Asia & Pacific Rim

Holcim Philippines has revealed that it may increase cement prices by July to counteract the effects of the power crisis in Mindanao and the need to import clinker from Japan.

Taiwanese cement producers began their foray into the mainland market in 1997 when the cement market in Taiwan had become totally saturated. How well are the Taiwanese cement players fairing in what is becoming a highly competitive market? How is China cushioning the impact of the global financial crisis and the growing pressures of urbanisation?

Cement and clinker exports were up by 20% in the first quarter of 2010, according to the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Holcim is going to seek tenders to build a second plant in New Zealand this year.

Cemex is exploring opportunities to enter the Indian cement market and is in discussions with Penna Cement on a possible buy out.

Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group has announced plans to construct a 5 million tpa cement plant in Karnataka with an investment of Rs. 1500 crore.

India’s UltraTech is set to acquire a 51% stake in Dubai-based Star Cement for an undisclosed sum.

PT Holcim Indonesia has announced plans to invest up to US$ 500 million in a new cement plant in East Java.

India’s Supreme Court has refused to lift a ban on mining by Lafarge in Meghalaya, due to environmental concerns.

Nirma Ltd has received conditional approval from the Gujarat High Court to construct its Rs.1400 crore cement plant at Mahua, India, which has been challenged by local farmers due to its environmental impact.

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd plans to spend RMB 830 million in acquiring two cement plants.

Vicat, France, is in the advanced stages of buyout discussions with Bharathi Cement, India.

Cement sales in the Philippines rose by 11.2% in 2009 on the back of increased election spending and high levels of construction following Tropical Storms.

West China Cement’s Yangxian cement plant is fully commissioned and running at full production capacity.

Figures are in for cement shipments in March, showing the Indian industry is still on a path to double-digit growth for the year. Buoyed by demand from infrastructure projects and residential building projects, the industry hit growth of 10.48% for FY2009/10, according to reports.