Cement news highlights: 5 – 8 May

World Cement’s May issue is now available

The May issue is now available for subscribers to read by logging in online or via the app. The issue begins with a focus on Africa and the Middle East, looking at improvements at Savannah Cement and solutions to the energy crisis in Egypt. It also includes a tour of the Devnya Cement plant in Bulgaria, which features a new, state-of-the-art production line. In addition, the latest developments in cement packaging are discussed by some of the leaders in the field, and clean-out and level measurement solutions are covered in our storage solutions feature. Some highlights from the issue can be read via the links below.

• Cement factsheet: Africa and the Middle East.
• Dirk Lechtenberg, MVW Lechtenberg, Germany, talks through the outlook and development of the alternative fuels and renewable energy markets in the MENA region.
• Sigrid Eder, Starlinger & Co. GmbH, Austria, discusses a recent order from the Dangote Group and explains how the company is working with the Nigerian cement manufacturer to provide technical training to bag production machinery operators.

LafargeHolcim merger project updates

• Eurocement Holding has issued a statement saying that it will support the merger.
• Lafarge and Holcim have received final approval from competition authorities in Canada and the US; the companies have now released a final list of the assets up for divestment.

Results

• Peruvian cement manufacturer Cementos Pacasmayo S.A.A. achieved an increase in both net income and consolidated EBITDA in 1Q15.
• CRH sees 2.5% rise in sales for January – April period.
• Grasim reports 4Q and FY results.
• Asia Cement (China) Holdings Corporation has reported its financial results and sales data for the first quarter of 2015.
• India’s Ambuja Cements Limited experienced a 9% y/y fall in cement sales volumes in the quarter ending 31 March 2015.

This week’s not to be missed stories…

• Buzzi Unicem has announced that its proposal to acquire 99.5% of the company has not been accepted by the banks and creditors taking part in Sacci’s debt restructuring agreement.
• Construction of a new 3200 tpd clinker line in Tajikistan will be overseen by the Central Asia Supervision Company of Hefei Institute.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/08052015/cement-news-highlights-5-8-may-2015-805/