Global Cement News

Kenya: Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested three suspects in Baruti, Nakuru County, for impersonating employees of a cement company and defrauding unsuspecting customers by offering cement at low prices. During the raid, assorted SIM cards, a desktop computer and six mobile phones were seized, according to The Star newspaper. The DCI confirms that investigations are ongoing and more accomplices may be arrested. The suspects are currently in custody awaiting formal charges.

India: Shree Cement's Ras quality control laboratory in Rajasthan has been recognised by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), affirming its compliance with the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards. Managing Director Neeraj Akhoury said that the accreditation acknowledges the company's commitment to providing premium, sustainable building materials. The laboratory's role in ensuring standardisation across all product testing is important for maintaining production quality at the plant.

India: The environmental public hearing for Meghatop Cement's proposed integrated cement plant in Wahiajer village, Elaka Narpuh, was conducted on 18 October 2024, according to The Shillong Times. The plant is planned to have a 3.3Mt/yr clinker capacity and 16MW waste heat recovery system, and has faced a mixed reaction from several community members. Franky Laloo from the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board led the hearing, attended by district officials, villagers and company representatives. Supporters emphasised the potential community benefits of the plant, but the Jaintia Women Council expressed some concerns, saying that “We intended to voice our opposition at the hearing, but were prevented by village volunteers and police. A hearing that only accommodates supporters is unacceptable.”

China: Asia Cement (China)’s nine-month profit of US$16.3m in 2023 turned to a loss of US$64.6m in 2024, Dow Jones Institutional News has reported. The group attributed the reversal to a drop in its selling prices.

Switzerland/US: Holcim may list its upcoming market-separated North American business both in the US and Switzerland, Bloomberg has reported. The possibility arose due to Swiss and European restrictions on foreign shareholdings for locally-based funds, which may result in sales of Holcim stocks, with negative price impacts. On the other hand, a dual listing could potentially reduce the liquidity of any future US-listed shares.

SeeNews has reported that Holcim North America will be headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, for tax ‘advantages,’ while operating out of Chicago, US.