Mexico: Cemex’s net sales grew by 8% year-on-year to US$15.6bn in 2022 from US$14.4bn in 2021. Its operating earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) fell by 6% to US$2.68bn from US$2.84bn. Cement sales volumes decreased by 5% to 63.4Mt and ready-mix concrete sales rose by 2% to 50.1Mm3. However, the building materials producer reported a loss of US$99m in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to a profit of US$195m in the same period in 2021. It attributed this to an impairment for goodwill and fixed assets.

Fernando A González, the chief executive officer of Cemex, said “2022 was a year of unique challenges as inflation spiked to 40-year highs, but I am pleased by how we responded and expect to continue to see the benefits of our strategy play out in 2023.” He added, “Importantly, after several quarters in which we have been able to offset inflation in dollar terms, I am seeing growing evidence that actual margin recovery is underway.”

By region, net sales increased in Mexico but operating EBITDA fell. In the US sales grew but earnings were flat. In Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia sales rose and earnings increased on a like-for-like basis. In South, Central American and the Caribbean sales grew but earnings fell.

Philippines: Century Peak Cement Manufacturing has started distributed its cement products to the Visayas region. Its blended hydraulic and ordinary Portland cement product received quality standard certification from the Department of Trade and Industry in January 2023.

Century Peak Cement operates a plant at Pinamungajan in Cebu with associated limestone reserves. The unit has its own pier.

Bangladesh: Aman Cement has held a ceremony to launch a second 5000t/day vertical roller mill at its Unit 2 Siragonj grinding plant in Narayangonj. The plant now has a total production capacity of 10,000t/day, according to the Daily Star newspaper. Germany-based Loesche previously supplied the first mill for the plant.

Greece: Titan Cement has acquired a share in Aegean Perlites. The company operates perlite and pozzolan quarries on the island of Yali. It also has access to port facilities. Titan Group says it is making the investment to gain direct access to pozzolan reserves to increase its volume of pozzolan-based cementitious products with a lower clinker factor. The deal is connected to Titan’s target to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 35% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, and increase the share of green products in its portfolio to over 50%.

Yanni Paniaras, the Group Executive Director Europe of Titan, said “We are pleased to partner with the Govdelas family as joint shareholders in Aegean Perlites, building on our excellent long-term collaboration and aiming to grow our business, maximising the high potential of the Yali pozzolans.”