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Nigeria/South Africa: French cement maker Lafarge intends to combine its businesses in Nigeria and South Africa. The new company Lafarge Africa, which will be 73% owned by Lafarge Group, will remain listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The new company will have a cement production capacity of about 12Mt/yr in South Africa and Nigeria as well as operations in aggregates, ready-mix and fly ash. The new company will be worth more than US$3bn.
"I am proud to be part of the creation of this leading African building materials platform. It will provide access to growth in two of the largest economies on the continent. It will mean that our shareholders are invested in a larger and more geographically diverse business and it will contribute significantly to the economic growth of both our nations, " said Chairman of Lafarge WAPCO, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye.
Under the proposed terms, Lafarge Group will transfer its direct and indirect shareholdings in Lafarge South Africa Holdings (Pty) Limited (100% - representing 72.4% of underlying companies in South Africa), United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (35%), Ashakacem plc (58.61%) and Atlas Cement Company Limited (100%) to Lafarge WAPCO. The transaction is subject to Lafarge WAPCO shareholder approvals and obtaining required regulatory and other customary authorisations. The group anticipates completion during the second half of 2014.
Spain: Cemex has opened a new distribution centre in Rubi, Catalonia. Cemex Spain CEO Jaime Ruiz de Haro and Rubi Mayor Carme Garcia cut the ribbon on the new facility. The centre will distribute cement and other construction materials.
"We are the top producer of white cement in the world and the number three producer of grey cement. Centres like this allow us to get closer (to our customers) and improve our offerings," said Ruiz de Haro.
Cemex expects sales to hit Euro250m in 2014 in Spain. It employs about 200 people in the country.
Pakistan: The Federal Excise Duty (FED) on cement is likely to be rise by US$1/t in the upcoming budget for the 2014 - 2015 Pakistan financial year. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials said that the government had reduced the FED on cement from US$7.6/t to US$5/t in the 2011 – 2012 financial year and from US$5/t to US$4/t in the 2012 – 2013 financial year.
According to local press the government promised local cement producers that the FED would be gradually reduced and phased out. However, FBR sources spoken to by the Nation reported that the FED was likely to be increased by US$1/t to US$5/t to make up for a shortfall in tax revenue. However no final decision has been made so far.
If the FED does increase during the next budget then the cost of cement is likely to rise for consumers.
Yara acquires STRABAG’s flue gas cleaning division 04 June 2014
Norway/Austria: Yara International intends to acquire the flue gas cleaning division of STRABAG SE, in a move that consolidates Yara's position as a global, full-service emissions-to-air control company. STRABAG stated that it is selling its flue gas cleaning division in order to focus on its core construction business.
"Our acquisition of STRABAG's flue gas cleaning division will increase our capacities in, and beyond, NOx control systems. It will also give us access to great teams in key growth markets like Asia and Eastern Europe, where we can help customers meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations," said Yves Bonte, Senior Vice-President and head of Yara's Industrial Segment.
With flue gas cleaning, Yara can provide an end-to-end service that includes the production of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) systems to reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions, along with the reagents needed to operate them.
The STRABAG acquisition is part of Yara's broader strategic direction to invest in products and services that address the related issues of environment, resources and food security. In January 2014 Yara acquired H+H Umwelt-und-Industrietechnik GmbH, which primarily produces SCR systems to reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions on ships. In April 2014 Yara also took a majority stake in Green Tech Marine, a leading Sulphur Oxide (SOx) scrubber supplier to the marine industry.
The transaction is subject to approval by the Austrian competition authority and other regulatory approvals. It is expected to be completed by the end of August 2014.
Germany: KHD has reported that it has started two modernisation projects for HeidelbergCement's cement plant in Lengfurt, Germany. These projects include the modernisation of the raw meal grinding unit with KHD SKS VC 3000 dynamic separator and the modernisation of an existing preheater with KHD's new PH5835 cyclones.
KHD's responsibility includes manufacturing, erection and commissioning for both projects. The raw meal grinding unit has been in operation since its successful installation in April 2014 and the installation of the new preheater cyclones is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2015.