Asia & Pacific Rim

The Financial Express is reporting that the Competition Commission of India has written to Holcim and Lafarge requesting the divestment of assets in eastern India.

Holcim Philippines performed better than the industry average, achieving a 12.3% increase in cement sales volumes and a 15.1% rise in EBITDA.

Ports of Auckland is planning to expand capacity at its multi-purpose terminal to meet higher demand.

The Pakistani cement company is planning to invest US$300 million in a new 2 – 2.5 million t cement plant.

India’s UltraTech Cement has won the bid for Bicharpur coal block in Madhya Pradesh, which has reserves of more than 29 million t.

Ambuja Cement increased cement and clinker sales volumes by 2.5% in 2014 and saw a rise in net sales, EBITDA and profit.

The Minister of Road Transport and Highways has warned cement manufacturers against ‘exaggerated exploitation’ in the name of profit.

Prometheus Group and SMEC have formed a global partnership, which will initially focus on the cement and aggregates industry.

Grasim Industries Ltd’s Board of Directors has approved the proposed merger of Grasim and Aditya Birla Chemicals (India) Ltd (ABCIL), part of the Aditya Birla Group.

Volvo CE’s President, Martin Weissburg, outlined the company’s carbon reduction initiatives at the World Wide Fund for Nature 2015 Climate Savers China Annual Conference earlier this month.

Profit after tax was up by more than 50% y/y, but net sales were down for the Pakistani cement company.

The new Mariveles Dry Bulk Terminal in the Philippines will handle cement raw materials such as clinker, as well as coal, silica sand, steel fertiliser and other dry bulk cargo.

Pakistan’s Fauji Cement has reported its results for the first half of this fiscal (1H15), which show a 5% increase in cement sales volumes.

Tasek Corporation Bhd, Malaysia, has reported its FY14 and 4Q14 results, which show growth in revenue thanks to increased cement demand from major construction projects.

The 11th edition of the Birla White YuvaRatna Awards took place on 14 February at the Hotel Renaissance, Powai, Mumbai.