Modern Quarrying Q1 2019

INDUSTRY NEWS

Cement imports on the rise in SA – Industry Insight

Imports of cement into South Africa increased by 166,4% and 144,1% year-on-year during the months of September and October 2018, totalling 131 914 tons (t) (September) and 115 151 t (October), mainly from Vietnam and Pakistan. Nothing has been reported from China, since June 2018. This is according to sta- tistics from Industry Insight, a provider of primary management information services to stakeholders in the South African construc- tion industry. The total tons imported for the first 10 months reached 849 781 t, representing an increase of 104,7% year-on-year, compared with the same period in 2017. This means there were 434 673 t more imported in 2018 compared with 2017. The cur- rency on average, appreciated by around 2% in the first 10 months of 2018, averaging R13,06/US dollar, versus an average of R13,26/ US dollar in the first 10 months of 2017, which may have been a contributing factor to some degree supporting higher growth in imports, but seems too mild to be the main driver. The main driver therefore is the new entry into South Africa which is Vietnam, which started exporting to South Africa from March 2018, averaging close to 50 000 t per month. In total, Vietnamese cement exports (not just into South Africa) increased by 55% in the first seven months of 2018, totalling 17,8 million tons, against a target of between 18 and 19 million tons.

South African cement exports were slightly up (by between 3 and 4%) in September and October compared with the same two months in 2017, with the bulk exported to neigh- bours Botswana and Swaziland. During the 10-month period, South Africa exported around 630 705 t (a decrease of 2%). Imports are currently exceeding exports by around 219 065 t (year to October 2018). l

Tons

Jan-18 Feb-18 Mar-18 Apr-18 May-18 Jun-18 Jul-18 Aug-18 Sep-18 Oct-18 YTD Total 49 297 86 853 51 541 89 453 94 128 139 104 26 487 65 852 131 914 115 151 849 781 64 243 57 122 57 305 46 913 73 424 66 639 66 412 73 557 63 047 62 053 630 715 14 946 -29 731 5 765 -42 540 -20 704 -72 465 39 924 7 705 -68 868 -53 097 -219 065

Import Export

Difference Currency

12,2 11,8 11,8 12,1

12,5

13,3 13,4 14,1

14,8 14,5 13,1

Researching the viability of effluent water in concrete production

of water for construction by as much as 75%. “In this instance, effluent water does not refer to sewage but rather to water from sewerage plants that has gone through all cycles of treatment except naturalisation in a maturation pond. This type of water is often used for irri- gation and is not disallowed according to national standards nor is provision made for it in SANS 51008 water for making concrete because, until now, no specific testing has been done,” explains van Wyk. “As a result, we are currently com- piling a testing which will enable us to run an eight-week study and collate results including chemistry and all the parameters surrounding the water and then monitor its effect on the mixing, setting, curing and strengths of the

A joint initiative of the City of Cape Town and the Southern Africa Readymix Association (SARMA) is underway to research the effective usage of effluent water to manufacture concrete and concrete products. Until now, no specific standards exist to allow the use of water other than “potable” water to be used in the process. However, in light of the recent drought in the Cape Town region, concerned SARMA members have joined forces with Cape Town Municipality to work together to use effluent water that might otherwise ease the water prob- lems in the region. According to SARMA director, Johan van Wyk, if a suitable solution can be found it will not only have a positive effect on water supplies and the envi- ronment but will also reduce the cost

Johan van Wyk, SARMA director.

concrete,” he adds. “This will then be compared with current concrete standards and data to make a finding. And, it must be said, that our preliminary findings are positive and gives hope for a major evolution in the way we make concrete in dry climatic regions,” says Van Wyk. l

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MODERN QUARRYING QUARTER 1 - 2019