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drymix.info News 140/2013

drymix.info Newsletter 140/2013; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 21. September 2013

1. SEADMA: Forum in KL a Full Success, Setting up a Singapore Mortar Association
2. Special Registration for Brasilian Delegates to ladmmc three, São Paulo, 8.11.2013
3. MEDMA General Meeting in Dubai, 25.11.13: Sponsored by Gypsemna and Factory
4. The 8th Annual SEADMA Conference, KL, Malaysia, 28.11.13
5. Holcim Swaps Portfolio with Cemex in Europe
6. Mapei Acquires Wallmerk in Turkey
7. BASF Opens Plant for Construction Chemicals in Kazan, Russia
8. IMCD Acquires Chemicals Distributor Makeni in Brasil
9. FMT Group Takes over Doubrava Industrieanlagenbau
    

1. SEADMA: Forum in KL a Full Success, Setting up a Singapore Mortar Association

The Second Malaysia Executive Forum on Drymix Mortars took place at Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur on 28. August 2013, it was organized jointly by The Malaysia Construction Industry Development Board CIDB and The South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association SEADMA. This Technical Symposium was attended by over 60 construction experts and legislators. Apart from the programme about the specifications and applications of skim coats, tile adhesives, renders and concrete renovation, it featured a panel discussion moderated by Matthias Gelber. Supporters included Aalborg Portland Cement (M), Baumann Equipment (China), Laticrete (S), MC Bauchemie (M) and Pye Products (M). Dato‘ Seri Ir Dr Judin Abd Karim, Chief Executive Officer of CIDB welcomed the delegates with a short speech stressing the need of sophisticated, efficient and durable building materials in combination with well-trained consultants, construction workers and foremen. Ferdinand Leopolder, Secretary General of SEADMA, moderated the Forum and contributed a lecture on international standards. A continuation of the Forum was agreed upon as well as the formation of a Malaysia Chapter of SEADMA. Dr. Chen Sau Soon, Chairwoman of SIRIM's Environmental Technology Division, assured the assembly of SIRIM's support when it comes to standardizing the most important drymix mortar applications.

In its recent meeting in Singapore, the Executive Committee of SEADMA has decided to intensify its push for National mortar associations throughout the ASEAN region. Already today, the industry does desperately need a local representation, especially in heavily regulated countries such as Singapore, where Singapore Housing and Development Board (HDB) is the largest single property developer with a market share well over 50%. In recent years, several issues could not be resolved unanimously (e.g. sand shortage, skim coat specifications) due to the fact that no recognized entity existed. As a first step, SEADMA has freed up funds to found the fully independent Singapore Mortar Association (working title) which will enable the industry to speak with one voice towards the various Government Departments (e.g. HDB, BCA). Since similar movements are on their way in Malaysia (see above) and Thailand (we reported earlier), SEADMA sees itself mid-range as an umbrella organisation of those regional Chapters.

2. Special Registration for Brasilian Delegates to ladmmc three, São Paulo, 8.11.2013

The Third Latin American Drymix Mortar Conference ladmmc three takes place at Club Transatlântico, São Paulo, Brasil on 8. November 2013. This conference is the only one entirely focussed on drymix mortar in Latin America and traditionally unites the experts from this area with delegates from the US, Europe and elsewhere. A comprehensive lecturing programme featuring 16 (!) speeches as well as ample networking time make ladmmc three the place to be for drymix mortar experts. Registration is open and sponsoring is still welcome. The programme has been published on www.drymix.info, it is also available in Portuguese. As always, simultaneous translation Portuguese - English - Portuguese is offered for all delegates.

Due to multiple requests from our Brasilian delegates, we have now established a payment channel via our partner MCK Consultoria in São Paulo: payments can be done via bank-to-bank transfer in Brasilian Reais (700 BR$). Please enquire with us if you need this service.

3. MEDMA General Meeting in Dubai, 25.11.13: Sponsored by Gypsemna and Personal Factory

The Middle East Drymix Mortar Association MEDMA e.V. invites all its members, partners and friends to its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 25. November 2013, 18:00, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Executive Committee will present the achievements during this year as well as the future of MEDMA. Focus will be on an update of the successful start of the drymix mortar lab at Dubai Central Laboratories. Also, elections for MEDMA's new Executive Committee will be part of this meeting. Member companies who wish to propose a candidate for the new EC can do so by e-mail to info@drymix.info until 20.11.2013. The meeting takes place at fantastic Al Badia Golf Club, a festive dinner will conclude the meeting. The MEDMA AGM is free of charge for MEDMA members (up to two representatives of each company), all others pay 650 AED per person. Note: Big 5 takes place in Dubai from 25.11. until 28.11.2013.

MEDMA's new member Gypsemna, Dubai, UAE and Personal Factory SpA of Simbario, Italy (which joined drymix.info yesterday, we will report in the next Newsletter) have agreed to sponsor this years' MEDMA AGM.

4. The 8th Annual SEADMA Conference, KL, Malaysia, 28.11.13

The South East Asia Drymix Mortar Association SEADMA invites to its 8th Annual  Conference at Hilton Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 28. November 2013. The full-day conference features a sophisticated lecturing programme as well as a comprehensive Industry Showcase, where relevant suppliers to our industry introduce and present their products. SEADMA's Annual General Meeting will take place during the conference, featuring a report of the current activities and the elections for SEADMA's new Executive Committee. Member companies who wish to propose a candidate for the new EC can do so by e-mail to info@drymix.info until 20.11.2013. The Technical Bulletin 08 will be published on occasion of this SEADMA's 8th Annual Conference.

Sponsoring is still possible, advance registration via www.drymix.info/shop (Visa and Mastercard) is open already. Admission per person is 210 €/340 S$/820 MYR. An early booking rebate amounting to 30 €/40 S$/100 MYR) is still available until 13. October 2013. SEADMA members pay only 180 €/300 S$/720 MYR), no early booking rebate is applicable for them.

5. Holcim Swaps Portfolio with Cemex in Europe

The international construction material group Holcim, headquartered in Holderbank, Switzerland, announced several combined actions to swap industrial activities with Cemex SA de CV, headquartered in San Pedro Garza García, Mexico. Holcim will take over the Western Germany business of Cemex and combine it with its operations in Northern Germany. Cemex will take over Holcim Česko, headquartered in Prachovice, Czech Republic, however Holcim will continue to supply its existing customers in the Czech Republic from its plant in Rohožnik in Slovakia. In Spain, both manufacturers will combine their activities in cement, ready-mix concrete and additives. Holcim will keep a share of 25% of the new entity. In the course of this combined transaction Holcim will pay 70 million Euro to Cemex. The transaction is intended to be finalized within the fourth quarter of 2013 pending approval by National and European Anti Trust Authorities.

6. Mapei Acquires Wallmerk in Turkey

Mapei Spa, headquartered in Milan, Italy, acquired 100% of the Turkish company Wallmerk Construction Chemicals Building Industry and Trade, headquartered in Polatli OSB, one of the most important industrial zones near Ankara. Wallmerk is active in the production and trade of chemical products for the building industry. Their portfolio includes waterproofing systems, precision grouts, tile adhesives, materials for thermal insulation, indoor and outdoor coatings, industrial floorings and other construction materials. In 2012, Wallmerk reached a turnover of more than 10 million Euros. The acquisition is in line with Mapei's continuing internationalization process. In 2012, Mapei exceeded a revenue of 2.000 mio Euros with 70% coming from markets outside Italy.

7. BASF Opens Plant for Construction Chemicals in Kazan, Russia

BASF SE of Ludwigshafen, Germany, has recently opened a new production plant for concrete admixtures in Kazan, Russia. At the new facility in Kazan, located about 500 km to the East of Moscow, BASF intends to manufacture 20 different types of admixtures including superplasticizers based upon polycarboxylate (PCE) technology. The focus lays on products specifically tailored to the Russian market, e.g. accelerators and mixtures performing at low temperatures, thus prolonging the notoriously short building season in Russia. “Russia is an extremely attractive market for our business. We anticipate above-average growth in the Russian construction industry in the coming years,” said Dr. Tilman Krauch, head of BASF’s Construction Chemicals division. BASF already opened a construction chemicals plant in Podosk (near Moscow) in 2012.

8. IMCD Acquires Chemicals Distributor Makeni in Brasil

IMCD Group B.V., Rotterdam, The Netherlands, has recently acquired a majority share in Makeni Chemicals, São Paulo, Brasil. IMCD is an internationally active chemical distributor and Makeni is a specialty chemical distributor in Brasil. Apart from construction chemicals, the fields of activity of Makeni include plastics, personal care and nutrition. The founders of Makeni, the Medrano family, will keep a minority interest in the business, with Reinaldo Medrano staying on board as Managing Director of the company. The transaction value was not disclosed by either party.

Makeni is a Gold Sponsor of The Third Latin American Drymix Mortar Conference ladmmc three.

9. FMT Group Takes over Doubrava Industrieanlagenbau

FMT Group, headquartered in Wels, Austria, has recently taken over the materials handling and drymix mortar plant division of Doubrava Group, Attnang Puchheim, Austria, which had filed for bankrupty in July (we reported earlier). FMT formed Doubrava Industrieanlagenbau GmbH as independently acting subsidiary, the company will continue to provide drymix mortar plants globally, and service existing ones. Part of the staff was also taken over.

Doubrava is a globally active materials handling and plant engineering company with focus on drymix mortar plants and a long-standing member with drymix.info. FMT, founded in 1980, is focussed on mechanical and electrical installations as well as on the service of industrial plants. The company has 750 employees and operates production sites on three continents.

The drymix.info Newsletter is being sent exclusively to registered subscribers and all members of drymix.info. Editor-in-Chief: Ferdinand Leopolder. Back issues will be published on www.drymix.info. Please also check our Chinese Edition on www.drymix.info.

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Sincerely Yours, Ferdinand Leopolder