Africa & The Middle East

Dangote Cement Plc has launched a new brand, Dangote 3X cement. The new 42.5R grade product will replace the existing brand in the Nigerian market.

Saudi Cement Company will remove kilns 1, 2 and 3 from its Holuf plant. After initially restarting the kilns in late 2012 to meet demand levels, these older kilns are no longer needed.

A joint venture between the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe and a Chinese corporation is nearing completion on a US$5 million upgrade project.

Kenya’s Bamubri Cement reported a profit of KES3.7 billion for 2013, a decrease from KES4.9 billion in 2012, but maintains a positive outlook for the year ahead.

Citadel Capital subsidiary ASEC Cement opens talks on exit of investment in Algeria’s Zahana Cement Co.

Egyptian cement producer Misr Beni Suef Cement Co. posted a 0.96% y/y increase in net profit and a 20% y/y improvement in total revenue for FY13.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has convened a technical committee to review cement standardisation following popular concern over cement quality in relation to building collapse in the country.

To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Italcementi Group has launched its new product system, i.nova, in Egypt.

Reports suggest that the construction industry may be booming because it’s the best opportunity for investment in the country.

Nigeria’s UniCem has announced the beginning of construction work on its new 2.5 million plant.

The Tunisian government will cut subsidies for cement in June 2014, which could lead to an increase in construction costs.

Demand for cement in Zimbabwe has been affected by stagnant activity in the construction sector and difficult economic conditions.

Cement sales in Saudi Arabia totalled 4.59 million t in February 2014, a 3% y/y decrease against 4.74 million t recorded in the same month a year earlier.

In response to nationwide concern over building collapse, Dangote Cement has re-calibrated its Nigerian cement plants to produce 52.5 grade cement.

Egyptian cement manufacturers may turn to coal as a source of energy as recent power shortages have forced rates production to drop.