•  Need for insurance protection is growing, driven by increased exposures, risk awareness and evolving client needs
• Swiss Re expects non-life insurance premiums 10% above pre-COVID-19 level by the end of 2021 and continued increases in 2022
• With low investment yields, the industry needs to focus on underwriting results
• Swiss Re continues to upgrade its data capabilities, focusing on partnerships that help clients tackle evolving loss trends and more complex risks

• Group revenue rises to EUR 30.8 million in H1 2021
• Operating profit (EBIT) improves to EUR 3.1 million
• Continued high order book position of EUR 45.1 million as of the reporting date
• FY 2021 forecast raised: consolidated revenue now expected to be in a range between  EUR 72 million and EUR 77 million and EBIT between EUR 5  million and EUR 6 million
• Tunnel Logistics: “Snowy Mountain 2.0” order drives diversification further ahead

• Sales increase of 23.5% in local currencies
• First-half sales at CHF 4,448.7 million (+23.1% in CHF)
• Operating profit (EBIT) at CHF 685.9 million (+67.2%)
• Record EBIT margin at 15.4%
• Operating free cash flow increase at CHF 318.4 million (+26.4%)
• Acquisition of Kreps (Russia), DriTac (USA), BR Massa (Brazil), and Hamatite (Japan)
• Outlook for 2021 fiscal year
• Growth in local currencies of 13%–17% (previously: double-digit sales growth in local currencies)
• Over-proportional increase in EBIT, EBIT margin to reach 15% for the first time
• Confirmation of 2023 strategic targets for sustainable, profitable growth

Metso Outotec and Hispano Japonesa de Maquinaria S.L. (HJM) have agreed on an expansion of their distribution contract in Spain. In addition to mobile equipment, with the new scope the cooperation also covers Metso Outotec’s stationary crushing and vibrating equipment, crusher wear parts and spare parts, as well as service contracts, commissioning, and technical support. The contract comes into effect in July 2021.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the announcement from Federal Minister Keith Pitt of a new five-year, $190 million investment plan for Northern Australia.

Cimic Group’s construction companies, Leighton Asia, and wholly owned subsidiary of CPB Contractors, Broad Construction (Broad), have further extended their presence in Singapore and Western Australia respectively with the award of contracts totalling approximately $100 million in revenue.

In Qatar, Sika has expanded its production capacity for concrete admixtures and has started manufacturing epoxy resins. Epoxy resins are key components in high-quality floor coverings and adhesives. With its enlarged portfolio and its local production capacity, Sika wants to exploit market potential and drive forward the focused expansion of its business in the region.

Solmax, the global leader in the production of high-quality polyethylene geomembranes for industrial and environmental applications announces it has reached an agreement with Koninklijke Ten Cate (the Netherlands) on the acquisition of TenCate Geosynthetics, a global provider of geosynthetics and industrial fabrics. Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Solmax's long-term financial partners, are both investing in this transaction.

Coal production from the top ten mining companies (Coal India, China Shenhua, Yanzhou Coal, Peabody, China National Coal, Glencore, Siberian Coal, PT Bumi, BHP and Arch Resources) fell from a collective 1,704Mt in 2019 to 1,633Mt in 2020, which is a 4.2% decline. The most significant declines were observed from Arch Resources (28.6%), PT Bumi (24.9%), Glencore (23.9%), and Peabody (21.8%), according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

A quarterly report into the performance of Queensland’s resources sector due for release mid-April will show Queenslanders can continue to rely on resources to help the state recover from Covid-19.

• Sales growth of 2.9% in local currencies to CHF 3,614.6 million (–3.2% in CHF)
• High negative currency effect of –6.1% (impact of minus CHF 225 million in sales and CHF 29 million in EBIT)
• Maintained high EBITDA margin of over 16% (currency adjusted absolute EBITDA was flat)
• Operating profit (EBIT) at CHF 410.2 million (–14.8%)
• Increased operating free cash flow amounting to CHF 254.7 million (+41.7%)
• Closing of acquisition of Adeplast (Romania), takeover of Modern Waterproofing Group (Egypt), and buildup of a new factory in Barranquilla (Colombia)
• Outlook for the second half of the year: Sika is expecting more favorable market conditions. With the anticipated improvement in sales volumes, the company expects an over-proportional EBIT increase for the second half of the year
• Confirmation of 2023 strategic targets for sustainable, profitable growth

• World’s number 2 in offshore wind further strengthens its renewables business in the UK
• GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions and Sembcorp Marine chosen as preferred suppliers for the project’s high voltage direct current transmission system
• Offshore construction works expected to start in 2023 / More than 50 % of the system components will be manufactured in local UK facilities

Keliber announced that through a review of its production plans, the company will be able to increase its annual lithium hydroxide production from 12,500 tonnes to 15,000 tonnes in its future mine and lithium concentration plant. In addition, the company has chosen to locate the future concentration plant to the Päiväneva area, which is located in the mining area approximately 10 km northeast from the nearest municipality, Kaustinen in Finland.

• Sales increase of 15.4% in local currencies to CHF 1,813.6 million (+10.3% in CHF)
• Negative currency effect of –5.1%
• Acquisition of Adeplast (Romania) concluded, new production facility in Sarnen (Switzerland) comes on stream
• Outlook for 2020: forecast for 2020 not yet possible due to ongoing developments related to Covid-19
• Confirmation of 2023 strategic targets for sustainable, profitable growth

Canada’s metals & mining industry saw a rise of 19.4% in overall deal activity during February 2020, when compared with the last 12-month average, according to GlobalData’s deals database.

• Consolidated revenue of EUR 75.4 million well above previous year
• Operating profit (EBIT) grows significantly to EUR 6.8 million
• Strong business in China delivers strong revenue and earnings surge in Q4/2019
• Progress of business in China in 2020 still dependent on China III approval

Orica announced that it is to acquire Exsa, Peru’s leading manufacturer and distributor of industrial explosives.

Sika has invested in the production of concrete admixtures, acrylic liquid applied membranes, and mortars in Barranquilla, the fourth-largest city in Colombia, and has relocated and expanded the activities of an existing factory to the new state-of-the-art plant. The factory supplies the attractive Caribbean market and the northern part of Colombia and enables further growth.

Against the general trend, German mining equipment manufacturers expect a record year for the current year. The VDMA expects sales to rise by 38 percent to around 5 billion euros. In 2020, revenues should at least be maintained.

• All four divisions contribute to and profit from an integrated business model
• New Real Estate Investment Vehicle to be launched leveraging real estate development platform
• Operational Excellence Program for future growth well advanced
• Implenia committed to delivering against its goals