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Oman: Raysut Cement Company has announced an increase in its profit by 8% to US$60.2m during the January - September period of 2014, compared with US$55.7m during the same period of 2013. Revenue was US$183m for the period, compared to US$182m for the same period of 2013.
"While there are positive signs of growth in Oman market, the same is not being translated into cement demand due to severe competition from UAE suppliers. The competition is also being experienced in the Yemen and east African markets," said Raysut Cement.
2.83Mt of cement was sold during the first nine months of 2014, compared with 2.79Mt during the corresponding period of 2013. Some 2.46t of clinker and 2.81Mt of cement was produced during the period, compared with 2.47Mt of clinker and 2.79Mt of cement produced during first nine months of 2013.
Dangote Cement launches 32.5 grade cement 11 November 2014
Nigeria: Dangote Cement has introduced 32.5 grade cement, intended only for plastering, into the Nigerian market. Dangote's managing director, Devakumar V G Edwin, said that Dangote has ventured into the production of 32.5 grade of the product because the regulatory agency, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has clearly spelt out the different uses of the various grades of cement which must be complied with by the cement manufacturing companies.
Edwin said that Dangote had resisted requests from its customers to produce 32.5 grade cement and sell at a cheaper price because it didn't want the product to be misapplied. "Now the SON has stepped in. SON has taken controlling measures and they have re-emphasised that anybody producing the 32.5 grade cement must design their bags in a specific manner and the bags should carry clearly that this cement is meant for plastering only and not for any other application," said Edwin. "With these regulations in place, we have the confidence that we can now go into the production of 32.5 for plastering only."
According to Edwin, about 80% of cement produced by Dangote will still be 42.5R grade, which will remain Dangote's flagship product because of its 'superiority' and varied uses.
EAPCC begins US$11.1m upgrade at Athi River plant 11 November 2014
Kenya: The East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) has begun the process of upgrading its Athi River cement plant, a project that is expected to cost approximately US$11.1m. The upgrade will halt the plant's normal operations for six weeks.
According to EAPCC head of production, Joseph Kombo, the upgrade targets the kiln and the packing plant. "In the packing plant, we are upgrading the mechanical and electrical components of the packers as well as improving the bag conveying system, all geared towards improved the loading process and quick turnaround thus ensuring customer satisfaction," said Kombo. "We are installing a bag house to replace the electronic precipitators, retrofitting the raw-mill gear box, replacing three sections of the cement kiln shell and installing a radio link into the raw material handling sections, among others."
EAPCC plans to improve reliability, increase production and improve energy-efficiency. The bag house will reduce emissions from the plant to insignificant levels, complying with international emission standards.
Lafarge’s Nigeria unit to take complete control of United Cement 11 November 2014
Nigeria: Lafarge's Nigerian business has entered into an agreement with Flour Mills of Nigeria to purchase a 30% stake of Nigeria's United Cement Company. The deal will give Lafarge complete control of United Cement Company.
"Pursuant to the agreement, the first 15% stake would be acquired in the first quarter of 2015, while the second 15% stake is scheduled to be acquired by February 2016 at the latest," said Lafarge.
Mexico: Cemex plans to create an energy division to participate in power generation using natural gas and wind power for self-supply and sale to Mexico's state utility company CFE. Cemex wants a stake in up to seven power generation projects similar to the two it currently relies on, according to CEO Fernando González.
The Monterrey-based company announced in September 2014 that it would seek to increase its power generation capacity, without mentioning specific projects. In April 2014, Cemex completed financing of the US$650m 252MW Ventika wind farm in Nuevo León State, in which it holds a 5% stake. The facility is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2016.
Ventika is expected to supply power to beverage bottler Femsa, steel products firm Deacero, Tecnológico de Monterrey University and Cemex, with more off-takers likely to come onboard in the future. AWS Truepower, a New York-based renewables consulting and engineering services firm, will act as independent engineer to support the construction of Ventika, which will comprise two 126MW parks.
González said that Cemex was exploring project possibilities and searching for partners with the requisite plant management knowledge. "We have already developed energy generation projects in Mexico and in other countries under the self-supply model, because cement production demands a lot of power and there is not enough electricity available," he said.