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CW Research has released its 1H2015 Quantitative Update to the benchmark Global Cement Volume Forecast Report (GCVFR), the advisory and research boutique’s twice-yearly outlook for worldwide cement market volumes. The 1H2015 revision of the report forecasts a 2.9% in the pace of global cement demand growth in 2015, up to 4.3 billion tons, following a slower-than-expected increase of 2.6%, up to 4.1 billion tons in 2014. "We are seeing the global cement market making sure steps towards a more balanced future

Cement giants Holcim and Lafarge are said by the London Financial Times to be in talks to renegotiate the terms of their multi-billion euro merger after a divergence in the value of the two companies over the past year. Citing people familiar with the matter, the paper says the two sides are holding discussions that might result in changes to the terms of the one-for-one share deal announced in April 2014. Swiss firm Holcim recently announced healthy profit growth in its Q4 2014 results, contrasting markedl

A brick production plant is currently under construction in Ipatovo, Stavropol region of the North Caucasus, Russia, with investments estimated at RUB 750 million (€11.38 million/US$12.34 million). The plant will be capable of making 60 million pieces of conventional bricks and other baked clay products/year. The facility will reach its full capacity in May 2017, and a total of 200 new jobs will be created.

Estonian producers of building materials are said to be investing in production automation to replace unskilled jobs. This is revealed in a Swedbank's manufacturing industries survey, which involved 300 manufacturers with the combined turnover of €450 million, and of which building materials producers accounted for 15%. Some 56% of the manufacturers of building materials say they targeted turnover growth (by an average 5.4%) and 47% want to improve profitability in 2015. The share of exports is forecast to

The purchase of five entities belonging to UK building materials company Hanson Building by US private equity company Lone Star has been approved by the European Commission. A UK entity and four US entities belonging to Hanson Building are affected by the purchase. The commission concluded that there would be no overlapping of activities of Hanson Building's entities, as well as Lone Star itself and its company portfolio.

The administration of the province of Davao del Sur, the Philippines, has instructed Philmix Concrete Industries (Philmix) and Q Mix Concrete Industries (Q Mix) to cease the operations of their concrete plants in Barangay Tres de Mayo and Hagonoy, respectively. The instruction is issued after the two factories were reported to have been found guilty of operating without air pollution permits, environmental compliance certificates and business licences.

The net profit of Saudi Arabia-based Qassim Cement for 2014 amounted to SAR 563.60 million (€138.74 million US$150.30 million), lower than the SAR 585 million booked for 2013. Consequently, the cement company will pay a SAR 270 million second-half cash dividend at SAR 3 per share.

Ethiopian cement major National Cement Share Company has entered into an agreement with Egypt-based ASEC Engineering and Management. The one-year deal could be renewed for a further five years. Under the deal ASEC will impart is expertise and knowledge to help National Cement operate and maintain a cement production facility in the city of Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. In addition, ASEC will also provide training and roll out systems to govern all functions at the facility, including maintenance, human resources, pr

HeidelbergCement has inaugurated the new greenfield Scantogo clinker plant in Togo. The new US$ 250 million (€236 million) plant possesses an annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes (5,000tonnes/day) and is located at Tabligbo, some 80km north-east of the capital city Lomé. More than 2,000 guests attended the ceremony, among them the president of the Republic of Togo; the president of the National Assembly, and the German ambassador in Togo. With the Scantogo investment, HeidelbergCement has become the larges

Organisers say that major players have already signed up for BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA 2015, which is being held at Johannesburg Expo Centre, South Africa, from 15-18 September. Barloworld Equipment is exhibiting for the first time while Bell Equipment is to take up more space than at the previous event, and there are plans for International Pavilions from nine countries and regions. The International Trade Fair for Construction Machinery, Building Material Machines, Mining Machines and Construction Vehicles is

Sandvik Construction has appointed Baltem as distributor for Sandvik’s Mobile Crushers and Screens in the Baltic. The company will not only be supplying a comprehensive range of Sandvik mobile crushers and screens, but will also be providing full aftermarket care, spare parts and dedicated customer service. A subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation and supplier of Komatsu equipment, Baltem has become a reputable name in the Baltics since its launch in 1999 with offices, workshops and service engineers located th

Swiss cement giant Holcim has responded to widespread speculation within industry and wider business media that the terms of their pending merger with Lafarge may need to be changed due to it out performing the French firm in their latest trading results. Holcim recorded higher net sales and significantly improved operating profit in Q4 2014 ahead of their proposed merger due to be completed in the first half of this year. Although not saying they intend to seek new merger deal terms, a statement released b

HeidelbergCement is considering adding South African and Mozambique production capacity as the German company seeks to tap growing demand for construction material in Africa, reports Bloomberg. “Africa is an important part of our emerging markets exposure,” chief executive Bernd Scheifele said in a recent interview. The continent “has seen very stable growth in demand for cement in the last few years, which is independent from what’s happening in the world economy.” Demand is growing at a rate of about 5 mi