Asia & Pacific Rim

In New Zealand, plans for Holcim’s new plant in Weston, Oamaru are now three years in, with no firm decisions made as yet.

A quick-fire look at activity in India’s cement industry in November 2009.

China has outlined its emissions reduction targets ahead of COP15, beginning in Copenhagen next week. The government has been firm on its plans and vows to meet its target by 2020.

The supply-demand ratio is causing problems for countries that can produce sufficient cement to meet demand, but not necessarily at internationally competitive prices.

FLSmidth has signed a contract worth approximately U$ 40 million (about DKK200 million) with state-owned LILIAMA Vietnam Machinery Installation Corporation.

Indian cement companies are once again making headlines, as expansion projects are revealed, fundraising is announced and mergers are confirmed.

India and China have agreed to coordinate efforts to combat climate change. Neither country will agree to emissions caps, particularly while the US has not legislated emissions reduction. All three nations will be at the centre of talks at COP15.

The Indian cement industry has reported a huge production increase in the large fiscal, causing prices to drop in the last few months.

India’s per capita cement consumption is amongst the lowest in the world, and the country’s cement industry is heavily export-based. The recent decline in the export markets is proving a cause for concern for some manufacturers, although October shipment figures are generally strong.

FLSmidth has been awarded a contract worth approximately €35 million (DKK260 million) from Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd for the supply and construction of a coal handling system for the company's Ultra Mega Power Plant project in the state of Gujarat, India.

There are renewed efforts to address the problem of overcapacity in China’s cement industry. Projects are being put on hold as older plants are closed down.

Grasim Industries Ltd will transfer its cement business to its subsidiary unit Samruddhi Cement, which will eventually be merged with Ultratech Cement.

The government is attempting to pass emissions trading legislation to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 20% by 2020. A bill that rules 20% of all power must come from renewable sources by 2020 has already been passed.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has proposed strict plans to curb severe overcapacity problems in the Chinese cement industry, preventing any province with over 1000 kg per capita of cement clinker from building new production lines during the 12th Five Year Plan.

Despite fears of an oversupply situation in the near future, Indian cement manufacturers continue to announce capacity additions on a nearly monthly basis. Many producers are also segueing into the power generation business, as a side project that may help ease production costs and generate capital.