23 September 2020

Bangladesh: Bashundhara Group has taken a loan of US$82.0, which it says will go towards the construction of a 4.0Mt/yr cement plant in eastern Bangladesh for a total investment of US$117m. The Daily Star newspaper has reported that the new plant will produce cement primarily for export to northeast India. Bashundhara Group’s two cement plants currently have the capacity to produce 5.1Mt/yr of its King Brand cement.

Bank Asia is the lead arranger for the syndicated loan, which it will provide along with Dhaka Bank, First Security Islami Bank, Pubali Bank, Social Islami Bank and United Commercial Bank. Full repayment is due in 2027.

Mexico: Elementia has announced the commissioning of a new 0.25Mt/yr grinding plant in Progreso, Yucatán State. The group says that the plant cost US$25m. Chief executive officer (CEO) Jaime Rocha Font said “Through this project, Elementia aims to participate in the growth of the Yucatán Peninsula and Southern Mexico.”

Kyrgyzstan: Aravan Cement Plant, part of the Southern Combine of Building Materials, is considering building a third production line with a capacity of 1.5Mt/yr. Plant director Kubanychbek Turdubaev made the announcement to Kyrgyzstan Newsline in a discussion reflecting on the completion of the unit’s second line in 2018, which increased total capacity to 1Mt/yr. The Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund (RKDF) provided a loan for that project and the company intends to continue the relationship for the next one. China-based Tianjin Cement Industry Design and Research Institute (Sinoma TCDRI) and the Nanjing Long-W Energy Conservation Engineering were also involved. At present the plant sells half of its cement domestically and exports the rest.

Egypt: Egyptian Cement Group’s chief executive officer (CEO) Ahmed Abou Hashima says that the company plans to inaugurate its new cement factory in 2021. The plant is located in Sohag and has a total investment cost of US$285m, according to the Hapi Journal. The 2Mt/yr project was originally scheduled to open in the first half of 2020 but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Turkey: DAL Teknik Makina says that Çimsa Çimento has engaged its services for a cyclone replacement at its 3.4Mt/yr Mersin cement plant in Mersin Province. The upgrade consists of “modification of the first and second-stage cyclones and riser ducts in the first clinker production line, downcomer ducts modification, dip tubes, pendulum flaps, meal pipes and splash boxes installation and refractory procurement and installation.”

The group said, “The modification project will allow electrical and a small amount of heat energy reduction by reducing pressure drop and improving separation efficiency of the cyclones.”

Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has made a donation of US$1.29m to the battle against Covid-19 in Nigeria. Business Day news has reported that the money will go towards “various initiatives aimed at fighting the pandemic.” Lafarge Africa previously gave the use of three of its facilities and donated personal protective equipment (PPE) for the isolation and treatment of Coronavrius patients in April 2020.

US: CRH subsidiary Ash Grove Cement says that it is undertaking an upgrade of its Port Manatee, Florida deep water cement terminal to install a high capacity FLSmidth Kovako unloader and modernise existing material transfer and electrical systems, as well as establishing self-loading capabilities. The aim of the upgrade is “to improve Ash Grove’s capacity to import cement clinker, slag and fly ash to meet the existing and future needs of customers in the Florida and South Georgia markets.

Regional president Monica Manolas said, “The underlying fundamentals in the Florida market are positive with good population and employment growth. The upgrade of the Port Manatee import terminal will expand our capabilities and strengthen our ability to meet growing demand in the region.”

The company says that construction will begin in early 2021 and the upgraded terminal will open in late 2021.

UK: Hanson Cement’s Ketton plant has been featured in a short film as part of ‘Triple Harvest’ by Fermynwoods Contemporary Art, an arts charity’s online exhibition of video films looking at public spaces in Northamptonshire. The programme explores the push and pull between nature and human presence and the effect that extracting resources from the landscape has upon those living within it. Amanda Loomes’ film ‘Combine’ mixes footage from the Ketton cement plant in Rutland in 2017 with archive extracts from ‘Double Harvest,’ ‘The Great Jib’ and ‘Iron Ore in Britain.’

Other works in the programme examine the experience of steel production, farming and the experience of refugees moving to the area. The project has been supported by Corby Borough Council Archives and funded by Arts Council England.

View the 'Triple Harvest' online exhibition here: http://fermynwoods.org/triple-harvest-films/