September 2024
Portland Cement Association confirms 4% growth forecast for 2016 21 September 2016
US: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has confirmed its projection released earlier in 2016 that the US cement industry is on target to see annual cement consumption grow by 4%. Cement consumption through to the end of the year is expected to continue at a steady pace, with additional demand coming from several areas, including moderate residential spending and, to a lesser extent, growth in non-residential and public construction activity. Additionally, the PCA says that favourable monetary policy from the Federal Reserve will support construction activity for the next two years.
“A key factor for continued growth for the cement industry is steady growth in construction spending, also projected to be up 4%,” said PCA Chief Economist and Senior Vice President Edward J Sullivan. “This is very much in line with the overall US economy’s slow-albeit-positive growth path.”
Sullivan noted that PCA has forecasted growth despite some conflicting economic indicators from elsewhere in the economy. “Despite some ups and downs in the US economy, the underlying economic fundamentals are solid.” For example, PCA noted the labour market has consistently seen a net monthly increase of roughly 200,000 jobs, pushing the unemployment rate below 5%. PCA also projects real GDP will grow by 1.5% in 2016, and by 2.2% in 2017.
Italy: Cementir has appointed Paolo Bossi as the chief executive officer of Cementir Italia, Cementir Sacci and Betontir. The new appointment follows Cementir’s acquisition of Sacci and is the start of a rationalisation process of the Cementir group in Italy, according to a company statement.
Netzsch Trockenmahltechnik releases details of Smart Removal filter hose changing system 20 September 2016
Germany: Netzsch Trockenmahltechnik, the dry products processing arm of Netzsch, has released details about its Smart Removal filter hose changing system, which combines the advantages of top and side removal systems in one product. The new system was developed to enable a filter hose change without tools, which could be carried out easily and rapidly, to cut costs. Additional focus was placed on reducing the residual dust content down to that of a top removal system. The new technology is designed to reduce mounting errors. Netzsch describe the mounting of the Smart Removal as up to 80% faster than previous side removal systems and that its low residual dust content is comparable to that of conventional Top Removal systems. The development was announced at the Powtech exhibition in Nuremberg in April 2016.
CalPortland to celebrate 125-year anniversary 20 September 2016
US: CalPortland will celebrate its 125-year anniversary, or quasquicentennial, on 21 September 2016. The company was established in 1891 in Colton, California as the California Portland Cement company, the first cement production facility west of the Rocky Mountains. Subsequently, the cement producer provided construction materials for the expansion of Los Angeles and the south-western US. Japan’s Taiheiyo Cement purchased the company in 1990.
"Today, CalPortland is building on its past for a bright and better future. Through key strategic mergers and acquisitions we have brought together more technology and the best people and now proudly serve six western states and two Canadian provinces. CalPortland is dedicated to using all of our resources to help make our customers successful," said Allen Hamblen, President and CEO of CalPortland.
Taiheiyo Cement reaches Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index for second year in a row 20 September 2016
Japan: Taiheiyo Cement has been selected for the second consecutive year as a component of the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific) in 2016. The cement producer was also selected for the DJSI Asia Pacific in 2015. This index is the Asia Pacific version of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and serves as one of the key benchmarks for socially responsible investment.
The DJSI are investment indices developed and offered cooperatively by the US-based S&P Dow Jones Indices and Switzerland-based RobecoSAM, which evaluate the sustainability of companies in terms of economic, environmental and social criteria. The DJSI Asia Pacific has selected the top 146 regional sustainability leaders, including 68 Japanese companies out of about 600 leading companies, from developed markets in the Asia Pacific region.
Production rises at Sunchon cement plant following repairs 20 September 2016
North Korea: Production has risen to full capacity at the Sunchon cement plant near Pyongyang. A kiln repair at the calciner was conducted to increase clinker production. The plant is now surpassing its daily quota by 20%, according to the Korean Central News Agency. The increased production has been targeted to support recovery efforts following floods in North Hamgyong.
Mangalam Cement starts production at Aligarh grinding plant 20 September 2016
India: Mangalam Cement has started commercial production at its 0.75Mt/yr grinding plant in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh following trials in August 2016. The cement producer has increased its overall cement production capacity to 4Mt/yr. Part of the BK Birla Group, the company produces 43 grade cement, 53 grade cement and Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC) and markets it under the brand name of 'Birla Uttam.'
Lafarge Malaysia faces clean-up costs after accidental dust discharge 19 September 2016
Malaysia: Lafarge Malaysia is facing clean-up costs following the release of dust from its Langkawi cement plant on 12 September 2016. Dust from the plant was accidentally released due to repair work on a clogged processing unit. It was then blown by the wind to three nearby villages comprising around 1000 houses, according to the Free Malaysia Today newspaper. Management at the plant has apologised for the incident and has agreed to cover the cost of the clean up.
Votorantim obtains environmental product declarations 19 September 2016
Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos has received Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for five of its products. The company is the first in Brazil to obtain such certifications under the International Organization for Standardisation, according to Jornal Dia Dia. EPDs are comprised of reports about products' environmental impacts from the extraction phase to the final consumer.
Votorantim Cimentos' clients are now closer to obtaining sustainable construction certificates such as AQUA and LEED. According to a World Green Building Trends report, the number of sustainable projects record a two to six-fold increase every three years. In Brazil, the expansion rate for such projects is expected to increase from 6% to 36% over the next three years.
Mali government signs agreement to build 1.5Mt/yr cement plant 19 September 2016
Mali: Mohamed Ali Ibrahim Ag, the Minister of Industrial Development, and the CEO of Gaia Equity have signed an agreement to build a 1.5Mt/yr cement plant at Guinbané for US$330m. The project will create 400 direct jobs and 500 indirect jobs, according to the Mali Jet news website. Gaia Equity will be supported by Chinese company Sinoma in the construction of the plant. The plant is expected to ease the country’s 2Mt/yr demand for cement.