WORLD REVIEW 2008
Since our last World Review in July 2007, the divergence between the emerging markets and the weaker mature ones has increased. This year, growth in the former looks on course to exceed 9%, which contrasts with a decline in the mature markets of about 4%. The growth in global cement demand in 2008 is expected to be between 6 and 7% including China (4 - 5% excluding China). Here, Paul Maxwell-Cook presents a mini tour of some global highlights.
July 2008: Ultratech plans big investment
UltraTech Cement has announced plans to invest Rs.20.5 billion (US$479 million) in expanding its business over the next three. Plans include Rs.10 billion on ready-mix cement plants, power units and port terminals.
July 2008: Timken to supply Grasim with bearings
Grasim Industries has chosen the Timken Company to supply large-bore cylindrical and spherical bearings for application in VRMs at the Tadipatri plant.
July 2008: SCG invests in innovation
Over the next five years, Siam Cement Group (SCG) will invest THB6 billion on innovation strategies, according to Nation Multimedia. This will include investments in research and development and intellectual property management.
July 2008: Pakistan exports will hit US$1 billion by 2010
The export market continues to bloom for Pakistan, with analysts now predicting earnings of US$1 billion from cement exports by 2010.
July 2008: CIMERWA will have 600 000 t capacity by 2010
The Rwanda Cement Factory (CIMERWA) has announced plans to increase production by 500% in a bid to meet national and regional demand.
July 2008: New plant in Namibia
National press is reporting that Karibib Portland Cement (KPC) will invest N$1.8 billion in a cement plant, mine and the necessary infrastructure, to be located just north of Karibib in Namibia.
July 2008: New 1.2 million t plant in Sichuan
Huaxin Cement Co., Ltd is investing 700 million yuan in a 1.2 million t cement plant in the Sichuan province.
July 2008: Gulf Cement Company to complete plant next year
Gulf Holding Company’s cement subsidiary Gulf Cement Company is expecting the final phase of construction for its greenfield plant to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2009.
July 2008: Second quarter results for Saudi companies
Second quarter results for Saudi Cement Co. reveal a 9.4% fall in earnings, attributed to the export ban and rising input costs.
July 2008: Rift Valley limestone reserved for forthcoming plant
Uganda’s Tororo Cement Industry (TCI) has been refused access to limestone reserves in Kenya’s Rift Valley on the grounds that the reserves will be utilised by a cement plant that is to be built in the vicinity this year.
Lowering Emissions
Douglas Loaiza (Holcim Costa Rica S.A.), Eduardo Baatz (Holcim Group Support Ltd), Stéphane Ortega (Holcim Group Support Ltd), and Serge Jorget (Fives FCB), describe how Holcim (Costa Rica) S.A. has adopted an environmentally-friendly approach with the new production line at its Cartago plant.
Successful Upgrade
Siemens helped Lafarge Malayan Cement to upgrade the motor drive and control system in one of its plants. The result was cost savings and better performance.
Reliable Power
A reliable supply of power is paramount to the success of any cement plant. As John Goss reports, Aggreko specialises in emergency power supply for plants that need it most.
July 2008
This issue sees the return of World Cement’s annual World Review: a plant-by-plant, country-by-country update on the past 12 months in the global cement industry. Also this month, we look at modern power solutions for remote locations.
Each package provides you with all the essential information you need to stay ahead in a highly competitive and fast moving industry, in one complete reference source. Packages on the following six industry sectors are currently available (please select one to view articles included, and to purchase a package):
- Case Studies
- Analytical Solutions
- Eliminating Dust
- Reducing Emissions
- Regional Reports
- World Cement Business
Each package consists of a collection of recent articles, reproduced exactly as published in World Cement, emailed to you as PDFs.
Emerging Markets Report 2008
DUE FOR PUBLICATION IN EARLY 2008: ORDER YOUR COPY NOW. The second issue of this exciting publication from the publisher of World Cement: a collection of specially commissioned articles on the world's developing markets.
World Cement China
In this all-Chinese language magazine, technical articles and regional reviews are specifically published for China's rapidly expanding cement industry.