News

Nigeria has reportedly become the country with the largest cement capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa at 28.3 million tonnes/year, with the country's demand for cement expected to reach 35 million tonnes/year by 2020. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, Angola, Senegal and Ghana now have annual cement capacity of 12.6 million, 8 million, 6.5 million and 6.7 million tonnes respectively.

A sharp rise in financing costs is said to be behind Italcementi's turnover decline of 6% to €2.048.4 billion in H1 2014. The running Ebitda improved by 2.2% to €304.8 million helped by a 6.2% reduction in the amortisation and depreciation charge, while the trading profit improved by 27.7% to €99.8 million.

The 66.5% hike in financing costs, largely related to interest rate derivatives and derivatives on CO2 hedging, is said to have led to a net financial charge of €75.1 million. After contribution fro

Chinese construction equipment manufacturer SDLG has opened a new parts warehouse in Jurong, west Singapore.
As Shandong Lingong Machinery (known as Lingong) continues to expand distribution of its equipment into global markets, it says it is also improving its aftermarket offering by opening strategically placed warehouses for fast spare parts delivery.

Following the marked improvement in UK mineral products sales from mid-2013, the latest Mineral Products Association (MPA) figures indicate further sales rises in the first half of 2014.

Compared to Q2 2013, crushed rock was the fastest growing market (+9% in Q2 2014), whilst both asphalt and sand & gravel were 4% higher. Ready mixed concrete sales fell 3.2% over the period, but the decline should be viewed in the context of the very high volumes seen last year and the underlying market trends remain pos

Production at Hanson Cement's Padeswood cement plant will increase after an investment by Heidelberg. The firm is looking to reinstate a railhead and develop a new packaging production line at the plant near Mold, North Wales. The development, which awaits Flintshire council approval, will create 35 jobs. The plant currently operates at half capacity, with Hanson Cement optimistic the plant will return to full capacity.

Israeli government to end cement monopoly

The Israeli government is set to end the country's cement monopoly. Antitrust Commissioner David Gilo has outlined a plan to force Nesher to sell its Har Tov plant, which produces around 30% (1 million tonnes) of Israel's cement/year.

If Nesher fails to sell the plant, Gilo said, the firm will have to drop the discounts it provides its largest customers.

The Cost of Living cabinet has approved plans to enhance competition in the cement market, which include

Russia’s Pavlovsk Nerud, a unit of National Non-Metallic Company, the largest producer of crushed stone in Europe, plans to invest €16.95 million (RUB 800 million)in upgrading and improving productivity. In Q1 2014, its net loss totalled more than €5.63 million (RUB 270 million) against a profit of €5.57 million (RUB 267 million) in Q1 2013.

The Romanian subsidiary of Lafarge, the French building materials group, has reported that its H1 2014 cement sales rose by 3.2% in value and 6.2% in volume compared with the same period in 2013. For Central and Eastern Europe, which covers Poland, Romania and Russia, cement sales for Lafarge rose 6% in the first half in terms of volume and 7.8% in terms of value compared with the same period in 2013.

Spanish cement firm, Cementos Molins, generated a profit of €17.97 million during the first six months of 2014, which represents a 116.9% growth. This has been attributed to a 39% decrease in losses in Spain to €13.6 million. International activity brought in profits of €31.6 million. Other figures show that turnover fell 6.7% to €248.4 million, whilst gross operating profit stood at €1.5 million.

Terex Trucks MD Paul Douglas said it’s “business as usual – but with added muscle” at the firm following its recent acquisition by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE).

In his first public announcement since the company’s acquisition was completed on 1 June 2014, Douglas said Terex Trucks would continue to operate as an independent business while at the same time drawing on the resources and expertise of its parent company.

Terex Trucks, said Douglas, will also retain its long-term commitment to it

Heidelberg Cement reports a strong operating performance for the second quarter of 2014 compared with previous year.
The group says it increased sales volumes in all business lines and group revenue was stable at €3.6 billion (like-for-like/+8%) and operating income improved slightly to €516 million despite negative exchange rate effects (like-for-like: +12%).
Operating cash flow improved significantly and net debt was reduced, while the group says the outlook for 2014 is confirmed with a positive outlook