Quarry Products

The Global demand for cement and concrete additives is projected to increase 9.3% annually to $21.2 billion (€15.4 billion) in 2017.

According to analyst Mike Richardson: “Although growth in world cement consumption will decelerate from that of the 2007-2012 period, a number of factors will contribute to robust value growth for additives.”

Additive loadings are increasing in all but the most developed markets, and even in those, fibre additive usage is becoming more prevalent. A shift to higher-perfor

The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) has published its seventh annual Sustainable Development (SD) report covering the year 2012. This builds upon the wider sustainable development initiative established by BMAPA’s parent organisation, the Mineral Products Association (MPA). The publication of BMAPA’s seventh SD report follows the launch of the sector’s sustainable development strategy in October 2006.

Under this initiative, individual marine aggregate operators continue to report a

Egypt's Misr Beni Suef Cement (MBSC) recorded a 20% year-on-year rise in revenue in 2013 to €136.12 million (EGP 1.32 billion). Gross profit rose by a more modest 11%, with the margin down 180 basis points to 23.2% due to higher energy costs. Although sales volume fell 7%, brining capacity utilisation down to 89%, average cement prices climbed 28% to reach an average of €51.28 (EGP 494) per tonne.

Olmaliq Mining and Smelting Plant (Olmaliq KMK) has built a cement plant in Jizzax region of Uzbekistan. Around €82 million has been invested in the project. The plant's capacity is 760,000tonnes of Portland cement and 350,000tonnes of white cement per year. A pilot batch of product was produced on 20 March 2014.

Saudi Cement Company (SCC) of Saudi Arabia is aiming to permanently close three production lines at a plant in Hofuf. The three kilns have total clinker output of 1,325tonnes/day, but are said to be operating at lower efficiency and higher costs.

Abeda, the association in Brazil which represents asphalt distribution companies, says there is a risk of a shortage in asphalt in 2014 due to the increased demand for national infrastructure work and new road concessions.
In 2013 Brazilian companies reported temporary shortages in several states, while average monthly production stood at 227,121tonnes in Petrobras refineries operating above their limits. The deficit has to be compensated by increased imports, which increases costs. Abeda says imports coul

Mexico’s collegiate circuit tribunal has ruled in favour of Cemex on the so-called 'May Nour' case which has been in dispute for nearly ten years.
Comercio para el Desarrolo Mexicano (CDM), a company made up of former employees of the global cement manufacturing giant, together with the now obsolete Federal Competition Commission, accused Cemex in 2004 of monopolistic practices. CDM claimed the company had blocked 27,000tonnes of Russian cement from entering Mexico via the ship known as Mary Nour. The com

US Concrete’s wholly owned subsidiary, Ingram Concrete, has acquired the ready-mix assets of T&S Venture based in Sweetwater, Texas.

The move is said to be the latest example of US Concrete’s acquisition strategy of finding strong businesses that are well located in areas of above-average growth. It is also said by the firm to demonstrate its commitment to the robust Texas construction market. “We continue to look forward to great things from the West Texas market and this acquisition takes us one step c

Leading building materials producer HeidelbergCement says it expects its sales and earnings to grow this year as it benefits from the gathering momentum of recovery in key markets.
"The management board has set the goal of further increasing revenue, operating income and profit for the financial year in 2014 on a comparable basis," HeidelbergCement said in a company statement.
"In 2014, we will benefit from the economic development in the industrial countries, particularly in North America, the United Kin

An unnamed Chinese company is said to be in talks about creating a strategic partnership with the Feldspat minerals and stone mine in Bujanovac, according to Serbian Minister of Energy and Mining, Milan Bacevic.
Bacevic says that the strategic partnership will enable for quality and quantity of mining production to increase. No further details about the talks have been disclosed.