Cement News tagged: International
Pakistan sees mixed 7MFY19-20 cement production data
Pakistan's Federal Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has released production data for the period July 2019- January 2020 with a note that overall output of large-scale manufacturing industries (LSMI) decreased by 3.4 per cent during the 7MFY19-20 when compared to the equivalent period of the previous year. However, more surprisingly, the LSMI output decreased by just under six per cent for January 2...
Cambodia has not yet seen a slowdown in cement sales over COVID-19
The coronavirus has not had a significant impact on the cement and other construction material markets in Cambodia, which are retaining strong demand at present. The Cambodian construction sector reports no slowdown in demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic, while cement prices are holding up. "Demand remains strong for cement and building materials due to infrastructure development, urbani...
Australian contractors on the brink of collapse
Australia's construction industry is said to be on the brink of collapse, according to John Holland's CEO, Joe Barr. The building contractor reported losses of US$1bn in February and is in dispute with Transurban over who should pay for cost blow-outs caused by delays on Melbourne's AUD6.7bn (US$1.79bn) West Gate Tunnel project. "I won’t sugarcoat it," Mr Barr told The Australian Financial ...
The Korean Cement Association joins the WCA
The World Cement Association (WCA) has announced that it is welcoming the Korea Cement Association (KCA) as an affiliate member of its international network. "KCA has a long history supporting the advancement of the cement and concrete industries locally, and we look forward to working with them in a global context,” explains Ian Riley, CEO at WCA. "It’s important for us to have a diverse mem...
Oman announces measures to ensure cement supply
Oman's Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has announced measures to ensure there will be no shortage of cement in the market. "The Ministry will coordinate with Omani cement companies to ensure supply in all governorates and look at an increase in operational capacity to cover shortages, if any," said a notice on social media. The MOCI will also make clearances for imported shipmen...
MPA calls for a ‘cash bridge’ for members
The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling for greater support for businesses in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nigel Jackson, MPA CEO, called for a general facility to delay VAT, corporation tax and employers' National Insurance contributions as a way to help member companies facing extreme economic conditions. He wrote: "Businesses n...
Pakistan cuts interest rates and releases coronavirus economic package
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on 17 March announced three measures to support the economy and public health in response to the challenges posed by the spread of COVID-19. It reduces the interest rates and has enabled a special package for industry, including cement plants, as well as measures to meet the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic. First measure According to an official statement...
Andhra Pradesh producers to reduce prices for government projects
Cement companies based in Andhra Pradesh, India, have decided to reduce cement prices for government projects following a request from the state’s Chief Minister, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. PPC has been priced at INR225 (US$3.03), while OPC is around INR235. These prices are the lowest compared to that of any year between FY15-16 and FY19-20, according to The Hans India. The estimated requiremen...
Pakistan records 28% growth in export of cement/clinker 8MFY20
All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers' Association (APCMA) has reported that country saw a growth of 28 per cent in cement and clinker exports during first eight months of the ongoing financial year 2019-20. It reached 5.939Mt in 8MFY19-20 and can be attributed to an increase in cement exports to Afghanistan and unprecedented surge in clinker exports to the global market. However, Pakistan'...
Cement and construction sectors struggle despite net FDI growth
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has released foreign direct investment (FDI) data for February 2020 and eight months of the current financial year 2019-20. It showed that the country received US$2.24bn against US$2.36bn in the corresponding July-February period of the last fiscal year of 2018-19. In February 2020 FDI inflows amounted to US$332.5m compared to US$179.1m in the corresponding ...
Israel to readmit cement into Gaza
The Israeli authorities have decided to allow the entry of cement in the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom (Karm Abu Salem) commercial crossing, according to the Palestinian Authority. Israel had previously blocked the entry of cement into Gaza and hundreds of factories have closed as a result of a lack of raw materials entering Gaza.
Detained vessel allowed to sail from Bangladesh, as no coronavirus found
The Bangladeshi port authority Mongla Port did not find any symptoms of COVID-19 in the crew of the bulk carrier Serenitas N, which later off-loaded imported coal at birth and sailed on 15 March, say Bangladesh shipping industry sources. On arrival in the first week of March the vessel carrying the flag of the Marshall Islands had suspended off-loading of imported coal at Mongla, due to suspi...
Brazilian cement sales stable in February
Cement sales in Brazil remained stable at 4.1Mt in February 2020 when compared with February 2019, according to the country’s cement association, SNIC. When compared with January 2020, when sales were weak, there is a 0.5 per cent drop. Sales in the north and southeast continue to impact negatively on the country’s total as heavy rains affect construction activity. In terms of the number o...
Vietnamese cement producers come under pressure
Cement producers in Vietnam are facing a double challenge with domestic demand falling due to a slowdown in the property market, and delays in transport infrastructure works and exports declining due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The forecast had been for exports of around 34Mt this year, but the epidemic has put paid to those hopes since China used to be the main clinker importer, said Nguyen Qu...
Mayur Resources moves closer to new cement and lime project go-ahead
Mayur Resources' vision to build Papua New Guinea’s first cement project is becoming clearer after the company announced it had signed all the landholder compensation agreements required for the development of its flagship Central Cement and Lime project, near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Ongoing due diligence is continuing with potential strategic funding partners for the US$350m project...
Russian market expands 8% in 2019
Cement consumption in Russia increased eight per cent to 57.8Mt in 2019, according to the country’s cement association, Soyuzcement. Exports by Russian producers expanded by 9.6 per cent YoY to 1.1Mt in 2019 on the back of rising volumes to export markets, which include Azerbaijan, the Baltic states, Belarus and Kazakhstan. However, according to industry sources the unfavourable exchange rat...