12 September 2023

Uganda: A joint venture of Sunbird Quarry Moroto and China-based West International Holding Cement has begun building its upcoming Moroto cement plant. New Vision News has reported that the plant will cost US$1.2bn and produce cement from locally sourced limestone. The Uganda government said that the plant will generate jobs and help to lower the local price of cement.

Norway: The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has signed a new agreement with Heidelberg Materials Sement Norge, confirming funding of up to US$14.1m for the producer’s construction of a full-scale carbon capture system at its Brevik cement plant. Under the agreement, Heidelberg Materials Sement Norge will absorb extra costs that have arisen, and retain a larger share of any return on the project. Costs rose due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and international supply chain pressures.

Nordic Daily News has reported that Heidelberg Materials Northern Europe director Giv Brantenberg said "We are in the process of completing the world's first full-scale plant for carbon capture in the cement industry, and have had great support from the Norwegian authorities throughout the project's many phases. Today's agreement reflects the good cooperation with the Norwegian government, and we look forward to completing this unique facility.”

India: Heidelberg Materials subsidiary Zuari Cement has commissioned a 20t/hr alternative fuel (AF) production line at its 7.1Mt/yr Yerraguntla cement plant. The line includes an UNTHA XR3000C shredder. This will support continuous operations and turn waste to AF in a single step, according to Zuari Cement.

HeidelbergCement India technical director Vimal Jain said “We are passionate about driving environmental progress throughout our business, and the use of AF is one way to do that. But this waste-to-energy feedstock comes at a cost, which is why co-processing makes so much sense. When designing this plant, we needed to ensure versatility to allow for changing market conditions, and an investment in technology that makes commercial sense and is built to last.”

Philippines: Holcim plans for its subsidiary Holderfin to make a tender offer for all remaining shares in Holcim Philippines by 28 September 2023. Altogether, minority shareholders control a 5.1% stake in the producer. The Manila Bulletin newspaper has reported that Holderfin ended its previous tranche of tenders for Holcim Philippines shares on 30 August 2023.

Egypt: Suez Cement says that it has ‘merged its legacy’ with that of parent company Heidelberg Materials by adopting the latter’s name. Specifically, the replacement of ‘cement’ with ‘materials’ is intended to underline its pioneering role in the path to carbon neutrality and digitalisation, according to the company.

Chief executive officer Mohamed Hegazy said “We have always been and will continue to be a company that is much more than cement. We are progressive minds with the ambition to drive transformation. We push the boundaries to strengthen innovation and deepen partnerships with our customers and other stakeholders.”

Saudi Arabia: Meyar Company has bought the Malham cement products plant in Riyadh for US$880,000. Local press has reported that the company will use the facility to target the cement products market in the city of Riyadh. A ready-mix concrete batching plant is also located at the site.

Europe: The EU has awarded a Euro49.9m grant under its Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) to Taiwan Cement subsidiary Atlante. The cement group said that Atlante will use the funds to building a fast and ultra-fast electric vehicle charging network in Europe.