September 2024
Heidelberg Materials' Slite CCS project secures new funding 13 September 2024
Sweden: Heidelberg Materials' Slite CCS project on Gotland has received new funding. The Just Transition Fund has provided approximately €6.1m to support project preparation from 2024 to 2026, aiming for operational readiness by 2030. The project targets the creation of a fully decarbonised plant with the capacity to capture 1.8Mt/yr of CO₂, potentially reducing Sweden's total emissions by 4%.
Ash Grove Cement acquires Geofortis 13 September 2024
US: Ash Grove Cement has acquired Geofortis, which operates a raw natural pozzolan milling and classifying line in Toole, Utah, along with a nearby deposit.
President of Ash Grove Cement Serge Smith posted on LinkedIn "Integrating the Geofortis plant and team into the Ash Grove family aligns perfectly with our long-term growth strategy and commitment to sustainability. These high-quality natural pozzolan products complement our existing portfolio and will enable us to offer more environmentally friendly solutions to our customers. This acquisition reinforces our dedication to developing sustainable solutions that build, connect and improve our world."
Ambuja Cement officer arrested for bribery in India 13 September 2024
India: Rambhav Gattu, a chief manufacturing officer at Ambuja Cement in Chhattisgarh, has been arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a government official in Odisha, Reuters reports. He is accused of having offered a box of confectionery containing US$2382 to the collector of Odisha's Barghar region, whose duties involve collecting revenues. A case has been registered against Gattu for ‘attempting to induce a public servant’, without specifying what the money offered was for. The arrest aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anti-corruption campaign, which has intensified actions against corrupt practices.
Saudi cement companies explore mergers amid market tension 13 September 2024
Saudi Arabia: The crowded cement sector in Saudi Arabia is experiencing tensions due to its varying market shares, according to Majed Al Osailan, vice chair of the National Cement Committee. He noted that despite initial slow demand, renewed spending on construction has led to a shift, with most companies now able to meet market needs. The cement sector saw its first merger between Qassim Cement and Hail Cement, according to Argaam news, with another planned between City Cement and Umm Al-Qura Cement. NCC chair Badr Johar said that demand for cement is expected to strengthen substantially from late September 2024 to February 2025.
Cement shortage in Jamaica 13 September 2024
Jamaica: Caribbean Cement Company has confirmed a shortage of cement due to increased demand following the impact of Hurricane Beryl. Despite concerns about its effect on the construction sector, former president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica Lenworth Kelly, says the lack of supply is typical for the local market and not a cause for concern, expecting a return to normality within a week, according to Radio Jamaica News. Caribbean Cement Company has stated that it has a supply of cement in storage for the period during its scheduled maintenance.
Kelly said "It's just a matter of when supply gets back to you. And I know the supply is back up, but it has to get to every little town, every little location. I know the bulk suppliers would be receiving now, but I'm not expecting any significant contribution to a decline, as it were. We had a significant spike, and so we would expect some trending down."
Cement production rises in Uzbekistan 13 September 2024
Uzbekistan: Cement companies in Uzbekistan produced 9.08Mt of cement from January to July 2024, marking a 34.6% rise year-on-year. In July 2024, production reached 1.33Mt.
Stiga invests over €32m in new wood-wool cement board plant 12 September 2024
Latvia: Stiga RM is investing more than €32m in a new wood-wool cement board plant in Tukums, expected to complete construction by late 2024 and be operational by the end of 2025. Covering 15,000m2, the plant will create almost 100 new jobs and focus on high-quality wood products, primarily for export markets in Europe, Scandinavia and North America. The plant has a capacity of 4.5Mm2/yr of acoustic wood-wool cement boards. The company has an agreement with SCM Group for the supply and installation of the production equipment at the plant.
Manager Sandis Fogelmanis said "We are pleased that the construction of the new plant is progressing according to plan and, at some stages, is even ahead of the original schedule."
Heidelberg Materials Lixhe seeks to expand Romont quarry 12 September 2024
Belgium: Heidelberg Materials Lixhe (formerly CBR) has applied to expand the Romont quarry towards Kanne, ensuring the Lixhe plant's operations for the next 20 years with an additional 94.75 hectares. This expansion marks the third and final phase, intending to continue marl extraction on Walloon territory. A public inquiry is scheduled from 16 September - 30 October 2024.
Director Benoit Gastout said "Based on a recent environmental impact report, we are now requesting the partial revision of the regional plan and an environmental permit for the desired extension. We are very aware of the impact of the quarry on the region. That is why we have been taking various measures for years to ensure that Romont is embedded in the landscape as well as possible and that the fauna and flora are respected because of the rich biodiversity. The priority in all of this remains that we want to live in harmony with the local population.”
Titan Group to launch sustainability-linked financing framework 12 September 2024
Greece: Titan Group has launched a sustainability-linked financing framework, aligning its financial strategy with its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. This framework supports the company's sustainable growth ambitions under its Green Growth Strategy 2026. Future notes will fund general corporate purposes, including sustainable projects and decarbonisation efforts towards Titan’s transition to net-zero emissions.
Chief sustainability and innovation officer Leonidas Canellopoulos said “Transforming the building materials industry towards a more sustainable, net-zero future requires significant investments, with sustainable finance playing a crucial role in this transformation. The framework will enable Titan to attract a broader range of investors, including those focused on sustainable investments and ESG portfolios. Our financial and sustainability strategies are now aligned under a solid framework, further strengthening our stakeholders’ confidence and trust.”
Mexico: Veolia Mexico announced in its sustainability report that it has managed the recycling and reuse of nearly 20,000t of waste for the cement industry, as well as reducing water consumption by 15%. The company has reportedly treated 1.1Mt of solid waste and generated 22,134MWh of electricity from biogas.
Leslie Lamadrid, director of sustainability, said "This demonstrates the effectiveness of the strategies implemented and Veolia's dedication to achieving its sustainability goals."