Global Cement News

India: The Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) has contacted the Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to urge its reconsideration of an expected decision that the CMA says will disrupt the mining sector, upon which eight key industries including cement depend. Indo-Asian News Service has reported that the government department may be considering the deletion of a provision of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (Amendment) Act that gives a captive lease to reconnaissance permit (RP) and prospecting licence (PL) holders to begin mining for minerals discovered in the licenced area. The CMA has argued that introducing any additional stage between explorations and extraction “would not go well with the spirit of ‘ease of doing business.’” It added, “The industry would like development policies to be predictable and consistent to usher in fresh investments as well as to protect the efforts and hardships that go into establishing an industrial setup.”

Pakistan: DG Khan Cement has secured a contract for the supply of cement to a customer in the Philippines. The cement producer exported 0.27Mt of cement and 0.71Mt of clinker in its financial year to 30 June 2019. Government Advisor for Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production Abdul Razak Dawood called the addition of a Philippine client to the company’s order list a “breakthrough” saying, “Once market reach extends then market share will increase. Increasing geographical diversification is an important part of our strategic trade policy.”

India: Ambuja Cement has modernised its logistics operations by digitising its supply chain to “improve visibility, deliver quality customer service and optimise cost.” The Economic Times newspaper has reported that the company has integrated all aspects of raw material, fuel and equipment supply and product deliveries on a single online platform in order to “enhance overall efficiency and productivity.” Company director Martin Kriegner said additionally that the digitisation will aid in, “fuel mix optimisation and strategic sourcing, helping to mitigate rising input costs.”

Ambuja Cement’s 3.0Mt/yr greenfield expansion to its integrated 1.5Mt/yr Marwar Munda, Rajasthan plant is scheduled for commission by 1 January 2021. The company has a master supply agreement with ACC aimed at maximising the consistency of cement supply to the Rajasthan market once the new 4.5Mt/yr plant becomes operational.

Nepal: Ashden Environment and the United Nations Science, Technology and Innovation Forum have awarded Build Up Nepal their respective highest awards for its low-cement disaster-resistant concrete blocks. The Nepal Time newspaper has reported that the blocks contain a mix of 10% cement, 40% clay and 50% sand, all sourced from near Build Up Nepal’s Mitra Marg, Patang plant. The company has supplied its unique building materials to projects in 300 different communities, including the construction of 4500 homes. It says that the blocks, reinforced with iron rods, have a greater earthquake resistance than concrete.

Build Up Nepal said, “Interlocking brick is a highly suitable construction technology in Nepal, reducing the cost of construction as well as the carbon footprint of building a house. With this technology Nepal's houses can be stronger, more affordable and its air cleaner.”

Brazil: The National Cement Industry Union (SNIC) has estimated a 3.7% year-on-year increase in total cement sales to 26.9Mt in the first half of 2020 from 25.9Mt in the corresponding six months of 2019. Export sales rose by 56% to 84,000t from 54,000t. Sales increased by 7.7% month-on-month in June 2020, however SNIC president Paulo Camillo Penna expressed worries about demand going forward into the second half of 2020.

“The cement industry is responsible for more than 70,000 jobs, generates an income US$4.94bn and an annual net collection of US$562m. We are very sensitive to the macroeconomic scenario and government stimuli. For this reason, the cement industry is anxiously awaiting the launch of the new government housing project, ’Casa Verde Amarela,’ which is expected to leverage the real estate and renovation market more strongly, and restarting works on 100,000 housing units,” said Penna.