27 March 2023

US: Heidelberg Materials subsidiary Mason City Cement plans to invest US$4 - 5m in upgrades to its kiln line by 2026. Upon completion, the work will enable the plant to achieve an alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate of 50%.

Heidelberg Materials' North America regional vice president of government affairs and communications David Perkins said "We want to be proactive as a company and really try to lower our carbon footprint and energy intensity, while recognising we have to be competitive." He added "We're a long-term industry on the cement side because of the investment that's required to produce it."

India: Ambuja Cements' parent company Adani Group says that the cement producer aims to more than double its sales to US$8.5bn in 2028. Ambuja Cements currently expects to record sales of US$3.61bn in 2023. It is targeting an earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin of 25% in 2028. Its EBITDA margin averaged 19% in the period from 2020 to 2022.

Dow Jones Institutional News has reported that Ambuja Cements' internal accruals are sufficient to fund US$5.58bn in capital expenditure (CAPEX) over the same period, according to the company. It says that it plans to double its capacity through CAPEX investments before 2028.

Philippines: Holcim Philippines recorded sales of US$490m during 2022, down by 1% year-on-year from US$499m. Sales rose by 9% year-on-year to US$266m during the second half of the year, 53% of the full-year figure. Throughout the year, the producer increased its alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate by 20% year-on-year and processed 1Mt of waste from industrial partners and local government bodies. Digitisation initiatives and alternative raw materials substitution helped the producer to reduce its specific CO₂ emissions by 7%. The Business Mirror newspaper has reported that the year also brought 'surging' energy and fuel costs for the producer.

President and CEO Horia Adrian said "In the face of extraordinary challenges, our company and people displayed tremendous resilience that enabled us to deliver positive financial performance and contribute to building progress in the country. Alongside a strong sales rebound in the second half and expansion of our customer base, we accelerated the decarbonisation of our operations."

Portugal: Setúbal District Council has submitted its opinion in the on-going consultation process over Secil's plans to expand its Arrábida quarry in Arrábida National Park. The quarry serves Secil's Outão cement plant. The Jornal de Negócios newspaper has reported that Secil has applied to expand the quarry up to a total area of 117 hectares, and says that the newly expanded quarry would have less impact on the landscape and environment than it currently does.

Setúbal District Council acknowledged Secil's 'clear effort' in its rehabilitation of exhausted sections of the Arrábida quarry, as well as the company's importance to the regional and national economy. Nonetheless, it concluded that the proposed expansion 'is not compatible with the territorial management instruments in force, which are currently under revision.'

Japan: Sumitomo Osaka Cement will launch its new sustainability committee on 1 April 2023. The committee will promote initiatives to reduce the producer's CO2 emissions and help it to 'realise a decarbonised society.' The new committee will operate alongside Sumitomo Osaka Cement's existing corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee, which has been in operation since April 2020.