Global Cement News

Uzbekistan: Producers sold 15.0Mt of cement in the first eight months of 2020, up by 105% year-on-year from 7.33Mt over the corresponding period of 2019. Sales fell by 44% in value to US$67.6m from US$120m due to deflated demand, according to Trend News.

Uzpromstroymaterialy head Botir Khuzhabekov said, “In 2019 cement production amounted to 11.0Mt. By the end of 2020, it is planned to bring production to 20.0Mt of cement of grades 400, 500, and 600.”

India: A public hearing over Birla Corporation subsidiary Reliance Cement’s planned 3.9Mt/yr Mukutban cement plant in Yavatmal district, Maharashtra has raised objections against the company’s quarry plans. The Times of India newspaper has reported that the plant is due to source its limestone from a 7.6km² quarry in Korpana, Chandrapur district. Critics say that the company has failed to complete a wildlife management plan, and that the site of the mine lies on a 120km wildlife corridor between the Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary in neighbouring Telangana. Reliance Cement said that an environmental report had shown the presence of no scheduled species within 10km of the proposed site.

Maharashtra state wildlife board member and honorary wildlife warden Bandu Dhore said, “Although there is no forest area under the proposed mining site, it acts as a regular corridor as there is forest on either side within 1km. We are pursuing the matter with the forest department and would press it with higher officials to ensure that the precious corridor remains undisturbed. Protection of corridors is a must for conservation of wildlife and hence we are going to raise the demand of re-survey of the project site from the wildlife point of view.”

Kazakhstan: Steppe Cement has recorded a consolidated profit after tax of US$4.1m in the first half of 2020, down by 24% year-on-year from US$3.1m in the first half of 2019. Sales volumes declined by 2% to 765,000t from 780,000t. The company says that it maintained its 2019 prices until the end of the first quarter of 2020, when reduced demand due to the coronavirus lockdown caused a fall. Production costs declined by 4% over the entire period.

UK: CRH subsidiary Tarmac has announced its renewal of multiple contracts for transportation of its products by rail, effective until 2025. The contracts - with Colas Rail UK, GB Rail Freight, Freightliner and DB Cargo - cover the shipment of 9.0Mt/yr of cement and building products.

Head of rail Chris Swan said, “The renewal of these contracts highlights both our on-going commitment to supporting the delivery of a lower-carbon built environment and the continued enhancement of our rail freight capabilities. Effective use of the rail freight network is key in supporting the UK’s transition to a net-zero society and supporting a green recovery as we emerge from the Covid-19 crisis. Collaborative working has a vital role to play in this and we are looking forward to working with our freight operating partners as the industry focuses on increasing the volumes of material moved by rail, as well as enhancing efficiencies and service.”

China: Conch Group has announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Shanghai Jiaotong University for the establishment of a technology centre called the Intelligent Equipment Joint Research and Development Centre.

General manager He Chengfa said, “This centre established in cooperation with Shanghai Jiao Tong University is an important carrier for the group's innovation and development. Shanghai Jiao Tong University is a first-class domestic and internationally renowned comprehensive university with strong scientific research capabilities and a complete talent training system. It is hoped that Shanghai Jiaotong University will educate Conch Group's future scientific research team, enhance Conch Group's innovation level and provide assistance for the Conch Group to become a world-class enterprise with global competitiveness.”