Asia & Pacific Rim

N Srinivasan reportedly rebuffed criticism from the building industry, saying that the cost of cement has little impact on builders’ profits.

Speaking at UltaTech Cement’s 14th Annual General Meeting, Mr Birla said that a CAPEX of approximately Rs.7,000 crore will go towards expansion projects, brownfield sites and grinding units.

Higher volumes and improved average selling prices boosted profits in the first half of this year.

Australia’s Adelaide Brighton is strengthening its market position through the acquisition of BM Webb Construction Materials and Direct Mix Concrete and Southern Quarries.

The Japanese and Indian companies offer complementary material handling systems for cement and other industries.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has provided Mongolia’s Senj Sant with further funding for its new 3000 tpd cement plant.

Magnezit Group has commissioned the second unshaped refractories production line at its Chinese plant.

Cement sector growth reached double-digits in June; cement prices lead property developers to consider entering the cement industry; TNPL plans capacity expansion at cement plant.

Grasim Industries has reported a 20.14% decline in consolidated net profit for the April – June quarter.

The Pakistani company is gearing up for increased cement demand in the domestic market and a potential improvement in demand from Afghanistan.

Christian Pfeiffer has contracted Claudius Peters to supply storage silo handling and packing and palletising technology.

2Q14 results show flat cement sales in Thailand; the impact of new infrastructure investment is unlikely to be felt before 2H15.

The rising cost of electricity and the impact of foreign exchange losses led to a 3.79% decline in net profit for the Swiss-owned cement producer.

The IEA’s Energy Technology Perspectives 2014 focuses on how to increase use of renewables and clean up coal-fired power generation.

Sinoma Tianjin has signed a contract with Vakhdat Cement Company to design and build a 1000 tpd cement production line.