Cement news from the CIS

Belarus and Russia

As reported by the Belarusian Telegraph Agency, Belarus exported approximately 278 000 t of cement to Russia in 1Q14 amid plans to increase its cement supplies to the Russian market by 65% this year.

Russia imported some 744 000 t of cement in January – March 2014, which represents a decline of 3.1% y/y. Russia also exports cement to the region, including to Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. During the period, these three countries received 84 000 t, 138 000 t and 66 000 t of cement, respectively.

Azerbaijan

According to local press, Azerbaijan’s Industrial and Construction Investment Corporation Akkord OJSC plans to increase its presence in international markets. The company already has operations in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Turkey, and it is now looking towards Germany, Albania and Russia.

Akkord OJSC is also expanding capacity at its Gazakh cement plant to 3 million tpa. The plant, which was inaugurated in the summer of 2013, currently has a production capacity of 1 million tpa.

Kazakhstan

Steppe Cement’s share of the Kazakhstani market improved from 15% in 1Q13 to 17% in 1Q14. In the first three months of the year, Steppe Cement sold 198 607 t of cement, an increase on the 166 121 t sold in the corresponding period in 2013.

The cement producer has also been granted a loan to buy around 300 cement wagons. These will replace a section of the fleet that is currently rented by Steppe Cement’s subsidiary CAC JSC.

Edited from various sources by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/06052014/cement_newsbytes_from_the_cis_136/