Africa & The Middle East

Suez Cement plans to convert two of its plants to run on coal, while new government studies will look into the economic feasibility of expanding cement production in the country.

The new cement project in the Democratic Republic of Congo has gained financial support from the African Development Bank and IFC, among others.

The new grinding plant in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, will bring the facility’s capacity to 500 000 tpy.

The merger would give the combined entity an ~60% market share in the cement industry, which would likely give rise to competition concerns.

According to local press reports, the new loan will be used for repayments and re-drawing, and will complement ARM Cement’s other banking facilities.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see the injection of around N15 billion into the Industrial Training Fund to aid training and job creation.

Following the consolidation of its Nigerian and South African businesses, Lafarge Africa is set to make a bid to buy out the minority shareholders of Ashaka Cement.

Thermax Ltd will supply a second captive power project for a leading African conglomerate.

Qalaa Holdings, which owns ASEC Cement, reported quarterly improvements in revenue and EBITDA.

The Siwertell 5 000 S road mobile unloader will help meet the demands of Kuwait’s construction industry.

United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM) has ordered the largest Loesche mill to date, an LM 70.4+4.

The Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria reportedly failed to attend the federal court hearing in the case brought by the Alliance Against Monopoly.

The South African cement manufacturer has agreed to restructure its board following weeks of public discord.

Raysut Cement and Oman Cement have warned their operational costs will increase next year following the Ministry of Oil and Gas’ decision to raise gas prices.

Egypt’s Titan Cement has ordered an MPS 2800 BK vertical roller mill from Gebr. Pfeiffer SE for production line no. 1 at the company’s Beni Suef plant.