Japan: Sumitomo Osaka Cement recorded sales of US$1.15bn during the first nine months of the 2023 financial year. The figure corresponds to an increase of 9.9% year-on-year from nine-month 2022 financial year levels. The producer made a loss of US$13m, compared to profit of US$63.3m in the corresponding period of the 2022 financial year.
JK Cement to build 2.5Mt/yr Prayagraj grinding plant
India: JK Cement has announced a planned investment of US$60.6m in construction of a new 2.5Mt/yr grinding plant at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Asian News International has reported that the producer hopes to strengthen its presence in Eastern India. The project increases JK Cement's total investments in Uttar Pradesh to US$145m. It previously inaugurated its 2Mt/yr Hamirpur grinding plant in the state in October 2022. It also operates a 1.5Mt/yr grinding plant at Aligarh.
JK Cement's deputy managing director and CEO Madhavkrishna Singhania said "We are proud to be a part of this dynamic state that not only offers us a geographic advantage but also gives a plethora of opportunities for investment and expansion. With its favourable business environment, abundant resources, and highly skilled workforce, Uttar Pradesh is undoubtedly an ideal location for our expansion plans."
Court orders EPA investigation into Kohat Cement pollution allegations
Pakistan: A court has ordered a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) into alleged breaches of emissions rules at Kohat Cement's Kohat Cement plant in Babri Banda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Dawn newspaper has reported that alleged dust and chemical emissions from the plant have contributed to a local rise in cases of cancer, asthma and lung diseases, according to complainants.
Residents have filed a petition for contempt proceedings against the EPA and Kohat Cement, as well as local and provincial government authorities. The court previously ordered the EPA to monitor Kohat Cement's emissions in 2018. At that time, it also instructed Kohat Cement to operate its electrostatic precipitators system at all times that cement is being produced. Local residents claim that the plant has continually failed to operate the system.
Boral boosts sales in first half of 2023 financial year
Australia: Boral recorded sales of US$1.17bn during the first half of its 2023 financial year, up by 12% year-on-year from US$1.05bn during the first half of its 2022 financial year. Cement sales were US$128m, 11% of group sales. The producer’s net profit fell by 91% year-on-year to US$62.5m from US$715m.
During the half, Boral’s subsidiary Geelong Cement commissioned a new 0.8Mt/yr grinding unit at its 0.6Mt/yr Waurn Ponds grinding plant in Victoria. The group also upgraded the chlorine bypass system at its Berrima cement plant in New South Wales to support increased alternative fuel (AF) co-processing. Throughout 2022, Boral substituted 15% AF into its fuel mix.
