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Cemex USA partners with Membrane Technology & Research for government-funded Balcones cement plant carbon capture study 10 November 2020
US: The Department of Energy has granted Cemex funding to “research and develop innovative carbon capture technology” at its Balcones, Texas cement plant. The company says that this will partly fund an 18-month feasibility study of partner company Membrane Technology & Research’s membrane carbon capture product at the plant. It says that, if successful, the study will be “an important advancement towards Cemex’s ambition to deliver net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) concrete globally by 2050.”
USA president Jaime Muguiro said, “At Cemex, sustainability is embedded in our operations and we are consistently looking for opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint. We strive to develop and gradually adapt new technology which will help us achieve our ambition to deliver net-zero CO2 concrete to all of our customers. With this grant, we will be able to leverage our expertise to define the feasibility of implementing the membrane carbon capture technology in a cost-effective manner.”
Membrane Technology & Research has supplied membrane-based separation systems to the petrochemical, natural gas, and refining industries since 1992. Vice President of Technology Tim Merkel said, “Cement plant emissions are a good target for the CO2 capture membrane technology that we’ve been developing with Department of Energy support.” He added, “We look forward to working with Cemex on this exciting project to confirm that our technology can capture cement plant emissions at a minimal cost.”
Dangote Cement increases nine-month sales by 12% to US$2bn 09 November 2020
Nigeria: Dangote Cement has reported group sales of US$2.00bn in the first nine months of 2020, up by 12% year-on-year from US$1.79bn in the first nine months of 2019. Its cement volumes rose by 7% to 19.2Mt from 18.0Mt, while its earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 17% to US$934m from US$797m.
Chief executive officer (CEO) Michel Puchercos said, “Dangote Cement’s strategy to offer high quality products at competitive prices is meeting customers' expectations in Nigeria and across the continent, where we continue to deploy excellent marketing initiatives and operational excellence. We remain committed to protecting our staff and communities by being fully compliant with health and safety measures in all our territories of operation. We are focused on adapting to the rapidly evolving markets in which we operate.”
The group said, “By 2021, all our countries of operation are estimated to return to growth, and we are well positioned to capture the demand eventually driven by this economic growth. We have seen a strong recovery across our operations in the third quarter of 2020, which is our strongest third quarter to date.” It added, “Our vision is for West and Central Africa to become cement and clinker independent, with Nigeria being the main export hub. This will notably contribute to the improvement of regional trade within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region and beyond with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
UK: Breedon Group says that it has agreed to sell 14 sites to Tillicoultry Quarries for Euro13.5m. The sale includes a cement terminal and two quarries in Scotland, and 10 ready-mix plants and an asphalt plant in England. Breedon says it is making the divestment in order to meet the concerns of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) with regard to its takeover of part of Cemex UK’s ready-mix and aggregates operations. Once completed the group expects to be able to finalise its integration of the remaining assets acquired from Cemex into its existing business.
Chief executive officer (CEO) Pat Ward said, "We are very pleased with the outcome of this process and believe it is in the interests all stakeholders. It allows Breedon to realise fair value for the assets disposed of, which, together with the people employed in them, will be in good hands under new ownership by Tillicoultry Quarries."
Chongqing Conch cement plant named National Green Factory 09 November 2020
China: The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has named Anhui Conch Cement subsidiary Chongqing Conch’s integrated cement plant in Chongqing State a National Green Factory for its “resource conservation, recycling and harmonious development.”
The company says that its efforts include “implementation of precision denitrification, wet flue gas desulfurisation, belt corridor noise reduction, electricity conversion bags, rainwater collection and other environmental protection technology reforms,” as well as co-processing domestic waste from the city of Chongqing as fuel. The plant has also undergone greening, and its 30,000 new trees form a habitat for wildlife. It said that the scenery also “greatly enhances employees' sense of happiness and gain.”
India: Dalmia Bharat’s earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 15% year-on-year to US$177m in the first half of the 2021 financial year, from US$154m in the first half of the 2020 financial year. Overall sales were US$591m, down by 8% from US$644m, while cement sales fell by 5% to US$567m from US$596m. The company attributed this to “a seasonal weakness of cement prices during the second quarter especially in the eastern region” in addition to a fall in volumes by 6% to 8.46Mt from 9.02Mt in the first half.
Chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director Mahendra Singhi said, “The strength of our company’s foundation is visible in overall improvement in the operating metrics during the second quarter and during the first half of the 2021 financial year. Our team has truly been instrumental to our success and we are completely geared up for a successful integration of the new capacity and ramping up its utilisation levels. Our second quarter EBITDA of US$94.6m is the highest ever for the company.”