Cement News tagged under: South Africa
PPC and subsidiaries record double-digit growth in July20 August 2020, Published under Cement NewsPPC reports that its total volumes at its international subsidiaries saw double-digit growth in July compared to sales in July 2019. "The demand is especially strong in Zimbabwe and Rwanda and the growth of sales volumes during July has been positive in the DRC as well," PPC said. "The increased sales volumes and the effect of the cost reduction and cash preservation measures have resulted in cash flows for the last months showing a positive trajectory." Double-digit YoY growth of cement... |
Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe ordered to shut plant by EMA18 August 2020, Published under Cement NewsThe Environmental Management Agency ordered Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe (LafargeHolcim group) to close its 0.45Mta Manresa plant last week, because of abnormal dust discharges. Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe said it experienced an unexpected surge in dust emissions during a trial of alternative fuel in the plant between July 30 and 1 August, adding that immediate action was taken to control and contain the emissions and the incident was reported to EMA in line with regulatory requirements. It is under... |
PPC considers restructuring and refinancing options14 August 2020, Published under Cement NewsFollowing reports that South Africa’s PPC was looking to raise ZAR1.25bn (US$71.51m) from a rights issue, the company has stated that it is currently in talks with lenders before taking any action. It also noted that its requirement to restructure and refinance the group was primarily a result of its investment in PPC Barnet (Democratic Republic of Congo), according to Business Day. While the company was considering a rights issue, the timing and size of it is dependent on several factors... |
South Africa needs to overcome alternative fuel challenges07 August 2020, Published under Cement NewsSouth Africa still has barriers it needs to overcome to make alternative fuels more accessible for cement producers. While Natal Portland Cement (InterCement group) has redesigned parts of its production process to accept several waste types, in other countries the group has a much higher alternative fuel usage. InterCement has achieved 50-70 per cent AF usage in some of its facilities, but in South Africa this is more difficult. Inland for EnviroSer which supplies liquid hydrocarbon to th... |
Dangote's 1H20 results see 2% revenue growth27 July 2020, Published under Cement NewsDangote Cement reported group revenue up two per cent to NGN476.9bn (US$1.23bn) in the 1H20. Group EBITDA rose to NGN218.1bn and pan-African EBITDA increased by 31.6 per cent to NGN31.5bn. Profit before tax was up 4.7 per cent to NGN162.9bn and net debt stood at NGN372.1bn at the end of 30 June 2020. Michel Puchercos, Group CEO, said: "I am humbled by the fact that we continue to be in a strong position despite the economic downturn that the world is facing due to COVID-19. Although April ... |
South African cement sector is operating in survival mode13 July 2020, Published under Cement NewsBheki Mthembu, head of the inland business unit of PPC, says the lack of large-scale construction projects in South Africa has left cement producers heavily dependent on residential construction. "The sector has had issues for a while and government needs to support us through infrastructure maintenance and other projects. We were in survival mode and COVID-19 almost served as the final nail in the coffin," said Bheki Mthembu. "There is a very small piece of cake that everyone ... |
Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe sees revenue advance 104%07 July 2020, Published under Cement NewsLafarge Cement Zimbabwe saw its profit for 2019 rise to US$178m, while volumes remained flat YoY at 323,000t. Gross profit increased 251 per cent to US$496m from US$141m in 2018. Kumbirai Katsande, chairman of the company, attributed the improved margins to agile pricing and disciplined cost management. The company saw its revenue advance 104 per cent YoY to US$919m in 2019, compared to US$449m in the previous year. It also started the implementation of a US$25m capex programme, which wil... |
PIC reduces shareholding in PPC12 June 2020, Published under Cement NewsPPC's largest shareholder, Public Investment Corp (PIC) has reduced its shareholding in the South African cement producer from 25 to 19.92 per cent. "The PIC’s disposal of shares in PPC on 28 May 2020 is part of rebalancing its listed investment portfolio in the ordinary course of the PIC’s business," said Deon Botha, the head of corporate affairs at the asset manager. PPC is in the process of finalising its results for the year-ended 31 March 2020. Due to the restrictions placed on the gr... |
African cement escapes the pandemic; structural issues remain05 June 2020, Published under Cement NewsCemtech's latest webinar discussed Africa's cement sector and the impact of COVID-19 on the continent. Tony Hadley of consultancy THAA, and Erkam Kocakerim, CEO of Limak Afrika SA, covered several areas of concern from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economies and cement demand to overcapacity and competition issues, while also providing a long-term outlook for the continent. Thomas Armstrong, Managing Editor of International Cement Review, opened the webinar with an overview of the ... |
AfriSam now permitted to supply certain customers15 May 2020, Published under Cement NewsAs South Africa has lowered its national coronavirus lockdown to Level 4, the supply of cement and other construction materials can now reach specific markets, according to Engineering News. "With the lowering . . . to Alert Level 4, the new regulations permit AfriSam to resume some of its production and to supply certain customers," said AfriSam sales and marketing executive, Richard Tomes. AfriSam is now reportedly set to supply cement, aggregates and ready-mix to permitted Level 4 cus... |