Wednesday, June 1, 2011

ESPAÑA: FCC desembarca en Emiratos Árabes



FCC,que hoy celebra junta de accionistas, se alía con el grupo local Commodore de Abu Dhabi. La compañía reitera sus objetivos de beneficio y tantea la venta de su cementera en EEUU.

El presidente de FCC, Baldomero Falcones, ha anunciado esta mañana que la compañía ha sellado un acuerdo estratégico con un grupo de Abu Dhabi llamado Commodore para desarrollar conjuntamente proyectos en el área de infraestructuras de transporte, principalmente, trenes ligeros, puertos y autopistas en los emiratos árabes.

FCC ha extendido también su radio de acción hasta Qatar y Kuwait. "Me gusta ser optimista", asegura Falcones, que prevé que, a medio plazo, el 60% de la facturación de FCC provenga del exterior.

Sopesa la venta de su cementera en EEUU

Falcones también ha anticipado que sigue atento a las oportunidades del mercado para traspasar su negocio de cemento en EEUU. Incluso, ha dicho que sopesa venderlo en un rango de entre 600 y 700 millones de dólares.

Sobre las alianzas con Bankia en Realia y Globalvia, asegura que hay comunión de intereses y que espera que en el corto plazo se consiga la entrada de un tercer socio en el capital de la filial de autopistas. En paralelo, Falcones no descarta la venta de Torre Picasso si se presenta una buena oportunidad. "Mantenemos una gestión dinámica de nuestros activos", dijo presidente de FCC al referirse a la posible desinversión del emblamático edificio de oficinas madrileño.

En materia nuevas emisiones de bonos, la compañía sigue preparada en el momento que se presente una oportunidad para emitir hasta 1.500 millones. De momento, FCC está a punto de cerrar una emisión de bonos por 100 millones de euros a través de su filial austriaca Alpine, a un tipo del 5,25% a cinco año.

El impacto del ajuste presupuestario público tendrá un impacto en la producción de la compañía en España del orden del 12% y 15%. Mantenemos el objetivo de reducir la deuda a 7.500 millones de euros. El presidente de FCC, Baldomero Falcones, también ha reiterado que sus objetivos de beneficios y ebitda para este año están en línea con los de 2010. La compañía prevé, asimismo, mantener su dividendo.

VENEZUELA: Persisten fallas en suministro de insumos de la construcción

Para Datanálisis la producción de casas se enfrenta a etapa de hostilidad

En el primer trimestre del año las ventas de insumos para la construcción repuntaron, pero gran parte de los materiales se orientaron más a los proyectos del sector público que a los planes del sector privado. 

La menor disponibilidad de materiales fue uno de los aspectos que incidió en el retroceso de la construcción demanda por los privados y por ende en la actividad general. En ese trimestre esas dificultades en el suministro de materiales básicos como cabillas y cemento continúan sin solventarse. 

El presidente de la Cámara Venezolana de la Construcción, Juan Francisco Jiménez, señaló que pese a las ventas, existen problemas y apuntó que la situación más crítica es con los productos de acero. 

"En algunas entidades se ha agravado el suministro de cabillas, y cuando se consiguen los materiales sus costos son elevados. Existe una distorsión. La regulación genera un problema de flujo de caja y además lleva a la especulación, por lo cual es necesario evaluar los precios de los insumos". 

El Gobierno en el marco de la misión Vivienda Venezuela tiene previsto revisar el abastecimiento de materiales y una de las medidas consiste en dejar en manos de Sidor la distribución nacional de cabillas. 

Para Jiménez la distribución no se puede centralizar, "tiene que ser abierta para que no haya una distinción entre los proyectos públicos y los privados". 

Los constructores no sólo enfrentan problemas con los cabillas también tienen fallas con el cemento. Las cementeras en un reporte admitieron que en el primer trimestre tuvieron problemas de flujo de caja y de distribución de materiales por dificultades logísticas. 

El director de Datanálisis, Luis Vicente León, apuntó que la construcción, que en el primer trimestre cayó 7,7%, está en recesión por la falta de insumos y las expropiaciones. 

Detalló sobre los materiales que "existe una caída de la producción y lo que se genera se asigna de manera discrecional, lo cual afecta al privado". 

La producción tanto de cabillas como de cemento es controlada por el Estado desde el año 2008. León destacó que "no existe un sólo sector que el Gobierno haya expropiado que tenga crecimiento". 

Según la firma, 49,7% de la población cree que las expropiaciones generan escasez. 

Estrategia política 

El director de Datanálisis, en el marco de la Convención Nacional de la Industria de la Construcción, indicó que no es la primera vez que el Presidente Hugo Chávez intenta resolver el problema de la vivienda y a su juicio el discurso es similar al registrado en 1999. 

En ese contexto, explicó que la Misión Vivienda Venezuela "es el corazón de la estrategia política del Gobierno y se quiere hacer tangible la esperanza". Sin embargo, destacó que pese al programa de construcción, 55,3% de la población considera que el Ejecutivo no ha sido eficaz en solucionar el problema de la vivienda. 

"Los dos millones de viviendas no han logrado sembrar las expectativas, porque para el 80% de los consultados, la construcción de soluciones habitacionales se tiene que hacer en conjunto con los privados". 

Dinero vs hostilidad 

Luis Vicente León explicó que esta fase de impulso a la producción de viviendas se realiza en un momento de hostilidad propiciado por las ocupaciones y los marcos legales. 

"Existe mucho dinero, pero también mucha hostilidad. En este trimestre se está enfrentando la gran cantidad de recursos con un entorno que complica la construcción". 

Aunque, comentó que ante el volumen de gasto y la cercanía de una elección, se podría mejorar la percepción. "Puedes tener dinero, pero al no tener capacidad productiva se tratarán de flexibilizar las medidas". 

El presidente de la Cámara Venezolana de la Construcción, apuntó que en el sector existe preocupación luego de los resultados registrados en el primer trimestre. "En ese período la inversión pública fue escasa y la inversión privada cayó 30%, y es necesario reactivar la confianza para revertir esa tendencia de contracción". 

Para Jiménez es necesario que con la Misión Vivienda se desarrolle una mejor política habitacional y que exista un mayor acercamiento. No obstante, considera que la meta del programa, que consiste en producir 153.000 viviendas es difícil de cumplir, los lapsos para construir son de 18 a 24 meses.

ARGENTINA: Crecimiento en la construccion

La ministra de Industria, Débora Giorgi, proyectó ayer que en 2020 el sector de la construcción en Argentina “duplicará su producción, generando así una importante demanda de la producción de insumos básicos tales como cemento, hierro, acero y aluminio”.


“Para 2020, el sector de construcción prevé crecer un 100 por ciento, y sumar más de 600 mil empleos para alcanzar más un millón de trabajadores”, afirmó Giorgi.

Giorgi formuló estas declaraciones al encabezar el V Foro del Plan Estratégico Industrial Argentina 2020, correspondiente a la cadena de valor de Materiales de la Construcción.

En ese marco, aseguró que “el sector de la construcción y de los materiales de la construcción es un sector transversal y vertical que hace a la competividad de todo el sistema productivo argentino”.

Para Giorgi, el crecimiento de la actividad de la construcción es resultado “del fuerte incremento de la actividad económica, en particular la industrial, del aumento del ingreso de los trabajadores, que potenció la demanda de viviendas, y de la firme decisión del Estado de regenerar la infraestructura productiva”.

Giorgi destacó que la producción nacional de los insumos para la construcción acompañó el fuerte crecimiento de la demanda desde 2003 a la fecha incrementándose en un cincuenta por ciento la cantidad de empresas, se crearon 12.000 nuevos puestos y creció la producción de materiales.

FRANCE: Ciments Lafarge : grève reconductible à partir du 6 juin



A l’appel de quatre organisations syndicales, tous les sites LAFARGE Ciments de France seront bloqués le Lundi 6 Juin 2011 à partir de 4h du matin pour une grève reconductible et pas un kilo de ciment ne sortira des usines.

La Direction Générale de Lafarge Ciments a annoncé sa volonté de procéder à la fermeture de la cimenterie de FRANGEY (89) d’ici au 31 décembre 2012.

Les causes invoquées par la Direction de la Société sont les surcapacités des fours des usines par rapport au marché national, le taux d’utilisation bas des fours et les coûts de production.

Or, la stratégie de Lafarge ciments est belle et bien, depuis plusieurs mois, d’amplifier sa politique de réduction des coûts au détriment de l’outil industriel.

Les plus gros investissements se font dans les pays émergents (Proche Orient, Moyen Orient et Asie) alors que les marchés matures comme la France sont laissés sur la touche et subissent même des baisses importantes d’investissements de maintien essentiels à l’entretien de l’outil industriel.

Il s’agit donc d’une volonté sans faille de LAFARGE Ciments de fermer des sites très rapidement.
Les surcapacités mises en avant par la Société de ses usines cachent une stratégie économique et sociale dont la finalité pure et simple à moyen terme est de développer des stations de broyage de CLINKER (matière sortant des fours des cimenteries) afin d’en importer plus tard.

La CGT a dénoncé depuis plusieurs mois cette stratégie ayant pour finalité la fermeture de plusieurs usines.
LAFARGE Ciments met en avant la compétitivité mais oublie de parler de la rentabilité qui se situe autour des 30% en période de crise comme en période d’activité normale. Pour comparaison, la rentabilité de l’industrie automobile française se situe autour des 4%.

A l’appel de quatre organisations syndicales, tous les sites Lafarge Ciments de France seront bloqués le Lundi 6 Juin 2011 à partir de 4h du matin pour une grève reconductible et pas un kilo de ciment ne sortira des usines.

La CGT et les trois autres organisations syndicales revendiquent le maintien de l’activité de l’usine de FRA NGEY (89) et refusent catégoriquement le démantèlement de l’Industrie Cimentière en France.

ESPAÑA: AVILES: Docampo admite un problema ambiental con el polvo del carbón y anuncia medidas correctoras

El presidente de la Autoridad Portuaria de Avilés, Manuel Docampo, admite que las quejas de los vecinos de San Juan de Nieva y alrededores por la abundancia de carbonilla flotando en la atmósfera son «plenamente justificadas». A este respecto, el Puerto es consciente de que tiene un problema derivado de la carga y descarga de graneles polvorientos como el propio carbón, pero también la blenda o el clínker (cemento), y ha tomado medidas para tratar de mitigar la cantidad de partículas en suspensión. 

Manuel Docampo asegura haber firmado en las últimas horas un contrato para que se amplíe la superficie de la pantalla metálica que cierra el perímetro de la dársena de San Juan de Nieva a la calle donde se ubica la estación de tren y varias edificaciones, algunas de ellas con negocios en su planta baja. 

«Esperemos que con más superficie apantallada se reduzcan las molestias que sufren los vecinos; no obstante para esto no hay recetas mágicas: cuando el viento sopla fuerte el polvo se escapa de los muelles, eso es inevitable», comentó el presidente. 

La solución definitiva al problema del polvo y la carbonilla que generan los trasiegos de minerales en los muelles de la margen izquierda de la ría llegará cuando la manipulación y almacenaje de ese tipo de mercancías -sobremanera el carbón- se realicen en las nuevas instalaciones portuarias de la margen derecha.

UK: Cemex appoints LeasePlan as sole fleet supplier



LeasePlan has announced that it has signed a major three year sole supply agreement with Cemex, one of the UK’s leading providers of aggregates, cement, readymixed concrete, and other building materials.

After a successful tendering process, LeasePlan will provide 600 vehicles to the firm, consisting of a mixture of cars and vans. The deal was won on the basis of LeasePlan’s overall competitive proposition and also their latest whole-life-costs (WLC) solution.

The offering balanced Cemex’s need to provide their drivers with an attractive range of vehicle choices, which remained within the most efficient environmental criteria, and at the most financially beneficial rates with regard to all aspects of running a vehicle over the contract term.

The agreement with Cemex represents one of LeasePlan’s first using this latest WLC solution.

The LeasePlan implementation and account teams worked closely with the Cemex team to create a long term robust fleet policy that represented best value for money whilst ensuring the company had a smooth transition from their incumbent service provider.

SAUDI ARABIA: Qatrana Cement turns commodity business into household brand as kour and kour mixes in some colour


Following the expansion of Arabian Cement of Saudi Arabia into Jordan, Qatrana Cement was established to produce high quality cement for the Jordanian market. It required a new product brand and brand architecture to better compete given that better pricing was not a sustainable solution. Qatrana Cement asked kour&kour to create a more attractive product brand structure and a powerful package design and communication to ensure a successful launch.


"To create brand value, we needed to evolve the brand beyond the functional focus that dominated the industry," said Tareq Joseph, partner at kour&kour. "The new naming structure, and the respective product names, borrow from the strong equity and heritage of Arabian Cement and implies a positive, brighter future - bringing inspiration, strength and colour to communities," added Tareq.

A simplified brand architecture rationalized and focused the portfolio. The strategy built value in the new masterbrand, while leveraging the strength of product brands such as Shamek and Mateen.
To bring the brand to life, a differentiated positioning was developed. The cement from Qatrana Cement was established as a premium commodity, and Qatrana Cement as a leading corporate and community brand.

FRANCE: Tax rates on steel, cement, and wood to increase



The Tax Policy Department under the Ministry of Finance has proposed raising export taxes on steel and cement products to regulate the profits gained by enterprises because of the low prices of some inputs.

For construction steel, the Ministry of Finance has proposed raising the tax to 1.3-2 percent. A three percent rate is also proposed for steel ingots.

The ministry also proposed imposing a 5.3 percent tax on cement, and only 5 percent on clinker.

It asked the Prime Minister for his ideas on increasing export taxes on wood and wood products to a maximum of 20 percent as China is purchasing more rubber wood from Vietnam.

Export taxes on railway crossties or wooden tram rails are set to be increased by 5-20 percent due to a 300 percent surge in the export of these commodities in 2010.

CHINA: China's CNBM to invest $400 mln in cement, glass in Indonesia-paper



China National Building Material Co Ltd (CNBM) plans to invest $400 million to build a cement factory and glassworks in the next two years in Indonesia's main Java island, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.

"We are committed to build a cement factory in Grobogan and glassworks in Tangerang, to cooperate with local firms, with each investment being $350 million and $50 million," Bisnis Indonesia quoted Ma Mingliang, the head of the firm's cement division, as saying.

The factory will have a cement production capacity of 16,000 tonnes per day. Indonesia is looking to overhaul dilapidated infrastructure and domestic cement firms are also ramping up output. Indonesia's largest cement maker Semen Gresik aims to boost output 50 percent by 2015.

Foreign direct investment from Asian firms has picked up this year in Southeast Asia's biggest economy, thanks to political stability and strong economic growth, though there have been few Chinese investments so far.

Chinese premier Wen Jiabao visited the country in April in an effort to improve trade and investment ties.

AFRICA: NIGERIA: Hope Rises as Cement Price Drops... Marginally

Half way into the 30-day time frame handed down by President Goodluck Jonathan for cement manufacturers to bring down the price, a marginal drop has been recorded in a survey conducted by THISDAY.

The news got even better as BUA Group of Companies Tuesday signed a $500 million contract for the production of 2.5 metric tonnes of cement per annum in a move that should see Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in the manufacturing. 

Overall, the average price reduction since the president issued the order to crash price on May 16, 2011 is about 16 per cent, which experts and analysts consider too low considering the fact that cement sells in countries like China, Turkey and India at an average price of N700 per 50kg bag of cement.

In Lagos, the survey, which covered Ikeja and its environs, showed that from about N2,500 per 50 bag of cement the price has moved down to between N2,200 and N1,900, depending on brand and location of retailer.

In Ogun State, the survey covered the Akute, Lambe and Matogun areas where massive residential building construction is ongoing and found that the price of cement had come down from about N2,600 per 50kg bag, which was the price before the president issued the directive, to between N2,200 and N2, 300 per bag.

As for Benin City, Edo State the price of cement has gone down as well, standing at about N2,200 per bag, down from N2,600 per bag before the directive.

The situation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is a mirror image of Benin. Before the directive a 50 kg bag cost about N2,600 in Port Harcourt and has now come down to N2,200 per bag.

In Asaba, Delta State the price drop is more remarkable than others apart from Lagos. The Price of a 50 kg bag of cement after the president’s order is now between 1,900 and 2,100 depending on the brand and the location of the retailer. In Sapele also in Delta state, a 50 kg bag of cement goes for about N2000.

Up North, the price of cement has also declined marginally. Before the presidential directive, the product was sold at an average price of 2,550 per 50kg bag in Bauchi. But after the president’s instruction the price has now dropped to 2,200 per bag representing a 13.7 per cent reduction.

President of Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN) Mr. Joseph Makoju told THISDAY that manufacturers in the country are committed to the directive of the president and are therefore exploring all measures to ensure that the price comes down.

BUA’s contract, which it signed with FLSmidth, one of the leading international building firms for cement companies, is for the expansion and modernisation of the cement line at Edo Cement Plant, Okpella, which BUA group acquired in 2009.

It will add about 45 million bags of cement to the market and create 4,000 direct jobs for skilled workers and 20,000 indirect job openings when production commences in August 2013. 

At the signing ceremony which took place at Transcorp Hilton, chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, explained that since acquiring the plant in 2009, his company had discussed with about six international companies but decided on FL Smidth as the one that is most capable of handling the construction of the state-of-the-art plant.

He thanked the Federal Government for its support and encouragement, which enabled it achieve this feat.

“We hope that by the special grace of God, on completion of this project, this administration’s vision of self-sufficiency in cement and massive job creation will be achieved,” Rabiu said.

Vice President of FL Smidth, Mr Per Mejnert Kristensen, said his company would build a state-of-the-art plant that could produce high quality cement at low cost.

He said having built several cement companies in Nigeria, his firm would deploy its wealth of experience in the construction of the new cement line, adding that it was proud to be part of the future development of Nigeria’s continued growth.

According to him, he was convinced that the growth the country witnessed in the last few years would continue.

Makoju, on his part, said it was “a happy day for us in the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria” because BUA’s technical consultants, FS Smidth, were so well-known that “once you hear that name in connection with a cement plant, you can be sure you are getting the best.”

He commended Rabiu’s decision to make the investment because few people like to invest in long-term projects. 

Makoju also thanked the government for its backward integration policy that was encouraging indigenous investors in the sector.

“From importing, Nigeria is now poised for self-sufficiency and exportation of cement,” he stated. “I also thank BUA for the decision that will move us to the group of cement producing nations.”

The Managing Director of Edo Cement, Mr Abiodun Abe, assured that the required skilled manpower would be trained locally and “we shall run this plant to the best of my ability”.

Noting that it would not be a flash in the pan as was common with many industries in Nigeria, Abe said he would run the plant professionally and continuously.

“BUA will make huge contribution to government’s effort to sell cheap cement,” he affirmed. 

Mr Jubril Aku of Ecobank, one of the financial partners, said they had been partners with BUA for long, including during the acquisition of Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) and Edo Cement.

He said he was sure the company had chosen the right partners and that they would ensure the growth of the sector. 

BUA was one of the six companies licensed by the Federal Government three years ago to bring into the country bulk cement, which is then re-bagged for sale. The move was to stem the rising cost of cement which had peaked at N2,500 per 50km, bag. 

To achieve that objective, the company immediately purchased a 40 million dollar floating terminal called BUA Cement 1. The company is also currently engaged in various construction and expansion initiatives aimed at consolidating its hold in the cement industry.

The acquisitions are coming exactly one year after BUA’s entry into the cement business.

BUA is currently into the production of sugar and flour with factories located in Apapa and Kano. The BUA Sugar Refinery, which is only the second of its kind in West Africa has an installed capacity of 720,000 metric tonnes per annum and is presently producing at 75 per cent of installed capacity. 

The two flour mills are both located in Apapa and Kano and have a combined capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes per annum.

EEUU: Cemex gets okay to increase kiln capacity


BROOKSVILLE — State environmental regulators have announced they intend to issue a permit granting Cemex Construction Materials Florida a 25 percent increase in capacity for its newest cement kiln.

The notice by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which was published last week, details how kiln number two at the Cemex South Brooksville Cement Plant, with a 2,800-tons-per-day capacity, would expand to 3,500 tons per day.

The application comes on the heels of Cemex seeking a permit to burn alternative fuels and an application to change Hernando County's future land use map to designate 573 acres between Cortez Boulevard and Fort Dave Avenue from residential use into the mining category.

The flurry of expansion activity comes just weeks after Cemex successfully argued that business was so slow that its equipment was less valuable and therefore the company deserved a tax break.

The resulting determination by the Value Adjustment Board stripped $160 million in property value off Hernando County's tax rolls and will mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in property tax revenue.

Property Appraiser Alvin Mazourek said he plans to challenge the value drop in Circuit Court. He opposed the value reduction because Cemex did not provide sufficient documentation to prove such a dramatic decrease.

In 2010, Cemex had the highest taxable value in Hernando County at $359 million, more than 4 percent of the county's overall taxable value, according to the property appraiser. After the adjustment, that value dropped by $160 million, giving the top spot to the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative at $264 million.

According to the latest permit for the kiln capacity expansion, Cemex closed the two kilns at its Brooksville North facility in 2008 citing economic reasons. The kiln that is the subject of the latest application began operation in November 2008.

DEP reported that Cemex "has provided reasonable assurance that the operation of the proposed equipment will not adversely impact air quality.''

Late last year, DEP fined Cemex $525,000 for emitting mercury at amounts as high as 10 times the allowable limit. The company has since implemented a series of changes in the kilns to bring the levels into compliance.

The efforts to increase kiln capacity and increase the area for mining "are intended to increase capacity and mining reserves at the site,'' according to Cemex spokeswoman Sara Engdahl. They "are not related to an increase in sales at the facility. Production at the facility is down from 2010.''

She said the increased capacity for kiln No. 2 is not intended to increase volume at this time.

"Currently, Cemex owns four cement kilns in the greater Brooksville area. Two kilns are shut down. One is idle and the other is operating only two thirds of the time due to current market conditions,'' Engdahl said in an e-mail. "Cemex has applied for a permit to increase production capacity on the operating kiln.

"The permit will bring the operating kiln to the capacity that the kiln was originally designed to handle. The process rate increase for the kiln will allow the existing equipment to produce at a higher production rate which will give us a more efficient operation,'' Engdahl said.

She called the current efforts "a long-term plan.''

"Because the application process for increasing capacity at a kiln is lengthy and complex, Cemex is taking appropriate measures to ensure our Brooksville facility is prepared for when the market returns to more favorable conditions,'' she said.

As for the expanded mining land, she said the company wants to build up its reserves of raw materials and extend the length of the mining operation.

"The mining expansion will not result in an increase of volume, but rather restock our reserve,'' she said.

County Commissioner John Druzbick said he had questions about the drop in the Cemex value when he heard the case as a member of the Value Adjustment Board last month. He initially voted against the value decrease but later reversed himself after legal advice that the board couldn't go against the recommendations of a special magistrate.

He said that he could play devil's advocate for the company's recent efforts to expand cement production. The debate was for last year's value, not the current amount.

"They were fighting not for what they are doing this year but how bad they were last year,'' Druzbick said. "Values are always a year behind.''

The Cemex application to expand the mining area does not hint at any economic downturn for the industry but instead cites the "strong demand and need for product, both aggregate and cement.''

The application notes, "the countries which have exported cement to Florida are now using their own product, thus limiting what is available to Florida consumers.

"As a result, existing cement mills in Florida are required to maximize production to meet demand, and it is imperative the limestone which is used as raw feed to produce cement be properly permitted for economic extraction.''

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hear the application to expand the mining land later this month with a County Commission hearing to follow.

On the capacity expansion the DEP is preparing to permit, the public has 30 days from the date of the publication notice to comment on the project and request a public meeting. The DEP may call such a meeting if there is sufficient interest.

People whose "substantial interests are affected'' by the capacity expansion can also petition the DEP for an administrative hearing within 14 days of the publication of the notice.

AFRICA: NIGERIA: Lafarge WAPCO May Raise N45bn from Market

Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc is likely to hit the capital market with N45 billion bond issue to refinance its medium-term loan in the third quarter(Q3) of 2011, THISDAY checks have revealed.

Lafarge Cement WAPCO had obtained N45.27 billion syndicated multi-currency medium-term loan in 2008 to finance its expansion project called Lakatabu at Ewekoro, Ogun State.

The repayment of the facility is expected to commence in the last quarter of 2011. But in order to mitigate its impact on the profitability of the company, a bond issuance is being planned to refinance the loan facility.

Chairman of Lafarge Cement WAPCO, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye had during the 52nd Annual General Meeting held recently in Lagos confirmed the bond issue to shareholders, saying that the details were being finalised.

Sources close to the company told THISDAY last Monday that from every indication, the bond would be issued in Q3 of 2011.

“We are in the process and while much details cannot be given out now due to regulatory requirements, I can tell you that by Q3, Lafarge Cement WAPCO will float the bond,” the source said.

The source added that Book Building process would be used for the bond, adding that investors are very enthusiastic about the bond given the prospects of the value addition potential of the Lakatabu project, which would commence production very soon.

It is expected that the funds to be raised via the bond would lessen the pressure to repay the loan and interest charges on the company.

An official of the company said while the proceeds of the bond would be used immediately to repay the term-loan, repayment of the bond later would be facilitated by the expected improved cash flow of the company as a result of the Lakatabu project.

Osunkeye had said the 2.2 million metric tonnes would bring the company’s total cement production capacity to 4.4 million metric tonnes per annum.

“The completion of the Lakatabu project will take company’s total cement production capacity to 4.4 million metric tonnes per annum. The project represents a significant milestone for the company and will help to further secure the future of the company and of its potential to continue to create value for the shareholders and all stakeholders,” he said.


Shareholders of the Lafarge Cement WAPCO had at the AGM approved the proposal of the company to go into power business after Osunkeye had explained that the decision was informed by the need for the company to provide for their own power use and sell or export any excess to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (if they are interested) or neighbouring countries, which in turn will yield profit for the organisation.

The directors of the company sought the permission of the shareholders to engage in the business of power generation, distribution, trading, energy or power rentals, as well as the managers of electric power works.

TAIWAN: Taiwan Cement launches new plant in Guizhou


Taiwan Cement's new factory in Anshun, in southwestern China's Guizhou province, was launched Tuesday.

The Anshun factory will have two production lines and its annual production will be 4 million tons after the construction is fully completed at the end of the year.

Taiwan Cement Chairman Leslie Koo said since the company began to invest in mainland China in 2004, its businesses have expanded to 10 provinces.

"Guizhou, located in southwestern China, has a major role in mainland China's western region development project," he said.

He estimated that the company's cement production capacity could reach 55 million tons by the end of the year. Working with mainland China's 12th five-year plan, he predicted Taiwan Cement's production capacity could reach 100 million tons in five years.

He said that Taiwan Cement used to set up factories in southern mainland provinces such as Guangdong and Guangxi, and this was the first time that it has landed in a southwestern Chinese province.

Guizhou Vice Governor Sun Guoqiang and other Chinese ranking officials

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi cement companies post major sales growth



Saudi Arabia's cement sector recorded sales growth of 16 per cent in April, the highest in more than a year. The news is a sign confidence in the economy and appetite for projects is increasing.

Domestic cement sales grew to 4.2 million tonnes in April, compared with 3.61 million tonnes in the same period last year, said analysts from NCB Capital. Private projects, notably those for housing and schools, are boosting demand for the basic material. "Last year, people were very wary. The last thing they wanted to do was commit money, but now the outlook is looking brighter," said Farouk Miah, an analyst at NCB Capital in Riyadh. "There is also a lot of activity for plans to develop the rest of the region, in Mecca, Madina and Jeddah," he added. Officials in Riyadh last week instructed the municipality to allocate 19.52 million square meters of land for housing projects in the city and 18 others and townships in the Riyadh province.

The directives follow the decree by King Abdullah in March ordering authorities to build 500,000 low-cost houses in different parts of the kingdom. King Abdullah has allocated 250 billion Saudi riyals to implement the project.

Saudi Arabia is expected to need two million homes by 2014 to keep up with the demands of a population that has quadrupled in 40 years. Shares of cement companies have already had a decent run this year, up an average of 24 per cent on the same period last year and outperforming the country's benchmark Tadawul All-Share Index, which is up 2 per cent in the same period.






"Saudi Cement, Southern Province Cement and Yamama Cement should benefit from the demand because they are the ones who have the biggest spare capacity, an average of 20 per cent," Mr Miah said.

"Smaller cement companies can't benefit because they can't produce much more." Shares of Yamama Cement gained 0.4 per cent to 63.25 riyals, Southern Province cement lost 0.3 per cent to 70.5 riyals, and Saudi Cement was unchanged at 63.75 riyals yesterday.

AFRICA: GHANA: Price of cement up in Volta Region



The price of cement has gone up in the Ho Municipality from GH¢12 to GH¢15.

On Tuesday, the commodity was available in only one store, Donwill, which received a limited supply and sold a bag for GH¢15.

Many customers who rushed there to buy the commodity retreated complaining about the price hike.

Mr John Mokli, a contractor in Hohoe, told the GNA that the commodity had been in short supply in the Municipality since the beginning of May.

He said that the limited quantity that been supplied were often sold at GH¢14 per bag.

The situation is the same at Aflao.

Mr James John, Commercial Manager of Diamond Cement Limited at Aflao, attributed the shortage to the closure of the Lome Port in Togo for renovation.

He said the factory could, therefore, not get its supply of clinker through the Lome Port but through the Tema and Takoradi Ports in Ghana, a situation which was affecting the company’s production level greatly.

He, however, assured that the situation would return to normal in a month’s time when the renovation works at the Lome Port were scheduled to be completed.

Source: GNA

AFRICA: NIGERIA: Architects Set Up Committee to Monitor Cement Price



Lagos — The Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) says has set up a committee to monitor the price of cement in the country.

National President of the institute,Tunji Bolu disclosed this in Lagos at the 3rd edition of Lagos Architects Forum 2011 themed "Lagos 2.0-A Livable City (Next Level).

He said the development was to support the recent Federal Government's directive to manufacturers of cement to crash the price of the product in Nigeria.


Bolu,who commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the bold directive, said it is a right step by his administration not only to provide shelter but also to improve cost of living in the country.

"If the cost of cement is crashed,it will trickle down to everybody in the country. Standard and cost of living would improve. There would be affordable shelter."

The president announced that the institute has concluded plans to train personnel in the built industry.

According to him, the training is designed to ensure that standard and quality buildings are erected in the country.

Speaking, Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of NIA, Arc. Abimbola Ajayi commended the high turnout at the event saying the development is evidence that government and stakeholders are listening to the voice of architects in the country

He said the institute would continue to give governments quality advise toward improved built sector.

INDIA: Binani Cement delisted from bourses



Binani Industries (BIL) today said its cement making arm Binani Cement has been delisted from the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange with effect from May 30.

"Binani Industries has informed to equity shareholders of Binani Cement [that it} will be delisted with effect from May 30 from the BSE and NSE," BIL said in a communique to the stock exchanges.

Delisting of company's equity shares is actually stopping the stocks from further trading on the bourses.

BIL had in January launched an open offer to acquire 30.1% stake in Binani Cement. At present, BIL has 95.01% stake in Binani Cement.

BIL has also tendered an exit opportunity to Binani Cement's residual shareholders.

"Residual shareholders will be able to tender their shares in favour of the promoter [BIL] at the exit price of Rs 90 per equity share, at any time from May 30, 2011 till May 29, 2012," it said.

INDIA: Negative outlook for Cement sector: Pankaj Pandey

Pankaj Pandey , Head of Research, ICICI Direct , in a chat with ET Now, shares views on Banking sector 


What would you do with the cement pack? Would you buy into any value stocks if at all? 


As a sector, we have a negative view on the cement pack. If you look at FY10, we had a growth of about 10% in terms of volumes. 

The growth slipped to about 4%. In FY12 at best, we are expecting about 6.5% kind of a growth. Last year we had capacity utilisation of about 77%. 

Now this year we are expecting that 6.5% kind of a growth, you would have incremental demand in the range of 14 million tonnes and that is what their likely supply, which would be there. Plus the noises are still confusing in terms of the kind of strength of the demand. 

So if the demand is slightly below 6.5%, the pricing power or the prices, which are holding at current levels might come down, so you have a pressure both in terms of realisation, in terms of volume growth. 

In terms of valuation if you look at, the large-cap tier 1 companies are trading about $115-120 EV per tonne, so which is very closer to the replacement costs. 

The mid caps are trading at a significantly far more discount at 55-60% odd. In terms of certain stocks, mid-cap stocks one can look at, which are based on central region where the demand is slightly better, the strength in pricing is there. So probably Heidelberg is what we would like from that perspective but cement we are not expecting any great set of numbers for the next one year. 

Any stock picking should happen from a 2-year plus perspective.

AFRICA: NIGERIA: Cement Price And the Presidential Order



For a developing nation, undertaking large-scale construction across the country, the exorbitant price of cement, which recently hit the roofs, is very worrisome. Nigerians have been groaning under the huge cost, and that is why the presidential intervention aimed at reducing the price, within thirty days, not only offered some hope of relief, it also showed the sensitivity of President Goodluck Jonathan to the plight of Nigerians. That is in spite of the fact that the gesture is coming a little late.


Interestingly, major cement manufacturers, not only agreed to lower the price of the product, some of them , 48 hours after the directive, actually commenced measures that could force down the price. Such measures like purchase of 5,000 delivery trucks by Dangote Cement; the commencement of production by Benue Cement Company (BCC), which had shut its plant earlier and thus denied the market its supply of 3,000 trucks of cement per week.

But beyond the hope offered by the presidential order, what is the reality of the situation? How far can the stop-gap measures take the country? For a product which was selling between N1,400 to N1,500 at the beginning of the year to suddenly spin off to N2,400 and above per bag, shows that something is wrong with the market. The manufacturers had blamed the sharp increase on the cost of diesel, which rose from N80 per litre to N160/170 per litre, especially as transporters whose truck are powered by diesel had to also increase their charges.


Also, the high cost of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LFPO) - a major component required to run the manufacturing plants - helped to up the price of the product.

We are concerned that the panic measures being initiated by the manufacturers, seem artificial and tailored to fit the presidential order. It may turn out to be a quick-fix dose whose effect will soon wear off. The government has agreed to supply diesel at reduced prices to the manufacturers. Good enough! But for how long will this gesture last? Ultimately, a resolution of the energy crisis in the country will save the cement manufacturers, and indeed the entire real estate sector from the economic burden of electricity generation.


Beyond this, the price of cement, which is largely imported, shot up simply because supply dropped. The basic law of demand and supply is in action here. If the supply rate and chain improves, the cost will surely fall. Therefore, we believe the government should deliberately liberalise the importation of the product without necessarily jeopardising the economic interest of the local investors/manufacturers in the sector. All the interest groups within the cement market with diabolical aim should be smashed. Also, we believe that the Bank of Industries can provide facilities that can enhance the productive capacity of the local manufacturers, so that we are ultimately freed from the importation snag and its implications. Needles to add that except the government addresses this frontally, its housing programme stands threatened.



Perhaps more worrisome is whether indeed, the President can actually enforce the order to reduce the price. Is it a mere moral persuasion and plea or does the order have implication that the full powers of the state can be deployed to ensure compliance? Does any manufacturer not willing to "comply" stand the risk of government's penalty? How will government compel a manufacturer to sell at a particular price? Can the government dictate price in a free market economy, driven by the private sector? These are some of the questions which the presidential order on the price of cement has raised.

We believe government's concern on the issue should go beyond the token effect of the order, to addressing the fundamental problems that are 'de-industrialising' Nigeria. And for a product which is not only central to construction, but also without substitute, the Federal Government must rise above the short-lived euphoria of playing to the gallery, by tackling decisively the factors militating against cheaper cement and indeed, other building materials.

INDIA: Growth of six core sectors slows to 5.2% in April



A decline in cement output and lower finished steel production slowed down the growth of the six core infrastructure industries to 5.2% in April.

The six core industries -- crude oil, petroleum refinery products, coal, electricity, cement and finished steel -- had expanded by 7.5% in the year-ago period.

According to provisional data released today, production of cement declined by 1.1% in April this year, as against a growth of 8.8% in the same month of 2010. Growth of finished steel production slowed down to 4.3% during the month under review, compared to 12.9% expansion in April last year.

In addition, electricity output grew by just 6.8% in April this year, as against 6.9% in the same month of 2010. However, the other three sectors reported better growth during the month.

Crude oil production topped the table with growth of 11% in April, compared to 5.1% expansion in the corresponding year-ago period.
Petroleum refinery products registered a growth of 6.6% in April, as against an increase of 5.3% in the same month last year.

Coal output registered a growth of 2.9% in April, 2011, a complete turnaround in comparison to the same month last year, when output had contracted by 2.9%.

The slowdown comes a month after the six core infrastructure industries grew by 7.4% in March, 2011. During the 2010-11 fiscal, the sectors had expanded by 5.9%, as against 5.5% in the previous year.

Monday, May 30, 2011

UAE: Competition not cartels are the way forward

There are very few certainties in the dismal science of economics, except perhaps one: the law of supply and demand, and its effect on prices.

Economists as diverse as Aristotle, Adam Smith and Karl Marx cast their collective differences aside to agree that, as St Thomas Aquinas puts it: "value can, does and should be increased in relation

to the amount of labour which has been expended in the improvement of commodities".

Attempts to either cap or collar prices invariably end in tears. And while countries with sufficiently large reserves can subsidise prices up to a point, asking the private sector to do the same is bound to be troublesome.

While a number of the capital's largest stores including Lulu, Carrefour and Spinney's have agreed to the Ministry of Economy's price-capping plan, lowering some prices to the wholesale cost, others by up to 50 per cent, other shops will be unable to follow suit.

Abela, for example, which operates an up-market delicatessen in Abu Dhabi, has said that it cannot afford to do so.

Small convenience stores, beloved by many members of the community, are also unlikely to be able to introduce cross subsidies - for the large retailers will be able to make up the discounts by selling other products at a premium. The move looks destined for failure.

If the competition is forced out of business, the minute the cap is raised prices will spike sharply, with consumers left without a choice.

Something similar was tried in the construction industry a couple of years ago, though prompted by falling prices rather than soaring ones.

The United Arab Emirates Cement Manufacturers Association tried to fix prices at around Dh240 a tonne. Even though the construction industry was picking up, sales fell to about Dh200 a tonne, with the Ministry of Economy saying that it would not allow the creation of a "monopoly bloc that fixes the price to their advantage".

It should also avoid the creation of a monopoly bloc to lower prices.

Consumers' best interests are served by competition, not cartels.

AFRICA: NIGERIA: Producers target June to crash cement price



Following the 30-day ultimatum given by President Goodluck Jonathan to cement manufacturers in the country to bring down the cost of the product, Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN) on Thursday reassured that the price of cement would go down before the middle of June.

Joseph Makoju, chairman of CMAN, gave the assurance at a press briefing in Lagos. He said the association was fine turning major processes that would lead to the price reduction.

Makoju said the association would ensure that it met with the desire of President Goodluck Jonathan on the reduction in the price of cement.
Speaking at a meeting with cement manufacturers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the president had said the decision to bring down the price of the product “is to make it more accessible to Nigerians.”

The CMAN chairman listed measures that would bring about the price reduction to include - increase in production and flooding of the market with the product as soon as possible.

“We, on our part have taken measures to import more cement into the country. One of CMAN member firm, Dangote Group, has imported 5000 trucks to reduce the haulage challenges being faced by dealers.

“We have to discuss with the dealers because they have a major role to play in cement pricing. The major challenge is the role of the middlemen who increase the price excessively from the factory price of between N1, 550 and N1, 700 to the current market price.

“As at today, the factory price is still between N1, 500 and N1, 550 per bag of cement.

This is because an extensive analysis of the operational and market performances of the product did not show any significant increase in demand. The findings were carried out in four plants which include: Dangote Cement Plc, Ashaka Cement plant, Lafarge Wapco Cement Plc and one other,” he said.

BusinessDay meanwhile gathered that CMAN was already meeting with distributors on ways to reduce the cost of cement in the market and has already began to increase cement depots nationwide and also increase the number of trucks to supply the depots.

Although some manufacturers have complained that the closure of the Kaduna refinery between February and April affected companies that use LPFO to produce. They readily pointed at Benue Cement factory which shut down for two weeks, leading to scarcity of cement.

The manufacturers however said the price of cement is not entirely for them to decide stressing that they could only ensure there was enough cement in the market because, “when there is scarcity of any product, there is bound to be increase in price. But now that there is enough cement in the market, the price will gradually come down,” said Makoju.

Specifically pointing at transporters, Makoju said they often capitalise on the hike in the price of diesel to increase the cost of haulage astronomically. “Once there is an increase in the price of diesel, transporters would take that opportunity to increase their charges,” he said.

He disclosed that another Dangote Cement plant at Ibese in Ogun State with 6 million metric tons per annum capacity is in the final stages of completion and commissioning will commence in August, this year.

The manufacturers have estimated an estimated supply of 17 million metric tons that will be produced this year. A number of new cement plants with combined capacity of 14 million metric tons currently that are under construction are all expected to come on stream at different periods of this year and we expect some considerable additional output from the factories.

The CMAN boss further noted that the backward integration policy introduced by the Federal Government in 2002 was working because it has attracted huge investments to the sector.

According to him, Nigeria was barely producing two million tons of cement in 2002 before the introduction of the policy, but it now produces about 17.5 million tons annually.

Makoju noted that the sector could be used to diversify the nation’s economic base if government sustained its policy in the sector.

“The country has adequate raw materials to produce cement to meet local consumption and for export. In fact, most of the manufacturers have started to construct jetties preparatory to exporting the product,” he said.

AFRICA: ZYMBABWE: Zimbabwe-Industry: Cement Plant for Masvingo

Industry-Zimbabwe - Masvingo city is set for a major transformation as council has signed an investment deal with a Chinese firm, Sino-Zimbabwe, to establish a multi-million-dollar cement-producing plant in the Nyanda mountain range, along the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway. In addition to setting up the plant, Sino-Zimbabwe, the private investor, has also pledged to set up a residential area near the cement-making plant to house the company's anticipated 4 000-plus workforce. The setting up of the cement-making plant follows the discovery of massive deposits of limestone, a key element in the manufacture of cement, in the Nyanda mountain range, about 15km southeast of Masvingo.


Masvingo Mayor Alderman Femius Chakabuda yesterday confirmed the deal with the Chinese investor and said it was subject to council's ability to provide water for the plant.

"We have agreed on a deal and the investor wants to build a completely new residential area for about 4 000 workers expected to work on the cement-making plant," he said.

"Work on the plant is expected to start any time soon after we have tied up the loose ends of the deal, which I can say is as good as done."

Alderman Chakabuda hailed the Chinese investor for deciding to do business in Masvingo, saying council was geared for the massive investment which was likely to change the economic face of Masvingo in "an unprecedented way".

The mayor said among the guarantees the council had given to Sino-Zimbabwe was the supply of about 30 megalitres of water required for its cement plant.

He said council had already started rolling out phase two of the water augmentation programme which will result in the overhaul of the water pumping infrastructure at the Bushmead waterworks near Lake Mutirikwi.

It would also upgrade the water conveyance infrastructure.

Alderman Chakabuda said the council would also build one more water storage tank at the Hillside mountains to specifically cater for the Chinese investment.

"We will be upgrading our waterworks as the Chinese develop their investment so that when they finish building the plant we will be able to supply them with the water required. As a city, we are fully geared for the investment," he said.

Sino-Zimbabwe's investment is likely to become arguably the biggest investment in the country's oldest town since independence.

PAKISTAN: Bhasha to consume 5 million tons cement annually

The construction of Diamer Bhasha Dam will boost the cement sector growth, as the building of the dam will consume approximately 5 million tons of cement per annum. This ostensibly provides an opportunity to all cement companies to enhance their existing local cement dispatches, experts said.
 
According to them, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has formally informed Pakistan that it is ready to shell out $4.5 billion for the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, which is so important to Pakistan’s energy mix. This is expected to improve country’s water storage capacity and enhance hydropower generation capacity thereby boosting economic growth. 

The cement sector is already building its forte in local markets and this event will further enable it to augment its existing sales thereby facilitating it to counterfeit the decrease in exports. Fauji Cement will tend to benefit the most. 

This is because it has a greater proximity to the area of construction and also owing to the fact that it always gets orders for Chinese undertakings. Thus it will make Fauji the biggest beneficiary. The 5mn tons of cement consumption by the dam is more than sufficient to perk up Fauji Cement Company Limited’s local sales.

It is expected the construction of the dam to increase Fauji’s cash base for the FY12 making it look more attractive to the investors. 

Experts anticipate Fauji Cement Company Limited to increase its earnings as the new German plant with a clinker capacity of 7200 tons per day will also commence its cement section by the end of FY11 thereby almost doubling Fauji Cement Company Limited’s capacity. 

The new plant combined with the dam construction opportunity will surely boost Fauji Cement Company Limited’s sales enabling it to earn high revenues. 

Moreover it is also expected the cost of production to decrease on account of the Refused Derived Fuel which is expected to show results in the coming years.

INDIA: JK Lakshmi Cement eyes 10 mn tonne capacity

Indicating one mid-size domestic buy out, J K Lakshmi Cement today said it would stick to its capacity addition target of having 10 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2012-13 against 4.7 mtpa now.

"We stand by our earlier projection of 10 mtpa installed capacity by 2012-13," J K Lakshmi Cement Whole-Time Director Shailendra Chouksey told PTI.

The company is currently setting up a 0.55 mtpa grinding unit at Jhajhar in Rajasthan which will go on stream by the end of current year taking its installed cement making capacity to 5.3 mtpa.

It is also in the process of starting construction work for a new plant at Durg in Chhattisgarh having an installed capacity of 2.7 mtpa. The company expects the Rs 1,200 crore plant to go on stream by March 2013.

Asked whether there could be one acquisition to plug the two mtpa gap to reach to its targeted 10 mtpa capacity by 2012-13, Chouksey refrained from making any direct comment, but exuded confidence that the target would be met.

JK Lakhsmi Cement has two manufacturing plants, one each in Rajasthan and Gujarat, and essentially caters to the western and northern markets of the country.

Since the southern market is plagued with over capacity and cement is largely a regional commodity, it is likely that the company would go for acquisition in eastern India.

Enquired about it, Chouksey said that the time is not ripe yet to comment further.

India's cement making capacity currently stands at around 300 mtpa and the industry estimates that the requirement for the building material would likely to go up to 1,500 mtpa in the next 25 years.

AFRICA: TANZANIA: Uncertainties to reduce profit, says cement firm



The Tanga Cement Company projects a positive business outlook this year but repairs on its kiln, uncertainties brought by poor economic growth prospects and competition are expected to eat into the firm’s profit.
The company hopes to spend $6 million (about Sh9 billion) on repairing its kiln.

In March, the company which trades as Simba Cement, announced a dividend of Sh10.633 billion after posting a net profit of Sh32.19 billion in 2010 – higher than Sh30.42 billion profit the previous year.Managing director Erik Westerberg said the company was likely to grow in 2011 despite a host of business challenges.

“We hope the entire cement market will grow by up to 10 per cent and I hope Simba Cement’s growth will be a little higher than the growth of the total market,” he told the company’s annual general meeting here at the weekend. 

“Competition is expected to increase especially due to cement imported from Pakistan. The reduced economic growth prospects and repair work on our kiln will also have an impact on our profitability.”With the International Monetary Fund revising Tanzania’s economic growth prospects for 2011 downwards from 7.2 to six per cent, Simba Cement belives that will also be affected.

The company also has to contend with unreliable power supply as well as with poor transport systems, coupled with congested ports and expensive inland transport costs due to an overreliance on road transport.“Despite these challenges however, we still bank our hope on a modern production facility and a well-trained workforce,” he said.

PAKISTAN: Pakistani cement exporters identify India non tariff barriers

The News reported that cement exporters have identified various non tariff barriers erected by the Indian authorities that deny them fair opportunity to exploit the actual potential of the Indian markets.

The non tariff barriers include delays in granting certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards, restriction on cement exports via train and trucks and the cumbersome process of obtaining marketing permits in India.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan has distributed a questionnaire for the identification of Non Tariff Barriers to various trade bodies asking them to give details of the problems that they face in exporting their goods to India.

This questionnaire was distributed in light of the recently concluded trade negotiations between Commerce Secretaries of India and Pakistan held at Islamabad on Aril 27 to 28 where both side agreed that it was important to remove NTBs to promote bilateral trade.

The cement manufacturers that have submitted answers in this regard stated that they were required to obtain certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards, which was a very cumbersome process. They pointed out that the certification takes from 3 weeks to as long as 6 months. And the certification cost is PKR 60,000 per grade of cement which was valid for one year marketing only.

Moreover the practice seems Pakistan specific as far a renewal of this marketing certificate was concerned. They said licenses for marketing that expired in December 2010 were kept on hold for renewal till March 2011 this year due to delay in arrival of surveillance team from India.

Cement exporters said that four cement units were omitted from surveillance due to undisclosed reasons, adversely affecting the volume of trade. Payment of PKR 25,000 per grade to the surveillance team was an unjust expense.

Another non trade barrier by India was the refusal of the Indian railways authorities to interchange the loaded wagons. They said that specific packaging requirement and special printing of BIS marked on packing was yet another way to create hurdles in exports that increases the compliance cost on packing to PKR 400 per ton.

Cement exporters also complain that the Indians do not allow export of cement from Wagah border through trucks. They pointed out that Indians bring in many of their goods on trucks through Wagah border but do not allow Pakistani trucks to bring cement through that border. They further pointed out that the Indian railways do not make interchange of trains regularly restricting exports from the only route that was available at Wagah.

PARAGUAY: Flete terrestre de Gómez dejó una deuda con transportistas

El flete terrestre que había sido utilizado durante la administración de Optaciano Gómez Verlangieri, ex presidente de la Industria Nacional del Cemento (INC), dejó una deuda de 1.600 millones de guaraníes con los transportistas que realizaron el servicio. 

Contra viento y marea, Gómez defendió esta modalidad de transporte, argumentando que se perdía más dejando de producir que utilizando camiones para trasladar insumos necesarios para la elaboración del cemento.

ABC incluso verificó que al no poder trasladar clínker por tierra en el tramo que une Vallemí y Concepción, la INC pagaba el servicio de balsas para llevar los camiones desde la planta de la estatal hasta Puerto Casado.

Ahora, un mes después de la destitución de Gómez Verlangieri, se presenta una de las empresas contratadas para el flete terrestre, reclamando el pago de 1.600 millones de guaraníes por haber trasladado 8.700 toneladas de clínker, en el marco de la licitación 78/09, además de 2.000 toneladas de yeso, servicio que no estaba incluido y que se pidió de forma verbal, sin contrato. 

Se trata de la empresa “El Tauro SRL”, de Isidro Rousillón (ex gobernador de Presidente Hayes). Según el propietario de la empresa, hace dos meses la INC le debe la suma de referencia por 350 viajes realizados.

COLOMBIA: Cementos Argos en pos de EU

El Financiero en línea

Bogotá, 28 de mayo.- Cementos Argos, líder en la industria cementera y de concreto de Colombia, y un importante jugador del sector en Estados Unidos, apostará al desarrollo de la construcción de viviendas y carreteras en esos dos países para impulsar su expansión en el futuro inmediato.

El presidente de la compañía, José Alberto Vélez, dijo el viernes que la reciente compra a Lafarge de activos cementeros y de concreto en Estados Unidos por 760 millones de dólares busca consolidar la presencia de Argos en ese país, donde ingresó en 2005.

Desde entonces, Argos ha invertido mil 600 millones de dólares en Estados Unidos, la mayor suma de una empresa colombiana privada en la primera economía mundial.


Vélez aseguró que pese a la crisis en la economía estadounidense, con la cual se produjo una caída en la demanda de cemento desde 130 millones de toneladas anuales a 70 millones de toneladas en la actualidad, Argos confía en una recuperación entre el 2014 y el 2015.

"Imaginarse uno que la primera economía del mundo no se va a recuperar y que esa recuperación no se vaya a dar en un periodo relativamente cercano sería como no creer en nada", dijo el directivo.

"Han pasado tres años de crisis, el momento actual es el más bajo de la demanda de cemento, pero en Estados Unidos están apuntando a una recuperación de la economía hacia el 2014 o el 2015, están previendo que para el 2014 o el 2015 vuelven otra vez al escenario de los 130 millones de toneladas año y a eso es a lo que le estamos apuntando definitivamente", agregó.

Argos cuenta con 560 millones de dólares para pagar la reciente compra a Lafarge de tres plantas de cemento y 79 de concreto, 347 mezcladoras de concreto, cinco terminales férreos y un puerto marítimo en Estados Unidos. La empresa obtuvo un préstamo de 200 millones de dólares para cubrir el resto.

Las plantas adquiridas están ubicadas en Georgia, Carolina del Sur, Alabama y Florida.

Con la adquisición, sujeta aún a la aprobación de las autoridades, la capacidad instalada de Argos en Estados Unidos alcanzará 3,2 millones de toneladas de cemento y cerca de 10 millones de metros cúbicos de concreto al año.

Capacidad ampliada

La compañía quedará con una capacidad instalada total, en todas las zonas donde tiene presencia, de 16 millones de toneladas de cemento y 14 millones de metros cúbicos de concreto al año.

Argos se convertirá en el segundo mayor productor de cemento del sureste de Estados Unidos. Igualmente, será el cuarto productor más grande de concreto de este país y uno de los líderes en el mercado de concreto de Atlanta, Dallas y Houston.

Vélez reconoció que Cementos Argos también buscará impulsar su crecimiento en los próximos años en Colombia, donde el sector de la construcción se mantiene dinámico con el buen comportamiento de la economía y se esperan millonarias inversiones en reconstrucción de vías destruidas por deslaves e inundaciones ocasionadas por recientes lluvias.

"Van a venir unos tres años de fuerte inversión en infraestructura y eso para el sector cementero es importantísimo porque se van a dar vías en concreto mucho más que en otros materiales como asfalto", afirmó.

"Si el crecimiento sigue en los próximos dos o tres año va a ver necesidad de hacer inversiones en Colombia en plantas nuevas", aseguró Vélez.

El dirigente dijo que, de ser necesario, la inversión mínima en la industria del cemento y del concreto que se hará en Colombia sería de unos 250 millones de dólares.

Argos, que compite con la mexicana Cemex y el grupo suizo Holcim, es líder en la industria cementera colombiana, con 51 por ciento de participación en el mercado.

Además, es el cuarto productor de cemento en América Latina con inversiones en Panamá, Haití y República Dominicana. La empresa exporta cemento y clínker a 39 países.

El ejecutivo dijo que el volumen de ventas en Colombia ha crecido en un 20 por ciento en lo que va del 2011 y que puede alcanzar entre 5 y 7 puntos porcentuales adicionales si, como se espera, aumenta la construcción de viviendas y carreteras.

Afirmó que la industria de cemento y del concreto puede expandirse más si Estados Unidos decide realizar construcciones con materiales que soporten fenómenos naturales como huracanes y tornados.

"El mundo va tener que ser mucho más exigente en cuanto a construcciones más sólidas y ahí el cemento juega un papel fundamental", declaró.

Argos arrojó en el 2010 una utilidad neta de 156 millones de dólares y cerró con activos por 15,4 billones de pesos (8.416 millones de dólares).

La acción de Argos cerró el viernes con un alza de 0,34 por ciento a 11.700 pesos (6,39 dólares).

UK: UK Cement Plant Sets New Record

South Ferriby Cement Plant in North Lincolnshire, which is owned by building materials company CEMEX, has replaced 100% of the fuel used to heat its cement kiln with fuels made from wastes. South Ferriby’s achievement is likely to be a new record in the UK, where substitute fuels now represent 35% of all kiln fuels burned in cement kilns.

South Ferriby plant now also leads the way in Europe and within CEMEX’s global network of more than 60 cement plants worldwide. Further good news is that emissions, such as oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, have declined by 20% and 43% respectively since alternative fuels were introduced in 2002. Plant Director, Philip Baynes-Clarke, explained: “I am immensely proud that this record has been set using a kiln that was commissioned in 1973. It proves that with the right team, skills and capital investment, plants like ours in South Ferriby can have a long and healthy shelf life, and advance our manufacturing heritage. The use of alternative fuels at South Ferriby is key to improving the environmental performance of cement making. It helps to reduce our carbon footprint, but it also drives down other key emissions. Our 100% record was set over a three day period in March, with the kiln remaining stable and producing good quality cement clinker. The challenge is now to exceed our 90% weekly average record and use 100% over a more sustained period.”

Cement-making is energy intensive and involves heating up kilns to at least 1400 degrees Celsius. Increasing the use of alternative fuels made from waste is therefore key to saving fossil fuels for future generations. The alternative fuels used at South Ferriby are Secondary Liquid Fuels (SLF); made from industrial liquid wastes that cannot be recycled, such as paint, thinners, inks and varnishes, and Climafuel®; which is made from household residual and commercial waste that would otherwise go to landfill. The Climafuel used at South Ferriby is sourced from local suppliers. Last year, more than 36,000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise be landfilled have been used to make cement in South Ferriby. Based on the biomass content in alternative fuels, the plant has so far this year also saved the equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions that 11,000 cars produce in a year.