Asia & Pacific Rim

Net income, sales and sales volumes were all up more than 8% in 1H14 for Holcim Philippines thanks to increased construction activity in the country.

BASF has broken ground on the second phase of its R&D facility in Shanghai, China, which will see it expand its Innovation Campus Asia Pacific.

Indonesia’s biggest cement producer sold 12.8 million t of cement in the first half, bringing revenue to Rp.12.88 trillion (US$1.13 billion).

Increased sales volumes and cost efficiencies boost profits for the Indian cement company, which reported a 157.7% rise in net profit for the June quarter.

Construction projects requiring water have been banned in Aurungabad while the city concentrates on preserving water for drinking.

ACC has reported a 4% increase in sales volumes thanks to increasing demand, but also alludes to the challenges of increasing manufacturing and distribution costs.

In its second quarter results, India’s Ambuja Cements reports growth in volumes, sales and profits.

Cement continues to do well in the Philippines where reconstruction efforts and increased infrastructure spending are driving cement demand.

According to local reports, Chettinad Cement Corporation has increased its stake in Anjani Portland Cement to 66.08%.

Lafarge Pakistan Cement Ltd has been acquired by the UK-based Bestway Group, which already has cement operations in Pakistan.

Bangladesh’s only fully integrated cement producer has reportedly signed a supply deal with Metrocem Cement.

Despite a slower second quarter, Thailand’s second largest cement company saw a 10% increase in sales in the first half leading to net profit of THB3.38 billion.

The demand outlook for FY15 appears more favourable in India, while Pakistani exports to Afghanistan fell by around 9% in July – December of FY14.

The Australian cement company has bought the Penrice limestone quarry located near to its Angaston plant.

Loesche’s LM 63.3+3 mill attained a new record product rate of 255 tph of blastfurnace slag meal after only a short period of operation in Taiyuan, northern China.