Global Cement News

Kazakhstan: Steppe Cement sold 841,000t of cement in the first half of 2021, up by 10% year-on-year from 765,000t in the first half of 2020. Revenues in the period were US$38.8m, up by 22% to from US$31.9m. Average cement delivery prices increased by 11% in the reporting period.

Azerbaijan: The US-based American Petroleum Institute (API) has certificated Norm Cement’s cement plant in Baku’s Garadagh district. The Turan Information Agency News has reported that the certificate confirms that the plant meets the highest standard for oil well cement. This will enable the company to begin the export of oil well cement produced at the plant.

India: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Indian government has established the Cement Industry Development Council (CIDC) to coordinate the cement sector’s efforts towards eliminating waste, maximising efficiency, increasing standards and lowering prices. The Economic Times newspaper has reported that the DPIIT has appointed Dalmia Bharat chief managing director Puneet Dalmia as head of the CIDC. An initial task for the council will be to recommend steps towards securing full cement capacity utilisation.

India: The Telangana State Pollution Control Board has ordered Cement Corporation of India and Penna Cements to pay pollution fines for breaches of particulate matter restrictions at their respective cement plants at Tandur in Vikarabad district. The Times of India newspaper has reported that both companies exceeded legal limits eight times between November 2019 and July 2021. The board fined Cement Corporation of India US$3210 and Penna Cements US$4410.

Bolivia: Empresa Publica Productiva Cementos de Bolivia’s (ECEBOL) integrated Oruro plant is operating at 80% capacity following its reopening in mid-June 2021. The unit is selling cement to La Paz, Oruro and Cochabamba, according to the La Razón newspaper. Restarting the plant cost around US$8m.