Africa & The Middle East

A round-up of this week’s global cement news, from CSR to concrete and the built environment.

The Dangote Foundation has invested over N152 million in the establishment of a National Ebola Emergency Operations Centre to aid the country’s response to the virus.

China’s CNBM has carried out its first upgrade project on a clinker line overseas, helping Oman Cement Company to increase the capacity of its production line 1, which is located southwest of Muscat.

FLSmidth has won a contract from Nyumba Ya Akiba SARL to supply a complete package for a greenfield cement plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Qalaa Holdings’ (formerly Citadel Capital) company is one of three group companies to be contracted on the project.

The manufacturer of Sokoto Cement reports an improved turnover in 2013 and an increase in profit after tax.

According to a new report by EC Harris, the volume of announced and planned projects in the UAE in 2014 is expected to be valued at US$315 billion.

Sinoma Tianjin was contracted for the cement mill 5 project at Tanzania Portland Cement Company.

The company formerly known as Citadel Capital (owner of ASEC Cement) has reported its first full set of consolidated financials since its transformation into an investment company.

Dangote Cement has reported an 11% decline in 1H14 profit after tax due to higher financial and energy costs.

A round-up of key news stories from the global cement industry this week, from clinker plant start-ups in South Africa to grinding technology contracts in India.

The company is reported to be looking at opportunities to expand in the Middle East and South America; meanwhile, in Nigeria, Dangote Cement looks to coal as an alternative to gas or oil.

Donaldson Europe BVBA – UAE Branch has entered into an agreement to acquire the largest manufacturer of gas turbine air filter intake systems in the Middle East.

Sephaku Cement’s new clinker facility in Aganang is ready to begin production, with the first consignment of clinker due to reach the Delmas grinding plant by the end of the month.

Two organisations have accused the Standards Organisation of Nigeria of trying to create a monopoly by implementing standards few cement producers can currently meet.