Czech Republic: Cement Hranice’s sales grew in 2018 due to demand for building materials. Its sales rose by 10% year-on-year to Euro65.8m in 2018, according to the Czech News Agency. Its profit rose by 16% to Euro19.9m. As in previous years it supplied fellow subsidiaries of Buzzi Unicem in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Pakistan: Belorussian company Belaz has sold a dump truck to Pakistan for the first time. The 45t vehicle will be used to transport of gypsum and clay to a plant owned by Cherat Cement, according to the Dawn newspaper. It has been supplied via the distribution company Greaves. The cement producer plans to buy up to 15 such vehicles in the current year.

France: HGH Infrared Systems is expanding its brand name across its subsidiaries around the world. It says it is developing its brand image and communication strategy to suit its position as a global leader in the optronics market as its sales grow. Asia Infrared Systems, HGH’s subsidiary in Singapore, and Electro Optical Industries (EOI), will take on the HGH identity.

In 2016 HGH acquired EOI, a producer of electro optical test equipment based in Santa Barbara, California in the US. HGH’s and EOI’s products include SPYNEL thermal cameras, blackbody sources, integrating spheres, electro-optical test benches, NVD testing solutions and thermographic scanners. They cover the whole spectrum of light from visible to infrared radiation.

‘’By opting for a harmonised universal brand, we are strengthening our corporate culture and our shared commitment across our subsidiaries. This common identity is built upon quality care, customer service and innovation values, and opens door to a dynamic and highly promising future,’ said Thierry Campos, the chief executive officer (CEO) of HGH Infrared Systems.

China: China National Building Material Company (CNBM) revenue grew by 19% to US$32.6bn in 2018 from US$27.4bn in 2017. Its profit rose by 44% to US$2.09bn from US$1.46bn. Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 18% to US$6.33bn from US$5.37bn.

By product line its cement sales rose by 25% to US$18.7bn from US$14.9bn. Concrete sales rose by 31% to US$6.17bn from US$4.70bn. Overall sales rose in most regions, with the exception of the Middle East and Africa. The group’s cement companies’ cement production volumes fell slightly to 336Mt and cement sales fell by 2.4% to 323Mt. Particular declines in cement sales were noted at North Cement, Sinoma Cement, Tianshan Cement, Ningxia Building Materials and Qilianshan. The group’s overall concrete sales volumes rose by 3.4% to 96Mm3.

Sales from its engineering services division rose by 9% to US$5.09bn from US$4.67bn.

Nigeria: BUA Group has signed a contract with Finland’s Wartsila Oy for construction of a 48MW power plant for Line 3 at its Sokoto Cement plant in Sokoto State. The announcement of the deal follows BUA’s January 2019 announcement that China’s CBMI would build the new line at the site.

Abdul Samad Rabiu , the executive chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of BUA Group, signed on behalf of the group while Wartsila’s Head of Africa Magnus Miemois signed for the power plant provider.

BUA is Nigeria’s second-largest cement producer by volume, with assets that include the 6Mt/yr Obu Cement I & II plants in Okpella, Edo State, CCNN’s 1.5Mt/yr Kalambaina plant and the 0.5Mt/yr Sokoto cement plant.

Italy: The Buzzi Unicem cement plant in Monselice, Padua has come under fire from concerned locals following an emission of dust on 25 March 2019. Local press reported that the plant failed to notify residents following an emission of raw meal for at least three hours and not until plant staff had been telephoned by the media.

The plant uses marl and supplementary raw materials, the alleged unclear origins of which have particularly animated local environmentalists. Environment Councilor and mayoral candidate Gianni Mamprin said, “They say it’s just dust, but I don’t trust them. A plant of this type is incompatible with the tourism project that we want to implement in Monselice. Above all, Article 19 of the Environmental Plan of the Colli Park states that (it) is an incompatible plant in a natural park. If I am elected mayor of Monselice, I will actively commit to the closure of this unhealthy plant, because this territory does not need a factory that continually creates anxieties and doubts for citizens.”

Pakistan: The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has reported that cement exports during first eight months of the current Pakistani fiscal year, from 1 July 2018, saw growth of 52.3% year-on-year compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. Exports were 4.65Mt compared to 3.05Mt.

In February 2019 exports were up by 69.1% year-on-year at 0.51Mt. The southern part of the country, particularly the Sindh region, fared considerably better than the national picture, as cement exports from the region increased by 185% to 0.35Mt in February 2019. Local consumption in the region was also higher, albeit less dramatically, with sales of 0.67Mt as compared to 0.61Mt a year earlier. However, plants in the north continued to suffer, with exports falling by 16% to 1.86Mt over the eight-month period from 2.21Mt a year earlier. In February 2019 exports from the north declined by 8.7% to 0.17Mt

Among other factors, the export of cement to India has been suspended due to a 200% increase in the import duty, as the Indian government had announced to de-list Pakistan from the status of ‘Most-Favoured Nation.’ The APCMA also said that rain in almost all parts of Pakistan had also affected construction activities.

Pakistan: Flying Cement has ordered a 71-6 OK model cement mill from Denmark’s FLSmidth for its new 7700t/day production line at its Mangwal plant. The mill will be designed to grind Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) at a capacity of 415t/hr. Commissioning is expected in 2020, and the mill will be supplied together with an FLSmidth ILC Preheater System, 2-Base Kiln, Cross-Bar Cooler, ROKSH 119 Separator, MAAG WPV-5000 Gear, Heat Exchanger and three filters. No price for the order has been disclosed.

UAE: RAK Cement has postponed its acquisition of Newtech cement and the Al banna quarry due to incomplete financing. It previously announced the purchase in late February 2019. It planned to buy the assets for around US$123m.

Sri Lanka: Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has inaugurated the construction of a cement factory at the Port of Hambantota. He also marked the start of the construction of an oil refinery, according to the Daily News newspaper. An unnamed Chinese cement producer was linked to the project, with production scheduled to start in mid-2020.