Germany: Berthold Technologies, the innovator of measurement and detection software and electronics, has released a white paper on radiometric measurement processes relevant to the cement industry. The technologies under investigation are non-contact moisture, density and liquid/bulk solid level measurers, which can also be used as non-contact limit switches. The white paper details the accurate and reproducible use of the technologies, and their application in minimising error sources.

Colombia: The Regional Autonomous Corporation of Antioquia has reissued Cemex’s environmental clearance for its 1Mt/yr integrated cement plant in Macao. The certification marks the conclusion of a dispute over mining right in the course of which Cemex fired multiple executives for payment of US$25m to a private third party. La Republica reports that Cemex is now in a position to advance several licensing processes and to begin construction of connecting roads for the plant.

Mali: Ciments et Matériaux du Mali has revealed plans for a 0.5Mt/yr grinding plant in the Kati commune. Agence Ecolfin has reported that the plant, to be supplied by the nearby Sonityeni quarry, will employ 150 Malians and ‘contribute to Mali’s cement self-sufficiency.’ Construction of the US$33.6m facility is set to begin in October 2019.

Philippines: The September 2019 customs duty of US$4.81/t on imported cement is in danger of disrupting a Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) probe. The Philippine Star has reported that the PCC is conducting an investigation into domestic cement producers’ alleged anticompetetiveness following an accusation by a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) official in 2017 that a ‘cartel’ of producers was maintaining artificially high pricing and spreading of misinformation about the quality of imported products. PCC chair Arsenio Balisacan has noted the danger of ‘having an ongoing investigation and introducing a policy which can influence the outcome of that investigation.’

Napoleon Co, chairman of the Philippine Cement Importers Association (PCIA), has stated that cement traders will keep on importing unless the local cement sector produces more. He said that foreign producers’ Philippine sales were driven not by their lower prices but by the domestic industry’s inability to fulfill the country’s 28Mt/yr demand.