Italy: Buzzi Unicem recorded a net profit of Euro88.7m in the first half of 2022, down by 58% year-on-year from Euro210m in the first half of 2021. The group said that its recurring profitability worsened across its markets, with the exception of Russia. It also noted ‘substantial stability’ in the Czech Republic. Its consolidated sales, including those of its Brazilian and Mexican businesses, were US$2.41bn, up by 18% from US$2.05bn.

The group recorded cement sales volumes of 14.2Mt, down by 4.1% from 14.8Mt. Volumes fell by 27% in Eastern Europe and by 28% in Italy, but rose by 27% in Central Europe and by 8% in the US. Excluding Russia, the producer’s fuel costs per tonne of cement rose by 8.8% year-on-year to approximately Euro8.80, and its total energy costs rose by 20% year-on-year to Euro234m.

It implemented continued price rises across all markets except Mexico during the half, with the sharpest rises recorded in Italy and Ukraine.

Kenya: East Africa Portland Cement began work to replace a 16.5m-length of kiln shell at its Athi River cement plant at the end of July 2022. The producer says that the project will increase the kiln line’s capacity by 1400t/day.

Managing director Oliver Kirubai said "Due to the high costs of energy and an old clinker line, the board has prioritised efficiency and reliability of our integrated plant operations to drive cost optimisation.”

India: In the first quarter of the Indian financial year, which began on 1 April 2022, Orient Cement recorded sales of US$89.5m, up by 3.3% year-on-year from US$86.6m in the first quarter of the 2022 financial year. The producer’s costs rose by 18% to US$82.2m from US$69.7m, which caused its net profit to drop by 58% to US$4.69m from US$11.2m.

Thailand/Sri Lanka: Siam City Cement has despatched US$111,000-worth of medical supplies and monetary donations to Sri Lanka as humanitarian aid amid the on-going financial crisis in the country. Year-on-year inflation was 61% in July 2022.

The Nation newspaper reported that the Thai government has donated a total of US$158,000-worth of supplies to the country. It said “The donations reflect the close and cordial ties as well as the goodwill between Thai and Sri Lankan people.”