Asia & Pacific Rim

According to officials from Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue, the government is likely to raise the federal excise duty (FED) on cement by some Rs.100/t in the upcoming budget.

In the second part of this abridged article from the June 2014 issue, Ambuja Cements explains how new technologies have helped to improve supply chain efficiency.

The latest news updates from India’s Mangalam Cement, Jaiprakash Associates Ltd and Star Ferro & Cement Ltd.

According to reports, a national carbon market – the biggest in the world – could be in place in China by 2018, subsequent to the completion of the seven pilot schemes currently ongoing.

This week saw a number of sustainability and conservation news items from the international cement industry, in addition to the announcement of acquisitions and product range expansions.

The Pakistani government’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) has provided a boost to the construction sector and helped to increase cement sales throughout the country.

India’s Kakatiya Cements recorded a 10.47% rise in sales to Rs 63.08 crore and an 86.74% decrease in net profit to Rs 1.24 crore in the quarter ended 31 March 2014.

Some key facts on India and its cement sector, the focus of the regional report in World Cement’s June 2014 issue.

Profit after tax fell 18.7% in the January – March quarter, as net sales fall 11.9% and interest costs increase.

News from Chinese equipment suppliers and from within the Chinese cement industry.

Jacques van Niekerk, Ambuja Cements, India, discusses the critical role of supply chain excellence in the Indian cement industry.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced that buildings in China could be built to British green construction standards, which would boost the UK supply chain by £200 million.

Semen Indonesia has reportedly started construction of a new plant in West Sumatra, while it is also advancing plans to acquire a new cement plant in Vietnam.

India Cements reports a loss for the January – March quarter and announces plans to restructure operations, while Shree Cement commissions its new line in Rajasthan.

Lafarge Malaysia Berhad is exploring new cement export markets in countries around the Indian Ocean, including Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Maldives and Bangladesh.