September 2024
Lafarge Africa launches Eco Label cement brand 28 June 2023
Nigeria: Lafarge Africa has launched the Eco Label brand, as part of its wider UniCem brand, to promote its sustainable products. Products within the new branding have a lower 30% carbon footprint compared to the local industry standard. The formal unveiling of the new branding took place at the Mfamosing cement plant in Calabar.
Khaled El Dokani, the chief executive officer of Lafarge Africa, said “Lafarge Africa is proud to be the first local cement manufacturer of eco-friendly cement to the Nigerian market. With the rollout of this Eco brand, we are accelerating the transition to more sustainable building materials for greener construction.”
Russia: Cementum is preparing to upgrade the grinding capacity at its integrated Ferzikovo cement plant in Kaluga region. The US$40m project will add 0.3Mt/yr of grinding capacity to the plant. Other planned developments include building a dry building materials unit and a concrete plant. Maxim Goncharov, the general director of Cementum and Vitaly Bogachenko, the Director of Corporate Relations and Sustainable Development of Cementum, met with Vladislav Shapsha, the governor of the Kaluga Region, in mid-June 2023 at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum to discuss development in the region. Holcim’s divested Russian business rebranded as Cementum in early 2023.
Cemros’ Serebryansky cement plant switches to gas 28 June 2023
Russia: Cemros’ integrated Serebryansky cement plant in Ryzan region has switched to using gas as a fuel. The project was conducted with Gazprom and the regional government, including linking the site up to the gas network with a 14km pipeline. CO2 emissions at the plant are expected to decrease by up to 17% and electricity consumption by 4%. The 1.8Mt/yr plant used around 200,000t/yr of coal before starting the switch to gas from March 2023.
Titan Group commissions upgraded Kamari cement plant 27 June 2023
Greece: Titan Group has successfully commissioned an upgrade to the pre-calciner system of its Kamari cement plant in Voiotia. Titan Group says that this will enable the 3.1Mt/yr plant to expand its range of lower carbon cements, reducing its CO2 emissions by 150,000t/yr. It also increases the plant's maximum possible alternative fuels (AF) substitution rate.
Titan Group’s Europe regional executive director Yanni Paniaras said "The completion of the Kamari plant upgrade represents a significant achievement for Titan Group. We are witnessing tangible results as our green innovation gains momentum and takes shape. This successful implementation of one of our major capital expenditure projects exemplifies our dedication to sustainable operations and strategic growth, while we continue to pursue more growth opportunities in all our active markets. We are committed to offering our customers and communities greener products and solutions, playing our part in building a sustainable future for all.”
Ethiopia: Derba MIDROC Cement is reportedly ready to sign a contract with China National Building Material (CNBM), for the latter to commence construction of Derba MIDROC Cement's 2.74Mt/yr Mughar Valley cement plant in Oromia. The producer said that it expects to invest US$500m in the project, 30% higher than its previous estimate of US$385m. Addis Fortune has reported that Derba MIDROC Cement now believes there to be adequate energy infrastructure to support the plant, following China-based Sinohydro's construction of a new US$12m power line from nearby Chanco.
When commissioned, the plant will double Derba MIDROC Cement's capacity and create 3000 new jobs in Oromia. The producer also hopes to ease the ongoing national cement shortage. The Ministry of Mines recorded domestic production of 7.6Mt in 2022, against demand of 36Mt.
Spain: Cemex España has secured Euro4.4m in EU funding for an upgrade to its Alicante cement plant in Valencia. The project will launch the use of Clyngas synthetic gas as alternative fuel (AF) at the plant. Thermochemical conversion specialist WtEnergy, a subsidiary of Cemex Ventures, will supply the syngas. The partners say that this upgrade will reduce CO2 emissions by 400,000t per decade.
Parent company Cemex said "This project is part of Cemex’s Future in Action programme, which seeks to achieve sustainable excellence through climate action, circularity and natural resource management, with the primary objective of becoming a net-zero CO2 company."
PPC launches US$10.8m share buyback 27 June 2023
South Africa: PPC has commenced a buyback of US$10.8m-worth of its registered shares, the Cape Times newspaper has reported.
Chief executive officer Roland Van Wijnen said "We have been very conscious of our capital allocation to ensure our debt levels come to acceptable levels and we have finally achieved that." He added "We believe our share price is well below the true value and therefore we believe it is better for our shareholders to initiate a share purchase rather than a distribution through cash."
US Attorney probes Adani Group investor statements 27 June 2023
India/US: The US Attorney's Office has requested that large Adani Group shareholders submit correspondence from the group. Reuters has reported that the office is investigating representations made by India-based Adani to its US investors, following fraud allegations by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research.
An Adani Group spokesperson said "We are not aware of any such subpoena to investors."
Saudi Arabia: Southern Province Cement has secured a loan worth US$373m from Saudi National Bank. The loan will cover its construction of a 5000t/day production line at its upcoming Jizan cement plant, as well as the construction of infrastructure for a second new line of the same capacity at the plant. The producer appointed China-based Sinoma International Engineering to build the plant in May 2023.
Reuters has reported that the loan has a duration of 10 years and a two-year grace period.
India: Sinoma subsidiary LNV Technology has won an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in India. Reuters News has reported that the contract is in the area of 'cement production.' Its value is US$53.8m.
LNV Technology is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It previously supplied grinding systems and other equipment for JK Lakshmi Group, Jaiprakash Associates (now part of Dalmia Bharat) and Holcim India (now part of Adani Group).