Philippines: The Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) has rejected any move to impose tariffs on cement imports, as this will only increase construction costs. The PCA said that imposition of safeguard measures would ‘adversely’ affect customers, according to the Philippines News Agency. In a position paper it has argued that cement imports counteract alleged price rises from cartel-like behaviour. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) started an investigation into cement imports in September 2018 amid reports of declining revenue from local producers.

Malaysia: Gebr. Pfeiffer has registered a company in Malaysia. The German engineering company originally opened an office in the country in 2016 and it has now established a private limited company to further support its clients in Southeast Asia. The new company held its official opening in early August 2018 and it has seven members of staff.

Gebr. Pfeiffer Malaysia will offer presales, technical and service support from its office in Kuala Lumpur. Gebr. Pfeiffer Malaysia will also maintain one of four global spare parts centres offering shorter delivery times for critical spare and wear parts.

China: Anhui Conch Cement’s revenue rose by 55% year-on-year to US$11.2bn in the first nine months of 2018 from US$7.19bn in the same period in 2017. Its net profit nearly doubled to US$3.06bn from US$1.47bn.

Brazil/Portugal/Cape Verde/Turkey: Brazil’s InterCement has sold its operations in Portugal and Cape Verde to Turkey’s OYAK Cement for an undisclosed amount. The sale includes three integrated cement plants and two mills, with a total cement production capacity of 9.1Mt/yr, 46 concrete units, two dry mortar units, 17 quarries and a cement bagging plant. The completion of the agreement is dependent on regulatory approval.

InterCement, part of Camargo Corrêa group, purchased a majority stake in Portugal’s Cimpor in 2012, including assets in Portugal and Cape Verde. It says it will allocate a portion of the net proceeds from the sale to reduce its debts. Following completion of the transaction the Brazilian building materials company intends to focus its cement business in South America and Africa. In these regions it holds 39Mt/yr of installed production capacity at 35 cement plants.