Global Cement News

India: Ambuja Cement recorded revenues of US$1.06bn in the first quarter of the 2024 financial year, up by 9% year-on-year from the previous first quarter. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 55% to US$234m. The producer reported a 17% reduction in its fuel costs, from US$30.16/Mcal to US$27.07/Mcal. Nonetheless, its net profit fell by 38% to US$78.1m from US$127m.

Chief executive officer Ajay Kapur said “Along with the strong demand for our premium cement products, growth was fuelled by our various competences in operational excellence, supply chain management and sales and marketing excellence. Our synergies with the Adani Group companies are lowering input costs, which is boosting EBITDA growth. Furthermore, our blueprint of improvements through group synergies and capital expenditure for efficiency and decarbonisation whilst creating opportunities, will redefine the cement industry landscape. These include lowering the clinker factor, diminishing energy intensity, implementing waste heat recovery (WHR) systems and augmenting renewable energy generation.” He added “Our long-term competitiveness remains robust, ensuring industry-leading profitability as we chase our ambitious growth goals. With a firm belief in our strategic approach, we are poised to continue our trajectory of outstanding performance as we are devoted to sustainable and responsible growth.”

Spain: Cementos Molins’ sales totaled Euro705m in the first half of 2023, up by 16% year-on-year from first-half 2022 levels. The producer said that increased cement volumes and prices across all regions contributed to the growth. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 36% to Euro179m, while its net profit rose by 40% to Euro80m. The company noted the favourable impact of the comparison with the first half of 2023, which was marked by market slowdown, high inflation and supply chain disruptions.
 
Chief executive officer Julio Rodríguez said "We have continued on the path of sustainable and profitable growth throughout the first half of 2023. It has been a truly positive second quarter in terms of our economic results, but also very encouraging thanks to the progress we are making in terms of sustainability. We have achieved important milestones in our Sustainability Roadmap 2030, including the launch of new low-carbon footprint cements and concretes. Furthermore, we inaugurated a new solar park in San Luis, Argentina."

India: Dalmia Bharat has commenced commercial operations at its new Sattur cement plant in Tamil Nadu. The 2Mt/yr grinding plant will serve the growing South Indian market. The new facility raises Dalmia Bharat’s installed production capacity by 4.8% to 43.7Mt/yr

India: Aditya Birla subsidiary UltraTech Cement has more than doubled its Magdalla grinding plant’s capacity to 1.93Mt/yr. The unit is based in Gujarat. The producer now has an installed cement capacity of 132Mt/yr.

Kenya: East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) says that it is ready to resume full-scale cement production at its 600,000t/yr Athi River cement plant. The Standard newspaper has reported that the plant is currently operating at 50% capacity, following refurbishment. EAPCC replaced a 16m-long section of kiln shell in the plant's clinker line, at a cost of US$3.5m. Managing director Oliver Kirubai said that the company raised the funds through the sale of land located in Athi River.

Kirubai said "Our employees have cut back a lot, in a situation where we have been struggling even to pay their salaries. We are now back on our feet." He added "A number of companies owed us millions of Shillings. They have been ordered to pay us by the government. If they honour the agreement, the problem we are facing will be a thing of the past.”

EAPCC says that it expects the scale-up of production at the Athi River plant to help lower the cost of cement for its customers.