Tuesday, March 1, 2016

RWANDA: Cimerwa Calls for Control of Cement Imports As Competition Tightens

In august last year, Cimerwa launched a state-of-art plant to boost cement production and serve local regional markets. With the $170 million (approx Rwf126.7 billion) plant in Muganza Sector, Rusizi District, Rwanda's sole cement producer's production capacity would raise to 600,000 tonnes a year, up from 100,000 previously, the company said at the launch of the factory.

This would be enough to satisfy the growing demand of cement locally, which currently stands at about 450,000, with the surplus targeted for the export market in the region, especially Burundi and the DR Congo.

Immediately, after the new plant started production, the management went a step further and reduced the prices of the various types of cement to attract clientele in the highly competitive regional market. Cimerwa reduced the factory price by Rwf1,200 per 50kg bag of cement to Rwf7,300 from Rwf8,500.

This targeted customers buying in bulk (more than 700 bags of cement or about 30,000 tonnes). For exporters, the firm slashed the price by almost $7 to $205 per tonne, down from $212 a tonne during an earlier short promotional period.

Cimerwa retails its cement at Rwf9,400 per 50kg bag of cement. Retail price for Hima cement is Rwf9,500 per 50kg bag of cement. There are other cement brands like Kilimanjaro Cement that costs Rwf10,800 per 50kg bag of cement.

According to Busisiwe Legodi, the Cimerwa chief executive officer, the initiatives aimed at encouraging Rwandans to buy locally-produced cement to enhance its competitiveness in the market that has a high presence of cement brands from the region.

However, with despite all these customer-friendly initiatives, the cement-maker is finding difficulty to sell its products, the increasing demand for cement by the local construction and real estate sectors notwithstanding. In addition, Rwanda's cement imports reduced to $82.7 million in 2015 from $85.6 million in 2014, according to the central bank.

The low consumption of locally manufactured cement, has understandably caused uneasiness among factory management, which is now calling on the government to intervene with measures that will boost consumption of locally-made cement.

"The Rwanda construction sector has continued to register growth, with the most activity taking place in residential construction. This market, which primarily uses general purpose cement, is also the biggest segment which would ordinarily attract many players. We recognise that while the regional market is large enough for everybody, as local company, and as Rwanda consumers, we all have a duty to contribute to the economy by consuming locally-produced goods and services in order to reduce Rwanda's import bill and build the local businesses," Legodi noted.


This is the only way we can create a domino effect that will generate additional jobs and expand the economy, she added.

Legodi, said that the made in Rwanda call has come at a right time as it reassures Rwandans, particularly those who want to purchase construction materials, that most of these are now produced locally at affordable prices.

She says the firm is looking to set up depots in various towns and cities across the region to reduce middlemen, a move he says could help cut further Cimerwa cement prices and make it more competitive.

They are also planning to start dealing directly with contractors (where necessary) to enhance their market share.

"We want to want to encourage Rwandans that they always focus on quality. Since construction is a relatively expensive investment, it is important for contractors to use quality products to deliver the finest results and durable projects," Legodi adds.

According to Francois Kanimba, the Minister for Trade and Industry, balancing the country's trade has become a serious issue and a threat to the economic stability.

"We need to think deep and understand why our people are not consuming locally produced products despite our efforts to promote "Made-in-Rwanda products. We have to put in place systems that will address some of the structural constraints that may be hindering consumption of our products," Kanimba noted.

Alternatively Kanimba says, improving on the export value chains is a plus towards reducing the country's trade deficit. Rwanda's exports to Burundi decreased by 6.7 per cent in value compared to one per cent in 2014, with the central bank attributing the decline to suspension of cement exports to Burundi last year by Cimerwa because of the tense situation in the country.

Benjamin Gasamagera, the Rwanda Private Sector Federation (PSF) chairman, says Cimerwa's problem could be a result of marketing strategies employed by the firm. He notes that the way companies advertise their products goes a long way in attracting customers.

He advises companies to design appropriate marketing tools for their products, and use right channels to remain competitive.

Dealers speak out

Alfred Sibomana, a cement dealer in Nyabugongo, says most customers prefer imported cement, which they think is of better quality compared to that produced locally.

"It is the question of perception and mindset as consumers often believe that imported products, including building materials like cement, are of high quality compared to locally-produced ones," Sibomana says.

ISRAEL: Cement prices in Israel to fall 5.35%

The government has notified Nesher Cement Enterprises, it must cut prices due to lower priced inputs including oil.

Following a drop in the prices of raw materials for making cement, mainly oil prices, the Ministers of Finance and the Economy today notified Nesher Israel Cement Enterprises Ltd. of a 5.35% cut in the price of cement. The revision was according to a procedure stipulated in the arrangement with Nesher signed in September 2014.

Nesher, which previously owned the cement plant in Har Tuv, recently sold it to a new player, which will operate it as a new competitor. Israel Ports Company has published a tender for operating the cement unloading platform in Ashdod Port, which will increase competition from imported cement.

The Ministry of Finance stated, "The cut in cement prices will contribute to a fall in the prices of inputs in the construction and infrastructure sectors, and we hope that it will be passed on throughout the entire economy."

Thursday, February 25, 2016

UAE: RAK Cement buys back 3.8% to subscribed capital

Ras Al Khaimah Cement Co said on Wednesday it has purchased 3.816 per cent of the stake or 30 million shares at Dh0.83 per share.

The purchase was done through Al Ramz Capital, the company said in a statement posted on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange’s website.

RAK Cement is capable of producing 960,000 tonnes of clinker and 1 million tonnes of cement per year, and employs 150 employees, according to the website. The plant is connected to a terminal inside the adjacent Saqr Port, which has the capacity to load ships up to 40,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt).

JAMAICA: Caribbean Cement Offers Discount On Cash Purchases

Caribbean Cement Company Limited said Tuesday that it will give a 1.5 per cent discount to cash purchases on cement.

It is additional to the 0.5 per cent discount implemented since last October, the company said.

Caribbean Cement cited the 20-month inflation of 7.13 per cent as a signal that it was offering savings to its customers. However, 12-month inflation has been tracking below four per cent since April 2015, and is currently at 3.7 per cent, according to data released last week by STATIN on price adjustments in January. Additionally, prices deflated in the month of January by 0.4 per cent.

"We commit to continue our drive, which started twelve months ago, to put significant resources and efforts towards the further improvement of our efficiencies and competitiveness," said the company's release. This has allowed us to offer this additional discount to our customer base."

The price of cement otherwise remains unchanged. Credit purchases will not attract the discount.

"In addition, customers purchasing from our depots will pay a portion of the costs for freight. These partial freight costs are subject to change, and they are dependent on factors such as oil prices and the depreciation of the Jamaican dollar," said Caribbean Cement.

CANADA: CEMENT PORT-DANIEL COULD RECEIVE MORE MONEY

The cement Port-Daniel-Gascons, Gaspesie, already funded with half a billion dollars of public funds could still receive more money from the government Couillard.

The Minister of Natural Resources, Pierre Arcand, hinted Wednesday that the expensive project could receive money from the Green Fund.

This controversial project, which will create the largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) in Quebec, Cement McInnis, would be eligible for funding from the Green Fund is investing in greener technology. This proposed $ 1 billion is already funded at $ 450 million by the state.

Currently, it is anticipated that the petroleum coke and coal will be the main fuel for the cement. Later, after a break-in period, the company plans to use biomass from logging residues.

“Our desire is that the proposed Cement McInnis is a green project, with less use of oil and coal”, said the Minister of Natural Resources, Pierre Arcand, in a press briefing at the end of the meeting of the Liberal caucus Wednesday morning.

“There is the possibility of eventually have natural gas, biomass, and in a future world, there are carbon capture opportunities. ”

However, in the short term, the most practical solution would be the use of natural gas, Mr. Arcand has said, while referring to the $ 3.8 million in Quebec in the Bourque project, a company deposit Petrolia located in the Gaspé.

The minister suggested that the government was pressuring Cement McInnis to reduce its carbon footprint, in line with greenhouse gas reduction targets (GHG) emissions in Quebec and the commitments made by Canada at the last UN Conference climate change in Paris.

The Green Fund to the rescue?

“We will do whatever is necessary for the cement plant in Port-Daniel obviously emit the least greenhouse gases to be,” said the minister.

By doing this, so do not rule out the possibility of injecting more public money into adventure through the Green Fund. “In terms of energy efficiency, green Fund can certainly serve,” Mr. Arcand said.

Recall that the Green Fund was established by the government with the revenue from the carbon exchange. It is used to finance greenhouse gas reduction projects and more generally “sustainable development measures, including on strategic issues related to the fight against climate change, waste management and water management “can be read on the green Fund website.

This is not the first time McInnis Cement finds himself in the hot seat. The project was announced with great fanfare by the Marois government in 2014 and soon after coming to power, the Liberals had questioned then confirm.

The project funding half from public funds or from Investissement Québec and the Caisse de dépôt et placement.

NEW ZEALAND: Holcim's $50m cement terminal 'minion' opened at Timaru's port

The "minion" has been brought to life.

Holcim New Zealand's new $50 million cement terminal at Timaru's port was officially opened on Thursday afternoon.

The 30,000 tonne storage dome – the first of its kind in New Zealand – has unloaded two ships since December and is set to be an important gateway for cement for the South Island and lower North Island.

The company's aim is for 18 in-bound ships a year to Timaru with the Holcim-owned Milburn Carrier II shipping out-bound orders from its berth at the reconstructed No 2 wharf.

Another $50m Holcim dome in Auckland is under construction and on track to be opened by mid-2016.

Economic development minister Steven Joyce and Rangitata MP Jo Goodhew cut the ceremonial ribbon in Timaru in front of a 70-strong crowd including dignitaries, Holcim staff and customers.

Holcim New Zealand country manager Glenda Harvey said the so-called "minion" had been made a reality on time and within budget.

"This is an historic day for our company. Thank you to everyone for the teamwork required to achieve it."

Fifty people worked on the Timaru terminal's construction and six full-time employees had been on-site since the last quarter of 2015.

Holcim will now become PrimePort Timaru's single largest bulk customer.
Harvey said the terminal had "understandable" teething issues unloading its first shipment in December but things were back on track.

"We're obviously in a bit of a trial phase but the second shipment has been done in half the time so I am happy with where we are at."

Goodhew said having Holcim come to Timaru was a vote of confidence in the South Canterbury region.

"The first time I saw the dome I knew it was going to be there but I still thought it was bit of a spaceship," she said.

The company's sponsorship of local events and scholarships had shown Holcim had a genuine interest in being a part of the community and Goodhew said she hoped that continued.

Joyce said South Canterbury remained "durable" as its export-focused industries helped it get through a difficult time for dairying.

"Some would say it [South Canterbury] holds up the Canterbury economy," Joyce said. "I wouldn't say that but some would."

The minister, who had a dildo thrown at him at Waitangi earlier in the month, twitched as a passing car tooted during his speech.

"I had to make sure the window wasn't open," he said. "I'm slightly twitchy these days."

INDIA: UltraTech leading race to acquire Jaypee’s 20 mt cement capacity

Aditya Birla Group’s UltraTech Cement Ltd is front runner in the race for Jaiprakash Associates Ltd’s entire 20 million tonne cement capacity, according to two persons familiar with the situation.

UltraTech is offering an enterprise value of around Rs.18,000 crore for these assets, according to one of the two persons.

UltraTech is one of three bidders for Jaiprakash’s assets,Mint reported on 19 February.

The other bidders are private equity firm KKR & Co. and Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd.

“UltraTech is in the advanced stage of acquiring Jaiprakash Associates’ cement assets. The company is working on various modalities for this acquisition,” said the first person, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The person added that UltraTech would fund the deal largely through loans and a little bit of equity. An announcement in this regard is expected in a fortnight.

Jaiprakash Associates declined comment.

UltraTech didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.

UltraTech Cement had earlier agreed to buy two cement assets in Madhya Pradesh with a combined capacity of 5 million tonnes from Jaiprakash Associates for Rs.5,400 crore. The stand-alone deal was put on hold, and the two assets folded into a larger transaction under which the latter is seeking to divest its entire cement capacity.

Lenders to the debt-laden Jaypee Group have been pushing for a sale of the conglomerate’s cement assets in a bid to reduce the group’s overall debt.

According to bankers involved in the deal, a significant portion of the enterprise value would involve transfer of the debt currently on Jaiprakash Associates’ books.

Regulatory issues, though, can hamper the deal.

On 19 February, Mint reported that the cement deal cannot be completed before a proposed amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, is cleared.

The MMDR Act currently does not allow a company to transfer rights to an allotted mine to another company or subsidiary.

Given that limestone is a key raw material in the cement-making process, it is difficult to execute the sale of cement capacity without selling the related limestone mines as part of the deal.

The UltraTech Cement-Jaiprakash Associates deal may also run into anti-trust issues as UltraTech’s acquisition of Jaypee’s assets will expand its presence in the northern and central India markets.

The first person admitted that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) could oppose a deal. He added that multiple options are under consideration to address both CCI- and MMDR-related issues.

These include “either acquiring the cement division and then divesting, according to the CCI requirements, or buying out Jaiprakash Associates, if it demergers all its non-cement assets,” this person said.

According to a December 2014 investor presentation on the website of Jaiprakash Associates, the conglomerate has interests in engineering and construction, cement, real estate and hospitality businesses under it. In addition, Jaiprakash Associates holds a 60.72% stake in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd and 71.64% in Jaypee Infratech Ltd.

“We are confident that all issues will be sorted out shortly,” said the second person.

The Jaypee Group had estimated debt of Rs.75,000 crore at the end of financial year 2015, according to the 21 October edition of Credit Suisse’s House of Debt report. UltraTech’s finances are far stronger. As of March 2015, UltraTech Cement had consolidated debt of Rs.9,829.14 crore and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, allowing room for it to raise more debt.

If closed, the deal will help UltraTech strengthen its position as the market leader.

“Regulatory clearance would be a hurdle. However, the deal will help UltraTech achieve its 100-million-tonne, long-term cement capacity target easily,” said Amey Joshi, associate director (corporate) at India Ratings and Research Pvt. Ltd, a Fitch Group company.

After the acquisition, UltraTech’s capacity will jump 30% to 85 million tonnes from the current 65 million tonnes.

“UltraTech has been pushing for this deal for two reasons— one, there may not be such a large asset up for sale again, and second, if someone else acquires these it could threaten UltraTech’s market-leader position,” said a senior cement analyst at a domestic brokerage firm, who did not want to be named.

KENYA: Kenya's Portland cement issues profit warning

East African Portland Cement expects its profit to slide by more than a quarter in the financial year ending June 30 citing year-earlier gains on land sales, it said on Thursday.

"The unrealised fair value gain on investment property and the gain on disposal of land will not recur this financial year," Portland said in a statement. 

The company's pre-tax loss widened to 745.02 million shillings ($7.33 million) in the first half on higher finance costs and foreign exchange losses. Portland has foreign currency-denominated debt, meaning it faces higher repayments when the shilling weakens.

It said demand for cement was expected to remain strong due to numerous, ongoing infrastructure projects, but cautioned that an oversupply in the local market would weigh on prices in the short to medium term. 

In response, Portland said it would control costs and expected a technical support agreement it has entered into with Lafarge Holcim to boost its operations.

Friday, February 19, 2016

INDIA: UltraTech’s $787m deal to buy Jaypee cement assets runs into regulatory hurdle

UltraTech Cement Ltd’s Rs.5,400 crore purchase of two cement assets from Jaiprakash Associates Ltd will not go through in a stand-alone deal.

Instead, the two assets in Madhya Pradesh with a combined capacity of producing about 5 million tonnes of the building material will be folded into a larger transaction under which Jaiprakash Associates is seeking to divest its entire cement capacity, said two people familiar with the development.

UltraTech, a part of the Aditya Birla Group, is one of the three potential bidders for the nearly 20 million tonne cement production capacity of Jaiprakash Associates, which is trying to raise funds to pare debt.

“Those two assets are now part of the bigger deal,” said one of the two persons cited above, requesting anonymity.

The UltraTech-Jaiprakash deal, signed in December 2014, is the second large transaction in the cement industry to have come unstuck in February because of regulatory hurdles.

Earlier this month, LafargeHolcim called off its Rs.5,000 crore deal with Birla Corp. to sell two cement units in eastern India.

The Franco-Swiss cement giant said it will divest its interest in all Lafarge India assets to comply with the competition rules in India.

Under pressure from its bankers to repay debt, Jaiprakash Associates is looking to find a buyer for its cement units spread across the central, northern and southern parts of the country.

The second of the two persons cited in the first instance said the deadline for closure of the UltraTech-Jaiprakash deal may have lapsed. This person said UltraTech “is fully aware” that the Madhya Pradesh assets would be part of a larger deal.

UltraTech Cement declined to comment. Jaiprakash Associates also declined to comment.

Jaiprakash Associates was supposed to receive binding bids from financial and strategic investors by the middle of February for its entire cement capacity, but bankers are still waiting for more bids to come in by the end of the month, said the first person cited above.

“Companies who were part of the diligence process and are interested to bid include global private equity firm KKR and Co., UltraTech Cement Ltd and Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd but the bids are yet to come in,” the first person added.

Both Dalmia Cement and KKR, in emailed responses, declined to comment on what they described as market speculation.

“If UltraTech ends up acquiring this asset it will be just an incremental addition to their capacity whereas if Dalmia ends up buying the asset it will transcend them into a national player rather than their existing regional concentration,” said Ashutosh Maheshvari, managing director and chief executive officer at Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Pvt. Ltd.

“Jaypee’s cement assets are spread across three different geographies—Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh—making it a non-coherent deal to do if someone does not have an existing presence in the Indian cement industry,” Maheshvari added.

While the process of selling the cement assets of Jaiprakash Associates has begun, the deal will not go through before a proposed amendment to the existing Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act is cleared.

The MMDR Act currently does not allow a company to transfer rights to an allotted mine to another company or subsidiary. Given that limestone is a key raw material in the cement-making process, it is difficult to execute the sale of a cement unit without selling the related limestone mines as part of the deal.

According to a clause in the Act, transfer of the mining licence is allowed only for mines that have been auctioned. Most of the operational limestone mines in India were allotted and not auctioned.

This regulation, in fact, is the reason that the original deal between Jaiprakash Associates and UltraTech Cement failed to close even a year after the agreement was signed.

On 12 January, Mint reported that the government was considering amending the Act to allow for the transfer of mines and that the mines ministry had put up the changes for a review on its website.

Jaiprakash Associates’ proposal to sell all its cement assets will also hinge on this amendment.

“It will be difficult to execute the deal without the amendment clarity on the transfer of limestone mines,” said the second person mentioned above.

LafargeHolcim is trying to sell its stake in Lafarge India Pvt. Ltd in a deal that is currently under negotiations. Jaiprakash Associates, however, does not have this option due to cross-holdings between group companies.

According to a December 2014 investor presentation on the company’s website, Jaiprakash Associates has the group’s engineering and construction, cement, real estate and hospitality businesses under it.

In addition, Jaiprakash Associates holds a 60.72% stake in Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd and 71.64% in Jaypee Infratech Ltd.

“There are so many assets and shareholdings under Jaiprakash Associates that it is difficult to execute the deal. If the company looks to transfer all the other shareholdings and assets in Jaiprakash to another company and then sell a 100% stake in Jaiprakash Associates which will hold only the cement assets, it will involve shareholder approvals and a large sum of stamp duty to be paid, which is a very unviable option,” said another investment banker who is not directly involved in the deal but acts as a consultant for cement clients.

For the Jaypee group, the inability to close the deal with UltraTech Cement will mean a delay in its asset monetization plans.

The group had estimated debt of Rs.75,000 crore at the end of fiscal 2015, according to the 21 October edition of Credit Suisse’s House of Debt report.

BOLIVIA: Soboce elevará producción de planta de Viacha en 136%

La Sociedad Boliviana de Cemento (Soboce) impulsa la modernización de la planta de Viacha con un nuevo equipo de molienda que permitirá incrementar la producción de 900 mil a 2 millones toneladas de cemento por año. 

De esa manera la cementera dará un salto tecnológico y modernizará la factoría.

El gerente general de Soboce, José Luis Orbegoso, en respuesta a un cuestionario enviado por Página Siete, informó que el año pasado la compañía inició la duodécima ampliación de la planta de Viacha en La Paz, cuyo objetivo es ensanchar su capacidad productiva con modernos equipos. 

En ese marco, con el proyecto de ampliación denominado Illimani - LP12 se adquirió un sistema de molienda vertical de cemento modelo OK 36-4 del fabricante FLSmidth, además de sistemas nuevos de manejo automático de materias primas, silo, ensacado y paletizado. "Este será el primer molino vertical de cemento que se instalará en Bolivia y, por las características de nuestra planta en Viacha, será el molino vertical instalado a mayor altura en toda América”, explicó Orbegoso.

Los equipos principales del proyecto comenzarán a llegar a Bolivia a partir del mes de mayo de 2016 y la puesta en marcha del proyecto Illimani está previsto para el primer semestre del año 2017.

Durante la fase de implementación del proyecto, se prevé la generación de hasta 500 empleos directos en las actividades de construcción y montaje y unos 1.000 empleos indirectos entre servicios técnicos, de transporte, alimentación y hospedaje en la localidad de Viacha.

Para Soboce este emprendimiento significará un salto sustancial en la capacidad productiva de la empresa, no sólo para atender la demanda actual, sino también para atender la futura demanda de cemento que se prevé será mayor a la actual.

Con la instalación del nuevo sistema de molienda vertical, la planta de Viacha incrementará su capacidad instalada en 136%, pasando de una capacidad actual de 900.000 toneladas al año a más de 2 millones de toneladas por año de capacidad de producción de cemento.

La adquisición del equipo demanda una inversión cercana a los 80 millones dólares.

FLSmidth en su página web detalla que a finales de 1990 ya instaló la línea de producción existente en Viacha y en 2010 un proyecto de expansión que permitió a la planta duplicar su capacidad.

Inversiones

Orbegoso indicó, que en 2015, Soboce inició la implementación de su Plan Estratégico que está orientado al incremento sustancial de su capacidad productiva y cuya inversión prevista es de 270 millones de dólares en los próximos cuatro años.

Los principales proyectos son la ampliación en la planta de cemento Viacha, mejoras en la planta de El Puente, Tarija y la construcción de una nueva planta en Yacuses, Santa Cruz; además de otras mejoras en sus diferentes centros de producción. 

En 2015, la inversión realizada por Soboce fue de aproximadamente 20 millones de dólares. 

Para este año las inversiones previstas son de aproximadamente 76 millones de dólares, de los cuales 50 millones de dólares serán destinados al proyecto Illimani y el resto a otros proyectos en los diferentes centros de producción y, además, en la nueva planta de cemento de Yacses en Santa Cruz, destacó el gerente de la compañía.

Este proyecto está en ejecución con una inversión inicial de 3 millones de dólares y la ejecución total es de 180 millones de dólares.

Los componentes críticos del molino de crudo, horno y enfriador de clinker se encuentran en Arequipa, en la planta de cemento Yura, listos para su embarque y traslado a Bolivia, cuyo valor bordea los 7 millones de dólares, agregó Orbegoso.

Se prevé desaceleración de la demanda 

Este año se prevé una desaceleración de la demanda de cemento en el país, como consecuencia de la situación de la economía mundial y nacional, informó a Página Siete el gerente general de Soboce, José Luis Orbegoso.
Sin embargo, el ejecutivo aclaró que esto no significa que no habrá crecimiento, sólo que el mismo podría ser algo menor al registrado en 2015, que estuvo alrededor del 5%. 

"Existen proyectos públicos y privados, como la construcción de viviendas y carreteras cuya realización significará el dinamismo del sector en 2016”, precisó.

Soboce proyecta incrementar la producción en algo más de 10.000 toneladas de cemento para llegar alrededor de las 1.550.000 toneladas.

En la pasada gestión, la producción total superó las 1.540.000 toneladas de cement,o lo que significó cerca del 42% del mercado nacional, cuyo volumen fue de un poco más de 3,7 millones de toneladas. 

Las ventas de Soboce superaron las 1.548.000 toneladas de cemento.

SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi cement producers push for 20% export

Cement supply exceeds demand which is projected at 60 mln tonnes in 2016.

Saudi cement producers will meet government officials soon to discuss lifting the ban on their exports by around 20 per cent, a Saudi daily reported on Thursday.

The Gulf Kingdom’s cement companies will in turn ensure a two-month supply for the local market, the Arabic language Alyaum newspaper said, quoting Abdullah Ridwan, chairman of the construction and property committee at the Jeddah chamber of commerce and industry.

“The cement companies in the Kingdom are preparing to meet representatives from the commerce and industry ministry to discuss allowing them to export 20 per cent of their production……if the export is approved, the companies will be committed to supplying the local market with production for two months,” he said without specifying a date for the talks.

Ridwan said cement supply in the Saudi market is currently higher than demand, warning that some cement firms could suspend production if they are not allowed to export their surplus output.

“This is because demand is currently weak…if the companies are allowed to export that quantity, this will positively affect the market and their business,” he said.

The paper quoted a Saudi cement company executive as saying cement could be exported to the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members as well as Sudan and other African nations, Spain and Latin America.

“The cement companies in the Kingdom need to export because they have been adversely affected by the increase in domestic fuel prices…we will give guarantees to provide the local market with sufficient cement quantities in case the commerce and industry ministry agrees to partially lift the ban on exports, “ said Safar Dhafeer, CEO of Southern Province Cement Co.

He expected cement demand in Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab economy, to remain almost unchanged at around 60 million tonnes in 2016 compared with 2015.

KENYA: East African Portland Cement to restructure funds to boost earnings

Cement maker East African Portland wants to acquire strategic limestone reserves in Kitui and Kajiado and restructure its finances to remain profitable, management said yesterday.

The company whose earnings for the last financial year were largely boosted by land sale to government for the Standard Gauge Railway and unrealised gain on reevaluation of investment property has been facing stiff competition in the market leading to lower revenues.

EAPCC managing director Kephar Tande said the company will acquire strategic limestone reserves in Kitui and Kajiado for its operations.

“Ongoing efforts on innovation and product diversification will see the full commercialisation of the precast manufacturing plant, thereby introducing new products to the company’s product portfolio in order to increase revenue base," he added.

An over 300 per cent rise in the value of land owned by EAPCC in Athi River boosted its compensation payout from the government last year, for acquired railway land.

At its annual general meeting held yesterday in Athi River, the management told shareholders that the Sh836 million compensation pay it got for the compulsory acquisition of part of its land earmarked for SGR, was due to a major rise in the value of that property.

EAPCC's two parcels of land in Athi River were valued at Sh9.4 billion up from Sh2.25 billion of the previous year - a whooping 317.8 per cent appreciation.

The hefty pay coupled with an unrealised gain on revaluation of investment property, amounting to Sh7.2 billion, boosted the firm's profit before tax for the full year ended June 30, 2015 to Sh7.3 billion. The earnings were further boosted by forex gains of Sh175 millions on its hedged Japanese yen loan.

The management of EAPCC, whose revenues have been declining, told shareholders that it is exploring ways of restructuring the company's finances as part of long-term strategy for growth.

“The company has completed several projects that are expected to impact positively on the performance going forward,” chairman Bill Lay told investors at the firm's 83rd annual general meeting held in Athi River yesterday.

NIGERIA: BUA in talks with China's Sinoma over $1.9 billion steel, cement deal

Nigerian conglomerate BUA Group is in talks with China's Sinoma to build a steel plant in Nigeria and two cement plants in East Africa for $1.9 billion, its chairman said.

Expansion plans by Nigerian firms have slowed as Africa's biggest economy grapples with a slump in oil prices which has dried up vital oil revenues and forced firms to lay off staff.

Abdulsamad Rabiu said the unlisted company was talking to the Chinese firm for a construction package which includes financing, building on an existing relationship. Both firms already agreed in September on a $600 million cement expansion in the West African nation.

He gave no details on the funding but Nigeria has been in talks with China's state export and import bank for a loan to spur investments of Chinese firms in Africa's top oil exporter.

The two cement plants, which will have an annual capacity of 3 million tonnes each, will cost $700 million. The steel plant, with a capacity of 1.2 million tonnes, will cost $1.2 billion.

"We have identified two countries that we believe hold great opportunities for us in terms of building integrated plants," Rabiu told Reuters on Wednesday, declining to name the countries in East Africa.

"With the (fall) in the price of commodities ... we can do them much cheaper than what it would have cost some years ago," he said. The construction of the Nigeria-based steel plant would include a 200 megawatt power plant.

Rabiu said the expansion would help BUA to tap demand to lower reliance on import-dependent businesses such as sugar as a slump in oil prices made it difficult to generate dollars.

The West African nation has its own iron supply, while the sugar industry depends on imports.

BUA is considering shutting its sugar refinery in Lagos next month because it could not get the hard currency needed to import raw materials, Rabiu said.

The central bank has imposed restrictions to halt a slide of the naira but Rabiu said it would eventually have to let the official rate fall to between 250 to 270 against the dollar by year-end.

The currency has fallen 45 percent on the secondary market below its official rate of 197 naira NGN=D1. "The biggest challenge is the sourcing of foreign exchange," Rabiu said.

BUA's main rival, Dangote Cement (DANGCEM.LG), has also been expanding with Sinoma, signing in September a $4.34 billion deal with the Chinese firm to almost double its capacity across Africa.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

WORLD: The need for a sustainable approach in cement production

One of the most important of all building materials, cement is also one of the most polluting, with significant amounts of greenhouse gases released during production.

Cement manufacturing begins with mining limestone and burning it in gas and coal fired kilns at extremely high temperatures (approx. 1450°C) to transform it into a lumpy grey material known as clinker. This clinker is then crushed into cement powder in grinding mills.

Cement is the ‘glue’ that binds sand and aggregate to make concrete in construction work. Concrete’s ready availability, durability, versatility and relative cost ensure its continued (and growing) use in the building industry.

However, cement is highly polluting due to the significant levels of greenhouse gas emissions, which occur primarily during the chemical reaction when limestone is burned releasing CO2-e. The mining of limestone and transport of cement together with the energy required add further to the CO2-e output. With 900 kilograms of CO2-e estimated to be emitted for every tonne of cement manufactured, the cement industry alone generates approximately 5 per cent of global CO2-e emissions.

Having recognised the severity of the environmental issues associated with cement manufacturing some years ago, Independent Cement and Lime invested heavily in the development and production of a more environmentally sustainable alternative to cement - Ecoblend.

INDIA: Cement demand to double in FY17 on high govt spending on infra, construction sectors

Cement demand has registered single-digit growth rate in the last six financial years, with the weakest growth in the decade of 2.2% during April-December 2015

Even as demand from the housing sector remains weak, ratings agency India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) expects cement demand to double in financial year 2016-17 and grow at 4-6%, double the growth in 2015, on the back of government spending in the construction and infrastructure segments. 

It also estimates cement demand to grow by 3% in FY16E, compared with 5.6% in FY15. 

Cement demand has registered single-digit growth rate in the last six financial years, with the weakest growth in the decade of 2.2% during April-December 2015. 

"Ind-Ra's FY17 Outlook for Cement Manufacturers, expects the improvement in demand in FY17, on the back of a slightly better demand from the construction and infrastructure segments led by government spending," a statement said. 

However, the rating agency does not expect any significant revival in housing demand, in either rural or urban areas, which would keep the overall cement demand growth mid-single digit. 

Cement demand in the current financial year was weak due to the slowdown witnessed across key demand drivers, rural housing (around 40% of cement demand), urban housing (20%-25%) and construction/infrastructure/industrial activities (around 25%). Commercial real estate accounts for 10% of the cement demand. 

"The growth rate so far in this fiscal year was also impacted due to the high base in the corresponding period last fiscal year. Cement demand grew 8.4% during April -November 2014 (FY15: 5.6%)," the agency said.

PAKISTAN: Fauji Cement’s earnings surge 67%

Fauji Cement (FCCL) announced a net profit of Rs2.77 billion in the first six months (Jul-Dec) of fiscal year 2015-16 (1HFY16), up a significant 67% compared to the same period of last fiscal year, according to a company notice sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

Earnings per share (EPS) jumped to Rs2.09 compared to an EPS of Rs1.25 in the period under review.

In the second quarter, the company posted a net profit of Rs1.67 billion (EPS of Rs1.21), up 52% quarter on quarter from preceding quarter profit of Rs1.1 billion (EPS of Rs0.83).

The company also announced interim cash dividend of Rs1.75 per share (2QFY15: 1.00/share).

On Tuesday, PSX 100-Index closed on 31,673, down 254 points or 0.8% while Fauji Cement share closed at Rs39.66, down just 0.05%.

The company witnessed a 24% quarter on quarter rise in dispatches (751,000 tonnes in 2QFY16) owed to improved domestic/export demand (up 24% and 26%, respectively), coupled with stable cement prices in the north region of the country, resulting in a 27% sequential growth in turnover.

Gross margins expanded by 600 basis points during 2QFY16 to 48%, in contrast to 43% in 1QFY16 due to lower average coal prices which dipped 8.7% quarter on quarter in 2QFY16 along with contracting fuel costs amid dwindling oil prices. While 1HFY16 gross margins rose 11 percentage points to 46%.

The selling and distribution expenses escalated by 57% quarter on quarter to Rs58 million.

Friday, February 12, 2016

UK: Hope plans bagged cement launch

Despite being on the verge of being taken over, Hope Construction Materials continues to invest in expanding and strengthening a brand with an uncertain future.

Hope Construction Materials is in the process of being acquired by Breedon Aggregates, subject to approval of competition authorities. The deal is expected to complete sometime during 2016. Until then, however, Hope Construction Materials is continuing to operate as if nothing is going to change.

Next up, Hope is planning the launch of a bagged cement product.

The cement will be produced at the Hope Works in Derbyshire, which has been making cement for more than 80 years, and then transported by rail for bagging and distribution from Hope’s new Dagenham plant (below) which is set to open in the second quarter of 2016. It will be available to customers across the southern half of England.

The distinctive packaging features a large ram – a nod to the firm’s Derbyshire roots.

Hope cement had previously been available in bags through a third party supplier, but this launch marks the first time Hope cement will be in the firm’s own packaging.

Hope has spent 18 months developing this product launch, so was not likely to postpone it to see what Breedon’s plans might be for the Hope brand.

Gary Brennand, Hope’s commercial director for cement, said: “For 18 months we have spoken at length to builders and merchants to understand their needs and how we can add value to them. Using this insight we have developed a full package which we believe will redefine the sector and are really excited about sharing it all. Revealing our Hope Professional Grade Cement branding is just the start.”

Thursday, February 11, 2016

JAPAN: Cement exports rise as domestic demand sinks

Japan is shipping more cement abroad to make up for slack demand at home.

The country's cement exports for fiscal 2015, through this March, are projected to top 10 million tons for the first time in four years, according to the Japan Cement Association. The final figure is expected to be more than 6% higher than last year's.

Thanks in part to the yen's depreciation in 2015, Japanese cement producers see opportunities for bigger profits on exports. They are looking toward Asian markets, in particular, as demand for cement is growing as construction of ports and other infrastructure picks up. 

A cement plant in Kochi Prefecture, in southern Japan, has been boosting shipments abroad. The facility is the only export hub for Sumitomo Osaka Cement, which holds a 20% market share in Japan. The company had earmarked 1 million tons for export, out of the plant's 3.8 million tons of annual output. But an official at Sumitomo Osaka Cement said the current export volume is 5% higher than the forecast.

Singapore is the top destination for Japanese cement. In the April-November period of 2015, the volume rose 18% on the year to 2.37 million tons. Quite a bit of it is being used in airport and subway construction.

Australia-bound cement exports stood at 1.13 million tons, up 13% from a year earlier.

Overseas customers are becoming more diverse, too. Exports to Kenya and the Philippines are surging, though volumes are still modest.

Japanese cement has a positive reputation overseas. "The quality of the cement is good, and it does not crack easily," said an official at a major construction company based in Asia.

Headaches

In response to the increased international demand, Japanese producers are building up their overseas capacity. Taiheiyo Cement, the nation's No. 1 producer, built a new cement silo in Singapore last year, boosting capacity by roughly 50% to 74,000 tons.

Back in Japan, however, all is not well. Cement makers are feeling the effects of reduced investment in public works projects.

Last autumn, the JCA cut its domestic demand forecast for the current fiscal year to 44-45 million tons, compared to its previous forecast of 46 million tons.

Domestic demand for this fiscal year is likely to come to 44 million tons or so, said JCA Chairman Fukuichi Sekine, who is also president of Sumitomo Osaka Cement.

Japanese cement companies could face another headache, depending on developments in China.

As that country's economy slows, Chinese competitors may try to cope by exporting more cheap cement. This would eat into Japanese producers' export profitability.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

CHINA: Shanshui Cement to buy back bonds with support from Tianrui

China Shanshui Cement Group, whose old and new board of directors have been embroiled in an eight-month battle over management control, has offered to buy back US$525.9 million worth of bonds, averting another potential default on its debt obligations.

Rival Tianrui Group, which launched a hostile takeover by snapping up its shares in the open market last April and raised its stake to 28.2 per cent to become Shanshui’s largest shareholder, will provide the necessary funding to Shanshui to complete the buy-back.

Henan province-based Tianrui had already amassed a 10.5 per cent stake in Shandong Province-based Shanshui, China’s seventh largest cement maker, in February, by paying a hefty premium compared to the prevailing market price.

“The Board has received assurances from Tianrui that it will procure that the company has sufficient

funds to comply with its financial and other obligations in relation to the offer at the relevant time,” Shanshui said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

A spokesman for Tianrui declined to disclose who is providing financial backing, but said it is sure of being able to meet the needs of loss-making Shanshui’s bonds repurchase.

Shanshui has already defaulted on a 2 billion yuan (HK$2.4 billion) bond repayment in November, and its principal Shandong unit - which is still under the control of former chairman and founder Zhang Caikui who retains the company chops - warned late last month it will likely default on another 1.8 billion yuan bond this month.

According to a bond prospectus issued by Tianrui two months ago, the parent of Hong Kong-listed China Tianrui Group Cement had a debt-to-asset ratio of 65 per cent at the end of March last year.

It had 590 million yuan of cash and 3.75 billion yuan of borrowings at the end of 2014, and a net debt-to-shareholders’ equity ratio of 40.9 per cent.

The Shanshui bond repurchase, triggered by a change in shareholding control and board reshuffle last month, was offered to holders of the US$500 million senior notes that carry 7.5 per cent of annual interest and will mature in 2020, as well as US$28.9 million of 8.5 per cent notes due this year.

The bondholders are allowed to demand Shanshui to buy back the bonds at a 1 per cent premium to their principal amounts in case the original controlling shareholders Zhang Caikui and his son Zhang Bin lost management control, under the bond issuance terms.

The elder Zhang was removed from the board in October in an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting called by Tianrui.

His son was ousted early last month as the entire board, including directors appointed by Taiwan-listed Asia Cement and state-backed Hong Kong-listed China National Building Material (CNBM) were removed.

China Shanshui Investment, in which Zhang Caikui is a trustee holding shares on behalf of nearly 2,500 Shanshui’s employees as a result of a state asset privatisation over a decade ago, owns 25.1 per cent of Shanshui.

CNBM has a stake of around 16.7 per cent in Shanshui, compared to Asia Cement’s 20.9 per cent.