Items filtered by date: 13 December 2018

India: The board of Ambuja Cements has approved an extension to its Marwar Mundwa integrated plant project in Rajasthan. The clinker production capacity of the plant has been increased to 3.1Mt/yr and an additional 1.8Mt/yr cement grinding capacity has been added. The total investment of the project has been increased to around US$326m. A waste heat recovery (WHR) unit has also been added to the project. Once completed the plant will increase the subsidiary of LafargeHolcim’s production capacity of 31.5Mt/yr.

Malaysia: YTL Cement has awarded a turnkey project for air pollution control to Italy’s CTP Team. The project at the Perak-Hanjoong Simen cement plant in Pedang Rengas includes the conversion of an existing PL1 raw mill electrostatic precipitator (ESP) to a fabric filter and the upgrade of an existing exhaust fan.

The work includes converting an existing 740,000m³/hr ESP unit downstream of the kiln and raw mills of Line 1 to a bag filter. The conversion will abide to the current footprint on foundations with the minimum impact on steel structures, ducting and dust transport system. The new filter will reduce the emission limits below 10mg/Nm³ by June 2019. The intention is to meet new government regulations quickly. The unit will also be equipped with CTP’s SWAP technology for the cleaning of bags with low-pressure compressed air. CTP Team will work with local partner Shinco Industrial Equipment on the project. No value for the deal has been disclosed.

Philippines: Cemex Philippines has resumed operation of both kilns at its Barangay cement plant in Cebu. It also said that it would cancel the planned closure of its Davao terminal and a temporary layoff of workers, according to the Manila Standard newspaper. The cement producer said it made the decision to resume its Davao operations as it continued to cooperate with APO Land & Quarry, which is the company’s principal raw material provider, and the national and local authorities to address the situation in Naga City, Cebu. The company’s decision to scale back its operations in late November 2018 followed a suspension of APO Land and Quarry after a landslide.

Pakistan: The Sindh High Court has ordered the provincial government to take possession of around 1100 acres of land of Rohri Cement’s plant while a dispute concerning the lease of the land is decided. The Sindh government has argued that the lease of land was illegal was the cement producer’s representatives have asked the court to grant a grace period, according to the Dawn newspaper. The case continues.

Nepal: Matrika Yadav, the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, has offered support to Hetadua Cement at the inauguration of a work program at its plant. However, he said that any upgrades to the plant depending on other parties, according to the Republica newspaper. The state-owned company has made a profit in recent years after a period of decline.

Sweden: Yara is simplifying its operating model to three segments from the start of 2019. The change follows its decision to focus its strategy on the crop nutrition market.

Its Sales & Marketing segment will comprise all of Yara's existing Crop Nutrition business units. Former industry segment divisions Base Chemicals, Industry Reagents and Animal Nutrition (excluding South Africa) will also be transferred to it. Its New Business segment will include businesses to establish commercial innovation within decarbonisation and the circular economy, a business for autonomous logistics operations including the Yara Birkeland autonomous electric ship project and a portfolio of businesses to cover Environmental Solutions, Mining Applications, Animal Nutrition South Africa and Industrial Nitrates.

"Earlier this year, we set out our strategy as the crop nutrition company for the future, and we are now adapting and simplifying our operating model accordingly. Following a period of substantial investments, our main focus going forward will be on operational excellence, innovation and growing scalable crop nutrition solutions," said Svein Tore Holsether, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Yara International.

Yara's offerings to the cement industry include NO_x emissions control products.

UK: The British Lime Association (BLA) has published its 2018 Sustainable Development Report. The UK lime sector has responded to improved conditions in the domestic market, and the increased demand from the iron and steel sector in 2017. Exports of lime by BLA Members have increased by 30% since 2006 and made up 26% of sales in 2017. Following the launch of the MPA Charter in 2017, the BLA Sustainable Development Report is now set out to align with the seven MPA strategic priorities.