The Future's Bright

Giorgio Bodo, Chairman and CEO of ASEC Cement, discusses the market prospects for the cement industry in the MENA region.

July 2009: Sentry achieves ISO certification

Det Norske Veritas Certification, Inc. (DNV) recently awarded ISO certification to Sentry Equipment Corp. By achieving ISO 9001:2008, Sentry has demonstrated its commitment to a highly effective quality system, continual quality improvement, and to focusing on providing extra value to its customers.

July 2009: Sanghi plant in Kenya given government green light

The Cemtech Sanghi Group has received government approval to build its US$80 million cement plant in the Pokot Central District of Kenya. The plant will make the most of the large limestone deposits in the area and will become the third largest cement producer in the country with annual production of between 600 000 and 1 million tpa.

July 2009: MPS coal mill for THE KCP Limited, India

Only a few weeks after Gebr. Pfeiffer AG, Germany, and its Indian subsidiary Gebr. Pfeiffer (India) Pvt. Ltd. had been contracted to supply a raw meal grinding plant, Chennai-based THE KCP Limited placed another order.

July 2009: Petcoke prices could match coal by year end

Sales of petcoke have been on the rise as cement producers try to cut fuel costs, with the result that petcoke prices are going up.

July 2009: APCMA statistics show export growth, local sales fall

Data from the All Pakistan Manufacturers Association indicates that cement sales increased by 2% y/y to reach 30.6 million t. Domestic sales were down 14% y/y to 19.3 million t, but exports were up 47% y/y to 11.3 million t.

July 2009: Kampot production falls as construction industry slows

In the five months to end of May 2009, Kampot Cement – Cambodia’s largest cement manufacturer – saw sales fall by almost a third. The sharp decline has been attributed to a slump in the construction industry and increased imports putting strain on the domestic industry.

July 2009: India's infrastructure industries show growth

According to reports, India’s six core infrastructure industries grew by a collective 2.8% y/y in May, with the cement industry showing the best results.

July 2009: Indian shipment reports released for June

Ambuja Cements and Aditya Birla Group report shipments and production were up for the month of June.

June 2009: Disney company takes issue with TXI management

Shamrock Activist Value Fund L.P., which has an 8.9% stake in Texas Industries Inc., wants to nominate three candidates to the board.

June 2009: Cemex presents plan to refinance bank debt

CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. announced today that it continues to make significant progress with its core banks who represent a majority of the Company’s outstanding bank debt. As a result of these discussions, Cemex is presenting its proposal to the company’s full syndicate of banks in two meetings, the first of which was held in New York on June 29 with the second scheduled for Madrid on July 1.

A Small ‘Island of Stability’

Société des Ciments d’Enfidha, Tunisia, explains why the Tunisian economy remains solid, despite the worldwide economic crisis.

Natural Solutions

Restoration planning and implementation is an integral part of successful quarrying. Simon Walker looks at current European practice.

High-Tech Thermography

Alexander Hanf, Sales Director, Powitec, Germany, describes the company’s new Side View Thermography instrumentation.