07 December 2023

US: Mexico-based GCC has hired ThyssenKrupp Polysius North America to build a 3000t/day clinker production line at its Odessa plant in Texas. When commissioned in late 2025, the line is expected to more than double the plant’s clinker capacity to 2Mt/yr across three kilns. The supplier says the project will also lower the plant’s annual CO₂ emissions by 13%.

GCC chief executive officer Enrique Escalante said "We remain strongly committed to delivering strong stakeholder value, while investing in the future growth of our business. With the expansion of the Odessa plant, we will ensure GCC is prepared for a new phase of the industry cycle."

India: Adani Group says that it will power 60% of its cement production using renewable energy by 2028. In a post on X, the group noted that its Adani Cement business uses fly ash or slag in cement production at 90% of its plants.

UAE/UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has welcomed the launch of the Canada/UAE co-led Cement Breakthrough Initiative at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai on 6 December 2023. Prior to the launch of the initiative, the GCCA hosted a roundtable for representatives of the cement industry and governments.

GCCA chief executive officer Thomas Guillot said "We support and welcome the launch of the Cement Breakthrough Initiative. Cement and concrete are essential for so much of our modern world and will also be needed for meeting the challenges ahead. They will play a key role in providing resilient and sustainable infrastructure and safely housing communities around our planet. Our member companies are fully committed to a net zero future – and it will take the combined efforts of industry and government to deliver on this commitment. This is the decade to deliver, and we are delighted to work with the Cement Breakthrough Initiative and the government of Canada to accelerate the transition."

Belarus: The US government sanctioned the management company of Belarusian Cement Company on 6 December 2023. PrimePress News has reported that 10 other Belarus-based companies and eight individuals were also added to the US sanctions list. This is the latest group of additions since the US and its allies began sanctioning Belarusian entities in connection to election rigging, human rights abuses and complicity in the on-going Russian invasion of Ukraine.

US: Germany-based drives supplier Flender has received the Supplier Excellence Recognition Award 2023 from engineering firm Caterpillar. The award recognises suppliers that demonstrate a commitment to excellence and drive a zero-defect culture. Caterpillar said that Flender exceeded 95% delivery reliability, with zero defects, during 2023. Contracts included gearboxes, remanufactured gearboxes, spare parts and couplings for Caterpillar’s 7495 Rope Shovel. The 7495 Rope Shovel is used in quarrying, including in the cement industry.

Caterpillar’s senior vice president strategic procurement and planning Pam Heminger said “Caterpillar’s reputation for world-class products and services stands on the shoulders of our global and diverse team – and that team includes our international and diverse supply network. By working together, we can deliver on our purpose to help our customers build a better, more sustainable world.”