Cement factories in Egypt to operate with natural gas instead of coal

Liquified Petroleum Gas Spheres in Oil and Gas Process Plant in Egypt. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 21 September 2021
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Cement factories in Egypt to operate with natural gas instead of coal

RIYADH: Cement companies in Egypt are seeking to return to operating with natural gas fuels instead of coal, after nearly seven years of the government’s decision to compel companies to use a mixture of fuels from coal and waste, Head of Industrials Sector at the Arab African International Securities Company, Rehan Hamza, said.

The continuous pumping of natural gas, and the rise in coal prices, will be guarantors of a stable return for cement factories in Egypt to rely on natural gas, she said in an interview with Al Arabiya.

The Export Council for Building Materials has prepared technical studies on the economic feasibility of cement factories returning to work with natural gas in light of rising coal prices to record levels, in addition to the high cost of shipping and import, and the abundance of local natural gas, she said. The study will be presented to the Ministry of Trade and Industry within days,

The Egyptian Cabinet issued a decision to reduce the price of natural gas for industry to $4.5 per million thermal unit, in March last year.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,947 

Updated 19 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,947 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Thursday, losing 208.20 points, or 1.87 percent, to close at 10,947.25. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR4.80 billion ($1.28 billion), as 14 of the listed stocks advanced, while 253 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased, down 25.35 points, or 1.69 percent, to close at 1,477.71. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 217.90 points, or 0.92 percent, to close at 23,404.75. This came as 24 of the listed stocks advanced, while 43 retreated. 

The best-performing stock was Musharaka REIT Fund, with its share price up 2.12 percent to SR4.34. 

Other top performers included Al Hassan Ghazi Ibrahim Shaker Co., which saw its share price rise by 1.18 percent to SR17.20, and Saudi Industrial Export Co., which saw a 0.8 percent increase to SR2.51. 

On the downside, Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. was among the day’s biggest decliners, with its share price falling 9.3 percent to SR39. 

National Medical Care Co. fell 8.98 percent to SR128.80, while National Co. for Learning and Education declined 6.35 percent to SR116.50. 

On the announcements front, Red Sea International said its subsidiary, the Fundamental Installation for Electric Work Co., has entered into a framework agreement with King Salman International Airport Development Co. 

In a Tadawul statement, the company noted that the agreement establishes the general terms and conditions for the execution of enabling works at the King Salman International Airport project in Riyadh.  

Under the 48-month contract, the scope of work includes the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.  

Utilizing a re-measurement model, specific work orders will be issued on a call-off basis, with the final contract value to be determined upon the completion and measurement of actual quantities executed.  

The financial impact of this collaboration is expected to begin reflecting on the company’s statements starting in the first quarter of 2026, the statement said. 

The company’s share price reached SR23.05, marking a 2.45 percent decrease on the main market.