Cement News tagged under: market reports

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A bumpy recovery

02 July 2014, Published under Cement News

While Central America offers a healthy potential for infrastructure development and housing construction, limited economic growth and investment are expected to hinder a corresponding rise in cement demand going forward. In addition, the rapid build-up of capacity has resulted in lower utilisation rates across the region. By Rob Roy, ROI Economic Consulting, USA. Panama (pictured) is the fastest-growing cement market in Central America, followed by Guatemala Central America has ...

Europe's reshuffle

25 June 2014, Published under Cement News

The European cement market has been marked by a geographical reshuffle as varying recovery rates in the region’s different countries have impacted the market with Germany taking the crown from Italy in terms of cement consumption. In addition, as a result of the recently-announced Lafarge-Holcim merger, further restructuring appears to be on the cards. The latest reshuffle in the European cement industry has seen Germany emerge as the region’s largest cement market, ahead of Italy ...

Set for rationalisation?

18 June 2014, Published under Cement News

With the construction sector predicted to grow by just 1.1 per cent in 2014, there is little for South Korea’s cement producers to look forward to. As the focus turns to overseas markets, cement exports are on the up, but how long can this strategy sustain the country’s cement overcapacity crisis? South Korea’s cement producers will need to find a long-term solution to their overcapacity woes as the domestic market has reached saturation point and export growth is unsustainable ...

Malaysia’s steady rise

16 June 2014, Published under Cement News

As Cemtech Asia hosts its annual industry event in the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur, we take a look at the prospects for the Malaysian cement sector where progress of government-led investments and key infrastructure projects, as well as ongoing residential and commercial developments are likely to sustain demand growth at steady levels. Cemtech Asia looks forward to welcoming delegates to its fifth annual Asian conference and exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, over 15-18 June 2...

Australia's changing dynamics

27 May 2014, Published under Cement News

As rising energy costs and the introduction of the carbon tax impose plant rationalisations, Australian cement producers look overseas for their clinker supply. While the country’s cement consumption shows a strong upside trend, market dynamics are expected to change. By Marilyn Gardner, M Gardner Consultancy, Australia. Australia’s extensive geography and its high immigration level are forecast to sustain a long-term demand for new housing and infrastructure Australia surv...

Crossing the Andes

20 May 2014, Published under Cement News

Colombia’s cement producers are poised to benefit from the government’s ongoing investment in housing and road networks. The country’s geography and favourable demographics also hold the promise of further development and to meet these demand requirements leading domestic producers have been increasing capacity with further projects potentially in the pipeline. By Jairo Julián Agudelo Restrepo & Martin Posada, Grupo Bancolombia, Colombia. Colombia’s Andean topography remains a challen...

Brazil: a view on the future

19 May 2014, Published under Cement News

The debate around climate change and lowering CO2 emissions has been a part of the Brazilian cement industry for some time and today, the sector has made great strides towards reducing its carbon footprint. A modern production base, increasing use of alternative fuels and the development of blended cements with a lower clinker factor have all contributed to making the industry more sustainable. By Yushiro Kihara, Brazilian Cement Portland Association (ABCP) & Gonzalo Visedo, Sindicato Nacion...

Russia: open to investment

28 April 2014, Published under Cement News

Attracting private and foreign investment is becoming key for Russia as prices in oil and natural gas come under pressure for funding state projects. Russia’s transition to a modern country will also require large volumes of cement and the ramping up of production capacity is already in full swing. In recent years, Russia has been building new, modern production capacity to replace old wet-process plants Russia’s economy continues to decelerate as consumer spending, key to the c...

DC market developments

16 April 2014, Published under Cement News

The United States’ DC Area has been the centre of attention in many ways during recent years. In terms of cement consumption, while the area achieved nearly 20 per cent growth last year compared to its 2010 trough, it may be some years before previous peaks are achieved. By Rob Roy, ROI Consulting, USA. ICR looks forward to meeting delegates at the 2014 IEEE-IAS/PCA Technical Cement Conference and Exhibition in Washington, DC. Visit us at booth No 112! The District of Columbi...

Happy days again ... almost

14 April 2014, Published under Cement News

For US cement producers, happy days are almost here again with much more cause for optimism in 2014 compared to the previous eight years. As the PCA’s chief economist, Ed Sullivan, explains, the improving outlook is based on the emerging trends for the economy and construction activity as the housing-led recovery starts to become more widespread. By Ed Sullivan, PCA, USA. US cement market can look forward to happier times ahead as the country emerges from the Great Recession The...