Displaying items by tag: UK
UK: First Graphene has announced a third trial at Breedon Group’s Hope Cement Works to test an optimised formulation of its PureGRAPH-CEM product under full-scale production conditions. The trial aims to further improve the performance of graphene nanoplatelets in cement production using practical experiences obtained from the previous two trials. The third trial is based on a PureGRAPH grade with a particle size distribution and morphology optimised for use in cement grinding mills, designed for direct addition to the mill without the need for additional equipment. The trial will last eight hours and involves close monitoring of cement fineness during the process. It will use just over 2t of the graphene product in up to 1000t of cement, according to the company. The trial is scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2024.
Residents sign petition opposing expansion of quarry at Heidelberg Materials’ Ketton cement plant
28 March 2024UK: Over 450 people have signed a petition opposing plans to expand the quarry at Heidelberg Materials’ Ketton cement plant. The company has submitted a planning application for the extension to Rutland County Council, according to the Rutland Times newspaper. Residents including those at the nearby village of Empingham, cited negative effects upon air quality, lighting, noise, dust, sustainability, ecology and economic impacts in their criticism of the plans.
CRH sells UK lime business
27 March 2024Ireland: CRH says that it has completed the sale of its UK lime business. The sale concludes the second phase of the group’s divestment of its lime operations in Europe, first announced in November 2023. The total sale value of CRH’s European lime business is US$1.1bn.
UK: Capsol Technologies has been selected to conduct a study on its carbon capture technology at Aggregate Industries Cauldon cement plant in Staffordshire. Owned by the Holcim Group, the company’s plant will undergo a feasibility study by Capsol Technologies for its CapsolEoP® carbon capture system. The potential for carbon capture at this plant is 600,000t/yr of CO₂. The CO₂ captured will be stored geologically through the nearby MNZ Cluster or HyNet North West.
CCO Johan Jungholm said “CapsolEoP® provides a cost-efficient carbon capture solution for cement, and our solution can be run on electricity alone without expensive heat integration or external steam supply. It offers flexibility in the optimisation of the designs, allowing for high capture rates, high reliability and low energy consumption."
The contract includes supplier input for the feasibility study, and further pre-FEED engineering if Capsol's technology is selected. The UK Government's Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) is funding the study, with Petrofac as Aggregate Industries engineer. This study is part of Peak Cluster's objective to reduce over 3Mt/yr of CO₂ from cement, lime, and refuse facilities by 2030. Capsol Technologies is focusing on the cement industry, which accounts for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions.
UK: Tarmac will utilise River Logic's Digital Planning Twin™ for enhanced supply chain capabilities in its cement division.
Jim Dutton, cement supply chain planning manager at Tarmac, said "We're pleased to have commissioned River Logic as a partner to work with our cement business in the UK. Working with River Logic means we have further support to simplify, connect, and optimise our supply chain efforts. With this third-generation system, we can look at CO2 emissions data in addition to supply and demand information which supports our planning."
UK: Heidelberg Materials' Ribblesdale cement works in Lancashire is participating in a pioneering study to assess the use of ammonia as a hydrogen source for fuelling cement kilns. This 12-month feasibility project, conducted in collaboration with engineering consultants Stopford and Cranfield University, has received funding from Innovate UK through its UK Research and Innovation fund.
The research aims to investigate ammonia as a potentially energy-dense, cost-effective hydrogen carrier for cement manufacturing and other industries. Building on Ribblesdale's successful demonstration of using hydrogen in a net-zero fuel mix for a cement kiln, the new project will focus on the most efficient methods for on-site 'cracking' of ammonia to release hydrogen as kiln fuel.
Marian Garfield, Sustainability Director at Heidelberg Materials UK, said “We have already proved the success of using hydrogen as part of a lower carbon fuel mix, but its storage and transportation are currently technically challenging and expensive. Ammonia could offer a more viable hydrogen source that enhances fuel usage and reduces CO2 emissions. If successful, this project will pave the way for further investigations into the commercial viability of using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for combustion in cement production and beyond.”
Breedon Group reveals 2023 financial results
07 March 2024UK: Breedon Group recorded a 7% year-on-year increase in revenue of €1.73bn in 2023. Earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) were €171m, down by 2%.
CEO Rob Wood said “The record results we delivered in 2023 are a real accomplishment and something I am extremely proud of. The challenging trading conditions our team faced required agile and bold responses which they took with discipline and determination.”
GCCA launches 3rd Innovandi Open Challenge with carbon capture focus
21 February 2024UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has launched the 3rd Innovandi Open Challenge 2024, with a focus on the deployment of carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS) for the decarbonisation of cement and concrete. Possible fields of study include process-integrated and end-of-pipe capture. The 1st Innovandi Open Challenge 2024 previously focused on CCUS, and has now produced two projects at pilot stage.
Cement, innovation and environmental, social and governance (ESG) director Claude Loréa said "Our industry is committed to achieving net zero and the development of carbon capture technology is a key part of that work. Our world-leading Innovandi Open Challenge programme has already seen remarkable progress in just two years, with start-ups and our member companies working together. We're looking forward to seeing what this year's applicants can bring, to build on the extensive work that is already underway across the world."
UK: Aggregate Industries is preparing to build a new cement storage unit for deep sea shipping lines at the Port of Southampton. As part of a 20-year agreement, Aggregate Industries will be working with port owner Associated British Ports and industry-leading cargo handler Solent Stevedores, which will operate the new cement import unit. The site is intended to help the business maintain a continuous supply of lower CO2 cementitious products in the south and south west of England.
Matt Owen, Head of Supply Chain at Aggregate Industries Cement Division said “This is a significant project for us. It constitutes the first stage in a wider programme of planned investments over the short to medium term in deep sea imports designed to enable us to serve growing demand.” He continued, “The southern construction market remains buoyant with lots of major projects in the pipeline this year and beyond. Constituting one of the few deep-sea vessel facilities of its kind in the region, this facility will enable us to remain primed and ready to meet our customers rising demand for lower carbon solutions.”
Global Cement and Concrete Association’s 3rd Innovandi Open Challenge to commence on 20 February 2024
07 February 2024UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) will launch the 3rd Innovandi Open Challenge on 20 February 2024. The programme aims to bring together select green technology start-ups and global cement producers. The GCCA will announce details of the challenge's topic at the launch event on 20 February 2024, featuring industry and start-up speakers, including previous challenge participants. Registration is accessible here on the GCCA website.
GCCA chief executive officer Thomas Guillot said "Innovation and new technologies will help unlock our industry’s net zero future. Join us on 20 February 2024 to hear about this year’s exciting challenge."
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