Global Cement News

Germany: HeidelbergCement has reported the successful resurfacing of a section of Federal Motorway 5 (BAB 5) between Karlsruhe and Frankfurt using a concrete made from low-alkali cement produced at its 1.4Mt/yr-capacity Schelklingen, Baden-Württemberg integrated cement plant. The company used over 3600t of cement to produce the 12,000m³ of concrete required for the 3.2km stretch of road. Traffic infrastructure product manager Klaus Felsch said, “The cement’s low alkali content significantly reduces the risk of an alkali-silica reaction and maximizes the durability of the concrete.”

Mozambique: Dugong Cimentos says that construction of its new 1.8Mt/yr integrated cement plant in Matutuíne District, Maputo Province, is 90% complete. The Noticias newspaper has reported that the plant cost US$330m and was paid for by private Chinese investors. It will permanently employ 500 people, including 400 Mozambicans, when operational. The plant will consume 400,000t/yr of coal and produce cement as well as clinker for grinding at other Mozambique plants that currently import it.

India: The Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) has contacted the Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to urge its reconsideration of an expected decision that the CMA says will disrupt the mining sector, upon which eight key industries including cement depend. Indo-Asian News Service has reported that the government department may be considering the deletion of a provision of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (Amendment) Act that gives a captive lease to reconnaissance permit (RP) and prospecting licence (PL) holders to begin mining for minerals discovered in the licenced area. The CMA has argued that introducing any additional stage between explorations and extraction “would not go well with the spirit of ‘ease of doing business.’” It added, “The industry would like development policies to be predictable and consistent to usher in fresh investments as well as to protect the efforts and hardships that go into establishing an industrial setup.”

Pakistan: DG Khan Cement has secured a contract for the supply of cement to a customer in the Philippines. The cement producer exported 0.27Mt of cement and 0.71Mt of clinker in its financial year to 30 June 2019. Government Advisor for Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production Abdul Razak Dawood called the addition of a Philippine client to the company’s order list a “breakthrough” saying, “Once market reach extends then market share will increase. Increasing geographical diversification is an important part of our strategic trade policy.”

India: Ambuja Cement has modernised its logistics operations by digitising its supply chain to “improve visibility, deliver quality customer service and optimise cost.” The Economic Times newspaper has reported that the company has integrated all aspects of raw material, fuel and equipment supply and product deliveries on a single online platform in order to “enhance overall efficiency and productivity.” Company director Martin Kriegner said additionally that the digitisation will aid in, “fuel mix optimisation and strategic sourcing, helping to mitigate rising input costs.”

Ambuja Cement’s 3.0Mt/yr greenfield expansion to its integrated 1.5Mt/yr Marwar Munda, Rajasthan plant is scheduled for commission by 1 January 2021. The company has a master supply agreement with ACC aimed at maximising the consistency of cement supply to the Rajasthan market once the new 4.5Mt/yr plant becomes operational.