China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd has reported a 13.8% y/y rise in turnover for 1Q14. Gross profit reached HK$2162 million, up 55.2% y/y, while the group’s gross margin improved by 8.5 percentage points, mostly due to higher selling prices. The gross margin for cement increased from 24.8% to 35.9%, clinker improved from 10.8% to 19.2%, while concrete fell from 24.8% to 21.5% when compared with 1Q13.
China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd sold 13.189 million t of cement during the period, with the greatest volume dispatched in Guangdong (5.514 million t) and in Guangxi Province (3.832 million t). More than 2 million t of clinker and over 3 million m3 of concrete was sold in January – March 2014.
Cement production grew in March in China, but the coal industry continues to face obstacles as economic growth slows and the government tackles emissions levels.
Improving demand in the majority of Central Western Europe is reflected in Italcementi’s 1Q14 results, which also show the impact of exchange rate effects.
A Chinese company has used a 3D printer to build 10 houses in 24 hours, giving rise to the question: what possibilities does 3D printing offer construction and manufacturing?