Global Cement News

US: Cemex USA has begun selling Portland limestone cement produced at its Brooksville, Florida, and Demopolis, Alabama, plants across the Southeastern US. The producer says that the cement retains the durability of ordinary Portland cement or is more durable while reducing CO₂ emissions by 10%. Cemex USA aims to increase its PLC production at the plants, and possibly to begin producing it at other US cement plants, in early 2022.

President Jaime Muguiro said "At Cemex, we acknowledge that climate action is one of the most important issues facing our world, and we are committed to being part of the solution. Our company has ambitious emission-reduction targets, and by offering lower carbon products that deliver brilliant performance like PLC, we can continue to work toward those goals while encouraging customers to join us in the journey."

Switzerland: Holcim’s full-year 2021 results show a 16% year-on-year rise in the group’s consolidated sales to US$28.3bn from US$24.4bn. Its recurring earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 26% to US$5bn from US$3.98bn. The group’s net debt also rose, by 18% to US$10.8bn from US$9.17bn.

CEO Jan Jenisch said “2021 was a record year for Holcim, reaching new levels of performance, across our financial and environmental social governance (ESG) targets. What makes me most proud is how we navigated the Covid-19 pandemic with such extraordinary resilience and agility, working tirelessly to keep our people and communities safe.” Jenisch continued “We delivered our Strategy 2022 one year in advance, setting solid foundations for our next era of growth. Putting sustainability at the core of our strategy, we accelerated the deployment of our green building solutions, from ECOPact green concrete and ECOPlanet green cement to smart roofing and energy efficiency systems. My sincere thanks goes to our 70,000 people who made all of this possible while keeping safety top of mind at all times.”

US: Martin Marietta’s full-year consolidated sales were US$5.08bn in 2021, up by 15% year-on-year from US$4.43bn in 2020. Its cement sales rose by 9.3% to US$495m from US$453m. Overall, its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 9.7% year-on-year to US$1.53bn from US$1.39bn.

The producer said that its Texas cement shipments increased by less than 1% to 1.1Mt in the fourth quarter of 2021. It attributed the record volume to demand growth from large and diversified projects and increased oil well cement demand. Nonetheless, higher energy and raw materials costs ultimately outpaced shipment and pricing gains.

Spain: Cementos Molins says that it recorded Euro986m in consolidated sales in 2021, up by 25% year-on-year from 2020 levels. The group’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also rose, by 18% to Euro242m. Its net profit was Euro105m, up by 12% from the company’s 2020 figure. Throughout the year, Cementos Molins increased its net debt to Euro177m, corresponding to 0.7 times its EBITDA, from Euro74m at the end of 2020.

CEO Julio Rodriguez said “2021 has been another year of major challenges and at the same time of major achievements, with very positive results that show the great commitment of the teams at Cementos Molins.”

Australia: AdBri’s consolidated revenues reached US$1.13bn in 2021, corresponding to a 7.6% year-on-year rise from US$1.05bn. Cement sales constituted 39% of the group’s revenues and rose by 12% year-on-year. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were US$128m, down by 0.4% from US$129m. The company recorded a net profit after tax of US$85.7m, up by 3.1% from US$83.2m in 2020.

Chair Raymond Barro said “The many challenges of 2021 revealed the strength of our people and the depth of their skills, capabilities and experience. On behalf of the board, I would like to commend (managing director and CEO) Nick Miller, his executive leadership team and all our people for their commitment, dedication and resolve as they have continued to deliver for our stakeholders.”