Global Cement News

Argentina: Holcim Argentina plans to import 0.42Mt of clinker between May and December 2018 for US$27.5m. In a measure, agreed by the board of the subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, the cement producer will import the raw material via 10 ships, according to the El Cronista newspaper. The measure is intended to make up for a shortfall between production and local demand.

Australia: Adelaide Brighton is reportedly considering buying the cement business of Barro Group for around US$387m. Barro Group is a major stockholder in Adelaide Brighton that recently increased its stake to 40%, according to the Australian newspaper. The increase in its stake has generated speculation about the relationship between the two companies.

Barro Group operates Independent Cement and Lime (ICL), a joint venture with Adelaide Brighton and Barro. ICL is a specialist supplier of cement and cement blended products throughout Victoria and New South Whales and is also the exclusive distributor of cement for Adelaide Brighton.

France: Standard Industrie is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The company that facilitates the storage, flow, conveying and cleaning of bulk powdery products was originally setup in 1978. Founder Hervé Simoëns came up with the idea that compacted powder can only empty from the silo with a large influx of air. He filed a patent and offered his solution to cement manufacturers. Since 1985 the company has established subsidiaries in Europe but also in South Africa, China, Canada, the US and Mexico. Key products the company provides include the Airchoc and Macsys air cannons and the Liftube conveyor belt system.

Switzerland: Clothing company Elephbo is selling backpacks made from used Thai cement bags for as much as Euro120. The products have caused amusement in Thailand on social media, according to the Independent newspaper. Used cement bags from Siam Cement and Insee Diamond brands are being used with leather by the Swiss company to make a variety of fashion products including wallets, caps and trainers.

Ireland: Poor sales in the UK and Switzerland have reduced the sales of CRH’s Europe Heavyside division, which includes its European cement operations. The division’s sales revenue fell slightly to Euro6.90bn in 2017 from Euro6.95bn in 2016. Despite this the division reported market recovery in Ireland, France, Poland and Finland. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 7% year-on-year to Euro839m from Euro781m.

Overall, the group’s sales for its continuing operations rose by 1.7% to Euro25.2bn from Euro24.8bn. Its EBITDA rose by 5.6% to Euro3.15bn from Euro2.98bn.

“2017 was a year of continued profit growth for CRH. We benefited from increases in underlying demand in the Americas and positive momentum in Europe, and with focus on performance improvement and operational delivery, margins and returns were ahead of last year in our American and European Divisions,” said chief executive officer (CEO) Albert Manifold.

The group’s Americas Materials division’s sales rose by 5% to Euro7.97bn from Euro7.60bn and earnings rose similarly. The division said that its cement business in North America saw total volumes rise by 3% ahead with ‘marginal’ price increases, supported by stronger demand in the US. It added that the division has continued to optimise its terminal network and market penetration by repositioning more volumes to the US from Canada, where competitive market conditions remain, especially in Quebec.