Cement news highlights: 25 – 29 May

Growth and development

• In the 12 months to March 2015, domestic dispatches of grey cement improved by 8.6% y/y in Colombia.
• Estimates released by Eurostat suggest that seasonally adjusted production in construction increased by 0.8% in the euro area in March 2015 and by 1.5% in the EU28, when compared with February 2015.
• Cementos Argos has reported increases in sales volumes, revenue and EBITDA for the quarter to 31 March.
• 2014 Corporate Sustainability Report outlines Holcim’s ‘Sustainable Development Ambition 2030’ and the progress made to date.
• India’s JK Cement has announced plans to raise long-term funds of up to Rs.300 crore through securities and/or debt instruments.

Corporate news and CSR initiatives

• Eight new Indian companies have joined the globalCOAL online coal trading community, including Emirati Union Cement Company’s subsidiary Unicem Trading Company.
• At the recent AGM in Lagos, Lafarge Africa shareholders approved a dividend of 360 kobo per ordinary share, a 9% increase from the 2013 dividend.
• During National Volunteer Month, close to 300 employees from Lafarge North America, took part in a variety of voluntary activities, from highway cleanup to support for local food banks.
• Lafarge and Holcim have entered into a binding agreement with CRH plc for the sale of certain key assets for an enterprise value of €6.5 billion.

UK construction sector

• BOHS has launched a new initiative called Breathe Freely in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive, Constructing Better Health, Land Securities and Mace.
• Over 50 major construction business leaders join together to explain how cutting carbon emissions from buildings will lead to major economic opportunities and help reduce the ongoing deficit.

This week’s not to be missed stories …

• A four-part interview with the Portland Cement Association’s new Chairman, John Stull, and President/CEO, James Toscas, of the Portland Cement Association
• The 24th AFCM Technical Symposium and Exhibition took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on 21 – 24 April 2015, bringing together leading players in the regional and international cement industry.