the world s biggest cement maker, will eliminate 460 jobs globally as it pushes ahead with an overhaul. Of the headcount reduction, the Paris-based company will cut 90 jobs in France through a “voluntary redundancy” plan, the company said in a statement. Chief Executive Officer Bruno Lafont in November announced a plan to save an extra 500 million euros ($658 million) in expenses from 2012. He also said then that the company will continue to sell assets after shedding more than 2 billion euros of assets in 2011. Standard & Poor’s and Moody s Investors Service cut Lafarge s credit rating to below investment grade last year, saying the company will have difficulty restoring profitability because of rising raw-material prices, political turmoil in the Middle East and a lingering construction slump in countries such as the U.S., Spain and Greece.

Kuwait Gazette announced on Monday the establishment of International Cement Group company with a capital of 10 million Kuwaiti Dinar (KD). The compnay was incepted as a closed shareholding company with a capital of KD 10 million distributed over 100 million shares each valued at 100 fils, the gazette said in its latest edition. The company s mission is to hold construction works such as buildings, roads and bridges. It can provide decor and painting services and manufacture various building materials. It can import and buy all equippment necessary to conduct its buisness. It can also own all movables and properties that are needed to start off its business, according to the country s laws. It is allowed to use budget surplus for investment. The compnay is allowed to invest, partner or even buy companies of similar interest that might be of help to achieve the company s goals inside and outside of Kuwait.

The Governor of Minya toured ASEC Cement s under-construction, $335m state-of-the-art greenfield cement plant. ANCC will create a total of 1,900 direct and indirect jobs in Upper Egypt. Minya Governor Gen. Serag El-Din El-Robie yesterday visited ASEC Cement s $335m, 5,000-ton-per-day greenfield cement plant for a tour of the site and a briefing on how the plant will help create as many as 1,900 jobs while supplying cement for the governorate s critical infrastructure projects. The Arab National Cement Company (ANCC), a subsidiary of regional cement producer ASEC Cement, is located some 220 kilometers south of Cairo in the Minya governorate. In addition to creating 400 direct and 1,500 indirect jobs, the plant will provide cement for key infrastructure projects in Upper Egypt. "I was impressed with the progress I saw yesterday," said Serag El-Din. "The high-quality Portland grey cement ANCC will produce will capitalize on the abundance of limestone in our governorate and help reduce cement imports both in Minya and in the nation as a whole. What s more, by choosing to build and create jobs in Minya, ANCC has positioned itself to serve high-demand markets across Upper Egypt and will benefit from use of the governorate s river port. This will help reduce road congestion and encourage development of the key river transportation sector." "We are delighted to have hosted Gen. Serag El-Din," said ASEC Holding Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Giorgio Bodo, who noted that the project will also adhere to the highest global environmental standards. "With civil works now completed, fabrication and erection work is now well-underway and we re on track to begin commissioning the plant at the end of this year." ANCC is backed by a $200m syndicated loan from a consortium of local, regional and international banks led by the Arab African International Bank (AAIB) as the mandated lead arranger and underwriter participated in the facility, which will be granted in two tranches. Participating banks include Banque du Caire, United Bank, National Bank of Greece, Bank of Alexandria, Bank Audi and Faisal Islamic Bank. The $335m project, majority owned and controlled by ASEC Cement, has attracted a number of regional investors including Misr-Qena Cement Company, Hayel Saeed Group, FLSmidth — which is also providing the equipment — as well the Danish Institute for Development (IFU). ASEC Cement holds a 28% stake in Misr-Qena Cement Company, a publicly traded company on the EGX.

The Qatar Exchange (QE) Index closed 0.61% higher at 8,491.56 points as shares gained across the board. Al Khaliji Holding added 1.10%. The manufacturer and import company of cement has achieved a net profit of QR74m in 2011 compared to QR71.2m in 2010.

The Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) has undertaken a detailed review of the last 11 years of progress to provide stakeholders with a summary of the achievements with regards to the initial commitments made as part of the CSI ‘Agenda for Action’ in 2002. This progress report, to be published in 2012, will also indicate some further commitments for the coming years, taking into account the views and expectations of the sector’s stakeholders. To that purpose, the most comprehensive stakeholder engagement project undertaken so far has recently been completed.As a result of work initially undertaken in 2010, in order to identify what the CSI’s mission and work programme should be going forward, a number of potential future environmental issues facing the industry were identified. These included: air quality, energy and carbon management, biodiversity and land stewardship, and water. In addition, three further areas of development in the broader sustainability context were also examined; employee health and safety, supply chain management, and sustainable construction. Stakeholder consultation and engagement was then sought in the form of a three-stage process.Stage one of the engagement involved interviews with the co-chairs of each of the eight task forces currently active within the CSI. Stage two included interviews and discussions with a wide range of NGOs, think-tanks, trade organisations, media, other observers and influencers who have a role in the cement sector. The final stage of the programme was undertaken using an online survey tool generating almost 300 responses from stakeholders around the world.Eleven areas of activity were identified by the survey respondents. They were (in order of importance): energy efficiency, alternative fuels and raw materials, worker health and safety, CO2 emissions, community health and safety, air quality and (non CO2) emissions, sustainable construction, low-carbon cement products, recycling of concrete, water, and biodiversity and land stewardship.As well as addressing energy-related, air quality, and health and safety issues, it is worth noting the emerging and future trends, such as biodiversity, water, and the use of concrete in sustainable construction.Carbon – continuing trendsAs identified throughout the stakeholder engagement process, energy and carbon management continue to be important issues. Extensive work has been undertaken by the CSI to identify ways in which greenhouse gas mitigation can be achieved. The CSI was instrumental in introducing the concept of sectoral approaches to the debate at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) talks in 2009 and has continued to develop the argument subsequently. The Cement Technology Roadmap, the first industry-specific roadmap for the reduction of CO2 emissions, was published in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA). A customised version of the 2009 worldwide roadmap is now being developed in India, on the basis of the Indian economic and sustainable context. It will be complemented by examples of how this Indian-tailored roadmap can translate into real implementation projects at plant levels in 2012 and beyond. This technology roadmap will need to be complemented with appropriate financial mechanisms and policy support, particularly on issues such as the use of alternative fuels and carbon capture and storage. The CSI will continue to take part in the debate to develop such tools.Biodiversity, water and sustainable constructionBiodiversity is a significant concern for operators in the cement industry, and the experience and skills of cement companies in quarry rehabilitation and land management are of vital importance in the preservation and enhancement of biodiversity and ecosystems. In 2011, the CSI published guidelines for quarry rehabilitation and expects these to become international best practice in the near future.Water is also increasingly recognised as a critical issue for sustainable development. Having conducted a scoping exercise on water, the CSI has created a task force to handle water issues, agree on common key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify potential tools to conduct risk assessments at the local levels associated with water management.The use phase of cement is also now being examined and discussed more widely than ever before. The role of concrete in sustainable construction will play a part in the future work to be undertaken by the CSI and its members. This will require wider collaboration with other stakeholders outside the cement industry and an improved understanding of building use. The development of low carbon cement products is an important emerging trend, as is the reuse of concrete at the end of a structure’s life.The cement industry is in a very different place today than it was ten years ago. Emerging trends are well understood and, where appropriate, common reporting methodologies have been developed and agreed at CSI level; targets have been set by members and the wider industry to ensure that the sector performs well with regards to environmental and other sustainability standards. It has always been the CSI’s role to push beyond compliance and encourage action beyond regulation, which has so far delivered significant results.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today met with Markus Akermann, Chief Executive Officer of the Holcim Group, one of the world s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates. The President expressed satisfaction with the activity of the Holcim group in Azerbaijan, this company`s investments in the country and participation in the construction of the Garadagh cement plant. For his part, Holcim CEO noted the new cement plant would come on stream later this year. The sides noted it would be an important event in terms of expansion of economic ties.

The Abu Dhabi Executive Council has approved plans to build two new industrial cities in Al Ruwais and Madinat Zayed in Abu Dhabi, Gulf News has reported. The Al Ruwais industrial city will cover 14 sq km, and is designed to promote the chemical, petrochemical, plastic, cement and building material industries, as well as oil and gas services and logistic and commercial assistance services. The Madinat Zayed Industrial City, spread over 2.5 sq km will primarily focus on the oil and gas services, food industries and logistic services.

In December 2011, ZAB Zementanlagenbau GmbH Dessau, a subsidiary of KHD Humboldt Wedag GmbH, carried out a successful performance test of the 3000 tpd rotary kiln plant that was recently constructed on a greenfield in Novotroizk, Russia, at the JUGPK company. In addition to the raw materials usually used for producing clinker, limestone and clay, a large percentage of blastfurnace slag is processed at this kiln plant. The slag is accumulated as waste in the nearby steel complex, where it is piled up in huge quantities. Although this slag has already undergone thermal treatment, it still contains residual organic and combustible components. The presence of the organic and combustible residue in the slag results in a lower demand for purchased fuel during the clinker production process. Additionally, the use of precalcined slag as a replacement for some of the raw material results in decreased heat consumption and, in-turn, lower CO2 emissions. In this performance test, the following results were achieved: Clinker production: 3000 tpd (guaranteed); 3023 tpd (achieved). Specific electrical power consumption: 15 kWh/t (guaranteed); 13.2 kWh/t (achieved). Specific heat consumption: 2993 kJ/kg clinker (guaranteed); 2495 kJ/kg clinker (achieved). 715 kJ/kg clinker (guaranteed); 596 kJ/kg clinker (achieved). Clean gas particle concentration at the ESP kiln/preheater: In combined operation: < 30 mg/Nm3 (guaranteed); 2.26 mg/Nm3 (achieved). In direct operation: < 30 mg/Nm3 (guaranteed); 18.6 mg/Nm3 (achieved). Clean gas particle concentration at clinker cooler: < 30 mg/Nm3 (guaranteed); 1 mg/Nm3 (achieved). The measured clean gas particle concentration in the exhaust air was significantly lower than the standard values applicable in Russia for new plants. KHD scope of delivery The scope of delivery, with regard to KHD products and services, extends from raw material storage and preparation, to clinker production, cement production and storage, cement loading (including packing services), all associated dust removal systems, as well as the automation and control station technology. The 3 kiln line is provided with the following core equipment with KHD design: Roller Press RP 13 – 170/140 with V- separator and static LS- separator. 5-stage preheater with Pyroclon® R- calciner and tertiary air duct. Two-tyre Pyrorapid® rotary kiln Ø 4.4 m x 52 m long, with Pyro-Jet® burner. Pyrofloor® clinker cooler with 73 m2 cooling surface and clinker crusher. All system fans. The cement grinding system is provided with the following core equipment with KHD design: Ball mill Ø 5.0 m x 14.5 m, power capacity 6000 kW. High efficiency separator SKS-Z 3250. System fan. The guaranteed values of the throughput rate for the cement grinding system have already been verified for the customer, JUGPK. The following result was achieved. Cement grinding system throughput rate at a fineness of 3300 cm2/g: 155 tph (guaranteed); 168 tph (achieved). JUGPK has commissioned a second kiln line from KHD/ZAB that is identical to the first and will run in parallel. This second kiln line is currently being assembled, and it is expected to be brought into service in the second half of this year.

Siam Cement, which is looking for opportunities to buy assets in Southeast Asia, expected to conclude details about the deal in the second half of this year, Chief Executive Kan Trakulhoon told reporters. Earlier, the country s top industrial conglomerate reported an 81 percent fall in quarterly net profit, hit by weak activity because of flooding plus changes in government taxation. ($1 = 31.75 Baht)

Sandvik s new ceramic liners for screening operations helped boost productivity at a quarry in the UK. Construction materials supplier Hanson - a subsidiary of Heidelberg Cement - replaced the existing quenched steel liners at its In gleton quarry site in Yorkshire, northern England, with the ceramic inserts. The company admited it was "initially sceptical" about Sandvik s solution to the problem of having to frequently change noisy steel wear protection plates used in the screening process, but was impressed by the results. Sandvik WT9200 ceramic wear protection plates for heavy duty work are intended for the toughest applications, with very high material flow containing coarse material. The ceramic wear plates have large and hard ceramic bricks, vulcanised into a matrix of wear resistant rubber. Due to its elastic properties, the rubber acts as a noise and impact dampener - making applications with a lot of impact possible without the risk of crushing the ceramic bricks. Initially, Sandvik replaced the 30mm steel backed rubber elements that Hanson had been using on the feedbox leading into the primary screen. Due to the heavy duty nature of the screening operation, these liners had to be changed every four months. In contrast, using the WT9200, 27mm thick ceramic liners resulted in 18 months of trouble free service, even though the application was very tough. Due to the extended life of the liners used on the primary screens feedbox, Hanson asked Sandvik to look at other applications that would benefit from the use of ceramic liners at the site. The discharge chute at the end of the screening operation was identified as a candidate - a wet application on a final 1.8m X 4.9m (6 ft x 16 ft) screen dealing with very fine material. The steel liner for this application lasted three months before having to be replaced, but the ceramic liners have now been in operation for over 12 months and are showing no signs of wear - freeing up many hours that would normally be spent replating. In addition, through the replacement of steel liners with WT9200 ceramic ones, Hanson has reduced the sound emissions emanating from their operation due to the dampening effect of the liners, reducing overall noise on site.

Cement arrivals in Gujarat during December 2011 have been the highest ever according to data compiled by the Cement Manufacturers Association ( CMA) and industry sources. At 18.55 lakh tonnes for the month of December 2011, the arrivals have surpassed the previous all time high of 16.87 lakh tonnes posted in March 2011. Gujarat has seen a 30% jump in demand for cement from 14.23 lakh tonnes in December 2010 and it is higher by 11% over the previous November month arrivals of 16.67 lakh tonnes. For the nine months period ended December 31, 2011 the cement arrivals in Gujarat stood at 130.14 lakh tonnes, an 18% increase over 110.23 lakh tonnes for the previous nine months ended December 31, 2010. Explaining the reasons behind the record cement demand, Sanghi Industries, director, Alok Sanghi said, "In the past too the December month has witnessed high demand for cement in Gujarat. But, the last month all previous records were broken. A spurt in demand from infrastructure and government projects have led to this record cement arrivals from within and outside Gujarat." The company has a three million tonnes per annum capacity plant in the Abdasa taluka of Kutch district in Gujarat.

(Kansas) -- On the eve of beginning its 100th year of operation in 2012, Ash Grove s recently reconstructed Foreman, Ark., cement plant earned the ISO 14001 certification in December 2011, marking the last of the company s eight clinker manufacturing facilities to achieve the designation and making it the only domestic cement maker to have achieved this distinction. In 2010, the other seven Ash Grove facilities earned the certification, administered by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) and requiring companies to adopt a rigorous, systematic environmental management system customized to the needs unique to its facilities and subject it to continuous improvement. Once such a program is implemented, certified third-party auditors conduct an extensive audit to verify compliance with the ISO standards before certification is granted and follow up with annual assurance audits. In addition to the Foreman location, Ash Grove s ISO 14001 certified plants are located in Chanute, Kan.; Durkee, Ore.; Leamington, Utah; Louisville, Nebr.; Midlothian, Texas; Montana City, Mont.; and Seattle. “We are pleased to have earned the ISO 14001 certification for all of our plants. The certification validates all of the work Ash Grove has done to create and maintain our environmental management systems. Our commitment to earning the certification is a cornerstone of our environmental leadership program,” said Curtis Lesslie, PE, vice president of environmental affairs.

Ghana s leading producer of cement, GHACEM, says the industry saw a record 22% growth in 2011 relative to 2010, attributing this to the robust economic growth witnessed in the country in the year under review. The Managing Director of GHACEM, Mr. Morten Gade made this known in Takoradi at GHACEM s 2011 event to award some 55 distributors and customers (including those in the mining sector and transporters who haul their products to various depots) for their support to the company s growth. Mr. Morten said GHACEM; a market leader for over 44 years obtained a respectable share of the market with the support of its hardworking customers hence the need for their efforts to be appreciated. He disclosed that GHACEM was investing in some expansion works to improve its production capacity at both the Takoradi and Tema Plants to meet the huge demand expected this year. GHACEM being mindful of the positive growth in the cement industry has already invested an additional capacity of one million tonnes to bring the thermal plant to 3.2 million tonnes. I am happy to announce that the new mill will be up and running by November 2012 and plans are far ahead to increase Takoradi capacity shortly thereafter. This is being undertaken alongside the replacement of the two silos at the Takoradi factory this year . He pointed out that the Western Region s consumption of cement in 2011 nearly compared to that of the national level due to the oil activities. The discovery of the oil in Ghana creates accelerated development of the economy and GHACEM. As a market leader in the cement industry, we will continue to play a leading role in nation building. It is worth noting that the emerging oil industry contributed to a higher growth in the cement consumption of the Western Region compared to the national average. This region will most likely become one of the key markets of Ghana in addition to the key markets of Greater Accra and the Ashanti Region Mr. Gade noted. Mr. Gade said the commercial Division of GHACEM is well positioned for any competition in the industry. He said the company was also mindful of its corporate social responsibilities and has through the GHACEM Foundation given support to needy institutions and communities in the areas of education and health. The Chairman of the Cement Distributors Association in Takoradi, Mr. Michael Agyekum Oduro in a speech read on his behalf, applauded the management of GHACEM for fairly distributing the products amongst the various distributors and asked that measures are put in place to address any shortage that is likely to be experienced this year in anticipation of huge demand for the product. Whilst commending the management for giving them prior notice of the recent increase in the price of the product from GHS13.00 to GHS14.00, they appealed to them to asphalt the road that leads to the Takoradi factory since the dust emanating from the area affects them greatly.

Indonesia s cement association (ASI) has reported that the country’s cement sales grew 17% in 2011, with total domestic sales reaching 47.9 million t. The association’s Chairman, Urip Trimuryono, attributed the result to Indonesia’s strong economic growth last year, as well as a decline in exports, which led domestic suppliers to prioritise the domestic market. The country’s cement exports dropped 59.1% to 1.2 million t. The association has forecasted a 6% rise in cement sales this year. Teguh Hartanto, an analyst at Bahana Securities, is reported to have said: "We believe the 2012 outlook for cement remains promising, supported by the land-clearing law and continued strong property demand on the back of a continued low interest rate environment." The positive outlook follows the country’s land acquisition bill, signed in December 2011. It is hoped that this bill will break the infrastructure bottleneck that has been halting the country’s growth.

According to the Al Eqtisadiah business daily, ministry inspection teams and police swooped in on businesses in Jeddah and other parts of the western region on January 5, arrested at least 14 people and seizing ten trucks. The raids followed reports about unreasonable price hikes of cement in Jeddah and other cities of the region. The price of a cement bag rose to SAR18 from SAR15 ($4.80 - $4) at Jeddah market – which sparked widespread anxiety among distributors and customers over possible further price increases. The cost of cement in Saudi Arabia is strictly governed, as are exports of the product. A ban on cement exports in from Saudi Arabia three years ago put in place to ensure the kingdom has enough cement supplies for its vast construction projects. This includes a ban on cement exports to all countries except Bahrain, where weekly exports were halved from 50,000 to 25,000 tonnes. The restrictions also stipulated that local cement companies were required to keep 10% of their products in reserves, and that they would sell bagged cement in the domestic market at $52 per tonne. Following the raids, the ministry has issued directives throughout the kingdom to further intensify market monitoring. The branches have also been instructed to send daily reports to the ministry about market conditions to ensure stability of cement prices. According to a government official, the ministry has been in touch with all cement factories in the Kingdom asking them to provide specific details about production and supply in the local market. He said that "All the companies have assured us that they would make available an adequate supply of cement at moderate prices and that was in coordination with the ministry. They have also informed us that their prices would continue to remain the same."