Asia & Pacific Rim

China Resources Cement saw turnover fall in 1H15, along with falling sales volumes. The company has invested heavily in environmental upgrades.

Holcim Philippines has reported its 2Q and 1H results and has confirmed plans to invest and expand.

Grasim has reported improved performance for the second quarter of 2015 amidst challenging market conditions.

Domestic sales of cement grew to 1.8 million t in July, but exports continued to disappoint.

Mangalam Cement joins the other Indian cement companies to announce a disappointing June quarter.

The Cement Manufacturers Association of India has signed a wage agreement for 20 companies representing about two thirds of the country’s cement capacity.

A round-up of some of this week’s key news items from the international cement industry, from the latest construction outlooks to recent projects and developments.

A new study from the Freedonia Group, Construction Outlook in China, indicates Chinese construction expenditures will rise 7.8% annually.

Bestway Cement signs MoU with NUST Institute of Civil Engineering for research and development on innovative cement solutions for construction in Pakistan.

Indian cement company Shree Cement has reported a 62% drop in net profit for the quarter ending 30 June.

Prism Cement, India, reported a net loss of Rs.8.04 crore for the quarter ending 30 June.

UNTHA shredding designed a total solution for the project, which will provide alternative fuels for Holcim Vietnam.

Semen Gresik is aiming to cement relations with its distributors, as regional competition heats up.

The group sold 12.95 million t of cement and clinker in 1H15 and is optimistic for the full year.

India’s JK Cement has recorded a 99.6% drop in net profit for the quarter ending 30 June.