Global Cement News

Sri Lanka: Lanwa Sanstha Cement says that it will commission its Hambantota grinding plant in the Mirijjawila export processing zone of Hambantota International Port in January 2022. The company says that the plant will have a capacity of 3Mt/yr and cost US$80m. The Daily News newspaper has reported that the owner aims to help to counteract the domestic cement shortage.

Chair Nandana Lokuwithana said "One of the highlights of this first-of-its-kind facility in Sri Lanka will be the emphasis on new technology, with all mixing carried out using the latest European technology, while much of the other equipment used throughout the production process has been customised by world-renowned pioneers in innovation with environmental friendliness in mind." He added "Packaging is done using state-of-the-art technology for improved efficiency and minimal wastage."

Once commissioned, the Hambantona plant will produce ordinary Portland cement (OPC), Portland slag cement (PSC), Portland limestone cement (PLC) and blended hydraulic cement (BHC), according to Lanwa Sanstha Cement.

India: Shree Cement’s consolidated sales totalled US$1.18bn in the first half of the 2022 financial year, up by 21% year-on-year from US$974m in the first half of the 2021 financial year. Its profit rose by 39% to US$160m from US$115m.

Indonesia: Cement demand rose by 5.5% year-on-year nationally in the first nine months of 2021, according to the Indonesia Cement Association. The association recorded an increase in bagged cement demand of 6.9%, while bulk cement demand increased by 0.9%. Total cement demand grew in all regions except for Bali, East Nusa Tenggara and West Tenggara. Sulawesi recorded the highest demand growth with a rise of 10%, consisting of 80% bagged cement and 20% bulk cement demand growth.

In 2020, domestic cement demand was 62.7Mt. Indonesia has an installed cement capacity of 115.3Mt/yr.

Switzerland: Holcim’s consolidated sales rose by 16% year-on-year to Euro18.7bn in the first nine months of 2021 from Euro16.1bn in the first nine months of 2020. The company’s recurring earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) rose by 33% to Euro3.3bn from Euro2.48bn. Its operating profit rose by 38% to Euro3.11bn from Euro2.26bn.

The group increased its cement sales by 7.8% to 150Mt from 139Mt. Volumes in Asia Pacific were 51.7Mt, up by 17% from 44.2Mt; volumes in Europe were 35Mt, up by 4.1% from 33.7Mt; volumes in Middle East Africa were 27.2Mt, up by 11% from 24.5Mt; volumes in Latin America were 20.5Mt, up by 18% from 17.3Mt and volumes in North America were 15.1Mt, up by 1.5% from 14.9Mt.

CEO Jan Jenisch said “I’m pleased that we have achieved a record quarter of profitable growth once again. I congratulate my teams for their exceptional resilience as they continue to successfully navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic in a dynamic business environment. On the back of their performance we have revised our recurring EBIT growth guidance from 18% to at least 22% on a like-for-like basis.” He continued “Most importantly, our colleagues have kept their focus on our key long-term value creation drivers to become the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. We are picking up momentum in our strategic portfolio transformation, with the divestment of our business in Brazil, the announcement of nine bolt-on acquisitions so far this year and the expansion of our Firestone GacoFlex range from Mexico to Colombia and Ecuador.”

Mexico: Cemex’s consolidated sales in the first nine months of 2021 were US$11bn, up by 5% year-on-year from US$9.4bn in the corresponding period of 2020. Its cement sales rose by 10% to 51.1Mt from 46.2Mt, while its ready-mix concrete volumes increased by 7% to 36.8Mm3 from 34Mm3. Its operating earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) totalled US$2.24bn, up by 24% from US$1.81bn. Its gross profit was US$3.63bn, up by 18% from US$3.07bn. During the period, the group reduced its debt by 33% to US$8.98bn from US$13.3bn.

Cement volumes grew in all regions in every quarter of the year except the third, when they fell by 3% in Mexico and remained level year-on-year in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The quarter brought an end to five consecutive quarters of double-digit year-on-year growth in bagged cement sales in Mexico. Mexican bulk cement sales meanwhile ‘accelerated in line with the formal sector recovery.’ The sharpest nine-month cement volumes growth was in South, Central America and the Caribbean, where sales rose by 19% year-on-year, followed by Mexico, with a rise of 12%.

CEO Fernando González said “We are pleased to report strong top-line growth, reflecting continued growth in demand for our products, coupled with an acceleration in pricing momentum. We are confident that our pricing strategy will more than compensate for the sudden runup in input cost inflation we have experienced.” He added “We remain optimistic regarding outlook, as most of our markets are operating at high capacity utilisation and sustainable midcycle levels that will be supported by monetary and fiscal stimulus, while others are just beginning an upcycle. Regarding our Future in Action initiative, we continue to advance on our climate action goals. During the quarter, we received validation from SBTi of our 2030 decarbonisation roadmap and joined the Race to Zero initiative. Our climate action agenda is a fundamental element of our medium-term strategy not only because it creates value for stakeholders, but because it is the right thing to do for future generations.”