Cement

But ordinary Zimbabweans driven to cynicism after years of state corruption under the ruling Zanu-PF party are pessimistic

The project could change the production structure of Zimbabwe, with fuel landing at a lesser cost

Producing cement, plastic, steel, aluminium and food causes greenhouse gases, but a circular economy can reduce emissions

Cheaper cement from China and Vietnam has hit producers in SA, who are asking the state for help

The sustainability of the local industry is under threat, say producers, as concrete makers face a perfect storm of oversupply and cheap imports

Major international companies have been implicated in the collusion

Plans are afoot to build a cement plant in South Africa although procedure and budget have not been approved as yet.

The cement sector is a big focus area for the IDC; not only in South Africa, but on the continent as well

Over a construction period of 22 months, Ohorongo Cement became Africa’s most modern and efficient cement plant.

No evidence has been found of inferior cement being imported to South Africa, says the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications.

Less energy-intensive ways of making concrete are being investigated, writes Lynley Donnelly

The construction sector would only benefit from interest rate cuts in 2010, the Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI) said on Wednesday.

SA cement manufacturer PPC on Monday reported an 8% rise to 283 cents in its headline earnings per share for the year ended September 2008.