Africa & The Middle East

Qatar National Cement Company (QNCC) has signed a letter of intent with Fives FCB for the construction of a fifth cement production line.

Kenya’s ARM Cement Ltd achieves 12% growth in pre-tax profits, while Bamburi Cement and Tanzania’s Tanga Cement report decreasing earnings.

Nigeria’s BUA Cement has signed a gas sales and purchase agreement with Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) for the supply of natural gas to its Edo cement plant.

Nigeria’s Ashaka Cement is investing around €513 million in the expansion of its Gombe plant, which will increase production capacity from approximately 1 million tpa to 4 million tpa.

Dangote Cement’s full year results show an impressive increase in revenue and profits and the continuation of its pan-African expansion programme.

ABB recently completed an extensive upgrade of the extended automation system 800xA at Eastern Province Cement Company’s (EPCC) plant in Al Khursaniya, Saudi Arabia.

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.