Global Cement News

China: Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Power Engineering is seeking US$100m of project financing for a cement plant that is being built by the Bangladesh-based Deshbandhu Group, according to company secretary Duan Qiurong.

On 2 August 2018 it was announced that Energy China had signed a contract with Deshbandhu to construct a cement plant with a daily production capacity of 1500t/day. Duan said that the company will be responsible for the project's financing. The funding will mainly come from China’s policy banks and international policy banks along with the Bangladesh government and international bank consortia.

Australia: James Hardie Industries increased its net profit by 58% year-on-year to US$90.6m in the three months to 30 June 2018. Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were up by 21% to US$107.1m. Net sales were up by 28% to US$651m.

CEO Louis Gries said, "Our North America Fibre Cement Segment delivered solid top line growth of 10% for the quarter. Volumes increased by 5%, with our interiors business having only marginal growth and our exteriors business returning to growth above our addressable market. While we have returned to growth above our market index in our exteriors business, increased traction will be required to hit our 2019 financial year targeted range.”

“Within our Asia Pacific Fibre Cement Segment, net sales increased 15% for the quarter, primarily due to the strong growth in our Australian business,” added Gries. “Furthermore, EBIT increased 7% for the quarter, driven by the strong performance of our Australian business, partially offset by the performance of our New Zealand business.”

Japan: Taiheiyo Cement has reported its financial results for the first quarter of its 2019 fiscal year, a period that ended on 30 June 2018.

During the three month period, its revenue was US$1.9bn, a 5.5% increase from US$1.8bn in the same period of its 2018 fiscal year. Taiheiyo’s operating profit was US$88.0m, a 10% year-on-year increase from US$79.8m. Its net profit was US$55.3m, a year-on-year increase of 32.6% from US$41.7m.

Argentina: Loma Negra has announced its results for the three and six-month periods that ended on 30 June 2018. Its net revenue rose by 37.2% year-on-year to US$202m, mainly driven by growth in its core cement, masonry and lime businesses in Argentina. Argentine cement, masonry and lime net revenues rose by 33.4%, despite relatively flat sales volumes.
Consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 26.9% year-on-year to US$49m, mainly driven by the 36.6% increase in adjusted EBITDA from Argentina. Cement, masonry and lime sales in Argentina came to US$42m.

Commenting on the financial and operating performance for the second quarter of 2018, Sergio Fairman, Loma Negra’s Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our core business, cement in Argentina, continued to deliver a solid performance, posting both revenue growth and EBITDA margin expansion despite the current challenging macroeconomic environment in the country. This was achieved despite relatively flat volumes year-on-year, as we continue with our strategy of balancing profitability and market position. Sustained growth in concrete volume demand, by contrast, was supported by ongoing implementation of public infrastructure projects in our key markets."

"Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic with the cement demand outlook in Argentina. Despite the potential impact of an adverse macro environment in the second half of the year and, given current market conditions, we believe the industry could reach similar record volumes (to those) achieved last year."

Puerto Rico: Total cement sales in Puerto Rico expanded by 30% in July 2018, compared to July 2017, representing the seventh consecutive monthly increase. Sales of cement rose to 50,739t. Cement production rose by 19% over the same period.