Vietnam: Vietnam’s cement exports totalled 14.9Mt in the first four months of 2021, up by 42% year-on-year from the levels in the corresponding period of 2020. China imported 7.38Mt (50%) of Vietnamese cement exports, up by 53% year-on-year. The Philippines imported 2.51Mt (17%), up by 17%, and Bangladesh imported 1.87Mt (13%), up by 38%.

The Viet Nam News newspaper has reported the total value of Vietnamese cement exports for the period as US$563m. China’s value of Vietnamese cement imports was US$258 (46%), the Philippines’ was US$112m (20%) and Bangladesh’s was US$63.1m (11%).

UK: Cemex UK has agreed to trial a new cyclist warning system produced by road safety specialist FHOSS. The supplier says that the system alerts truck drivers to cyclists in their left-hand side blind spot. For the trial, Cemex UK will install the system in a Rugby-based cement tanker, a London-based rigid tipper and six London-based mixers.

UK and France Supply Chain Director David Hart said, “This new safety technology from FHOSS supports our road safety strategy, which is all about helping save lives.” He added, “Operating large cement tanker and aggregate tipper fleets means we are always looking at innovative technology that will aid the driver and protect vulnerable road users.”

Indonesia: The newly cement producing province of North Sulawesi on Celebes exported 63,000t of cement in May 2021. The Philippines News Agency has reported the value of the exports as US$2.18m. The main destination for the province’s exported cement was Malaysia, which received 32,500t (51%) for US$1.10m, corresponding to 50% of the total value. Taiwan imported 23,500t (37%) for US$764,000 (35%) and the Philippines imported 1.87Mt (13%) for US$317,000 (15%).

Pakistan: Bestway Cement has provided details of its upcoming 7200t/day-capacity Paikhel cement plant in Mianwali district, Punjab province. China-based Sinoma International Engineering Company will supply engineering, procurement and construction for the plant. The plant will have a 9MW waste heat recovery (WHR) plant.