Global Cement News

Iran: Iran produced 38.4Mt of cement in the first six months of the current Iranian calendar year, which began on 21 March 2013, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). This is a 6% rise year-on-year from the same period in the previous year.

In September 2013, the chairman of the Iranian cement employers association said that Iran was the fourth leading cement producer in the world and the top producer in the Middle East. The country's cement production is forecast to be 80Mt/yr by the end of the current Iranian calendar year.

Kenya/Tanzania: ARM Cement expects its revenue to grow year-on-year at a slightly faster rate in 2013 due new a new cement plant in Tanzania that increased its production capacity. Chief executive Pradeep Paunrana made the forecast in an interview with Reuters. The Kenyan cement producer expects similar growth in 2014.

A new cement grinding plant in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania that was commissioned in 2012 increased ARM's cement production capacity by 0.75Mt/yr to 1.75Mt/yr. Another 1.2Mt/yr clinker plant in Tanga, Tanzania is due to start production in early 2014.

In July 2013 ARM reported that its pre-tax profits for the first half of 2013 had rise by 28% year-on-year to US$11.5m.

US: Texas Industries (TXI) has seen its cement sales rise by 20% year-on-year to US$104m for the first quarter of its 2013 – 2014 financial year, compared to US$87.3m in the same period in the previous year. Cement shipments rose by 17% to 1.31Mt from 1.12Mt.

Although the company noted a general improvement in construction markets, in the cement sector it also saw an increase of sales and prices in its Texas market. CEO Mel Brekhus stated that the start up of the company's new kiln in Central Texas was the most successful of any he had been involved with in his career.

TXI reported a net income of US$429,000 for the first quarter of 2013 – 2014, up from a net loss of US$2.66m in the same period in 2012 – 2013. Net sales rose by 34% to US$233m from US$175m.

Oman: Oman Cement has disclosed that it intends to award the contract for supply and installation of a new 150t/hr cement mill to FLSmidth. FLSmidth separately confirmed that a letter of intent had been signed by Oman Cement, although final negotiations remain to be completed. No price for the contract has been released.

Other announcements from the Oman-based cement producer include an upgrade of kiln 1 to increase production and improve pollution control. Oman cement also plans similar pollution control improvements to kiln 2 with the aid of a consultant.

Bahrain: Falcon Cement Company (FCC), the first Bahrain-based fully integrated cement producer, has announced that it has been approved for ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification by Bureau Veritas.

"We are delighted to have received this prestigious certification," said executive director Salah Sharif.

FCC, which started production in 2009, currently produces 1000t/day of cement with expansion planned for the next year to grow it to above 2500t/day. This represents up to 60% of the current cement requirements of the Bahraini market.