Global Cement News

Pakistan: Cement producers in Pakistan have increased volumes in the five months to 30 November 2019 by 5.8% year-on-year to 20.5Mt from 19.9Mt. This represents 82% utilisation of its 55.9Mt/yr capacity. Exports over the period were 3.61Mt, up by 22% year-on-year from 2.97Mt in the same period of 2018. The All Pakistan Cement Manufacturer Association (APCMA) released a statement lobbying the government to intervene in replacing bricks, the production of which it says causes smog in central Punjab, with concrete blocks. “Government should start work on announced housing projects that would have a positive impact on uptake of cement,” it said.

US: A LafargeHolcim employee who died at the company’s Holly Hill plant in South Carolina ‘had an accident’ according to Orangeburg County Chief Deputy Coroner Sean Fogle. Fogle has yet to determine the cause of death of the 65 year-old, who fell from the fourth to the third floor before 9:00AM on 4 December 2019 and died at the scene. The State newspaper has reported that the Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office are investigating the fatal incident. Neither body has ruled out the possibility of criminal sanctions against the deceased’s former employer.

Nepal: Udayapur Cement has started work on an upgrade to its 0.3Mt/yr integrated plant aimed at bringing its capacity to 0.4Mt/yr with an investment of US$92,000 from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. Republica has reported that the company’s Sindhali mine has resources to supply 200 years’ production. “The company is self-sufficient in all raw materials except coal,” said Nawal Kishor Shah, Udayapur Cement general manager.

Nigeria: 157 of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN)’s 170 accredited shareholders have voted in favour of the company’s planned merger with Obu Cement. The Nation newspaper has reported that the company will submit the result to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will duly ratify it with the federal High Court, formalising the merger in law.

Spain: Cementos Molins has obtained loans from CaixaBank, Sabadell, BBVA, Santander and HSBC to a total value of Euro180m. EuropaPress has reported that the funds, consisting of a loan of Euro40m and a Euro140m revolving credit facility, of which Euro50m will be immediately available, will be used to clear the company’s debt and for future projects. The interest will be Euribor plus 0.9%.