India: JK Lakshmi Cement’s profit in the first three months of 2020, the fourth quarter of the Indian fiscal year 2020, was US$13.0m, up by 150% year-on-year from US$5.21m in the corresponding period of 2019. Sales were US$151m, down by 11% year-on-year from US$169m. The Press Trust of India has reported that the coronavirus outbreak had a ‘marginal impact’ on the results.

JK Lakshmi Cement said, “The company's concerted efforts in improving product mix, market optimisation, enhancing the premium products sales, reducing logistic costs and improving plant efficiency parameters enabled the company to post better returns. Softening of petcoke prices also helped the company to improve its margins.”

Switzerland/US: LafargeHolcim has announced the extension of its partnership with Solidia Technologies to mid-2020. Cash News has reported that the partnership, which has seen a 30% reduction in LafargeHolcim’s overall CO₂ emissions since its formation in mid-2013, aims to achieve a 70% reduction in the producer’s carbon footprint.

Canada: Votorantim Cimentos subsidiary St Mary’s Cement has completed a 30m-high stack extension at its 0.8Mt/yr integrated St Mary’s plant in Stonetown, Ontario. The Canadian Press newspaper has reported that the upgrade is a response to increased odour complaints from Stonetown residents.

Votorantim Cimentos St Mary’s plant manager Jose Soraggi said, “Growing along with the community also means adapting along with it. We consider ourselves fortunate to maintain good relations with local residents and the town and to serve as an integral part of the business community in St Marys and Perth County. We take every opportunity to hear from our constituents and find solutions toward a positive and mutually beneficial future. The stack extension is an excellent example of that.”

India: UltraTech Cement’s sales have been negatively affected by coronavirus-related lockdowns in the fourth quarter of its financial year. Its net sales fell by 13% year-on-year to US$1.40bn in the quarter to 31 March 2020 from US$1.61bn in the same period in 2019. The cement producer was forced to shut down certain plants in March 2020, usually one of the busiest months of the year. Plants started to reopen in late April 2020.

The cement producer’s annual net sales rose slightly to US$5.48bn in the financial year to 31 March 2020. Its profit before interest, depreciation and tax (PBIDT) grew by 27% year-on-year to US$1.31bn from US$1.03bn. It also reported that it reduced its net debt and earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) ratio to 1.7 from 2.83.