Global Cement News

Argentina: The National Commission for Protection of Competition (CNDC) has hastened an investigation into alleged collusion and coordinated behaviour in the cement industry. Cement prices increased by 13% in May 2018, according to La Nacion newspaper. So far in 2018 the price of cement has risen by 23% and the cement companies say that further price rises are expected in June 2018.

The local industry has blamed rising input prices of up to 50% due to local currency devaluation but the Argentine Peso has only fallen by 30% so far in 2018. The companies under investigation include Loma Negra, LafargeHolcim, Petroquimica Comodoro Rivadavia and others.

Bolivia: Fábrica Nacional de Cemento (Fancesa) has increased its monthly sales target following local strikes in Chuquisaca. The company estimates that it lost US$6.95m in sales during the unrest, according to the Correo del Sur newspaper. It doesn’t intend to cut the cost of cement in Santa Cruz but it will give away a limited amount of free cement bags. Fancesa also plans to start selling bulk cement through concrete firms in the city.

Venezuela: Production at FMC Venezolana’s Pertigalete plant has dropped to 30% while repair work is being unertaken on its line 6. The production line was orignally shut down in February 2018 for upgrades to its filters, according to the El Tiempo newspaper. However the maintenance work has been delayed while the plant waits for a crane. At present only line 7 is operational at the site.

France: Eqiom plans to spend Euro8m on an upgrade to its kiln at its Lumbres cement plant. The subsidiary of Ireland’s CRH is installing a new clinker cooler on Kiln 5 at the site, according to the Nord Éclair newspaper. In February 2018 Fives FCB said it had won the contract to replace the kiln at the plant. The upgrade is expected to start in December 2018.

Cameroon: Cement exports from Cameroon came to 57,459t in 2017, a 191% rise year-on-year compared to 19,700t in 2016, according to figures released by the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Spatial Planning (MINEPAT). Most of these exports to the countries of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC).

Imports pale in comparison to exports at just 1282t in 2017, mainly coming from China and Turkey. They were, however, up on the 900t imported in 2017.

This increase in exports is explained by the increase in local cement production. Cameroon now has a cement production capacity of 3.7Mt/yr.