Cement News tagged: International
New plant investments in Zimbabwe
Livetouch Investments is set to invest around US$15m towards the construction of a cement plant in Hwange, Zimbabwe. Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Co is also planning to set up a plant in a similar location, according to The Sunday News. Livetouch is reportedly at an advanced stage of obtaining an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate. The location of the plant is due to its close proximity to...
Indian lockdown leaves plant staff stranded
Following the Indian lockdown as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Ramco Cements has stopped production at its plant in Haridaspur, Jajpur. However, around 400 workers from other states such as Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar allegedly remain stranded inside the factory, according to The Pioneer. The issue has now been raised with company management and the appropriate District Collector.
Oficemen asks government not to “paralyse the construction sector”
Cement manufacturers with plants in Spain have requested the country’s government not to paralyse the construction sector in the face of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the national alert, considering it necessary to maintain its activity so that "the country is prepared for the exit of the crisis". "With the service sector paralysed, construction now becomes an essential pillar so that the...
Chinese cement prices recover as work restarts
Cement prices in China have shown signs of recovery as works in the country resume, according to Xinhua-run Shanghai Securities News. Cement producers in the northwest announced a price increase of their cement products by CNY20-64/t (US$2.82-9.03/t). In the eastern province of Zheijiang some cement products are also had prices increased by CNY10/t. In addition, there have been reports of v...
Punchlist: cement plant readiness for the COVID-19 pandemic
Today we publish a punchlist of immediate responses that cement plants and businesses should take into account to enhance readiness in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Longer-term preparations and planning to promote readiness for such a pandemic are also considered. Immediate responses Follow the instructions and requirements of their local government Strongly promote...
Peruvian cement market expands 5% in February
National cement demand in Peru advanced 5.3 per cent in February 2020 to 0.935Mt when compared with February 2019, according to the country’s cement association, Asocem. In the first two months of the year, 11.78Mt of cement was consumed, up 4.8 per cent YoY. Cement production increased 5.9 per cent YoY and 2.3 per cent MoM to 0.849Mt in February 2020 while clinker production saw YoY and MoM...
Uzbekistan sees production fall 13% YoY in February
Uzbekistan’s Portland cement production fell 13 per cent YoY to 551,200t in February 2020, according to the country’s State Statistics Committee. In the first two months of the year, production was down 19.5 per cent to 1.02Mt when compared to the same period last year. The production of Portland cement in 2019 increased 15.9 per cent YoY to 9.68Mt, while imports declined by 6.8 per cent ...
Measures to stop COVID-19 spread expected to impact Bangladeshi cement industry
The Bangladeshi cement industry is likely to be affected by the measures taken by government to halt the spread of the coronavirus in the country. All passenger trains and vessel departures, except cargo trains and ships, have been suspended for an indefinate period. In addition, the government announced a 10-day general holiday from 26 March until 4 April as well as a relief package. Bangl...
Aumund names new MD of Brazilian subsidiary
Aumund has named Paulo Lima as the new managing director of its Brazilian subsidiary, based in São Paulo. Paulo Lima has already had a successful career in mechanical engineering, in particular in conveying technology, with experience in sectors such as cement, mining and minerals, according to the company. Mr Lima has also held leading sales positions at the subsidiary in São Paulo from 1996...
Indian cement manufacturers take precautions against COVID-19
India’s cement manufacturers are taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19. JK Cement Ltd is working with a reduced workforce, maximising video-conferencing and minimising contact. As a result of government policy, it has also announced which of its plants will now suspend production. JK Cement facilities at Nimbahera and Mangrol, both situated in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, will close....
Vietnam cement sales surge 58% in February
Total cement sales in Vietnam reached 4.207Mt in February 2020, up 58 per cent YoY and 47 per cent MoM, according to the Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA). The total includes 1.383Mt delivered by VICEM, representing an increase of 48 per cent YoY and 53 per cent MoM. VICEM joint ventures posted an 80 per cent YoY and 56 per cent MoM rise in sales to 1.184Mt while the country’s other...
Spain’s cement demand edges down in February
Cement demand in Spain slipped 0.5 per cent YoY to 1,171,084t in February 2020, according to Oficemen, the country’s cement association. In the first two months of 2020, cement consumption declined by 4.5 per cent to 2,206,568t. However, rolling-year data show a growth of 3.9 per cent between March 2019-February 2020. In the 12 months to the end of February 2020 demand for ceemnt reached 14,...
Coronavirus uncertainty likely to flatline Indian cement prices
Due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus in the Indian construction industry, cement prices are likely to stagnate in the country, according to industry sources and sector analysts. “Coronavirus’ impact is not felt as yet in construction activity. It is unlikely to be affected in the near term unless there is a major economic slowdown all across," Sandip Ghose, chief operating office...
Indonesia: sluggish local demand in February as export conditions to China deteriorate
The Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) noted the rate of YoY decline in national cement consumption has slowed to -0.1 per cent in February from January's position, which was -7.5 per cent. In addition, export volumes, which had surged 40 per cent in January, dropped by 27.9 per cent to 440,000t in February. "It is unfortunate that our cement and clinker exports, which we hope can improve ...
US fuel-grade petcoke market advances on Indian and Chinese demand
Indian demand for petcoke is reported to remain strong due to the desacceleration in Saudi refining and higher interest from China. This is leading to a strengthening of the US fuel-grade petcoke market. However, demand from the cement industry has seen a decline. “Cement demand is very low,” said a Miami-based trader to Platts Coal Trader. “Plants are shutting down for a few months because th...
Negative sentiments in Pakistan Stock Exchange
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has lost more than 2200 points on the 100 index on 18 March and across the board. All major scripts, including the cement industry turned red, causing huge losses to investors. The market reacted negatively on the announcement of a meagre cut in interest rate by the Central Bank of Pakistan after four years. The State Bank announced 75 basis points reduction i...