Europe: Data from Eurosac shows that estimated paper sack deliveries for the cement sector in Europe grew slightly year-on-year to 0.18Mt in 2018. Growth for other building materials with the exception of cement grew faster at 1.8% to 0.23Mt. Paper sack deliveries from Eurosac members increased by 1.8% to 1.82 million units from 1.80 million units. Eurosac represents over three quarters of European paper sack producers operating in 20 countries.
Suez Cement launches customer loyalty scheme
Egypt: Suez Cement has launched its ‘Primo’ customer loyalty scheme. It is intended to strengthen communication with its clients and build the cement producer market position. Existing customers will be offered benefits, including a loyalty points system that can be redeemed from shopping coupons.
Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana rallies against fumigation import tax on clinker
Ghana: The Cement Manufacturers Association of Ghana (CMAG) is lobbying the government against a recent fumigation levy of US$0.50/t on imported clinker by the Ministry of Health. At a recent meeting the association discussed this tax and others negatively affected the cement sector, according to the Business and Financial Times newspaper. It is also unhappy about more longstanding charges, including a VAT restructuring levy of 5%, and a 2% special tax as well as a new 11% electricity tariff and a proposed increase in the cost of a certification licence from the Ghana Standards Authority and impending. CMAG is also complaining to the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority about imports.
Global Cement and Concrete Association and European Cement Research Academy announce strategic partnership agreement
Germany/UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and the European Cement Research Academy (ECRA) have announced a formal partnership agreement. The strategic alliance is aimed at fostering innovation in the cement and concrete sectors and across their value chain partners.
Under the terms of the agreement, the GCCA and ECRA have granted each other mutual membership in order to aid collaboration. In addition, ECRA’s managing director will join the GCCA’s Partnership Council and the GCCA’s cement director will join ECRA’s Technical Advisory Council. The two parties will share their current work programs and identify key areas for future collaboration and input.
“ECRA’s mission to advance innovation in the cement industry within the context of sustainable development, as well as communicating key knowledge and research findings in technology, fits perfectly with the GCCA’s aim of driving advances in sustainable construction,” said Benjamin Sporton, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the GCCA.
