Africa & The Middle East

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.

Iran is continuing to push its cement industry, producing more than 23.8 million t of cement in the first four months.

Raysut Cement reports a rise in profit before tax and stable revenue despite increasing market competition from UAE.

Reports in the media suggest that ARM Cement has been granted the land for a new quarry and integrated cement plant.

PPC Barnet DRC has signed a contract with China’s Sinoma for the construction of a cement plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Nigerian cement company, which is part of the Lafarge Group, posted an increase of more than 200% in profit after tax for the first half of this year.

After a careful review of the market’s best maintenance solutions, Jordan’s Modern Cement and Mining Company chose to build its future plant management with API Maintenance Systems software.

The Kenyan company saw a 28% decline in pre-tax profit, but an increase in turnover in the first half.

On 30 March 2014, the 3300 tpd Iraq Al-Douh clinker production line, which was constructed by CNBM International Engineering Co. Ltd, successfully came onstream.