Peru: Cementos Pacasmayo’s revenue rose by 1.7% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2022, mainly on the back of higher bagged cement sales prices, although inflation affected raw material and energy costs. However, its sales volume of cement, ready-mix concrete and pre-cast elements fell by 7.7% partly due to high sales in the comparable quarter of 2021, although road blockages as part of political disruption in December 2022 also reduced sales. Its net profit for the quarter was US$10.1m, a 24.6% rise.

Across the whole of 2022, the company’s revenues were up by 9.2% year-on-year, while sales of cement, concrete and pre-cast elements rose by 5.3%. Consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 8.8% to US$128m, mainly due to performances in the first nine months of the year. It made a net profit of US$45.8m, an increase of 15.4%.

Pakistan: Balochistan's local government minister has called for the cancellation of the allotment of a large area of land to a cement plant in Hub, adding that he would take the matter to court. Mohammad Saleh Bhootani said the Mines and Minerals Development Department had allotted 18,200 hectares of land that he says belonged to the people of Hub and Lasbela districts.

The allotted land comprises mountains, agriculture lands, hundreds of villages, farms and graveyards, he said, arguing that there was no justification for allotting such a vast area to a cement plant. Bhootani warned locals that fences would soon be erected around the site, forcing those that live there out of their homes. He urged Chief Minister Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo to “show mercy on the poor people of the area and cancel the allotment.” The minister said that if the allotment was not cancelled, he and the people of the area would take legal action.

The parliamentary leader of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, Naseer Ahmed Shahwani, condemned the allotment and demanded the government withdraw its decision. 'If such practices continue, what will be the future of Balochistan?' he wondered.

India: Adani Group is in talks with lenders to repay a US$500m bridging loan facility it used to buy controlling stakes in ACC and Ambuja Cements in 2022. Adani is looking to repay the loan with cash during February 2023, according to the Economic Times. The loan was underwritten by Barclays, Deutsche Bank and Standard Chartered. The financial consortium lending to Adani also includes DBS, MUFG, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Intesa and Mizuho.

The Economic Times’ report comes a day after the group said its companies face no material refinancing risk or near-term liquidity issues, in its latest attempt to calm investors spooked by Hindenburg Research’s critical report on its business practices.

Kenya: Holcim has announced the successful completion of the largest 3D-printed affordable housing to date through 14Trees, its joint venture with British International Investment, the UK’s Development Finance Institution (DFI) and impact investor. The 3D printing of the 10 housing units in Kenya’s Mvule Gardens project was made possible with TectorPrint, Holcim’s 3D printing ink product, produced in Kenya for the first time. The project’s advanced sustainability profile has attained an EDGE Advanced sustainable design certification by IFC, the World Bank's development finance institution, which recognises resource-efficient buildings with the potential to be zero-carbon. It is the first time a 3D-printed housing project has attained this certification.

François Perrot, managing director of 14Trees, said “With 3D printing, you can solve two problems at once. You can build faster and with better cost efficiency, which will help make affordable housing a reality for the majority. In addition, you can build with less materials, which preserves the resources of the planet for future generations.”

Miljan Gutovic, Region Head for Europe at Holcim, added “I am very proud of the work done by 14Trees in Africa, where their innovations in 3D printing technology are accelerating affordable and sustainable building. I look forward to 14Trees replicating these successes in Europe and other parts of Africa in the very near future.”