Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Domestic cement production tops 1.5M tonnes in Jan-Feb

Domestic cement production tops 1.5M tonnes in Jan-Feb

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
In 2021, a total of 4,303 new construction projects were approved nationwide, with total registered capital investment of $5.3 billion – down by 31 per cent year-on-year – and total floor area of 13.0 million sqm. Hean Rangsey

Domestic cement production tops 1.5M tonnes in Jan-Feb

Cement production in the Kingdom reached 1,524,248 tonnes in the first two months of this year, up by 2.08 per cent from the 1,493,212 tonnes logged in January-February 2021, according to the Cambodia Cement Manufacturing Association (CCMA).

Kampot Cement Co Ltd (SCG-K CEM) was the largest producer of the Kingdom’s five cement plants at 420,736 tonnes, followed by Battambang Conch Cement Co Ltd (Conch; 349,500 tonnes), Chip Mong Insee Cement Corp (CMIC; 341,388 tonnes), Cambodia Cement Chakrey Ting Factory Co Ltd (Huaxin; 217,656 tonnes) and Thai Boon Roong Cement Co Ltd (194,968 tonnes).

CCMA secretary-general Puth Chandarith told The Post on March 30 that the total output of the five factories can meet “about 90 per cent” of domestic demand, requiring “around one million tonnes” to be imported each year.

With a broad reopening game plan in full swing since November, Chandarith predicted that domestic cement demand would likely improve, supported by a steadily growing stream of new investors in Cambodia along with a subsequent uptick in construction.

Backed by total registered capital in excess of $2 billion, the Kingdom’s cement factories could churn out up to 10 million tonnes per year, should all five run at full capacity, he said, highlighting that growth in locally-made cement could help drive down imports from nearby countries like Thailand and Vietnam.

Cambodia produced a total of 7,989,864 tonnes of cement in the first 11 months of 2021, the latest figures from the CCMA show.

Huy Vanna, secretary-general of advisory firm Housing Development Association of Cambodia (HDAC), said that despite not quite making a full recovery the Cambodian construction sector is showing a strong and growing appetite for local cement, with insiders reporting that its quality is “not unlike imported cement”.

“I reckon demand for domestically produced cement will increase significantly when the construction sector in Cambodia recovers, after the world has been able to completely control Covid-19,” he said.

A sixth cement factory, with annual production capacity of nearly two million tonnes and registered capital investment of more than $250 million, is planned for northwestern Kampong Speu province, according to provincial governor Vei Samnang.

Samnang told The Post last week that “Chinese company” Conch KT Cement (Phnom Penh) Co Ltd has completed a feasibility study on the plant and is now working on the necessary legal procedures to break ground.

The factory will be located in Monorom village, Horng Samnam commune in the southeastern corner of Kampong Speu’s Oral district.

On March 22, at a meeting between the CCMA and the Ministry of Mines and Energy leadership, minister Suy Sem told the association to ensure that local cement factories deliver quality yet affordable product, keep accurate statistics, comply with their tax and royalty obligations in an appropriate and timely manner, and actively work to reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental factors.

In 2021, a total of 4,303 new construction projects were approved nationwide, with total registered capital investment of $5,333,798,525 – down by 31.21 per cent year-on-year – and total floor area of 12,998,072sqm, Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction data shows.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the