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Thailand: Siam Cement Group’s sales revenue from its cement and building materials division fell by 4% year-on-year to US$2.54bn in the first half of 2016. Profit for the half-year period fell by 11% to US$165m. The cement producer reported that Thailand’s total domestic cement demand decreased by 3% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2016 due to soft demand from non-government sectors.
Overall, Siam Cement Group saw a 2% fall in revenue across all business lines to US$3.11bn and a rise in profit by 18% to US$843m. It attributed the rise in profits to the performance of its chemical business.
“We see a bright future for markets across the region, with steady growth rates. Especially in Vietnam, demand for building materials and packaging has risen, on the back of the boom of construction industry, with several infrastructure, residential and industrial projects, as the country has become a key production base of the world. Cambodia also continues to see steady growth of its industries while Indonesia has also begun to see improvements in the economy, with construction of several government mega-projects. At the same time, trade around the borders of Thailand and neighbouring countries is also doing well,” said Roongrote Rangsiyopash, President and CEO of Siam Cement Group.
Cemex revenue falls slightly in first half of 2016 27 July 2016
Mexico: Cemex’s sales revenue fell slightly year-on-year to US$6.88bn in the first half of 2016. Its net income rose to US$242m from a loss of US$31.6m. Its cement sales volumes rose by 2% to 33.6Mt from 32.9Mt.
“Our solid second quarter and first half 2016 results demonstrate the resilience of our portfolio, which is largely comprised of high-growth markets that are experiencing attractive supply-demand conditions,” said Fernando A Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of Cemex. The cement producer attributed the increases in sales in the second quarter to high prices overall and increased high sales volumes in Mexico, the US and Europe.
By region, Cemex reported a rise in cement sales volumes in all territories except Mexico. Here, cement volumes started to rise in the second quarter of 2016. The highest half-year increase in cement sales volumes was reported in the US at 7%, driven by residential and infrastructure activity.
Laura Stiverson appointed president of Dust Control Technology
Written by Global Cement staff
27 July 2016
US: Dust Control Technology (DCT) has appointed Laura Stiverson as its president. She joined the firm in 2008 and has been the general manager for five years. Stiverson has been cited as instrumental in developing a number of the company’s products, including the OdorBoss family of machines and the Fusion equipment design.
Incorporated in 2004, DCT supplies open-area dust suppression equipment for applications in recycling, demolition, waste and scrap handling, mining, slag and ash management, coal processing, landfills and other industries. Headquartered in Peoria, Illinois, the company supplies its dust and odour control products to customers around the world.
Dalmia Bharat appoints Ingo Gruber to lead role in refractories business
Written by Global Cement staff
27 July 2016
India: Ingo Gruber has been appointed the Executive Director, Manufacturing and Technology, of Dalmia Bharat Group’s refractories business. Gruber will be responsible for four manufacturing plants in India, one in China and the India Technology Centre.
Gruber joins Dalmia Bharat after spending 25 years in international refractory markets with experience in manufacturing, technology and process improvement. He also brings knowledge in manufacturing and technology integration strategies during mergers and acquisitions. Previously, Gruber held various leadership roles at RHI and its group companies across Europe.
The Refractory business of Dalmia Bharat Group comprises two specialty companies: OCL Refractories and Dalmia Refractories. Established in 1954 as a unit of OCL India, OCL Refractories is a leading refractory supplier to domestic and international steel plants. Set up in 1959, Dalmia Refractories, previously Shri Nataraj Ceramics and Chemical Industries, specialises in high alumina refractory bricks for the Indian cement industry.
Vietnam: The Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA) has proposed that the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, and Construction reduce import duties on aluminium cement to improve the competiveness of local refractory producers. At present the country charges a tax of 32 – 37% on imports of the input material used to manufacture refractory concrete and refractory bricks. However, imports of refractory bricks are only charged 6%, according to the Viet Nam News newspaper.
The VNCA suggested the government cut duties on aluminium cement imports to support local firms and reduce the country’s dependence on foreign partners, such as China. Vietnam imports refractory concrete and refractory bricks from China, India, South Korea and Germany.