23 September 2022

Kenya: East African Portland Cement Company has resumed production at its 0.6Mt/yr Athi River cement plant. The producer successfully replaced the shell of the plant’s kiln. Managing director Oliver Kirubai said that the upgrade will enable the plant to increase its cement production by 50%, and reduce the price of its Blue Triangle brand cement.

Spain: Cementos Portland Valderrivas has renewed its European Environmental Management System (EMAS) registration for its Alcalá de Guadaíra cement plant. The Spanish Association for Standardisation (AENOR) and government of Andalusia verified the registration. The company says that it confirms its commitment to the environment and transparency.

Canada: Investment bank BDC Capital has invested US$3.7m in concrete testing technologies supplier Giatec. BDC Capital hopes that the investment will further the development of CO₂-reducing technology and AI-based concrete testing.

Giatec CEO Pouria Ghods said "The BDC Capital investment will propel Giatec's expansion into international markets and accelerate our innovation in CO₂-reducing technology, moving the concrete industry towards carbon neutrality. BDC has a long history of supporting emerging Canadian cleantech firms in their growth through exports, research and development. We at Giatec are looking forward to working with BDC in our mission to revolutionise the concrete industry and to create yet another success story for the BDC cleantech practice.”

Austria: Starlinger launched its new 22% recycled plastic cement bags at the K Show trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany. The bag implements Starlinger’s GripTEC technology, which increases the coefficient of friction on bag surfaces so that stacked bags do not easily slip.

Austria: PERI and STRABAG have used a COBOD 3D printer to successfully build Europe’s first 3D printed office building in Hausleiten, Lower Austria.

PERI board member for innovation and marketing Thomas Imbacher said "The building in Hausleiten is a milestone for STRABAG, for PERI, for all involved. We are convinced that 3D printing of buildings will be part of the future of construction, as this technology offers solutions for challenges that are currently occupying our industry: digitalisation, efficiency, shortage of skilled workers and much more."