Asia & Pacific Rim

India’s Dalmia Bharat Group has won the CII-ITC Sustainability Award 2014 for ‘Significant Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility’.

The Board of Directors of UltraTech Cement Limited agreed to the acquisition of certain cement businesses of Jaiprakash Associates Limited.

Ultratech Cement has assured local press that the cancellation of the mining lease for limestone mines owned by a company subsidiary in the Nagaur District of Rajasthan will not impact production.

Dalmia Cement is increasing its presence in eastern India, announcing that it will serve the markets in Jharkhand, Bihar and Bengal with PSC produced at the Bokaro cement plant.

Shree Cement has contracted Petron Engineering Construction to carry out civil construction work for a packing plant extension and flyash unloading system at Bangur Cement.

Australia’s Boral Limited has entered into an agreement to sell its Western Landfill business to Transpacific Industries; the ACCC has announced that it will not oppose Boral and CSR Limited’s proposal to combine their brick operations.

Ambuja Cement plans to train 18 000 masons and 15 000 contractors across India by 2020.

Indonesia achieved growth of 3.4% y/y in domestic cement sales between January and November, compared to 5.6% in full year 2013.

Indian media is reporting that UltraTech Cement Ltd is ‘re-evaluating’ its bid for the Brazilian assets of the Swiss cement manufacturer, which are being divested as part of its merger with Lafarge.

The US Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Energy will lead a Business Development Mission to China in April 2015, focused on industries supporting Smart Cities and Smart Growth.

The national construction industry moved back into contraction in November due to a decline in activity and new orders across all four sub-sectors.

Arghakhanchi Cement, which previously produced clinker for the cement industry, is set to begin cement production next week.

The CCI is reportedly considering a ‘structural remedy’ to the proposed merger, which could require divestments to be made.

Around 191 000 visitors and 3100 exhibitors participated in bauma China 2014, which took place on 25 – 28 November 2014 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

Cement output fell 1% in India this October, but was up 8.1% y/y for the April – October period.