Africa & The Middle East

Italcementi is concerned about the effects of the situation in Egypt for the cement industry going forward in 2011.

An article discussing the current state of key players in the cement industry in East Africa. Sales targets have been met resulting in increased profit, although a rise in electricity costs has had a negative impact on some companies. Companies are hopeful for the new year with expansion plans, and commitment to reducing energy costs to increase profit and keep sales growing.

In contrast to the unrest in other North African countries, Morocco seems to have remained relatively calm.

Burundi Cement Company has begun production at its cement plant in the north-west of the country and hopes to produce around 35 000 t in 2011.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) welcomes the inauguration of Namibia’s only cement plant on 3 February.

In the UAE, cement producers have hiked prices by 15% - an increase attributed to the rising cost of energy and fuel.

Lafarge has suspended production in Egypt, following increasing political tension.

Chairman of the Lafarge Group, Hussein Mansi, has called for the introduction of a new railway line in Uganda to help boost production and lower the price of cement.

Figures for the final month and final quarter of 2010 reflect strong performance by the cement industry.

Oman’s largest cement producer, Raysut Cement Company, has just acquired UAE’s Pioneer Cement.

Sinoma has won an order from Saudi City Cement Company for phase II of a 5000 tpd clinker production line.

Ciments de Bizerte in Tunisia has awarded a contract to Polysius France for an upgrade of its second production line.

China Sinoma International Engineering’s subsidiary Sinoma (Suzhou) Construction Co., Ltd has signed a contract, worth US$ 112.5 million for a cement plant in Iraq.

Dangote is to build a new 1.5 million tpa cement plant in Zambia.

Lafarge is waiting on the outcome of a feasibility study before deciding whether to expand its operations in Zimbabwe by building a new cement plant.