Spain: Cementos Cosmos plans to scale down the production of clinker at its Córdoba cement plant as a result as the high cost of electricity. The Cordoba Day newspaper has reported that parent company Votorantim Cimentos said that clinker grinding operations at the site will continue to ensure a sufficient cement supply in the region.

The Córdoba cement plant employs 48 people. The company is currently negotiating the situation and the scope of its impacts with the workforce.

Nepal: China-based Hongshi Group has received clearance from the Nepal Rastra Bank to invest US$125m into Dang Cement. Hongshi Group owns an 85% stake in the cement producer, according to the Republica newspaper. The remaining 15% stake is owned by Shivam Cement. The investment will be used to build a 6000t/day production line at Dang Cement’s plant in Dang region. The project was previously approved by the Investment Board Nepal in late 2020 for commissioning in late 2023.

Vietnam: Vietnam exported 43Mt of cement and clinker in the first 11 months of 2021, up by 24% year-on-year from 11-month export volumes in 2020. Viet Nam News has reported that the value of Vietnam’s cement and clinker exports rose by 28% to US$1.67bn. The country’s full-year cement and clinker exports in 2020 were 38.4Mt, with a total value of US$1.44bn.

North Korea: Manpho cement plant has increased its production capacity by 20% through ‘technical innovations.’ Korean News Service has reported that the installation of new equipment in the plant’s kiln line also improved clinker quality.