UK: Breedon Group’s revenue grew by 18% year-on-year to Euro502m in the first half of 2019 from Euro424m in the same period in 2018. Its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 22.3% to Euro90.9m from Euro74.0m. Cement sales volumes increased by 11% to 1Mt and ready-mixed concrete sales fell by 6% to 1.5Mm³.

"The period began well, with benign weather in the first quarter and generally healthy demand for our products, particularly in England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, somewhat offset by fewer large projects in Scotland. Our performance in the second quarter was adversely impacted by lower volumes in Great Britain due to a flat construction market, ongoing project delays and competitive trading conditions. However demand in Ireland remained robust,” said group chief executive Pat Ward. He added that July 2019 had started well and that the group expected a ‘strong’ second half of the year.

Senegal: Ousmane Mbaye, the Administrative and Financial Director of Dangote Cement Senegal, says that his company is not worried about potential plans by the government to cut tax exemptions to cement plants as part of its Plan for an Emerging Senegal (PES). He said that the company was ready to discuss the proposals with the authorities, according to the Le Quotidien newspaper. He also blamed distributors and a breakdown at the plant of a competitor for recent swings in the price of cement. Mbaye made the comments at a ceremony giving away tickets for a pilgrimage to Mecca and/or Rome.

Zimbabwe: Kyle Wang, the general manager of Livetouch Investments, says that his company is considering plans to build a clinker plant. He said that the Chinese company was holding negotiations with South Africa’s PPC to invest up to US$50m into a joint venture, according to the Chronicle newspaper. Livetouch Investments owns the Diamond Cement grinding plant at Redcliff, which opened in 2017. It sources its clinker from PPC at present.

Uzbekistan: UTD Cement has increased the size of a new integrated cement plant it plans to build in the Farish district of Jizzakh region to 5Mt/yr from 4Mt/yr. The decision to increase the size of the upgrade has followed access to a new limestone quarry at Almaz, according to the Trend News Agency. Once completed the plant will produce 4Mt/yr of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and 1Mt/yr of white cement. UTD Holding is planning invest over Euro400m in the project. It is working with German companies Phoenix Consulting and MN Medianet.