India: Birla Corporation reported consolidated sales of US$293m in the first quarter of its 2024 financial year, up by 9.3% year-on-year from the previous first quarter. This was partly due to a 12% rise in the company’s cement sales volumes to 4.41Mt, which offset ‘subdued prices’ in its core markets. The producer increased its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) by 15% to US$37.9m. United News of India has reported that Birla Corporation recorded a capacity utilisation of 91%, which was among the highest in the Indian cement industry.

The company said that it will ‘maintain its relentless thrust on cost rationalisation, shoring up sales of premium products in high realisation geographies, route-to-market optimisation and increasing leadership bench strength and depth.’

India: Wonder Cement has concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with authorities to build a cement production facility in Desar, Gujarat. The Times of India newspaper has reported that the producer plans to invest US$66.4m in the new facility.

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Cement recorded US$204m in sales in the first half of 2023, up by 15% year-on-year from US$177m in the first half of 2022. The producer reported a net profit of US$55.7m, up by 28% from US$43.6m.

Pakistan: Lucky Cement's sales were US$1.62bn in the 2023 financial year (1 July 2022 - 30 June 2023), up by 16% year-on-year from US$1.4bn in the previous financial year. Its profit after tax was US$210m, up by 63% from US$129m.