Asia & Pacific Rim

Indian cement manufacturer Mangalam Cement reported a decline in net profit for 2Q13, ending 30 September.

According to local press, 13 companies have won tenders for state owned cement plants in Myanmar.

India Cements has announced its figures for 2Q13, ending 30 September, with a net loss of Rs22.53 crore.

The profit margins of Pakistani cement companies are predicted to take a hit as the international price of coal is on the rise.

Indonesia’s major cement companies report very different nine-month results for 2013. Holcim announced disappointing results and a drop in profit compared to Semen Indonesia, which reported promising figures and an increase in net income.

Holcim Philippines Inc. has reported promising 3Q13 figures and a rise in net income, in spite of a traditional lull in sales for the Philippine cement industry during the rainy season.

Zuari Cement’s 1 million tpa grinding plant will aid its expansion in the southern and western regions of Maharashtra.

Grasim Industries’ September quarter results show the impact of UltraTech’s falling profits.

Siam Cement continues to prosper in the ASEAN region, with net profit reaching THB9.8 billion.

Semen Indonesia’s 15.6% increase in sales volumes is above the national average, with growth in Indonesian cement demand running at just over 5% so far this year.

1Q14 results are in for Lucky Cement, the market leader in Pakistan. The company realised improved sales value and lower financial charges in the quarter.

An increase in building in the eastern and southern regions of China is set to boost sales and profit growth of cement companies.

The company has recorded an almost 25% reduction in profit after tax, attributed to increased financial and ‘other’ costs.

The Builders Association of India (BAI) has called upon the state to intervene in rising cement prices, as construction projects all over the region are cut short due to high costs.

China, the world’s largest cement industry, are updating technology and reducing emissions as part of a plan to curb pollution.