News

A 1.4% interest in Nigerian cement giant Dangote Cement has been acquired for US$300 million by UAE-based sovereign fund Investment Corp of Dubai (ICD), according to a spokesman for the African company. ICD is said to have purchased 243 million Dangote Cement shares that were priced at US$ 1.23 (NGN 200) per share. By market capitalisation, Dangote Cement is Nigeria’s largest firm.

US cement consumption is forecast to increase by 7.9% in 2014 with additional gains in 2015 and 2016, according to a new Portland Cement Association economic forecast.

The tipped 7.9% rise this year, compared to 2013 levels, indicates considerable evidence that the US economy's growth path has strengthened from an improved labour market, low consumer debt, and increased consumer wealth.

“Through July, year-to-date cement consumption is up 8.4%," says PCA chief economist and group vice president Edward

Lafarge has set up a Roads and Networks infrastructure division, headed by Stéphanie Minnebois, as part of its strategic reorganisation which has led to the creation of four major divisions.

The Roads and Networks infrastructure division of the globally renowned French construction materials group will focus on five areas of activity: water management, the planning and enhancement of outdoor spaces, the creation and maintenance of roadways, the creation of embankments, and the development and improvement

PPC Zimbabwe said it will become the leading cement producer in Zimbabwe by constructing a 100tonne/hour manufacturing plant in the country’s capital, Harare. The ambitious company recently revealed it had secured approval for the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). According to PPC, the US$80 million plant is scheduled for completion by March 2016.

Cemex will be able to buy Holcim’s Spanish assets after the deal was approved by the European Commission, marking a key step towards the earmarked US$50 billion creation of Lafarge-Holcim.

Holcim assets comprise plants and quarries dedicated to the production and supply of cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete and mortar in Spain. The Commission believe the major acquisition does not raise competition concerns since the merged entity will continue to face sufficient competition from its rivals in all

Lafarge and Holcim have reportedly been shown the green light from the Competition Commission of Singapore to merge their local operations.

AsiaOne Business website writes that the merger, with Holcim acquiring Lafarge's entire issued share capital, will result in Holcim being renamed LafargeHolcim.

Holcim (Singapore) and Lafarge Cement Singapore overlap in the manufacture and supply of ready-mixed concrete. They also supply grey cement, used to produce mortar and concrete, here.

JCB Germany has announced its biggest single investment ever as the company prepares to celebrate 50 years of trading in the vital market.

The firm will build a new €25 million headquarters for JCB Germany on a site double the size of its existing facility in Cologne. Work on the new premises will begin later this year and the new HQ will open in 2015 – just as JCB Germany marks the 50th anniversary of its foundation in 1965.

JCB chairman Lord Bamford said, “Germany is Europe’s biggest single constr

UK-based Breedon Aggregates has acquired a 50% stake in H V Bowen - owner and operator of the Tan-y-Foel quarry in Welshpool, mid-Wales. The acquisition gives Breedon a stake in 3.4 million tonnes of what the firm says is strategically important high ‘polished stone value’ (PSV) aggregates.

Mineral Products Association chief executive Nigel Jackson has praised the vital UK biodiversity and restoration work of his organisation’s members during a speech at the Conference for Nature in Westminster. Speaking at the high-profile event, which follows on from the launch of the State of Nature report in 2013, Jackson said, “MPA totally supports the aim of protecting and enhancing the state of nature and biodiversity delivery across the UK and EU and we will play our part where we can. Our industry is

Now in its ninth edition, the major event for the building materials' industry is once again being held at Europe's largest basalt quarry in Homberg/Nieder-Ofleiden, south-west Germany. Sandvik, Metso. Atlas Copco, Powerscreen, Terex Washing Systems and Terex Finlay are among a huge range of manufacturers of quarry-based machine technology exhibiting at the key event, due to welcome ‎thousands of visitors over the next four days.

The UK aggregates and metals manufacturing sector is making tangible progress in managing its energy consumption, with 76% reporting a beneficial impact on the bottom line as a result of their efforts, according to a new report. The Siemens Industry report ‘The Future of Energy: The UK Manufacturing Opportunity’ canvassed the views of 600 board directors, senior management and energy managers from UK manufacturers operating across all major sectors, including aggregates and metals organisations.

A major project using natural stone in Valletta, the capital of Malta, will be among the highlights at the upcoming Marmomacc event in Verona, Italy, Being held from 24-27 September, the fair for operators in the stone industry, from machinery to instrumental products, from marble blocks to more complex processing, will see Hall 1 given over to an exhibition illustrating the history of the Valletta City Gate project.

As part of the company’s expansion and growth, McLanahan Corporation has appointed Mark Slonaker as its first vice president of manufacturing. He oversees manufacturing operations at all US based locations to ensure production meets required deadlines and the quality standards of an ISO certified company, all within the operational budget, and helps to maintain safe standards and corporate objectives, while making sure that as the company continues to grow, manufacturing capabilities are in place to meet an