04 January 2021

China: Companies increased total cement production in the first 11 months of 2020 by 1% year-on-year to 2.16Bnt from 2.14Bnt in the first 11 months of 2019. Xinhua News Agency has reported that estimated total building materials sector operating revenues rose by 1% to US$700bn. The sector’s estimated profit for the period rose by 3% to US$61.9bn.

Pakistan: The government has extended its construction industry fixed tax regime by a further year until 31 December 2021. In a live address to the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the move was in response to ‘big’ demand from the sector, according to the Dawn newspaper. Other incentives unveiled during the broadcast included an exemption for builders from disclosing sources of income to tax authorities until 30 June 2021. The measures follow the government’s introduction of the foreclosure law, under which banks are aiming to allocate US$2.36bn towards house building until 31 December 2021. Khan called 2021 a ‘year of growth.’

France: Vicat started using a CO₂ntainer system supplied by UK-based Carbon8 Systems at its Montalieu-Vercieu cement plant in November 2020. It uses captured CO₂ from the unit’s flue gas emissions to carbonate cement-plant dust and produce aggregate, which can then be used to make products such as concrete. The system has particular relevance for a plant burning alternative fuels due to the additional chlorinated dust created compared to the use of conventional fossil fuels. The company says it is the first European cement producer to use the process at an industrial scale. Previously, Carbon8 Systems said that its CO₂ntainer would process and convert up to 12,000t of cement bypass dust in its first phase of operation.

Vicat Group scientific director Laury Barnes-Davin said, “We were drawn to Carbon8 Systems’ two-part technology: capturing the CO₂ that Montalieu emits, and using it to produce an aggregate that can be marketed in the construction industry. It opens up great potential for our operations not just in France but also in all the countries where we work across the globe.” The group hopes to reach a 100% alternative fuel substitution rate in France by 2024.

Barbados: A worker has died following an accident at Arawak Cement plant in St Lucy. Two employees suffered burns whilst they attempted to fix a blockage at the unit, according to the Caribbean News Agency (CANA). An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Mexico: Cementos Moctezuma is installing a 10MW solar power plant at its San Luis Potosí cement plant. Forbes Mexico has reported the estimated cost of the project as US$10m. It will consist of between 32,000 and 33,000 panels.

The company said, "The energy generated will be used at the Cerritos de Cementos Moctezuma plant, in order to replace a percentage of the electricity purchased from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), which is produced with fossil fuels and emits greenhouse gases.” It added that it aims to generate economic savings in the medium term as well as following its sustainability policies.

Germany: France-based REEL has agreed to acquire handling and lifting systems specialist Möller (also known as FLSmidth Hamburg GmbH) from Denmark-based FLSmidth for an undisclosed amount. The company employs 60 people and has reported sales of Euro400m/yr.

FLSmidth Cement President Carsten Riisberg Lund said, “The sale of Möller is part of an on-going process aimed at reshaping FLSmidth’s cement division. Consistent with the corporate strategy we announced earlier this year, we are pursuing a more focused cement portfolio. The new owner has a strong focus on the aluminium and related sectors and is therefore a natural fit for Möller’s future.”