Asia & Pacific Rim

PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk. has posted domestic sales volume of 8.97 million t in 1H14, 3% higher than the 8.73 million t sold in 1H13.

The Prime Minister expressed his hopes that the new cement plant will help improve access to cement and bring down prices.

The Indian cement company reports a jump in net profit for the June quarter from the previous quarter, but a decline year-on-year.

The change in strength requirements for cement in Nigeria is reportedly bringing down business confidence, which some have attributed to the lack of discussion prior to enforcing the new rule.

Both Pakistan’s domestic cement sales and exports declined in July 2014, according to figures from the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association.

Cement sales fell 25% in July due to fewer working days, but are anticipated to pick up through the remainder of the year on the back of infrastructure investment.

China has issued an emergency decree ordering regulatory officials to stop the country’s cement and plate glass sectors from adding new capacity.

Oxford Business Group has published a report on the cement industry in the Philippines and the potential impact of the Lafarge-Holcim merger.

The order includes three cement storage silos for the new integrated plant in Rembang, Central Java.

A collection of news relating to quarterly results, growth forecasts, coal allocations and personnel news in India’s cement sector.

N Srinivasan reportedly rebuffed criticism from the building industry, saying that the cost of cement has little impact on builders’ profits.

Speaking at UltaTech Cement’s 14th Annual General Meeting, Mr Birla said that a CAPEX of approximately Rs.7,000 crore will go towards expansion projects, brownfield sites and grinding units.

Higher volumes and improved average selling prices boosted profits in the first half of this year.

Australia’s Adelaide Brighton is strengthening its market position through the acquisition of BM Webb Construction Materials and Direct Mix Concrete and Southern Quarries.

The Japanese and Indian companies offer complementary material handling systems for cement and other industries.