Cement News tagged under: market reports
China: outward bound23 March 2020, Published under Cement NewsChina’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is now an integral part of the country’s overseas expansion policy. Since its inception in 2013, the BRI has been one of the essential vehicles driving the global spread of Chinese technology and providing a platform for corporate cement and construction giants to enter new markets. ICR takes a look at the initiative’s progress to date and the impact on China’s cement industry, as its shifts from its purely domestic production base to establishing its p... |
US growth settles down19 March 2020, Published under Cement NewsWhile the US economic cycle is expected to reach maturity in 2020-21, its construction market is forecast to remain relatively robust. As a result, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) forecasts modest growth for the cement sector in the medium term. By Ed Sullivan, PCA, USA. Figure 1: US economic growth, 2001-23 (Source: PCA) The United States economy and construction market are expected to remain relatively strong during 2020-21. However, the economy is entering a mature stag... |
Uzbekistan: time to celebrate?17 March 2020, Published under Cement NewsFollowing a dramatic rise in construction activity, the Uzbek cement industry has seen local sales surge. To meet this increasing demand, existing producers are expanding their production facilities and the booming market has attracted a flood of interest from Chinese investors. By Annexure Financial Solutions, China. Uzbekistan is carrying out bold economic reforms that have resulted in a strong growth in investment and an increase in consumption, underpinning rising cement demand... |
China’s cautious confidence04 March 2020, Published under Cement NewsWith most provinces reporting a growth in cement output, Chinese cement companies enjoyed a bountiful year in 2019, supported by stronger peak-season demand and stable, high prices. For 2020 industry sentiment is one of cautious confidence despite a forecast indicating that demand will slip slightly. Furthermore, the current coronavirus outbreak is also expected to affect cement demand in the first half of the year. By Fei Chen and Bailin Chen, China Cement Association, China. Improvi... |
GCC: a return of fortunes?17 February 2020, Published under Cement NewsThe performance of the GCC cement sector improved significantly in 2019 when compared with the previous year as higher domestic consumption combined with increased export demand. For 2020, the outlook remains equally promising, supported by expansionary budgets and the normalisation of relations between GCC countries. Most of the GCC countries, including Oman, announced expansionary budgets, fuelling expectations of increased construction activity going forward GCC cement sec... |
North Africa in focus10 February 2020, Published under Cement NewsNorth Africa is experiencing a turbulent political and economic period. Meanwhile the region seeks to increase the pace of development with cement consumption reaching 100Mt in 2018. Domestically, surplus capacity has translated into a more competitive environment, with many producers increasingly turning to the export market. Morocco is seeing higher levels of domestic demand, but with new capacity on the way there is pressure to export surplus volumes. Pictured: Ciments du Maroc’... |
State of the industry06 February 2020, Published under Cement NewsWorld cement markets contracted in 2017-18 but picked up last year, according to The Global Cement Report™, 13th Edition. New capacity is seen pushing worldwide utilisation rates down, while cement and clinker trade continues to advance. ICR takes a look at some of the key figures in this leading statistical reference for the worldwide cement sector. Figure 1: cement consumption by region, 2018E There was some optimism in the global cement markets in 2019 as world cement consump... |
Argentina remains optimistic17 December 2019, Published under Cement NewsArgentina is facing more economic woes as inflation, interest rates, unemployment and the poverty rate continue to climb. But given the pressing need for both housing and infrastructure, its cement producers continue to invest in new capacity. With a new occupant at the Casa Rosada, the Argentine President’s executive mansion, the country has an optimistic view of the future At the end of October, Argentinians went to the polls to elect their president amid challengi... |
The port cost factor09 December 2019, Published under Cement NewsSpanish state-owned company Puertos del Estado, which heads 28 port authorities and 46 commercial ports in the country, published a study in July 2019 comparing port costs in Spain and other Mediterranean countries for six dry bulk industrial commodities, including cement and clinker. With European cement producers looking to increase competitiveness, could there be room for improvement in terms of cost savings in port operations? By Sylvie Doutres, DSG Consultants, France, and Alberto Estra... |
Closing in on Canada’s carbon02 December 2019, Published under Cement NewsCanada has a well-established cement market and is home to several leading multinationals who dominate the sector. The main concerns of the industry are becoming more focussed on stricter environmental compliance with CO 2 taxes being implemented and more efficient grinding to improve plant performance. Canadian cement consumption is forecast to reach 9.4Mt in 2019 and is particularly high in metropolitan areas such as Edmonton, Alberta The recent Canadian elections on 21 Oc... |