Displaying items by tag: Upgrade
France: Vicat says that it will commission its planned 100% carbon capture system at its Montalieu-Vercieu cement plant ‘before 2030,’ and possibly as soon as 2027. The Les Echos newspaper has reported that the system will have a capture capacity of 1Mt/yr of CO2, although the plant’s emissions are currently 800,000t/yr. Captured CO2 may then be transported by barge, train or pipeline to the port of Fos-sur-Mer.
When commissioned, the upcoming carbon capture system will reduce the CO2 emissions of cement produced at the Montalieu-Vercieu plant by 94% to 40kg/t.
Russia: Cementum is preparing to upgrade the grinding capacity at its integrated Ferzikovo cement plant in Kaluga region. The US$40m project will add 0.3Mt/yr of grinding capacity to the plant. Other planned developments include building a dry building materials unit and a concrete plant. Maxim Goncharov, the general director of Cementum and Vitaly Bogachenko, the Director of Corporate Relations and Sustainable Development of Cementum, met with Vladislav Shapsha, the governor of the Kaluga Region, in mid-June 2023 at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum to discuss development in the region. Holcim’s divested Russian business rebranded as Cementum in early 2023.
Cemros’ Serebryansky cement plant switches to gas
28 June 2023Russia: Cemros’ integrated Serebryansky cement plant in Ryzan region has switched to using gas as a fuel. The project was conducted with Gazprom and the regional government, including linking the site up to the gas network with a 14km pipeline. CO2 emissions at the plant are expected to decrease by up to 17% and electricity consumption by 4%. The 1.8Mt/yr plant used around 200,000t/yr of coal before starting the switch to gas from March 2023.
Titan Group commissions upgraded Kamari cement plant
27 June 2023Greece: Titan Group has successfully commissioned an upgrade to the pre-calciner system of its Kamari cement plant in Voiotia. Titan Group says that this will enable the 3.1Mt/yr plant to expand its range of lower carbon cements, reducing its CO2 emissions by 150,000t/yr. It also increases the plant's maximum possible alternative fuels (AF) substitution rate.
Titan Group’s Europe regional executive director Yanni Paniaras said "The completion of the Kamari plant upgrade represents a significant achievement for Titan Group. We are witnessing tangible results as our green innovation gains momentum and takes shape. This successful implementation of one of our major capital expenditure projects exemplifies our dedication to sustainable operations and strategic growth, while we continue to pursue more growth opportunities in all our active markets. We are committed to offering our customers and communities greener products and solutions, playing our part in building a sustainable future for all.”
World: Menzel Elektromotoren says that it has successfully supplied a new MEBSSL-type three-phase slip ring mill motor to a cement plant. The supplier modeled the new motor on a preexisting machine at the site, with a 710mm-high shaft and 2000kW rated power capacity. It is also equipped with a short-circuiting and brush-loading device. It said that this will reduce costs and increase efficiency.
Menzel Elektromotoren is currently building a new motor plant at Henningsdorf in Brandenburg, Germany, which will also function as its new headquarters from 2024.
France: Lafarge France has signed a memorandum of understanding with green hydrocarbons specialist Axens, utilities provider EDF and research firm IFP Energies Nouvelles for a synthetic fuel production trial. The partners will build a plant to produce kerosene using captured CO2 from a carbon capture installation at Lafarge France's Saint-Pierre-La-Cour cement plant. The project, called Take Kair, aims to produce fuel for use by aviation companies, including Air France-KLM Group.
Holcim France president François Petry said "The decarbonisation of our processes and products is at the heart of our strategic commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050. Beyond the modernisation of our production tools, we work on all industrial and technological levers to reduce our emissions, and thus decarbonise our industry. With the Take Kair project, we are taking a decisive step in the capture and management of our residual CO2 emissions and participate with our partners in the emergence of an innovative and sustainable sector serving the country's mobility needs."
Lafarge France, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim, announced a Euro40m investment in the 1.6Mt/yr Saint-Pierre-La-Cour cement plant to achieve carbon neutral cement production there in March 2022.
Nuvoco Vistas commissions alternative fuel feeding systems at Nimbol and Risda cement plants
23 June 2023India: Nuvoco Vistas has commissioned feeding systems for alternative fuel (AF) in the pyro-process sections of its Nimbol and Risda cement plants. The systems will handle municipal solid waste, including unrecyclable plastic.
Managing director Jayakumar Krishnaswamy said "As part of our Protect Our Planet agenda, we view the AF projects as an important step towards fulfilling our commitment to sustainable cement manufacturing and reducing the environmental impacts. The successful completion of this project demonstrates our commitment to reducing carbon emissions, maximising waste consumption and demonstrating responsible resource management practices.” He added "This along with, other themes under Protect Our Planet agenda, is enabling Nuvoco to build robust partnerships with several stakeholders, and contribute to society at large.”
Holcim US partners with NorthStar Clean Energy for solar power installation at Alpena cement plant
16 June 2023US: Holcim US has announced plans for a 25MW solar power plant to serve 75% of the electricity needs of its Alpena cement plant in Michigan. The company says that the installation at the Alpena plant will be the largest in the US Midwest Region. Holcim US chose NorthStar Clean Energy to build the array, which it says will eliminate 25,000t/yr of CO2 emissions.
Other planned projects at the Alpena cement plant include an upgrade to the plant's dock in order to accommodate larger vessels and reduce the number of trips in its Great Lakes transport operations.
Holcim US' senior vice president, manufacturing, Michael Nixon said “As Holcim is showing in Alpena, the path to net-zero carbon emissions requires a blend of proactive solutions. Whether it’s using alternative fuels or implementing renewable energy from solar power, we are committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels — a goal that will benefit the environment as a whole and the Alpena community we have called home for more than 115 years.”
Cemento Polpaico to invest US$67m in growth
15 June 2023Chile: Cemento Polpaico plans to invest US$67m in expanding its operations, with a focus on its Cerro Blanco cement plant in Santiago. Work will include the construction of a solar power plant and the expansion of the plant's limestone quarry. Meanwhile, Cemento Polpaico will upgrade the plant's kiln to increase its alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate to 75% from 13%. The upgrade will increase the production line's clinker capacity by 13% and reduce its CO2 emissions by 20,000t/yr. Additionally, the producer will build a new 3000t cement silo.
Argentina: Holcim Argentina has commissioned its new 120,000t/yr mortar plant at its Malagueño cement plant in Córdoba. The plant cost US$5m to build. It is equipped with six 100t raw material silos and eight 1t additive silos. It also has a 2000l mixer, three packing machines and an automated palletiser. Holcim Argentina says that the plant will produce its Tector Adhesive and Tector Revoques ranges of mortar.
Holcim Argentina chief executive officer Christian Dedeu said “This new plant is aligned with our purpose of generating progress for people and the planet, accompanied by a diversification of our product portfolio. It consolidates us as the leading company in innovative solutions for construction.”