Global Cement News

UK: The World Cement Association (WCA) has appointed Wei Rushan as its president. He succeeds founding president Song Zhiping in the post.

Wei has been the president and executive director of CNBM since late 2022, having had a range of senior roles within CNBM Group over the last 15 years. He obtained a doctoral degree in political economy from the School of Economics of Renmin University of China in 2007. Wei also serves as president of China Building Materials Engineering Construction Association.

Saudi Arabia: The board of directors of Umm Al-Qura Cement Company has appointed Mohamed Fadl Kamel Al-Hawi as its interim chief executive officer. Previous company head Majid Tarik Gharbawi resigned in August 2023 with effect from mid-October 2023.

Mohammad Al-Hawi holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. His cement industry experience spans over 30 years, including his role as plant manager of the Umm Al-Qura Cement Company plant.

UK: James Thorne has been appointed as the joint-head of the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) and The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) with effect from December 2023. He has been the chief executive officer (CEO) of IQ since 2017. He takes over the new joint-position following the retirement of the MPQC‘s current CEO Viv Russell.

The appointment of a joint-head of both organisations marks a long-standing collaboration between the two membership organisations. The MPQC and the IQ signed a memorandum of understanding in 2022 to work together to increase the value of membership services within the mineral products sector and further develop partnerships with other sectors, industries, and government bodies. This also supports the strategy to develop the National Stone Centre as an international centre of excellence for the mineral products industry.

Established in 1983, the MPQC is a 'not for profit' membership organisation whose purpose is to fulfil the extractive sector's need for a safe, competent and sustainable workforce through the setting and maintaining of standards and qualifications, ensuring quality training and assessment.

The IQ is the professional membership body for quarrying, and the related mineral products extractive and processing industries, with a worldwide membership of more than 5500 individuals.

India: Nuvoco Vistas sold 4.5Mt of cement during the second quarter of its 2024 financial year (FY2024), up by 1.2% year-on-year. Its revenues grew by 7% to US$309m, while its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew by 73% to US$40.4m. The producer achieved specific CO₂ emissions of 462kg/t and an alternate fuel (AF) substitution rate of 14%. During the quarter, it completed debottlenecking projects at the Risda, Chhattisgarh, and Nimbol, Rajasthan, cement plants. The company said that these raised its clinker capacity by 2000t/day. It also secured a new patent, for its fibre reinforced cement composition, and introduced its Concreto UNO and Duraguard F2F premium cements on the Jharkhand market.

Managing director Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said “Our value over volume strategy has positively contributed to the company’s performance. Our trade share has increased from 72% in the second quarter of the 2023 financial year (FY2023) to 74% in the second quarter of FY2024. In addition, the results also demonstrate our commitment to managing the dynamic cost environment through an optimised power and fuel mix, between conventional and clean energy sources.” He added “The expansion at the Haryana cement plant is expected to be completed in FY2024, which will enable us cater to strong demand in the Northern India region.”

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa raised its consolidated sales by 7.1% year-on-year to US$367m throughout the first nine months of 2023. Over the same period, the company’s cost of sales rose by 4.4% to US$179m. Its net profit was US$49.9m, down by 13% year-on-year.