Cement News tagged under: europe
Spain’s cold spell continues as January demand drops 21.5% YoY19 February 2013, Published under Cement NewsSpanish cement producers have had a frosty start to the year as cement consumption continues to fall. January 2013 data show a 21.5 per cent decrease to 892,783t from 1.138Mt recorded in January 2012, according to the country’s cement association Oficemen. Local cement producers have also cut output by 30.7 per cent to 948,443t when compared to the 1.369Mt manufactured during January 2012. “If 2012 was one of the worst years ever known the cement industry in our country, starting in 20... |
ETS: 2013 distribution of free allowances postponed06 February 2013, Published under Cement NewsOn 25 January 2013, the European Commission announced a delay in the distribution of free allowances to industrial installations participating in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), scheduled by the end of February 2013, reports Cembureau. According to an official statement, "the Commission aims to conclude the overall process as soon as possible in order to provide industrial installations and all other market participants with certainty". Cembureau points out that on 12 December 201... |
Spanish demand sees largest drop for over 70 years21 January 2013, Published under Cement NewsCement consumption in Spain has seen its full-year figures for 2012 fall even further than the pessimistic forecasts predicted by Oficemen in December. Last year, cement demand contracted 34 per cent YoY to 13.5Mt, representing the largest decline in the Spanish cement market’s history for several decades. Only in 1936 a larger drop was found. Full-year output figures registered a fall of just under 29 per cent to 22.18Mt. “We face data that are really symptomatic of the poor state of he... |
Euro area construction output down 0.4 per cent in November18 January 2013, Published under Cement NewsConstruction output in the 17-nation euro area decreased 0.4 per cent in November according to first estimates released by Eurostat. In Germany, Europe’s largest economy, November construction advanced one per cent from a month earlier, while Spain gained 1.2 per cent, according to today’s report. However, these gains were offset by falls in France and Italy, where output dropped 0.5 per cent and 3.4 per cent, respectively. In the 27-nation EU, construction fell 0.9 per cent from October... |
Siam Cement in talks for European acquisitions15 January 2013, Published under Cement NewsSiam Cement is in talks to buy building materials, petrochemical business in Europe, according to its chief executive Kan Trakulhoon. Mr Trakulhoon told reporters that the company would invest about THB200bn (US$6.6bn) in five years from 2013, mainly in ASEAN countries. At least one fifth of that amount (THB40bn) will be spent in 2013, he added. Mr Trakulhoon, however, did not specify which companies Siam Cement will target. |
Deutsche Bank more positive on European building sector in 201320 December 2012, Published under Cement NewsDeutsche Bank expects cement stocks to be among the front runners in any cyclical recovery in 2013 and recommends "buying" HeidelbergCement, Buzzi Unicem and Lafarge as its top picks within the sector, according to reports by Bloomberg. The bank takes a more positive view on the European building materials sector saying it should benefit from a return to 3.5 per cent global GDP growth while there could well be a growth surprise in the euro area. "Into 2013 we believe the significant lever... |
French cement consumption rises 5% in October19 December 2012, Published under Cement NewsFrench cement demand increased by five per cent YoY to 1.904Mt in October, data from association Syndicat Français de l'Industrie Cimentière (SFIC) shows. Domestic producers advanced sales by 4.5 per cent to 1.762Mt when compared with October 2011 while importers increased their deliveries by nearly 11 per cent from 0.128Mt to 0.142Mt. In terms of exports, the French industry made modest gains of 3.7 per cent from 0.108Mt to 0.112Mt, mostly in the form of cement (0.099Mt) although some ... |
Holcim Belgique to close Haccourt facility19 December 2012, Published under Cement NewsHolcim Belgique announced it will close its Haccourt cement grinding plant, near Liège, Belgium. The unit currently employs 43 people. This project is part of a reorganisation of Holcim’s European industrial base announced earlier this week. The group said in a statement that the shutdown was due to a “deterioration of market conditions and grinding overcapacity at Holcim Belgique.” "Holcim Belgique, whose clientele goes beyond the borders of Belgium, is facing increased competition in... |
Sociedad de Cementos y Materiales looks to cut 35 jobs19 December 2012, Published under Cement NewsSpanish cement and building materials producer Sociedad de Cementos y Materiales de Construccion de Andalucia, is reportedly planning to lay-off 35 members of staff. The company, which is controlled by Portuguese cement major Cimpor, is currently negotiating with its employees and trade unions, according to reports by Expansión. The downsizing measure will affect 25 employees at its Cordoba works and 10 employees at the factory in Niebla. The firm currently employees a total 142 people.... |
Holcim to restructure operations in Europe17 December 2012, Published under Cement NewsHolcim has said it will introduce a leaner management structure in Europe to reflect the lower level of construction activity, and expects to save at least CHF120m (EUR97mm) a year. The additional cash costs for restructuring in the fourth quarter of 2012 will amount to approximately CHF100m (EUR80.8m) including site restoration costs. Write-offs of property, plant and equipment will reach CHF410m (EUR331.5m) to be charged in the fourth quarter of 2012. The restructuring accelerates ... |