Asia & Pacific Rim

West China Cement acquired Shaanxi Xuishan Cement Group Co, Ltd

India Globalization Capital, Inc., has commissioned the first of two quarries for commercial use in the Indian state of Maharshtra. The second quarry is expected to start production in February.

At the recent commissioning of a second clinker line at Lafarge India’s Sonadih plant, Lafarge Chariman and CEO, Mr Bruno Lafont disclosed details regarding the company’s future plans in India.

The Yanicoogina mine in Western Australia has become the first mine in the country to produce 50 million tpa.

Taiwan’s leading cement producer is set to become a major player in southern China.

ACC’s newest cement plant in Thondebhavi, Karnataka, was inaugurated on 12 December. The new grinding plant becomes the nearest cement plant for Bengaluru city, thus ensuring fresh and prompt supply of cement to this fast expanding metropolis.

ThyssenKrupp Foerdertechnik, Germany, have signed a contract to supply the Indonesian Semen Gresik Group with raw material processing technology in order to help them meet the expanding demand for cement in Indonesia.

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.