Latin America is providing cement manufacturers a reason to smile. Demand is increasing, gaps in supply are emerging and several new plants are being constructed across the region. Looking ahead, established players look set to expand capacity and engage in M&A deals as they seek to boost their market share and internationalise their operations. In the first of a two-part series CemNet looks at the latest developments in the cement market of the Mercosur member states – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Regional and multinational players are beginning to tighten their grip in the emerging markets of Latin America. The Cimpor/InterCement deal has significantly altered market share in Brazil, while other major developments include Cemex’s push into Peru and possibly Paraguay, plus the joint venture programme of Cementos Molins, Votorantim and ANCAP in Uruguay. There is much activity in Bolivia where imports are currently helping to meet demand while new domestic production capacity is being built. Brazil too is seeing a tremendous growth in new cement plants.