ETHIOPIA: Pretoria Cement Acquires 10% of Habesha Cement, Ethiopia

Pretoria Portland Cement Company acquired a 10% share in Habesha Cement, Ethiopia. The 70 million birr investment makes the South African company the largest share holder.

Pretoria Cement signed a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a 15% share in the company December of 2010. Negotiations were delayed pending a feasibility study on Habesha cement conducted by Ernst and Young on behalf of the South African company.Habesha Cement is in the process of finalizing negotiations with another international company for a 30% stake worth 200 million birr according to Mesfin Abi General Manager. A non disclosure agreement prohibits Habesha cement from naming the party that it is in negotiations with he said. 

Habesha Cement recently secured a loan of 1.5 billion from the Development Bank of Ethiopia which covers an estimated 70% of the 2.1 billion birr required to construct its plant. The company expects to raise 700 million birr on its own.

With the Pretoria Cement acquisition, Habesha meets the 30% investment required to receive the loan from the Development Bank.

In related news it is expected that an additional 4.8 million tons of cement will enter the Ethiopian market, next year, as five new factories commence production and two existing factories complete expansion projects.

The new factories that are going into production are Derba MIDROC cement, C.H.Clinker manufacturing plc, Ture Dire Cement, Ethio-Cement, and National Cement expansions in Dire Dawa and Oromia Regional State.  

Expansion projects are also being undertaken on Jimma Cement factory and Dejene third and fourth phase projects which are under Derba MIDROC.

The potential cement supply of Ethiopia will reach an estimated 12.61 million tons by July of the coming year according to government estimates.

AFRICA: Lafarge Said to Seek $800 Million in Sale of South Africa Cement Operation

Lafarge SA (LG), the world’s biggest cement maker, is seeking a buyer for its cement operations in South Africa in a transaction that may fetch $700 million to $800 million, two people familiar with the situation said.

Potential bidders may include India’s Aditya Birla Group, said one of the people, who declined to be identified because the plan is private. Lafarge, based in Paris, has more than 3 million tons of cement capacity in South Africa and doesn’t break out financial results from the country.

Chief Executive Officer Bruno Lafont has sold assets to help meet a goal of cutting debt by about 2 billion euros ($2.63 billion) this year. He plans to reduce debt further in 2012 and bolster profit by raising prices, stepping up savings and divesting more assets. Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Service cut Lafarge’s credit rating to below investment grade this year.

The company will have difficulty restoring profitability because of rising raw-material prices, political turmoil in the Middle East and a construction slump in countries such as the U.S., Spain and Greece, the credit-rating companies said.

In response, Lafarge sold more than half of its gypsum business to buyers including Etex Group (ETEVP), and divested some cement and ready-mix plants in the U.S. to Cementos Argos SA. Its net debt was 14.3 billion euros at the end of the third quarter, compared with 14.7 billion euros a year earlier.

UltraTech

Lafarge spokeswoman Christel des Royeries declined to comment. Pragnya Ram, a spokeswoman for the Aditya Birla Group, wasn’t immediately available for comment.

Shares of the French cement supplier fell 0.9 percent to 26.07 euros as of 2:18 p.m. local time.

UltraTech Cement Ltd., owned by the Aditya Birla Group, is India’s largest producer of the commodity, with capacity of 52 million metric tons. The company produced 32.9 million tons of cement in the fiscal year ended March 31. The Aditya Birla group owns 63.3 percent of UltraTech Cement.

AFRICA: NIGERIA: Cement import to end 2012, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has said Nigeria would stop the importation of cement by the first quarter of next year. 

He said this is in tandem with his assurance to cement manufacturers during a meeting with them a few months ago. 

Jonathan, who spoke at the opening of the Lafarge Ewekoro 11 Plant, in Ogun State, said the Federal Government had earlier promised to stop cement importation if the manufacturers could meet up with the demand, adding that with what is on ground, this would become reality by the first quarter of next year. 

He said the government is committed to maintaining backward integration to guarantee self-sufficiency in the sector. 

Jonathan commended Lafarge for building the plant, saying the development showed the trust the company has in the country. 

He said there is need for rapid growth and diversification of the economy in other sectors, as the stock of oil upon which the country substantially depends, is a depleting asset.

He pointed out that the manufacturing sector would continue to remain a focal point for the government to improve the local economy thereby diversifying from oil to other sectors.

“According to experts, our oil sector is gradually depleting and in 35 years, things would definitely not remain the same in the sector.This is worrisome,” he admitted, and called for the urgent need to open up the private sector in order to make it more competitive and encourage more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to boost our Gross Domestic Output.

“We are focusing on other aspects of the economy so that when the oil is dry, we would have other things to fall back on. We hope to develop other areas like agriculture and manufacturing so that we can become self- sufficient,” Jonathan, stated. 

The Chairman, Lafarge WAPCO, Olusegun Osunkeye, said the new plant would contribute N6 billion yearly to the economy. He said this would be achieved through taxes and salaries, adding that the plant will create 1,000 additional jobs. 

Having fulfilled the national desire to establish a cement manufacturing company, the company has grown sustainability and made tremendous contributions to the availability of cement in the country, he said, adding that the plant puts the company at the forefront of exploration, production and marketing of cement in Nigeria.

VENEZUELA: Es una verdadera tragedia adquirir cemento en Trujillo

Desde la Gobernación del Estado, se deben dictar las nuevas normas y procesos de hacer llegar el cemento al pueblo, tanto en la manera para adquirirlo, como en la cantidad que éste requiera

Adquirir cemento en el estado Trujillo, se ha convertido en una verdadera tragedia para el pueblo y los empresarios del sector construcción, denunció Carlos Simón Olmos, precandidato a la Gobernación en representación de Acción Democrática (AD) y Alianza Bravo Pueblo (ABP), respectivamente.

Precisó que muchos venezolanos creyeron ingenuamente, que cuando el Estado Venezolano procediera a la expropiación de las plantas de cemento que el "cemento sería de todos", pero lamentablemente, esa medida resultó un fiasco total, una gran mentira, y la prueba es que hoy para adquirir unas pacas de cemento en el estado Trujillo y en otros estados del país, es una verdadera calamidad para el pueblo.

Colas inmensas

Las personas que necesitan comprar el cemento, bien en pequeñas o en grandes cantidades para construir o mejorar sus casas, tienen que hacer largas colas desde tempranas horas de la madrugada.

Reiteró el candidato a la Gobernación, que es toda una calamidad, una tragedia para comprar cemento hoy en día, a pesar de que las Plantas ahora son del Estado Venezolano y se entendía que sería mucho más fácil comprarlo y en la cantidad que se necesitara tal como era antes y estamos hablando, agregó, de hace apenas unos años atrás cuando eran administradas por el sector no oficial y se compraba en cualquier ferretería, el día y la hora que se deseara.

De tal manera enfatizó el candidato por el sector democrático, que con esa tragedia por la que atraviesan los trujillanos, hay que acabar, hay que buscar otra manera de distribución del cemento más justa, menos problemática y sobretodo acabar con el gran negocio que tienen los Consejos Comunales y otros intermediarios causantes en gran parte de la escasez y los reparos que ponen para adquirirlo.

-¿Qué propone usted, para resolver el problema?

Hay que poner fin a los cronogramas de venta, porque todos los días, deben ser habilitados para que cada ciudadano o empresa constructora, pueda comprar la cantidad de cemento que necesita, ya que para eso tenemos una Planta de Cemento en tierras trujillanas, y las ventajas por lo tanto, deben ser para esa gente que hoy atraviesa una verdadera tragedia para mejorar o hacerse su casa.

ESPAÑA: Cosmos mantiene parados los hornos de clínker por un exceso de almacenamiento

Los hornos de clínker de la fábrica de Cementos Cosmos de Oural están parados desde el 24 de octubre y hasta finales de enero por un exceso de material en la zona de almacenamiento, según fuentes del comité de empresa.

Las 96 personas que forman la plantilla mantienen sus puestos de trabajo, aunque verán reducido su salario al no percibir las primas por productividad, que constituyen una parte significativa de la remuneración. La falta de actividad en los hornos sí afecta al sector del transporte ya que, según las mismas fuentes, la treintena de camiones que trabajaban de forma indirecta para Cosmos están parados o realizando viajes para otras empresas.

La razón de fondo está en el parón de la construcción. Si antes salían unas 2.200 toneladas diarias de cemento de Oural, ahora se vende menos de la mitad, según las estimaciones. En consecuencia, los silos de clínker se encuentran repletos y los hornos dejaron de funcionar al no haber ya capacidad de almacenamiento para continuar la producción.

El comité de empresa explicó que, «ante la situación que atraviesa el sector», los trabajadores de la fábrica renunciaron de forma temporal a la funcionalidad y movilidad geográfica, «así como a una importante parte del salario». Según dice, este hecho deja «fuera de toda duda» la postura de la plantilla en momentos de crisis, pero ello no impide que exista un hondo malestar por la suspensión de la comida de Santa Bárbara.

El comité asegura que la decisión de denunciar la suspensión del evento como conflicto colectivo fue adoptada por los delegados sindicales (cuatro de la CIG, uno de UGT y uno de CC.OO.) «por unanimidad», por ello muestra su «total rechazo» a las manifestaciones de la federación de metal, construcción y afines de UGT desmarcándose de esta medida.

«Nos parece alucinante y fuera de lugar que la UGT apele a la crisis y, al mismo tiempo, quiera pedir a la empresa que done el importe de la comida a una organización benéfica. ¿Qué beneficio hay en ello si al final el coste es el mismo para la empresa?», dice el comité, que considera «demagógica» la propuesta. «¿A qué renuncian ellos ante la situación de crisis y en solidaridad con los trabajadores de las empresas que enumeran cuando cobran gracias a cuotas que pagan los trabajadores y subvenciones del Estado?», se pregunta.

El comité reitera que la queja no es por la «mera celebración de la comida», sino «por la decisión unilateral de la dirección de la factoría de suspenderla cuando se celebró en otros centros de trabajo del grupo como en la fábrica de Toral de los Vados, en León». Por último, muestra su malestar con la dirección de la fábrica y dice que esta denuncia es el «preludio» de otras actuaciones.

AFRICA: Portland Cement cuts dividend payout to finance growth

East African Portland Cement (EAPC) will slash its dividend payout in future to boost its cash reserves for financing expansion, managing director Kepha Tande has said.

Shareholders of the cement manufacturer will earn a dividend of Sh0.50 per share this year, after going without any payout last year.

Mr Tande said EAPC has lined up capital-intensive projects in the medium term which will take up most of the listed firm’s cash reserves.

The projects, Mr Tande said, include construction of a new multi-million shilling grinding plant in Kitui County.

EAPC, which is ranked as the second largest cement maker by market share, spent Sh1.4 billion to install a coal-powered kiln this year, which it hopes will cut its reliance on costlier fossil fuels.

“We have a focus on slashing our dividend payout moving forward to help us finance new capital projects that would be critical to enable the company gain market share and a competitive edge,” said Mr Tande.

EAPC paid a dividend of Sh1.30 per share in 2009, which was half the amount paid in 2007 after going 2008 without any payout.

Mr Tande said the dividend payout in the subsequent reporting periods would “certainly be lower.”

Portland Cement is facing stiff competition especially from newer entrants. It is betting on its newly-acquired status as a public limited company to increase its competitiveness and profitability. The cement maker joins other listed companies that have recently put shareholders on notice for lower dividend pay, as corporations turn to internally generated funds to finance its expansion in the face of growing uncertainty in the financial markets.

CFC Stanbic Bank, Standard Chartered and Cooperative Bank, have all announced plans to retain most of their earnings to boost their capital ratios as set by industry regulator, the Central Bank of Kenya.

Lucas Otieno, an executive director at Faida Investment Bank said a more conservative dividend payout policy reveals a cautious attitude by executives in view of the rising cost of funds in the financial markets going into the election year.

“The main concern for most companies is the cost of funds which is likely to be higher next year,” said Mr Otieno.

“The State is likely to continue raising funds from the capital markets to fund infrastructural projects, the General Election and the devolved governance system—meaning higher cost of funds,” he said.

CFC Stanbic Bank will retain at least half of its net profits this year to boost its capital base even as it plans to raise fresh funds through a rights issue expected in the second quarter of next year.

Co-operative Bank has said it will hold its dividend pay-out at last year’s level to finance growth and boost its capital ratios until 2013, when it intends to do a rights issue.

Standard Chartered Kenya’s management has said it is looking at a combination of profit retention, rights issue and, or, a subordinated debt to raise its capital base next year.

VIETNAM: Vietnam's cement market to face difficulties in 2012: experts

Vietnam's cement market will remain sluggish in 2012 because of continuing difficulties in production and business this year, reported the Vietnam News Agency on Monday quoting experts from the Vietnam Cement Association (VCA) as saying.

The VCA estimated that the domestic market would need 55-56.5 million tons of cement and 4-4.5 million tons of clinker and cement for export next year.

Meanwhile the industry will still experience many difficulties in production and business because of high input costs related to electricity and coal prices.

Tran Du Lich, a member of the National Assembly's Economic Committee, said that next year, the building material market would continue its slow growth due to the frozen property market, tightening credit policies and cuts in public construction project investment.

The loosening policy on credit would have little effect on the building material market, Lich said.

The domestic cement market has retained large stocks with a capacity hitting 60 million tons on a demand of 50 million this year.

Nguyen Tran Nam, deputy minister of construction, said that production costs had been driven up, increasing the retail price of cement, and the industry is in need of modern technology to increase production and lower operational and logistical costs.

Tran Van Huynh, chairman of the Vietnam Building Materials Association, said that the government and ministries should limit licensing wasteful cement factories with a small capacity of between 350,000-600,000 tons per year, and the Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation should link with joint ventures to manage demand and supply on a monthly basis.

The Ministry of Construction called on the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Market Watch Team to adjust selling prices for electricity, coal and petrol while ensuring sufficient supply towards the cement industry to ensure market stability.

TAIWAN: Taiwan Cement Acquires China-based Tai Chang

Taiwan Cement Corporation, Taiwan’s largest cement producer, recently announced it has offered 700 renminbi, or NT$3.5 billion, to acquire Tai Chang Group which is located in Sichuan province, China. 

Tai Chang is situated in southern part of Chengdu of Sichuan Province, where there are few cement plants but cement demand there is on the rise because of the implementation of several large-sized public works, including hydropower plants and expressways. 

Thanks to the acquisition, Taiwan Cement will see annual production capacity increase by three million metric tons of cement to reach 60.3 million metric tons, becoming one of the top-three cement conglomerates in Sichuan province. 

Taiwan Cement said it will continually launch merger and acquisition cases because cement demand in southwestern China will be on the rise in the wake of increased construction of public works there. 

The company has projected to boost annual production capacity to 100 million metric tons in China in 2016, becoming one of China’s top-three cement producers. Up to date this year, the company has completed four acquisition projects in China. 

Institutional investors believed Taiwan’s leading cement producers, including Taiwan Cement and Asia Cement Corp., will be able to make more profits in 2012 than 2011 because of their expansion in the lucrative China market.

PAKISTAN: Cement performance tumbling in hard times

Last month had been a rather lull one for the cement sector of the country.

On a year-on-year, as well as on a month-on-month basis, cement dispatches largely depicted a falling trend.

Relative to October 2011, both local and export dispatches declined considerably, with a major dent witnessed from the southern region in local dispatches, and in exports to India.

Interestingly, it seems that the optimism observed when MFN status was granted to India has little weight looking at the 50 percent month-on-month decline in dispatches to India.

As for a year-on-year comparison with November 2010, the last month witnessed a dip of about ten percent in total exports, and five percent in local dispatches.

The year-on-year decline in local dispatches was led by a decline in northern sales, which dipped about seven percent versus the same month last year.

On the export front, while exports via sea and to Afghanistan decreased, those to India increased in November 2011 relative to November 2010.

The volumetric decline in local dispatches is plausibly attributed to very low government spending, with the management of some companies foreseeing subdued volumetric growth in the wake of curtailed PSDP expenditures.

On the export front, lower export prices in international markets, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, were responsible for impinging on export sales.

While Afghanistan witnessed a decline in November 2011 on a month-on-month and year-on-year basis, cement manufacturers are hopeful that construction work in Kabul and other areas will help bring up dispatches during the year to over 5 million tons.

A comparison of 5MFY12 against 5MFY11 makes this year appear better.

However, is likely due to the low-base effect of the previous year, during which sales were much-affected in the first half due to the floods.

Going forward, it appears that the cement industry will be facing a tough FY12.

There aren a lot of positives on the export side, except for hopes of exports to Afghanistan picking up, while local dispatches are likely to be affected because of lower PSDP allocations this fiscal year.

INDIA: Indian cement demand will be in double digits

Undettered by oversupply in the industry, Reliance Cement is planning ahead. Mr Sumit Banerjee vice chairman discusses with Pooja Sarkar the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group’s subsidiary plans of adding capacity and scouting for new locations measures that will pay off once the demand scenario improves in 2013-14.

Q - Please elaborate on the progress of your new projects.

A - We are setting up two plants one each in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Each will be of 5 million tonne capacity. The physical work at the MP plant has begun; it will start at the Maharashtra one in another six months. They will commence commercial operation by 2013 and end-2014 respectively. Besides, we are setting up a grinding plant at Butibori near Nagpur; that will be connected with our Maharashtra plant. We are bringing the grinding plant early, so as to couple it with the fly ash and power from the next door sister company, Reliance Power. It will start generation by mid 2012. The Butibori plant will also get commissioned and start kicking supplies in the Vidharbha market by the middle of 2012.

Q - What are your plans regarding investment in West Bengal and other parts?

A - We have plans of setting up plants in many parts of the country, including West Bengal. We are interested in Bengal, as it is the gateway to the markets of eastern India. Plus, there is a huge infrastructure gap in this area. We expect consumption demand in this region to grow significantly in the near future. We have given our proposal to WBIDC (the state’s industrial development corporation); we are awaiting the government’s approval. It will be a grinding unit, as there are no limestone reserves in the state but fly ash and slag are readily available.

Q - How much money has Reliance Cement expended till date? What are your CAPEX plans? And, are you looking for mergers and acquisitions?

A - This is a private limited company and the numbers will come in the public domain only when we go for an IPO. However, we have already spent a substantial amount of money and are committed in terms of placing of orders and putting up capacities, etc. That would entail much bigger amounts of money for our first two cement plants. We also believe in creating our own new capacities, as one can create according to one’s choice of scale, technology and design, choice of location, etc.

EEUU: Cement plant is fined $1.4 million

A CalPortland cement plant near the desert community of Mojave, Calif., has agreed to pay a fine of $1.4 million and spend $1.3 million on equipment needed to reduce emissions of pollutants that cause asthma and generate smog, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week.

The penalties were part of a settlement that capped an investigation by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice into the CalPortland Co. facility, one of the largest emitters of nitrogen oxide pollution in California.

"This is one of the biggest fines against a cement facility," said Jared Blumenfeld, the EPA's regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest. "It comes at a time when the EPA is focusing on cement production as a sector which can make significant improvements in air quality nationwide."

CalPortland Vice President Scott Isaacson said, "We've chosen to settle this matter and we are not going to quarrel with EPA. Our focus will be implementation and resolution of the settlement, a process that will unfold over the next few years."

The 58-year-old plant employs 130 people and is one of the largest businesses in the unincorporated community of about 4,000 people best known as home to the Mojave Air and Space Port, a campus of more than 60 companies engaged in aerospace development, manufacturing and flight testing.

The EPA probe revealed that CalPortland made significant modifications at the plant that increased emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide without first obtaining a pre-construction permit and installing pollution control equipment required by the Clean Air Act. It also failed to submit accurate and complete permit applications, the EPA said.

The settlement ensures that the proper equipment will be installed to reduce annual pollution by at least 1,200 tons of nitrogen oxide and 360 tons of sulfur dioxide, said Ignacio S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the environmental and natural resources division of the Department of Justice.

The plant, about 95 miles northeast of Los Angeles in Kern County, now emits about 3,200 tons of nitrogen oxides and 1,200 tons of sulfur dioxide per year, the EPA said.

CalPortland has one year to install and operate emission controls for nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, the EPA said.

Nitrogen oxides are linked to health problems, visual impairment and asthma. Sulfur dioxide, in high concentrations, can affect breathing and aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

INDONESIA: Indonesia Experiences a Boom in Cement Sales

Cement sales in Indonesia are in an all-time high due to the huge volume of infrastructure and real estate projects. According to the Indonesian Cement Association (ASI), cement sales this year could exceed previous forecasts. Domestic sales rose by 10% as opposed to the projected sales of 6%. This rise was largely because of the increase in infrastructure construction in the country. That's why now it's the best time to get property with Rumah 123.

Cement sales in Indonesia are in an all-time high due to the huge volume of infrastructure and real estate projects. According to the Indonesian Cement Association, cement sales this year could exceed previous forecasts. Domestic sales rose by 10% as opposed to the projected sales of 6%. This rise was largely because of the increase in infrastructure construction in the country, a government measure which local publications like the popular Rumah Magazine, Majalah Properti and Laporan Rumah Dijual are attributing for the sudden surge in housing demand, something in which the sudden popularity of property portals are in response to.

“The cements prices have proven that the government has invested a lot in infrastructure projects,” said Handy Chang of Rumah123.com, Indonesia’s number 1 and most established Property Portal. “These projects have done a lot for the country’s economy. The improvement of the economy has led to the increase of housing demand. Rumah123.com has recognized this demand and that is what we are addressing right now. Our goal is to help people find the house of their dreams. Not only that, we have special features tailor made for the savvy real estate investor as well.”

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BOLIVIA: Producción de cemento aumenta por alta demanda

El auge de la construcción en el país derivó en el crecimiento de la producción de cemento en 9,6% entre enero y octubre de este año respecto a igual periodo de 2010. Los constructores prevén que la demanda continuará al alza en los próximos meses.

Según datos extractados de la página web del Instituto Boliviano del Cemento y el Hormigón (IBCH), en el departamento de Oruro se registró un mayor consumo de cemento seguido de Tarija y La Paz (ver infografía). El gerente general del IBCH, Marcelo Alfaro, dijo que en esta gestión la producción de cemento sobrepasará el 10% con relación a lo registrado el año anterior.

“Una de las principales causas es que existe más dinero en la economía y además las tasas de interés están muy bajas. En el caso de personas que, por ejemplo, tienen dinero en el sistema bancario y ahora reciben un monto muy bajo por concepto de intereses, se animan a realizar una construcción o comprar un departamento y luego alquilarlo, de este modo pueden volver a percibir una renta mensual”, explicó. Por su parte, el presidente de la Cámara Boliviana de la Construcción de Bolivia (Caboco), Jaime Ponce, prevé que la demanda de cemento en el país continuará en los próximos meses debido al auge de la construcción.

çPor este motivo, Ponce pidió al Gobierno garantizar el abastecimiento de gas natural a las cuatro empresas cementeras para que no exista escasez de este insumo.

“El dinamismo que tiene el sector es producto de la liquidez en el sistema financiero, además las condiciones del crédito son bastante amplias, que tienen unas tasas que posibilitan que mucha gente califique. Otro efecto es el de las remesas de los compatriotas que trabajan en el exterior”, señaló el ejecutivo.

Según un reporte de la agencia AFP, fechado el 9 de este mes, la construcción registra un inusual crecimiento en Bolivia como resultado del apogeo económico que vive, la falta de opciones para la inversión productiva e incluso de la inyección de recursos originados en el contrabando y el trasiego de droga.

Salario de albañiles se incrementó

El vicepresidente de la Cámara Boliviana de la Construcción (Caboco), Christian Eduardo, dijo que producto de la bonanza en el sector y la demanda de mano de obra, el jornal que se paga a los albañiles y ayudantes se incrementó durante esta gestión. “Una mano de obra calificada estaba en los 100 bolivianos aproximadamente, pero hoy el jornal de un maestro albañil está entre los 130 y 140 bolivianos. El ayudante estaba bordeando los 60 bolivianos a principios de año y ahora está por los 80 y 90 bolivianos”, agregó.

El secretario ejecutivo de la Confederación Sindical de Trabajadores en Construcción de Bolivia, Jesús Acosta, indicó que si se mantiene el aumento de la producción de cemento en 2012, los salarios no bajarán porque habrá demanda de trabajadores.

“Si hay este aumento en la producción de cemento, el año que viene podrían generarse por lo menos unos 30 mil empleos más porque tenemos grandes obras que encarar. Por ejemplo, el proyecto de Misicuni en Cochabamba”, enfatizó. 

Según Acosta, en la actualidad en el sector de la construcción laboran alrededor de 120 mil trabajadores entre maestros albañiles y ayudantes. “Eso es bueno porque nuestros trabajadores van a tener trabajo”, agregó.

ARGENTINA: Proyectan que la venta de cemento batirá récords en 2012

“El dinamismo de la inversión en construcción se mantendrá “federal”, por contraposición al proceso observado en los ´90, cuando la ciudad de Buenos Aires y el Gran Buenos Aires dominaron la escena. Y en ese marco, las regiones del NEA, NOA y Cuyo serán las impulsoras de la actividad en los próximos años. El crecimiento de la construcción en estas regiones se explica a partir del desarrollo del sector agropecuario, los biocombustibles, el turismo y la minería y se mantendrá durante las próximas décadas en la medida que las políticas públicas alienten las inversiones necesarias para consolidarlo”. Así lo indicó el Ing. Pedro Brandi, Presidente del Grupo Construya, al inaugurar en Rosario el Fórum Construya, una jornada de actualización, capacitación y networking organizada por Construya que nucleó a un notable panel de disertantes con 500 arquitectos, desarrolladores, constructores, distribuidores, corredores inmobiliarios y otros profesionales del sector para analizar y compartir las últimas tendencias del sector.

El Grupo Construya es una asociación civil conformada por doce empresas líderes en la producción de materiales de la construcción (Later-Cer-Cerámica Quilmes, FV Grifería de Alta Tecnología, Loma Negra, Cerro Negro, Parexklaukol, Aluar-división elaborados, Acerbrag, Plavicon, Cefas- el milagro, Ferrum, Eternit-durlock y Acqua –system) que surgió en 2002 con los objetivos de promover el crecimiento de la construcción, fomentar la cultura de la calidad en la cadena de valor y generar herramientas de respaldo y servicio a la labor de los distribuidores, los profesionales y los empresarios. En los últimos nueve años las empresas integrantes del Grupo Construya invirtieron un total de u$s500 M e incrementaron su dotación de personal en 42%.

El Mercado de la construcción

El Ing. Pedro Brandi, señaló que desde el año 2002 se recompusieron las expectativas sobre el proceso de recuperación de la inversión en construcción. Así surge del crecimiento del Índice Construya –que releva mensualmente los volúmenes de ventas de los productos de las 12 empresas del Grupo- a un ritmo de 13% equivalente anual en los últimos nueve años, lo que implica que la inversión en construcción logró casi triplicarse. “Y si la medimos en dólares corrientes, la evolución de la inversión en construcción fue más llamativa aún, ya que pasó de apenas u$s7.000 M en 2002 a casi $66.000 M es en el corriente ejercicio”, especificó.

A la hora de proyectar las perspectivas para 2012, el Grupo Construya estima que el sector de la construcción podrá sostener un elevado nivel de actividad en términos históricos. Este año los despachos de cemento portland, principal termómetro de la actividad sectorial, establecerán una nueva marca histórica, ya que se ubicarán por encima de las 11 millones de toneladas. Suponiendo un crecimiento del PBI a un ritmo cuyo piso sería del 3,4% anual, la construcción estaría en condiciones de continuar expandiéndose a un ritmo levemente superior al del PBI total, acumulando un crecimiento total de casi 20% en el próximo quinquenio, y establecer nuevos récords históricos.

En este escenario, las 12 empresas nucleadas en el Grupo Construya cuentan con proyectos de inversión por un total de u$s500 M para el período 2012-2016.

Impulso del Interior

Si bien hoy las regiones de Buenos Aires y Centro son las más importantes en lo referente al volumen total de la actividad, tanto cuando se mide el consumo de cemento como cuando se analizan las superficies autorizadas para construir en los principales municipios, en el medianolargo plazo, la pampa húmeda y las regiones NEA, NOA y Cuyo son las que podrán exhibir las mejores performances, de forma tal que irán ganando importancia en el total de la inversión en construcción.

Las regiones del NOA, Cuyo y NEA, son las que muestran las mayores tasas de crecimiento poblacional, explicando casi la mitad del crecimiento de la población total del país entre los últimos censos y aportando casi 1,8 millones más de habitantes, y también son las regiones que ven crecer más rápidamente sus consumos de cemento portland y la superficie autorizada para construir en sus principales municipios.

Considerando la evolución de los últimos cinco años, período en el cual la actividad de la construcción marcó récords de actividad sucesivos, en el NEA los despachos totales de cemento crecieron 88,6% y este año superarán las 800 mil toneladas anuales. En tanto, las regiones de NOA y Cuyo acumularon subas de 53% - por sobre le promedio nacional-,

alcanzando volúmenes de 1,2 y 0,97 millones de toneladas, respectivamente.

En cambio, dentro de la región Buenos Aires, la Capital Federal viene registrando caídas absolutas casi sistemáticas en los últimos años, tanto en lo que respecta al consumo de cemento como en lo que respecta la aprobación de permisos de construcción. “Claramente,

fuera de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, las oportunidades de inversión en construcción que existen en los principales municipios del país son muchas y muy importantes”, Concluyó Brandi.

En la medida que se mantenga la escasez del financiamiento de largo plazo a tasas razonables, se puede esperar que la inversión en construcción continúe siendo dinamizada por los segmentos de ingresos altos y medio-altos, así como por la inversión pública en vivienda social destinada a los grupos poblacionales de menores ingresos.

La actualidad del mercado rosarino

Durante la mesa redonda “La actualidad del mercado rosarino”, referentes locales del mercado de la construcción como Daniel Verger, (Gerente de Fundar), el arquitecto Gerardo Caballero (Master in Architecture por la Washington University de St. Louis con más de 15 años de experiencia en Rosario), Javier Grandinetti (actual Presidente del Colegio de Corredores Inmobiliarios de Santa Fe, sede Rosario (Cadeiros) y Presidente de la Cámara de Empresas Inmobiliarias de la Ciudad de Rosario) y Marcelo Passardi (especializado en construcción de obras privadas de propiedad horizontal) compartieron su visión y respondieron preguntas del auditorio.

Los disertantes analizaron el crecimiento urbano de la ciudad de Rosario y sus alrededores en el último tiempo, impulsado por varios factores endógenos y externos, como la ubicación estratégica, la gran afluencia de dinero por la soja, la creciente conectividad de la ciudad por autopistas, el puerto, la calidad de vida, etc.

El arquitecto Marcelo Passardi (especializado en construcción de obras privadas de propiedad horizontal), definió a la situación actual del mercado rosarino como de demanda sostenida y baja en la oferta.

Señaló que en Rosario el mercado está activo en cuanto a ahorro e inversión de bienes de capital (aún más que en el resto del país por su ubicación geográfica y la baja de oferta). Sobre la demanda, afirmó que es sostenida y superior que el promedio país, aunque señaló que podría verse afectada por la baja del precio de la soja. Por otro lado, ante la baja de oferta de unidades nuevas y la suba de costos, augura una suba de precios, y una posible satisfacción de la demanda por unidades usadas u otras opciones. Las áreas centrales de la ciudad quedarán para consumo de clientes ABC1, por lo cual se producirá una expulsión hacia las periferias de la primera vivienda y la vivienda social. Esto hará que la demanda se reoriente hacia otros lugares de precios inferiores con iguales o superiores condiciones de habitabilidad.

En tanto Javier Grandinetti resaltó la amplitud del mercado rosarino, que excede al área metropolitana de Rosario y se extiende hasta las islas del Paraná al este, hasta Arroyo Seco al Sur, Roldán al Oeste y Maciel al norte. Asimismo, destacó la amplitud del área del mercado de demanda, a toda la provincia de Santa Fe, centro y norte de Buenos Aires, sur y este de Córdoba, la provincia de Entre Ríos y las provincias del Litoral norte. Destacó como oportunidades que presenta el mercado la baja densidad de edificación de la ciudad, la gran alternativa de productos, la calidad de vida que ofrece, la potencialidad de alto crecimiento, la matriz productiva en desarrollo y la creciente articulación público privada. Sin embargo, marcó que el comportamiento del precio de los commodities, la desaceleración de la economía, los cambios en las políticas fiscales y la política cambiaria son hoy amenazas para el futuro del sector.

PARAGUAY: Despacho llega a 37.000 bolsas de cemento

La Industria Nacional del Cemento (INC) disminuyó este diciembre el despacho de material de construcción en alrededor de 9.400 bolsas por día.

Según datos de gerencia comercial, en noviembre se despachó un promedio de 46.400 bolsas de cemento por día, mientras que la cifra actual llega apenas a las 37.000 bolsas.

El gerente comercial de la estatal, Gustavo Ortiz, afirmó que INC cuenta con suficiente clínker para producir cemento durante diciembre. La idea es retomar la producción del insumo antes de fin de mes, ya que el horno está paralizado desde el 16 de noviembre pasado.

Sin embargo, la reactivación de la producción está sujeta a tres condicionantes. Primero, la llegada del fueloíl para el funcionamiento del horno; segundo, que se acaben las reparaciones y mantenimientos que se están realizando desde hace semanas y, tercero, la decisión de los funcionarios, quienes amenazaron con no producir clínker si el Senado no les repone sus beneficios.

AFRICA: Afrimat acquires Clinker Supplies

Key operations are close to Vereeniging and Sasolburg, support services based in Alrode, also a unit close to the recently acquired Glen Douglas mine

MATERIALS supplier Afrimat has acquired 100% of the issued ordinary share capital of SA Block and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Clinker Supplies, for R123,5m, in line with its strategy of seeking out new avenues for growth.

Afrimat CEO Andries van Heerden said yesterday the acquisition presented a "unique" opportunity to generate further revenue through new product development, as well as a refined, focused marketing strategy. He said the Clinker group had a profit after tax of R30 m, which would equate to a return on equity for Afrimat of 24% a year.

Mr van Heerden said the acquisition also provided Afrimat with a hedge against the volatile, cyclical nature of the aggregates industry. "Due to clinker’s distinct characteristics, which are difficult to substitute, it has proven resistant to market fluctuations," he said.

Clinker is involved in the extraction of clinker raw material from various stockpiles and the processing into products of various specifications, primarily for use in the concrete manufacturing industry.

Its key operations are close to Vereeniging and Sasolburg, with support services based in Alrode. Mr van Heerden said there was a Clinker operation close to the recently acquired Glen Douglas Mine, creating "exciting" synergy opportunities.

Afrimat, which operates 25 open-cast mines, one metallurgical dolomite mine and six sand mines, said its strategy was to focus on small-scale infrastructure projects.

Mr van Heerden said the group was well positioned, given its cash-flush position and some acquisition opportunities.

Afrimat, which operates 18 ready-mix concrete plants, eight precast concrete brick and block factories, also offers transport, drilling and blasting services.

INDIA: Cement demand likely to grow by 4.5% in FY12: RK Global

Cement giants ACC, Ambuja and UltraTech together, reported a 14% Y-o-Y growth in the dispatches for the month of Nov-2011 to 6.7 mn tons. However, the dispatches reported a 6.1% sequential decline in volumes. The decline in the dispatches reflects the impact of slow-down seen across the business activity,`` said RK Global Research.

The cement industry delivered yet another month of resilient performance with dispatches growing by 5.2% y-o-y to 10.6mnt. Cement dispatches have registered an average growth of 11% since Nov`10 mainly on account of languish demand from rural housing and Govt. infrastructure spending. Ambuja witnessed high dispatch growth of 25.4% Y-o-Y. UltraTech dispatch growth for November stood at 16.3% Y-o-Y, while ACC was the laggard in the pack registering growth of 5.2% Y-o-Y.

Price impact

All-India cement prices continue to remain inversely related to dispatches as players adhere to strict supply discipline. Cement prices have increased by an average of Rs 18 per bag. On regional basis northern region have witnessed an increased by Rs 8 per bag in Nov`11. During the month, the average price increased by Rs 8 per bag to Rs 263 per bag in Delhi. Cement availability has increased and prices have remained constant. Bookings for non-trade sector have commenced and the prices in the segment are higher than that for trade segment. Cement price in the eastern region has sequentially increased fourth month, with a latest increase by Rs 20 per bag to Rs 265. Price in western, southern and central region stood at Rs 260, Rs 255 and Rs 240 respectively per bag, with no major price movement during the month.

Industry outlook

All-India cement demand is expected to grow by 4.5% in FY12E against 4.4% in FY11 as demand from the housing and infrastructure segments to remain under pressure on account of key issues like rising cost of capital, land acquisition and clearances and unavailability of key raw materials like coal to the manufacturing industry, the consumption has been subdued during the year and grew by 3.9% Y-o-Y in April-November 2011. However, the slowdown in construction activities would remain a key concern. The utilization rate is expected to decline further to 73% in FY12E and would remain at the same level in FY13E on account of high additions in effective capacity as against incremental demand. For FY13E, we expect the utilization rate to remain at 75%. However, it is expected to start improving from H2FY`13E onwards as incremental demand is likely to keep pace with the additions in effective capacities. The cement industry which offers high visibility of revenue and earnings in phase of high growth typically loses its shine during the time of economic slowdown.

UltraTech Cement

On a cumulative basis (April-November 2011), dispatches of the company remained flat at 24.8MT on account of low demand across the country particularly in the southern region, where the company has good exposure. 

> UltraTech reported a decline of -3% M-o-M in its dispatches for November at 3.1 MT. On Y-o-Y basis the company dispatch volume grew 16%. 

> The production in the last month has decreased by 7.1% M-o-M to 3.0 MT. The cumulative production during the April-November period of this year remained flat at 25 MT, a increase on merely 1.1%.

ACC Cement

ACC continued its impressive performance in terms of volume growth. The company`s dispatches for Nov`11 beg off 7% M-o-M to 1.83 MT. Its cumulative sales during the April-November period stood at 15.4MT, improving by 11% compared to same period last year. 

> ACC`s production in the last month declined by 10.3% M-o-M to 1.8 MT, while during April- November Period, volume increased by 11.2% to 15.3 MT. 

> Robust volume growth was due to combined effect of low base in 2010 and commencement of new capacity of 3 MT per annum in December last year and new addition which began fully operational from September 2011.

Ambuja Cement

Ambuja Cement reported a positive growth in dispatches for the second consecutive month in the current financial year. It had registered a decline in the dispatches in the first three months of FY11. 

> The company has registered a 2.8% volume growth in November 2011 to 1.83MT. Cumulative volumes (Apr-Nov 2011) improved by 6.5% to 13.7MT. 

> The production for the month increased by 0.5% M-o-M to 1.8MT. On a cumulative basis (April-Nov 2011) production increased to 13.5MT, showing an increase of 3.5%.

JP Associates

Jaiprakash Associates outperformed its peers in terms of volume growth. It witnessed 12.8% M-o-M volume growth during the last month and the dispatches stood at 1.59MT. 

> The cumulative sales during April-Nov period improve by 14.3% Y-o-Y to 11.3MT.

PHILIPPINES: Cement firm goes beyond green

Going green has become the new buzz word for many companies who are now adopting environmental sustainability programs as part of their corporate social responsibility.

At a time when the Philippines is at its most vulnerable to natural calamities, it is but the right moment for businesses to start thinking green.

But one multinational company is aiming to address not just the environmental sustainability of the community but its economic and social sustainability as well.

Swiss-based cement company Holcim Ltd. through its non-profit organization Holcim Foundation said it is committed to support the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the community through its centerpiece Sustainable Construction.

“We have five target issues namely, Progress, People, Planet, Prosperity and Proficiency,” Holcim Foundation general manager for Sustainable Construction Edward Schwarz told The Star in an interview.

“As the global provider of building materials, sustainable constr

ction is our obligation, it requires that the present generation meets its needs without limiting the opportunities of future generations. For an approach to enable long-term viability, it must integrate economic, environmental and social impacts, the three elements of the triple bottom line,” he said.

Schwarz stressed that the construction industry can contribute greatly to global sustainability “because everything that is built shapes the way people live today, and in the future.”

“Buildings account for up to 40 percent of primary energy consumption. Handling building design and management, material selection, and also energy and resource consumption in a sustainable manner would be a significant step toward ecologically and responsible development,” said Schwarz.

“In addition, advanced responses in terms of ethical and social responsibility and financially feasible projects that provide long-term economic benefits illustrate the important role that architecture, engineering, urban planning and construction have in achieving a more sustainable future,” he stressed.

Raising awareness on the importance of sustainable construction among professionals and the public is the Foundation’s main objective.

“We want to promote a mindset that views sustainability not only in terms of immense technical challenges, but that also incorporates architectural excellence and leads to a higher quality of life,” he says.

Here in the Philippines , Holcim has already implemented a number of initiatives that highlight Holcim Foundation's sustainable Construction.

Among these are the Holcim Journalism Awards which aims to educate the public about the importance and meaning of what sustainable construction is all about, and the Holcim coffee talks which enjoins local government units and local business companies to support Sustainable Construction in their communities.

“We are trying to raise awareness about Sustainable Construction, that there is necessity and building for the next generation. We want many people to be aware about making sure that resources for construction will still benefit the future generation, Sustainability goes beyond the environment, it should be holistic for the people and progress as well ” said Beng Prado, Vice-President for Corporate Communications.