September 2024
Nepal: The Department of Mines and Geology has technically disqualified Nigeria’s Dangote Cement from applying for three limestone mine licences in an open bidding process. The Investment Board Nepal (IBN) had approved the investment in 2013 before passing the application to the mining department, according to the Republica newspaper. Department deputy director general Ram Prasad Ghimire claimed that Dangote's proposals lacked essential documents on the required skilled manpower and it was not considered qualified for the next financial proposal.
Dangote Cement had applied for three mines: two in Dhading and one in Palpa. However, China’s Huaxin and United Cements recently won two limestone mining licences. Previously, Dangote Cement purchased a limestone mine in Makawanpur that was later found to be a substandard. The Nigerian company has also faced opposition from local producers who have described the country as being self-sufficient in cement.
China Resources Cement starts production line in Hepu County 02 January 2018
China: China Resources Cement has started a production line at a subsidiary in Hepu County in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The new line has a clinker production capacity of 1.6Mt/yr and a cement production capacity of 2Mt/yr. At present the company has a clinker and cement production capacity of 26.6Mt/yr and 33.2Mt/yr respectively in the region.
Egypt: Khaled Fahmy, the Minister of Environment, has recognised the work by subsidiaries of Suez Cement to reduce air pollution and so called ‘black cloud’ periods. The minister presented certificates of appreciation to the manager of Helwan cement plant, Ahmad Ragae, the manager of Tourah cement plant, Omar Khorshid, the manager of the Environment Department at Helwan cement plant, Ragheb Hammouda and the manager of Environment Department at the Tourah cement plant, Badry Ibrahim.
Canadian pension firms buy minority stakes in Fives 02 January 2018
Canada/France: Pension investment management companies La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments) have each purchased a minority stake in France’s Fives. CDPQ and PSP Investments will each acquire a ‘significant’ minority stake in Fives, which will remain controlled by its management, to support its next development phase. Ardian, an investment house, will continue to be part of the new shareholding structure, as a minority co-investor. The completion of the transaction remains subject to approval by relevant regulatory authorities. No value for the deal has been disclosed.
“We are very enthusiastic to enter a new phase of our development with CDPQ and PSP Investments. Their long-term approach to investment, their deep valuable industrial insights and their strategic vision aligned with that of the management team make them ideal partners for the group, allowing Fives to take advantage, at a global scale, of the full potential of our diversified operations,” said Frédéric Sanchez, chief executive officer (CEO) of Fives Group.
Founded in 1812, engineering company Fives designs and supplies machines, process equipment and production lines for industries including cement, minerals, aluminium, steel, glass, automotive, aerospace, logistics, energy and sugar. The group is located in over 30 countries and it has nearly 8400 employees.
BWF Envirotec acquires Orwat Filtertechnik 02 January 2018
Poland: BWF Envirotec Group has purchased Orwat Filtertechnik. Based in Mysłowice, Silesia, the company has been producing and distributing filter bags and filter pockets for dedusting and flue gas cleaning technology as well as pockets, cartridges and compact filters for air conditioning and ventilation technology since 1995. The company also has a sales office in Warendorf, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany giving it a European presence. No value for the acquisition has been disclosed.
"Orwat Filtertechnik, with its technologically outstanding equipment, is an excellent addition to our line-up with a high level of benefit for our customers, particularly for plant builders and operators of flue gas cleaning systems,” said Stefan Offermann and Philipp von Waldenfels, managing partners of BWF Group. They added that the acquisition also strengthens its Offingen-based headquarters.
Conveyor Components adds tripper position switch to product line 29 December 2017
US: Conveyor Components has added a tripper position switch (TPS) to its product line of belt alignment controls. The TA-2 TPS model is designed to indicate when the tripper of a shuttle conveyor is located on a multiple discharge point. The company manufactures products for the bulk handling and processing industries.
Austria: Rohrdorfer Group has awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to Humboldt Wedag, a subsidiary of KHD, for the modernisation of the kiln line at its cement plant operations in Gmunden. The upgrade will enable the flexible usage of a wide range of waste fractionally pre-treated derived fuels on a high substitution rate.
The modernisation project comprises the design and supply of KHD’s world´s first ever Pyrorotor Calciner Technology, as well as the replacement of the existing satellite cooler with a new generation Pyrofloor PFC2 clinker cooler. The existing three station rotary kiln will be fitted with a new kiln drive and a new kiln hood as well as kiln inlet and outlet.
With the installation of the new Pyrorotor Calciner Technology from KHD the Gmunden plant will be able to burn very coarse waste derived fuels including whole rubber tires, which will lead to drastically reduced requirements in regard to waste pre-treatment. Therefore, the kiln modification will also emphasise on pollutant emission reduction.
The contract includes: three new preheater cyclones; a new preheater ID-fan; a tertiary air duct; a Pyrotop compact calciner mixing chamber; Pyrorotor Calciner burning chamber technology, a Pyroclon Calciner Burning System; a new kiln bypass unit; a multi-fuel Pyro-Jet kiln burner for primary and secondary fuels; a new kiln drive and kiln hood; a Pyrofloor PFC2 clinker cooler equipped with a Pyrocrusher roller type clinker crusher; and Simulex plant simulation software.
KHD services include the dismantling of existing equipment parts as well as the engineering, design, supply and erection of new equipment including commissioning services. Commissioning of the new system is scheduled for April 2019.
Siam Cement plans to broaden products and services in Indonesia 27 December 2017
Indonesia: Thailand’s Siam Cement Group (SCG) plans to diversify its products and services in 2018. Country director Nantapong Chantrakul made the comments, according to the Nation newspaper. SCG has supplied construction materials for several state-run infrastructure projects, including state-owned construction firm PT Wijaya Karya, materials for the construction of toll roads in South Sumatra and Jakabaring Stadium and a 2018 Asian Games venue in Palembang.
UK: Welding Alloys has launched MillCarb, a repairable welded ceramic composite alloy providing an engineered wear protection solution for grinding components. It combines the wear resistant properties of advanced and complex ceramics with graded grain sizes and the shock absorbing properties of a metallic matrix, creating a ceramic metal matrix composite. The company says that these features have been incorporated into a weldable solution that is capable of multiplying the life of components by offering a repairable alternative. MillCarb is currently being trialled with industrial partners.
Cemex Spain’s Buñol cement plant marks centenary 26 December 2017
Spain: Cemex Spain’s Buñol cement plant has marked the 100th anniverary of the plant and the 25th anniversary of Cemex’s entry into the Spanish market. Pedro Palomino, the president of Cemex Spain, Juan Charquero, the plant manager, Juncal Carrascosa, the local mayor, and employees, customers and suppliers of the company atttended the event including the screening of a documentary about the cement industry, according to the Las Provincias newspaper.