Global Cement News

China: China Shanshui Cement recorded sales of US$1.92bn during the first nine months of 2023, down by 15% year-on-year from US$2.25bn during the first nine months of 2022. Reuters has reported that the company made a US$25.7m loss during the period, compared to a profit of US$139m in the corresponding period of 2022.

Mexico: GCC recorded US$1.02bn in sales during the first nine months of 2023, up by 16% year-on-year from US$880m in the first nine months of 2022. The producer’s cement volumes rose by 5.5% in Mexico, but fell by 8.1% in the US. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 31% to US$354m from US$271m.

GCC chief executive officer Enrique Escalante said “The ability of our teams to face market conditions allowed us to further strengthen our margins Throughout the third quarter of 2023, we continued to invest in the business and focus on commercial performance to offset cost inflation and increase margins, as well as strengthening our market position to build a stronger future for GCC.”

Indonesia: Semen Indonesia subsidiary Semen Baturaja reported sales revenue of US$91.3m during the first nine months of 2023, up by 10% year-on-year. Cement sales contributed US$89.5m towards the total (98%). The producer raised its net profit by 25% year-on-year to US$3.4m. It also distributed US$169,000 as part of its Social & Environmental Responsibility Programme Fund, up by 61%.

General director Daconi Khotob said “The increasing net profit was also supported by a decrease in interest expenses as a result of refinancing bank debt and accelerating principal payments on syndicated credit loans.”

Belgium: The municipal council of Evergem has advised planning authorities to reject Cemminerals’ application to expand it Ghent grinding plant to 1.6Mt/yr in production capacity. The Het Nieuwsblad newspaper has reported that the expansion will entail the construction of a new grinding unit and six storage silos. Cemminerals currently holds a licence to produce 700,000t/yr at the site.

Councillor Josse Verdegem said that 400 residents signed a petition against the planned expansion of the Ghent grinding plant. He said that dust from the plant ‘regularly’ covered solar panels, cars and garden furniture. Residents have also complained about its noise and vibrations.

UAE: The director of the World Cement Association (WCA), Ali Emir Adiguzel, told listeners at the association’s 6th Annual Conference in Dubai that the world has ‘enough cement for the next 25 years.’ Adiguzel addressed the issue of overcapacity by noting a ‘substantial’ drop in demand and pointing out that high input costs had led the sector to raise its prices, by as much as 15% in Europe. He also said that the primary challenge facing the cement industry was “meeting stringent emission targets and embracing carbon capture technologies.”

Adiguzel added "Despite our achievements, there is more work to be done in the years to come. To reach our net zero goal by 2050, we must significantly reduce carbon emissions. The technologies and mechanisms for this endeavour appear available, though currently minuscule and not economically fully feasible. Regulatory frameworks must evolve to minimise costs for end customers. Collaboration between the private and public sectors is imperative to facilitate carbon reduction."