Algeria: Algematco Steel, part of Rahmoune Group, has ordered a modular Ready2Grind MVR vertical roller mill from Germany’s Gebr. Pfeiffer. Erection and commissioning of the unit are scheduled for early 2020. No value for the order has been disclosed.

The cement grinding plant includes: a feed module with material dosing and transport; a MVR 2500 C-4 type vertical roller mill with a SLS 2650 BC ctype lassifier and drives; plant filter, fan and hot gas generator; electric switchgear with plant control system; silo plant; packing and palletising plants; and laboratory equipment. The plant is designed to produce different cement types at a production rate of 50 - 70t/hr.

Belarus/Moldova/Russia/Ukraine: The Ukrainian interdepartmental commission for international trade has imposed antidumping tariffs on imported clinker and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) from Russia, Belarus and Moldova. It has set duties of 115% for goods originating in Russia, 57% for goods from Belarus and 94% for goods from Moldova, according to Interfax. The tariffs will have a duration of five years. Previously the government had embargoed OPC, alumina, slag, sulphate-resistant cement and similar hydraulic cements, including clinkers, from Russia.

US: Sesco Cement plans to build a new white cement terminal at Gibsonton in Florida. The unit will have a ship and railway links, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal newspaper. The project will have an investment of US$19m. Construction is expected to take 18 months at the site. Based in Texas the company has links to the Royal El Minya white cement plant in Egypt via Sesco Group.

Philippines: Data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) shows that imports of cement rose by 64% year-on-year to 1.74Mt in the first quarter of 2019 despite the introduction of a 4% tariff in January 2019. Imports were 1.06Mt in the same period in 2018, according to the Philippines News Agency. The production capacity utilisation factor of local producers is also reported to have fallen. The DTI says it will continue to monitor the situation.