Global Cement News

Nepal: Arghakhachi Cement has announced that it will issue general shares in an initial public offering (IPO) in the 2023 financial year. The exact date of the IPO is to be released later, according to the Republica newspaper. Separately, the cement producer has received certification from the Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology to produce 43 grade Ordinary Portland Cement.

Switzerland: Holcim has announced a strategy to become ‘nature-positive’ by restoring and preserving biodiversity and water. It will also undertake measures to bring more nature into cities. The strategy is based on transformative rehabilitation plans and measured by a science-based methodology developed in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Holcim aims to replenish freshwater in water-risk areas while lowering water intensity across all its product lines. It will also accelerate the deployment of solutions such as Hydromedia and green roof systems for more liveable urban environments. The group says that its nature-positive strategy places it among the top 1% of the 500 largest global companies with science-driven biodiversity targets.

Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer Magali Anderson said, “With nature at the heart of everything we do, I am pleased that we are taking significant steps to improve our biodiversity and water stewardship in a measurable and science-driven way. Building on our Net Zero commitment, our nature-based solutions play a vital role in reducing the impact of climate change and increasing our business resilience. Becoming nature-positive plays a critical role in our vision to build progress for people and the planet.”

India: The state government of Tamil Nadu has announced the launch of a new cement, called Valimai, by one of its subsidiary cement producers. The United News of India agency has reported that the government anticipates a drop in cement prices as a result of the launch. It is currently targeting a total cement capacity of 19Mt/yr with the establishment of a planned 10Mt/yr plant.

On mid-June 2021, the state government asked cement producers operating locally to lower their prices.

Argentina: The Association of Portland Cement Manufacturers (AFCP) has agreed with the Argentine Mining Workers Association union to a 48% pay rise for all Argentinean cement workers. The La Voz del Interior newspaper has reported that the union has lifted its nationwide state of alert as a result of the agreement.

China: Sales revenue from China National Building Materials’ (CNBM) cement business grew by 3% year-on-year to US$9.26bn in the first half of 2021 from US$8.98bn in the first half of 2020.Adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 12% to US$3.02bn from US$2.70bn. The group’s cement and clinker sales increased by 7.6% to 177Mt. Its concrete sales volumes increased by 13% to 52Mm³. It reported that government fiscal policy boosted demand from January to April 2021 but that heavy rainfall and increasing bulk commodity prices in May 2021 slowed the progress of some projects.

Across all business lines, the group’s revenue grew by 14% to US$18.9bn from US$16.5bn in the same period in 2020. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 13% to US$3.98bn from US$3.51bn. Total revenue benefitted from particular gains from its New Materials and Engineering businesses. However, the Engineering businesses segment reported significant drops in earnings in the reporting period. Sinoma International reported that it faced ‘multiple challenges’ such as the coronavirus pandemic outside of China, rising raw material prices and negative currency exchange effects.