-on-year. Bangladesh followed, purchasing 4.18Mt worth US$133.9m, up by 5.2% in volume but down 11.4% in value compared to the previous year. Taiwan ranked third, importing 994,735t valued at US$35.5m, with decreases of 17.2% in volume and 24.5% in value year-on-year.

From January to August 2024, Vietnam's total earnings from cement and clinker exports reached US$788.8m from over 20.5Mt, marking a decrease of 3.2% in volume and 14.5% in value year-on-year.

Vietnam: Deputy director of Tan Quang Cement, Tran Van Hung, has proposed reducing cement plant capacity to address the significant supply-demand imbalance. With a current supply of 120Mt/yr and a demand of only 56Mt/yr, the oversupply has led to price pressures, according to the Vietnam News Brief Service. This strategy aims to stabilise prices amid rising input costs and declining sales, further challenged by China's competitive stance and increased export taxes.

Van Hung has suggested regulating plant operations through energy limits and penalties to control supply and stabilise prices.

Vietnam: Vietnam exported 2.3Mt of cement and clinker worth US$90m in August 2024, down by 17% and 23% year-on-year, respectively. From January to August 2024, exports totalled 20.5Mt valued at US$789m, marking declines of 4% in volume and 14% in value compared to the same period of 2023. In 2023, the country earned US$1.33bn from 31.4Mt of exports, a fall of 1% in volume and 4% in value year-on-year.

Vietnam: Vietnam produced 119Mt of cement between January and August 2024, up by 1.3% year-on-year, according to data released by the General Statistics Office. In August 2024, production was 15.6Mt, up by 6.3% compared to August 2023. In 2023, the country recorded a cement output of 120Mt, a decline of 4.5% year-on-year.