Global Cement News

Thailand: Sika has inaugurated a new mortars and concrete admixtures plant in Saraburi. The plant has a production capacity of 100,000t/yr of mortars and 65,000t/yr of concrete admixtures. The unit also includes warehouse and an office. It is the additives and admixtures company’s second such plant in the country.

"After our existing plant in Chonburi reached its limits, we consequently invested in additional production capacities. The new plant will enable us to maintain our strong growth in Thailand in terms of production volume, sales and market share. South East Asia is one of the regions where Sika generates some of its highest growth rates and we are well positioned to continue this positive development," said Heinz Gisel, Regional Manager Asia-Pacific.

Romania: Holcim Romania has extended its range of bagged cements to better address the needs of the local market. Its new bagged range comprises: Structo Plus 40 kg, Structo Plus 20kg, Structo 40kg, Extra Dur 52 40kg and Tenco 40kg. They have been chosen to meet customer demands for aesthetics, shorter setting time, lower costs, higher strength and durability.

“The new range of cement bags is the best proof of how Holcim Romania understands and contributes for the development of the construction sector, by implementing and offering innovation and sustainability in the market through tailored and cost-effective solutions,” said Sofiane Benmaghnia, CEO Holcim Romania.

Hungary: Hejocsabai Cement es Meszmu (HCM) has released plans to restart production at its Miskolc plant. Production is expected to start between the end of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017. Up to 340 jobs are expected to be created as a result. The company has already received a government permit to resume its activities.

Switzerland: LafargeHolcim plans to sell assets in nine additional countries as part of its post-merger divestment programme, according to the Financial Times. The announcement follows a portfolio review. However, LafargeHolcim did not name the locations of the proposed sales. In March 2016 the group released details of sales in South Korea and Saudi Arabia and plans to merge its operations in Morocco. This followed plans to generate Euro3.16bn from divestments in 2016.

South Africa: PPC’s revenue has fallen slightly, by 1% year-on-year, to US$293m in the first six months that ended on 31 March 2016 from US$296m in the same period in 2015. The group’s operating profit fell by 3% to US$47.7m from US$49.2m. It attributed the fall in revenue to lower selling prices of cement in South Africa and falling revenues in Zimbabwe and Botswana.

By business line, PPC’s cement division in South Africa reported that its revenue fell by 5% to US$155m. It noted that cement volumes improved ‘marginally’ due to sales volume growth in the coastal regions following reduced imports and demand from infrastructure projects. However, inland provinces such as a Gauteng and the Limpopo area were negatively affected to increased competition. Outside of South Africa its cement division’s revenue rose by 6% to US$85.5m. Despite sales declines in Zimbabwe and Botswana, the group’s new 0.6Mt/yr plant in Rwanda was commissioned in the second half of 2015.
The group’s lime division also reported that its revenue in all territories fell by 12% to US$24.9m.

The group also provided an update on its on-going projects. A US$280m 1Mt/yr cement plant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was reported 83% complete in March 2016 with ‘hot’ commissioning scheduled for late 2016. A US$85m cement mill in Harare, Zimbabwe was reported 70% complete in March 2016 with plant commissioned planned for the end of 2016. Finally, a US$170m 1.4Mt/yr cement plant in Ethiopia remains scheduled to be commissioned in the second quarter of 2017.