Rwanda: Kenya-based National Cement has begun selling its Simba brand cement on the Rwandan market. The New Times newspaper has reported that the company is aiming to compete against importers from further afield with cement produced at its Nakuru cement plant in Salgaa, Nakuru County in Kenya, thereby alleviating supply chain bottlenecks.

National Cement reportedly selected the market due to the “pace of development and infrastructure establishment,” and is offering its cement at a promotional price.

Switzerland: LafargeHolcim’s like-for-like net sales fell by 2.6% year-on-year to Euro6.04bn in the third quarter of 2020 from Euro6.68bn in the same period in 2019. However, its recurring earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) rose by 10% to Euro1.35bn from Euro1.33bn. It attributed recurring EBIT margin growth to margin increase in its cement business and cost management under the ‘Health, Cost & Cash’ action plan. For the first nine months of 2020 net sales fell by 7.9% year-on-year to Euro16.0bn from Euro18.9bn in the same period in 2019. Its EBIT decreased by 7.2% to Euro2.47bn from Euro2.88bn.

“Our third quarter results demonstrate the resilience of our business and the strength of our decentralized, empowered operating model,” said chief executive officer (CEO) Jan Jenisch. “In addition, the Group saw an increase in revenues from its branded products, which are sold across its broad distribution and retail network. For example, the company recorded a volume increase of 5% in its cement bag sales.”

Third quarter sales and earnings were either stable in improved in most regions with the exception of North America and Middle East Africa. In North America volumes were reduced by coronavirus and a slowdown in the oil and gas industry in western Canada. Overall sales fell in Middle East Africa but earnings were aided by sales volume growth in Nigeria. Elsewhere, cement market recovery was noted in Mexico and Brazil and weaker markets mentioned in the Philippines and Australia.

Spain: Cementos Portland Valderrivas has renewed its Alcalá de Guadaíra integrated cement plant’s registration to the European Environmental Management System (EMAS). The company says that EMAS registration “encourages transparency in plant management and provides information verified and validated by an external body” to help it to comply with controls and self-controls in its Integrated Environment Authorisation (IEA).

Environment manager Pedro Lanagrán said, “The company maintains a very demanding environmental policy and is committed to innovation to achieve continuous improvement, relying on the application of the best available technologies.” He added, “We understand social responsibility as a transversal concept and are convinced that it is essential to reconcile economic and social progress with the protection of people and nature."

India: Cement production fell by 18% year-on-year to 209Mt in the first nine months of 2020 from 255Mt in the same period in 2019. Data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry shows that production in the third quarter of 2020 dropped by 11% year-on-year to 69Mt from 78Mt. Monthly production has consistently fallen year-on-year since March 2020 when coronavirus-related lockdown measures started.