India: ACC’s net sales fell by 12% year-on-year to US$1.85bn in 2020 from US$2.11bn in 2019. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) dropped by 3% to US$341m from US$332m. Cement sales volumes decreased by 12% to 25.5Mt and ready-mixed concrete sales volumes by 36% to 2.3Mm³. The subsidiary of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim said that its cost efficiency program and working capital optimisation helped it to grow earnings and profits in 2020 despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Saudi Arabia: Yanbu Cement has started a two months modernisation project on Line 4 at its integrated Yanbu plant. The company said that dispatches would not be affected by the stoppage due to sufficient clinker stocks. Line 5, which represents 60% of the company's total capacity at the plant, will continue production at full capacity.

The cement producer reported that its sales fell by 4% year-on-year to US$251m in 2020 from US$260m in 2019. Its net profit after zakat and tax grew by 9% to US$74.9m from US$68.7m.

Cameroon: Cimenteries du Cameroun (CIMENCAM) has signed an agreement with YUP Cameroon to accept online payments via YUP’s mobile phone-based banking system. Orders can be made via on CIMENCAM’s online portal. YUP allows its customers to access financial services without a bank account. The system started in Ivory Coast and Senegal in 2017 and is now present in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea, Ghana and Madagascar.

Saudi Arabia: Yamama Cement’s sales rose by 10% year-on-year to US$235m in 2020 from US$214m in 2019. Its net profit after zakat and tax grew by 42% to US$96.9m from US$68.3m.