Iraq: The Ministry of Finance has approved construction work to restore the capacity of a cement plant in Kufa, Nafaj governorate, damaged in recent conflict. Thompson Reuters reported that work is set to commence pending the imminent release of the funds. Member of Parliament Fadhil Al-Fatlawi of the Labour and Social Care Committee has expressed the expectation that, at its full capacity of 0.18Mt/yr, the plant will accelerate the country’s restoration.

China: The net profit of Anhui Conch Cement in the first half of 2019 was US$2.15bn, up 17.9% from US$2.11bn at the close of the first half of 2018. Anhui Conch’s interim report stated that the gross profit margin increased in the eastern and central regions by 2.67% and 0.51% respectively in response to steadily increasing market demand, and remained flat year-on-year in the southern region in spite of adverse weather precipitating a decline in the local market.

Egypt: Misr Beni Suef Cement has reported net profits for the six months to 30 June 2019 of US$2.76m, down by 78.8% from US$13.0m in the same period of 2018. This is part of a wider profit slump for Egyptian domestic cement producers, with Misr Cement Qena’s first half figure down by 85.2% to US$0.87m from US$6.00m a year ago.

Ireland: CRH’s revenue for the six months up to 30th June 2019 was Euro13.2bn, up 11% from Euro11.9bn over the same period in 2018, with a 36% increase in EBITDA to Euro1.54bn from Euro1.13bn in the first half of 2018.

In its interim results, CRH attributed increased cement volumes in the US to synergy delivery and strong price realisation in spite of adverse weather conditions in its key markets, noting ‘a strong contribution from our Ash Grove acquisition,’ obtained at the end of June 2018.

A general improvement in cement pricing in the EU28 saw operating profits ahead of the first half of 2018, with increased demand in the French market from non-residential and civil engineering sectors offsetting the effects of reduced residential demand. The UK market reversed this trend, with operating profit behind 2018 due to higher input costs and volume pressure.

In addition to operating profit improvements reported by subsidiary businesses in the Philippines, CRH group benefited from its share in profit after tax of China’s Yatai Building Materials and India’s My Home Industries Limited, both of which enjoyed improved operating profits compared to 2018.