![](/templates/proglobalmedia-main/images/globe-blue-whitebg.gif)
Global Cement News
Search Cement News
Carlos Espina appointed as director of research and development for Lafarge
Written by Global Cement staff
03 October 2012
France: Carlos Espina has been appointed as director of research and development for the Lafarge Group, with effect from 1 October 2012. Espina was previously the chief executive officer at ArcelorMittal Méditerranée, a position he had held since July 2009.
He began his career in the UK as a researcher at AEA Technology. In 1995 he joined the research and development (R&D) Centre of Aceralia Corporación Siderúrgica as manager of the product applications engineering department, before becoming vice president of intellectual property, knowledge management and artificial intelligence upon the merger with Arcelor in 2002. Within the Arcelor Mittal Group, he successively held the positions of vice-president in charge of R&D, Europe, and vice-president in charge of R&D, automotive.
Carlos Espina will be based at Lafarge's Research Centre near Lyons, with more than 250 researchers of 12 different nationalities. He holds a degree from Oviedo College of Mines in Spain.
Chinese projects gain Indonesian approval 03 October 2012
Indonesia: Chinese producers are expected to increase their capacity in Indonesia to 65Mt/yr from 60.56Mt/yr, according to an Indonesian industry official.
"Production will increase by 7% because the capacity of the factories will be ramped up and there will be additional investment in the cement business as well," said Director General for Basic Manufacturing Industry, Panggah Susanto. The plans for investment have been approved by the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
Chinese producer Anhui Conch Cement Co Ltd has said that it will will build a 10Mt/yr plant in either South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan or West Papua.
China Trio Bit Engineering Co Ltd will build a 1.5Mt/yr plant in Subang, West Java. Another Chinese firm, State Development and Investment Corperation (SDIC), will build a 1.8Mt/yr plant in Papua. In addition, Siam Cement, the largest cement producer in Thailand, has also expressed interest in building a 1.8Mt.yr plant in West Java.
Box International Consulting authorised by Al Jouf Cement 03 October 2012
Saudi Arabia: Box International Consulting LP, a US-based cement industry consulting firm, has been issued with a Grant of Authorisation by Al Jouf Cement Company in Saudi Arabia to provide a variety of services to Al Jouf's plant in Turaif.
"Box International is very pleased to work with Al Jouf Cement regarding its plant expansion and to support its vision of furthering the construction sector and cement market in Saudi Arabia," said Thomas D Box, president of Box International.
Box International will assist Al Jouf Cement in developing a third line at the plant with an intended capacity of 5000t/day. This will involve providing consultation and recommendations regarding plant layout and design, process upgrades, equipment, plant and facility specifications and recommendations of vendors, along with the considerations regarding integration of the plant and infrastructure.
Box International will also manage the proposal and bidding process, propose training programmes for staff, manage financing for the expansion and propose an operation and management plan for the completed plant. Currently Al Jouf Cement's plant has one line with a capacity of 5000t/day with a second line under construction with the same capacity.
Iskitimtsement output rises 23.1% 03 October 2012
Russia: RATM Holding's Iskitimcement Cement Plant has reported a rise in its output by 23.1% year-on-year to 1.12Mt for January to September 2012. Deliveries rose by 28.9% to 1.29Mt in the same period.
In July to September 2012 Iskitimtsement produced 535,000t of cement and sold 579,369t. In September 2012 the company's output reached 168,000t and sales were 187,434t. Iskitimtsement has said that it plans to boost 2012 production by 9.4% year-on-year to 1.4Mt/yr.
Nationally, cement production in Russia to expected to reach 61Mt in 2012 as the construction industry continues to drive growth. During the first half of 2012, construction output managed to maintain a growth pace above that of the gross domestic product (GDP), recording a 5.4% expansion in year-on-year terms while GDP managed to expand by only 4.5% for the same period. At the same time, the production of cement in Russia totalled nearly 27.8Mt in the first half of 2012, representing a 14.1% annual increase. The sector is expected to further intensify in the near future due to large investments by public authorities in construction projects.
Exports drive 10% sales growth at Akmene Cement 03 October 2012
Lithuania: Akmenes Cementas, Lithuania's biggest cement producer, is operating almost at full capacity as its strategy to push exports has provide successful. For 2012 Akmenes Cement is aiming for at least a 10% increase in annual sales and a rise of around 15% in revenues thanks to growing exports.
"Today we rely on exports for growth," said Akmenes Cementas CEO Arturas Zaremba. He added a forecast that cement consumption in Lithuania will decline by 5% in 2012.
Akmenes Cementas expects that its Euro101.4m modernisation project will further aid its efforts to gain a foothold in export markets. A new dry production line increasing the plant's capacity to 1.5Mt/yr is due to be completed in mid-2013. This line should reduce fuels costs by almost one third. Two existing lines, with a capacity of over 1Mt/yr, will then be decommissioned.