Cement News tagged under: international
Dragon cement fire accidental29 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsThe state fire marshal’s office has concluded that the explosion in an empty storage tank in Thomaston last week was caused by a combination of unburned particles in the air, heat and oxygen. The explosion at Dragon Cement Products on Wednesday, Dec. 23 was accidental, said Sgt. Ken Grimes of the state fire marshal’s office. He did not anticipate any charges being filed in the case. The elevated storage tank was in the process of being demolished at the time. It had been empty for years, Gr... |
Dust row persists in Zimbabwe29 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsA perennial cloud of dust hovers over Kugarika Kushinga houses, about 300 metres from Lafarge cement factory in Mabvuku. Furniture and walls alike are covered with a thick film of dust from the factory, leaving everything ghostly grey. To avoid dust entering their houses, residents rarely open windows. For Lafarge, building the houses near the factory presented new challenges for the company as residents have persistently complained about the negative effects of its operations on their live... |
Still no access to Gaza29 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsDespite the fact that a year has passed since the start of the Gaza military operation, the damage caused by three weeks of war and the near total closure preceding it has yet to be repaired. The reason: Israel’s apparent ongoing policy of blocking goods from entering the Gaza Strip, including a near total ban on reconstruction materials. During the war: Some 3500 homes were completely destroyed, some 2800 sustained heavy damage, and some 54,000 were lightly damaged.These homes housed abou... |
Fifth cement price hike being mooted29 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsAfter hiking the prices four times in 2009, Indian cement companies are getting ready to hike prices one more time in the last quarter of fiscal 2009-10. The prices are likely to rise during the remaining period of the current fiscal on the back of high demand owing to infrastructure spending and a revival in the real estate sector. “I think the cement sector will continue with its price-hike spree due to the shortage of railway wagons and logistical problems in various regions. Our survey ... |
Growing overcapacity in China cement sector29 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsChina’s Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC), the annual economic planning meeting, held in early December, agreed at its conclusion to advance economic structure adjustment and focus on overcapacity elimination with strictly controlled lending to industries that were energy-intensive, polluting and had overcapacity. Li Yizhong, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, said China would stop approving new projects in some industries involving excessive production capacities and du... |
Cement makers see huge opportunity in UAE nuclear plants29 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsCement and ready-mix companies in the UAE are gearing up for a massive opportunity for supplying cement and concrete for nuclear power plants in the UAE. The UAE is expected to award contracts estimated to be worth $40 billion (Dh147bn) to build several nuclear reactors. According to a senior industry official, the contract for nuclear power plants would be a blessing for cement companies already struggling with falling demand and reduced profits. "We are talking of a massive potential here... |
Russia 2010 cement demand seen rebounding29 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsRussia will require 5-10 per cent more cement next year to meet a modest recovery in demand from state-backed infrastructure projects and a construction market emerging from crisis, a senior industry official told Reuters. Mikhail Skorokhod, president of Russian market leader Eurocement Group, said in an interview cement prices would stabilise at current levels before rising in the next few years, when his company will have five new factories at its disposal. "We expect the cement market w... |
Philippines: higher cement prices prompt dialogue24 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsTrade and cement manufacturing officials met recently to discuss surges in retail price of cement in the local market ranging from P10.00 to P40.00 in the past week. Trade undersecretary for consumer welfare Zenaida Cuison Maglaya told reporters that their regional and provincial offices have monitored these unusual price increases and the claims of some retail outlets that they lack supply. "We are asking for their (manufacturers’) assessment of the situation in the market," said Maglaya.... |
Pakistan producers seek 50% inland freight subsidy24 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsPakistan cement manufacturers have sought a 50 per cent subsidy on the inland freight cost to boost cement exports to more than $1 billion, said industry sources on Wednesday. All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA) has written a letter to the government in this regard seeking a payment of US$36m as the freight equalisation subsidy to the cement factories to get an additional export earning of US$359m. |
Votorantim Cimentos sells bonds as it seeks takeovers24 December 2009, Published under Cement NewsVotorantim Cimentos Brasil SA, the cement unit of Brazil’s Grupo Votorantim, sold BRL1bn (US$561.5m) of local bonds as it seeks to expand abroad. The bonds mature in 10 years, according to the terms of the sale posted on the website of Brazil’s association of financial institutions, known as Anbima. The company, which controls 40 per cent of Brazil’s cement market, is raising the funds after agreeing to acquire 38.4 per cent stakes in both Argentina’s Cementos Avellaneda SA and Uruguay’s C... |