Displaying items by tag: US
US: The US Department of Commerce has concluded a review of anti-dumping duties of imports of grey cement and clinker from Japan. The review established that the duties are necessary to the prevention of cement and clinker dumping. The department launched its review in June 2022, in line with legal requirements. Japanese cement and clinker have been subject to anti-dumping duties in the US since 1991.
Cemex USA loses Dowe Flats quarry dispute
30 September 2022US: The Board of County Commissioners of Boulder, Colorado, has denied Cemex USA’s application for a 15-year extension to its Dowe Flats quarry mining licence, following its expiry on 30 September 2022. Commissioner Claire Levy cited dust, traffic, noise and disturbances to wildlife as reasons behind the decision.
Cemex USA’s nearby Lyons cement plant has previously relied on the quarry for the supply of 760,000t/yr of limestone.
US: Thailand-based Siam Cement Group (SCG) has invested in Rondo Energy, developer of the Heat Battery. The cement company aims to help its various business lines to decarbonise their operations through deployment of Rondo Energy’s technology. Rondo Energy said that the partnership will support and earlier expansion of its product’s footprint across Southeast Asia and worldwide.
Rondo Energy chief executive officer John O’Donnell said “Rondo is excited to be working with SCG. Rondo’s technology opens a new pathway for SCG to achieve their deep decarbonisation goals and simultaneously reduce their operating costs. SCG’s deep capabilities in execution and quality will enable Rondo to deliver reliable energy infrastructure rapidly and at scale. Together, Rondo and SCG have the global footprint to deliver deep decarbonisation projects, including heat as a service projects in Southeast Asia and worldwide.”
Heidelberg Materials unveils new corporate identity
21 September 2022Germany: The former HeidelbergCement launched its new name and branding as Heidelberg Materials at a group level on 20 September 2022. The new two-word moniker underlines the cement producer's pioneering role on the path to building materials digitisation and carbon neutrality. 'Materials' stands for its innovative portfolio of sustainable and intelligent building materials, as well as digital solutions. The group's subsidiaries will also change their names to Heidelberg Materials from the beginning of 2023. Among the first to undergo the transformation will be US-based Lehigh Hanson, which will become Heidelberg Materials in early 2023.
Managing board chair Dominik von Achten said “We are proud of our cement business, but the company's range of services goes far beyond cement. Today, and even more in the future.Our future is sustainable. Our future is digital. Customer demands, markets and competitors are changing rapidly. Opportunities and challenges go beyond country borders; communication is becoming increasingly global. Differentiation opportunities arise." Concerning the company's cement business, von Achten said "We will be the first company in the world to offer carbon-free cement at large scale as early as 2024. We are vigorously driving forward the scaling of our CCUS activities: by 2030, we will reduce our CO2 emissions by 10Mt/yr with the projects we have already launched. "
Construction of largest 3D printed building in the US commences
16 September 2022US: COBOD says that construction of the largest 3D printed building in the US using its 3D printing technology has commenced at a site in Houston, Texas. The building is the country’s first two-storey residential building constructed using the method. PERI handled the order for contractor CIVE and architect HANNAH.
CIVE president Hachem Domloj said “Having the opportunity to be the engineers and general contractor for the first two-storey 3D printed structure in the US has been an honour. We can see how this technology and our team’s approach is providing the scalability to larger commercial developments. Collectively, we're changing the way our country builds, and paving the way for more affordable housing, higher structural integrity and faster building capabilities. The possibilities of 3D printing are endless!”
Argos USA obtains loan
15 September 2022US: Argos USA has obtained a US$750m loan for the financing of its working capital and capital expenditure and refinancing of its debt. The loan is linked to environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics. Bank of Nova Scotia, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan Chase Bank, SMBC and Bank of New York Mellon lent the funds, assisted by Cuatrecasas.
Parent company Cementos Argos said "With this credit agreement, around 44% of Cementos Argos' consolidated debt will be linked to ESG indicators, bringing it closer to the 50% target for 2022 previously announced to the market, and thus reaffirming the company's commitment to meeting ambitious goals in terms of sustainable growth."
Mississippi Lime Company acquires Singleton Birch
09 September 2022UK: US-based Mississippi Lime Company (MLC) has completed its acquisition of Singleton Birch, a supplier of lime products. The move is part of MLC’s strategy to expand both geographically and with new products and technologies. No value for the transaction has been disclosed.
Singleton Birch is based in North Lincolnshire, where it employs more than 150 staff. It will continue to operate under its existing brand and the management team, led by chief executive officer Richard Stansfield, who will remain in place. Singleton Birch has a number of business lines, including a chemicals division, which provides specialty calcium products to the rubber and plastics markets. It also provides services and solutions to the renewable energy, water treatment and waste management industries.
US cement shipments grow by 4% to 52.4Mt in first half of 2022
08 September 2022US: Total US cement shipments grew by 4% to 52.4Mt in the first half of 2022 from 50.4Mt in the same period in 2021. Data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) shows that local shipments and imports rose by 3.5% to 44.1Mt and 7% to 8.31Mt respectively. The largest sources of imports of cement and clinker were Turkey at 4.57Mt, Canada at 2.19Mt, Mexico at 1.28Mt, Greece at 1.23Mt and Vietnam at 0.94Mt. The largest cement producing states in the reporting period, in descending order, were Texas, California and Missouri.
Boulder County Planning Commission recommends rejection of Cemex USA’s Dowe Flats mine licence extension application
02 September 2022US: The Boulder County Planning Commission has recommended that county commissioners should reject Cemex USA’s application to extend its licence to mine limestone at its Dowe Flats quarry until 2037. Local press has reported that Cemex USA previously agreed to shut down its Lyons cement plant at the expiry of its extended licence in 2037. The company says that it will be able to continue operating the plant without use of the mine.
Cemex USA executive vice president Trpimir Renic said "We do always try and consume the raw materials that are available to us at the existing site where we are currently operating. We think that operating that quarry for the next 15 years - supplying Lyons cement plant - is the most responsible resource management operation that we can undertake."
Royal White Cement to establish new Houston cement terminal
02 September 2022US: Royal White Cement has leased a site on the Houston Ship Channel in Houston, Texas. Local press has reported that the company plans to build its second cement terminal in the city there. Houston Peninsula Terminals will operate unloading systems for the storage of cement across three facilities at the site. It is also equipped with multiple railway tracks and heavy truck loading facilities. Royal White Cement owner Marcel Fadi said that the move would help the producer to expand its footprint in Houston and beyond.
Fadi said "We have long operated in the Houston market, but this direct access to storage and bulk unloading along the channel will provide greater efficiencies and flexibility, allowing Royal White Cement to handle and store approximately 100,000t of multiple cementitious products such as slag, grey cement, and white cement."