Global Cement News

UK: Emissions from the UK cement industry have risen slightly according to the Sustainable Development Report 2012 from the Minerals Products Association (MPA) – Cement.

The MPA reported small rises in nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and dust emissions compared to 2011 due to variety of factors. However, the MPA stressed that all emissions remained below the targets for the sector and limits required by the Environmental Permitting Regulations. Carbon dioxide emissions from cement kilns also rose compared to 2011 due to an increased production of CEM I type cement. Improvements were reported in 2012 year-on-year for lost time injuries and use of alternative fuels.

"Our sustainable development challenges are many and varied, but our strength lies in recognising what these are, setting them out clearly for external stakeholders to see, implementing the measures necessary to meet these challenges and reporting on progress. This first full sustainable development report for the UK cement industry is an important step along a journey that is leading us to a more sustainable future," Dr Pal Chana, Executive Director of the MPA, said. The report has changed from previous editions by commenting on the broader sustainable development aspirations of the UK cement industry in addition to reporting on the manufacturing process.

Ethiopia: Mohammed al-Amoudi, the biggest private investor in Ethiopia, plans to build two cement plants in the country due to an 'improving investment environment'. Al-Amoudi said that the new plants would join the US$351m Derba Midroc cement plant that opened in December 2011. Al-Amoudi announced in March 2012 that he intends to invest US$3.4bn in Ethiopia in 2014 – 2016.

Pakistan: Exports of cement from Pakistan to Afghanistan have fallen year-on-year for the first four months of the Pakistan fiscal year that started on 1 July 2013, according to figures from the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturing Association (APCMA).

For the first four months of the 2013 fiscal year Pakistan exported 1.46Mt of cement, less than one third of the 4.4Mt of cement exported in the entire 2012 fiscal year. Exports to India are also down year-on-year, at 0.14Mt for the first four months of the 2013 fiscal year.

Commentators in the Pakistani media attributed the fall in exports to competition from Iranian exports in Afghanistan and falling demand in India. Once NATO troops leave Afghanistan the cement consumption in that country is expected to become volatile depending on whether civil unrest grows or if government development programmes continue. Cement exports to Afghanistan currently comprise 50% of Pakistan's cement exports.

China: Sichuan Shuangma Cement plans to buy a 25% stake in Lafarge Dujiangyan Cement for US$137m. Shuangma Cement will pay for the acquisition by issuing shares to the company's major shareholder, Lafarge China Overseas Holding.

Indonesia: PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa plants to spend US$335m on capital expenditure in 2014, according to its finance director, Tju Lie Sukanto. Most of the allocation will be spent on the construction of the Indonesian cement producer's new brownfield cement plant at Citeureup. He said that the funds will be completely sourced through the company's internal cash and will be used to improve company productivity.

The construction of the new plant at Citeureup started in October 2013 with an estimated total cost of US$545m. When the plant opens in 2015 it is expected to increase the company's cement production capacity by 4.4Mt/yr. The plant is being constructed in cooperation with China-based Tianjin Cement Industry Design and Research Institute. Indocement also plans to construct another cement plant in the same area with a cement production capacity of 1.9Mt/yr costing up to US$120m.