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Rodrigo Araujo appointed as Head of Business Unit (Americas) at FCT Combustion
Written by Global Cement staff
08 January 2025
US: FCT Combustion has appointed Rodrigo Araujo as Head of Business Unit (Americas). Araujo previously worked for Vale for 26 years in Brazil and Malaysia. His most recent role with the company was as General Manager of Decarbonization Technologies. He was also the CEO for Vale Malaysia Minerals from 2019 to 2022.
Daniel Llaguno appointed as president of Unified International Technical Conference on Refractories
Written by Global Cement staff
08 January 2025
World: The Biennial Unified International Technical Conference on Refractories (UNITECR) has appointed Daniel Llaguno as its president. He succeeds Mauro Cueva who has resigned due to health issues. Llaguno was the vice-president of UNITECR 2025. He is also the CEO of NUTEC Group, a company that produces industrial heating products.
Jessica Fernández has been appointed as the vice-president of UNITECR 2025. She is the Administrative Vice President at Mexico-based WM Refractories and has worked for the company for over 20 years.
UNITECR 2025 will take place on 27 - 30 October 2025 in Cancun, Mexico.
Sabah cement producer increases production 08 January 2025
Malaysia: Makin Teguh Sdn Bhd (MTSB) has increased its production of cement to 700t/day to address construction demand in Sabah’s east coast amid a blockade affecting Cement Industries Sabah (CIS), according to the Daily Express. The plant was commissioned in October 2023.
The blockade reportedly stems from a land ownership dispute, where individuals have blocked an access road, leaving CIS unable to distribute cement from its facility.
Charlie Lee Puan Kiang, MTSB operations director, said “Our primary objective is ensuring stable cement supply throughout Sabah’s east coast. We are encouraging hardware stores and cement distributors to use our abundant supply.”
Tabuk Cement reports rise in production costs due to fuel prices 08 January 2025
Saudi Arabia: Tabuk Cement has announced a 10% increase in production costs following a fuel price adjustment by Saudi Aramco, effective 1 January 2025. The financial impact will reflect in the company’s results from the first quarter of 2025.
Argentina’s cement despatches see record low 08 January 2025
Argentina: Cement despatches dropped by 24% year-on-year to 9.56Mt in 2024, the lowest annual level reported since 2009, according to the Association of Portland Cement Manufacturers. Total dispatches in 2024 reached 9.5Mt, 24% lower compared to 2023 when dispatches were 12.5Mt. Dispatches in December 2024 showed the lowest yearly percentage decline, falling by 5% year-on-year to 0.77Mt, 12% less than was recorded in November 2024. This marks 21 consecutive months of declines. The declines recorded from December 2023 coincide with the decision announced by President Javier Milei to end the execution of public works by the national government.