Mexico: Cemex’s sales were US$13.2bn during the first nine months of 2023, up by 13% year-on-year from US$11.7bn in the first nine months of 2022. The group’s operating earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were US$2.6bn, up by 27% from US$2.1bn. This came in spite of a 7% year-on-year decline in its cement volumes, to 39.1Mt from 41.8Mt. Volumes rose by 3% in Mexico, but fell by 13% in the US, 4% in South, Central America and the Caribbean and 10% in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Cemex chief executive officer Fernando González said “2023 is proving to be an exceptional year for our company, and I am especially encouraged by our recovery of EBITDA margins to 2021 levels, a key strategic priority. The success of our pricing strategy, contribution of growth investments and our fast-growing Urbanisation Solutions business, as well as decelerating cost inflation, are contributing to profitability in a very meaningful way.” He continued “We are making significant progress on our decarbonization roadmap, reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon emissions by 12% and 11%, respectively, since 2020. Prior to the introduction of our Future in Action programme in 2020, a reduction of this magnitude would have taken almost 15 years.”

Peru: Cementos Pacasmayo’s sales fell by 9.1% year-on-year to US$371m during the first nine months of 2023. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell less sharply, by 2.9% to US$93.6m. The producer stated that lower costs partially offset the drop in sales. Its net income was US$34.4m, down by 3.6%.

China: Xinjiang Tianshan Cement, a subsidiary of China National Building Material (CNBM), recorded sales of US$3.68bn during the third quarter of 2023. This corresponds to a 19% year-on-year rise compared to third-quarter 2022 levels. Reuters has reported that Xinjiang Tianshan Cement’s net loss was US$12.4m, while in the corresponding quarter of 2022 it recorded a profit of US$78.3m.

Spain: Switzerland-based Holcim has concluded a deal to acquire Élite Cementos from Grupo Simetría and other shareholders. Élite Cementos operates a grinding plant at the Port of Castellón in Castellón de la Plana, Valencia. Holcim said that its acquisition of the business will unite the latter’s local brand recognition with its own experience and vision of sustainable growth.

The group said “With this agreement, Holcim expands its geographical presence, responding to the increasingly demanding and specialised needs of the sector. The Élite Cementos team joins the Holcim family to continue together an era of growth and transformation of the construction sector.”