Global Cement News

Pakistan: National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) has secured a US$46.6m loan from German state-owned bank KfW for construction of a new 500kV grid station in Chakwal, Punjab. The German government loaned NTDC a further US$2.55m for power capacity expansions. The investments will go towards increasing the availability of electricity in Chakwal, primarily for the benefit of the district's multiple cement plants.

Bestway Cement, DG Khan Cement and Gharibwal cement operate four cement plants with a total capacity of 8.5Mt/yr in Chakwal.

India: The state government of Himachal Pradesh has issued a show cause notice to Adani Cement subsidiaries ACC and Ambuja Cements. The notice requires the producers to submit grounds for the government not to pursue 'appropriate administrative action' against the companies over the planned closures of their respective 4.4Mt/yr Gagal and 1.6Mt/yr Darlaghat cement plants. The administration says that it is prepared to take such action as is necessary to 'safeguard lives and livelihoods' across the various sectors impacted by the move.

The regional government said, "It is indeed alarming that you have not taken the state government or its functionaries into confidence before taking such a major decision involving the lives and livelihoods of so many stakeholders. Moreover, you have not even tried to approach or exhaust various forums, avenues, or channels available with the state machinery in order to resolve whatever concerns, grievances or issues that they might have."

The state of Himachal Pradesh owns the land on which the Gagal and Darlaghat cement plants are built and the associated limestone reserves.

India: The government is planning to introduce new quality standards for cement. Reuters has reported that the central government plans to implement the change before the end of December 2022. A government source said "Better standards help comply with international standards." It hopes that the cement sector will increase its export opportunities as a result.

Ireland: CRH has announced the launch of its new innovation investments company CRH Ventures. The new subsidiary has funds of US$250m and will focus on the technologies that address the construction sector's core challenges. The group said that CRH Ventures' investment decisions will assess potential for decarbonisation, automation and the development of advanced sustainable building products, among other factors.

CRH's CEO Albert Manifold said "The launch of CRH Ventures demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in new technologies that will shape the built environment of tomorrow. CRH Ventures will serve as a valuable partner to start-ups and entrepreneurs, which will benefit from the technical capabilities, knowledge and expertise of a global industry leader, to pilot and scale new technologies and innovations that will enable safer, smarter and more sustainable construction.”

India: Adani Cement has published its plans for the closure of two integrated cement plants in Himachal Pradesh. The Hindustan Times newspaper has reported the plants as ACC's 4.4Mt/yr Gagal cement plant in Bilaspur District and Ambuja Cements' 1.6Mt/yr Darlaghat cement plant in Solan District. The management of the Gagal cement plant said that losses ensuing from high operating costs, including transport costs, are the reason behind the decision to shut down that plant. ACC employs 1000 company staff and contractors at the site, and an additional 4000 truck drivers in its cement despatch operations. 3500 truck drivers also work in delivering cement from the Darlaghat cement plant. The Gagal cement plant alone reportedly despatches 5000t/day of cement for the Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab markets.

The Bilaspur District Truck Operators' Society said "The transport sector of Bilaspur is heavily dependent upon the Gagal cement plant. It's the source of livelihood for thousands of people, including operators, drivers and conductors. This decision should be reconsidered in the interest of the people." It added "Most roadside restaurants and mechanics' shops will also lose business. We never thought that this plant could ever stop functioning. It has been part of our landscape and economy for decades now."