Africa & The Middle East

Paul Maxwell-Cook takes a look at the performance of the cement industry in the Middle East, where infrastructure projects are helping to drive demand.

A 1.5 million tpa grinding plant is scheduled to be brought online in August, according to local reports.

Paul-Maxwell Cook begins his annual overview of the global cement industry with a look at the African markets.

Some of this week’s key cement sector news, from capacity expansions to quarry operator accreditation schemes.

Florida’s Port Everglade to increase cargo handling capacity; Guizhong Haixun Logistics announces successful use of Volvo wheel loader at West China’s biggest port; cement and clinker among main dry bulk imports at Ghana’s Tema and Takoradi Ports.

Lafarge Iraq has launched a new version of Karasta, its multipurpose cement made specifically for use in the Middle Eastern climate.

Bamburi Cement’s Kenya-Uganda operations, which are currently run as a single cluster, will be managed as two separate organisations, each with a CEO and executive team.

Ethiopia’s Chemicals and Construction Materials Development Institute has announced that both Ethio Cement and Dangote’s Mugher plant will begin operations in October.

Lafarge WAPCO has been speaking about its plans for the future once the consolidation with Lafarge South Africa is complete.

According to NCB Capital, Saudi Arabia’s cement industry is showing signs of recovery, with demand beginning to improve to normal levels.

The Nigerian cement company has given out scholarships worth millions of naira, while the Dangote Academy has trained more than 450 graduate engineers and junior technicians.

Iran exported some 3.4 million t of cement during the first two months of the current financial year, a 20% y/y increase compared to the same period in 2013.

Umm Al-Qura Cement Company has ordered a 47 MW captive power plant, which is due to enter commercial operation by October 2015.

The Ghacem Cement Foundation (GCF) has delivered free bags of cement to around 300 health and educational Institutions in southern Ghana to aid their infrastructural development.

UNICEM is holding a Health and Safety month, while Dangote Cement is dealing with re-bagging and the Dangote Group is calling on the government to encourage the use of gas.