September 2024
Argentina: Cementos Avellaneda has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with energy provider YPF Luz for the construction of a new wind farm. Local press has reported that the planned plant will have a capacity of 63MW and be situated in Olavarría, Buenos Aires Province. There, it will supply 100% of the energy used in cement production at Cementos Avellaneda's Olavarría cement plant. The cement producer will transmit any surplus energy from the wind farm to its San Luis plant at La Calera, with the longer-term aim of becoming Argentina's first 100% renewably-powered cement company.
The partners will carry out technical and economic feasibility studies in mid-2023, and publish plans and budget before the end of the year.
Holcim invests in Coomtech 05 May 2023
UK: Switzerland-based Holcim has invested in Coomtech, a developer of low-emission kinetic drying technology for raw materials. The group says that Coomtech's technology emits up to 75% less CO2 than traditional drying methods and enables increased use of recycled materials in cement and concrete. Holcim subsidiary Aggregate Industries previously collaborated with Coomtech on fly ash drying at a UK power plant.
Edelio Bermejo, head of global research and development said "At Holcim, we are continuously working to implement greener operations for a net-zero future, and to increase the use of recycled materials in our products to drive circular construction. Coomtech's low-emission drying technology helps us meet both these goals. I look forward to working with them as a key partner in our journey to decarbonise buildings."
Global Cement is at Interpack 2023 05 May 2023
Germany: Global Cement is attending Interpack 2023 in Düsseldorf. The trade fair for the packaging sector is taking place at the Messe Düsseldorf from 4 – 10 May 2023. It covers packaging materials, packaging machines and related process technology for the food, beverage, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors. Over 2700 exhibitors are present at the event with representation from more than 60 countries.
Austria: RHI Magnesita says that its earnings before interest, taxation and amortisation (EBITA) continued to grow year-on-year during the first quarter of 2023. This was despite an 8% year-on-year drop in refractory sales during the period under review. The refractory supplier attributed its declining sales to reduced construction activity outside of China and India. It said that this slowed demand both for cement and steel. RHI Magnesita noted higher energy costs, while raw materials costs 'remained low.' During the first quarter of 2023, the company acquired India-based refractory producers Dalmia OCL and Hi-Tech. These give it a 20 - 30% market share in India. This advanced its goal of strategic growth in markets in which it is under-represented, including China, India and Türkiye.
Chief executive officer Stefan Borgas said “RHI Magnesita benefited from resilient pricing in the first quarter, as we fulfilled orders placed in the fourth quarter of 2022 during the peak inflationary period. Our improved refractory margin performance benefits from the investments we have made to rationalise our network, and leaves us well placed to meet expectations for the year. We have continued to make steady progress in mergers and acquisitions as we identify value-adding opportunities to grow our business through consolidation in key target geographies and product areas, whilst carefully managing our balance sheet."
Dalmia Cement (Bharat) launches Dalmia Supreme Portland pozzolana cement in Eastern India 05 May 2023
India: Dalmia Cement (Bharat) has launched Dalmia Supreme cement, a Portland pozzolana cement (PPC), in the Eastern India market. The producer says that the cement is a is a specialised, best-in-class product formulated for all construction applications, offering better workability, higher density, chemical resistance and strength and faster setting times than ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Dalmia Cement already sells Portland fly ash cement under its Konark cement brand.
Dalmia Cement (Bharat)'s head of sales, logistics, technical services and marketing Rajiv Prasad said “We are excited to introduce Dalmia Supreme Cement in the Eastern market. In line with the company’s customer-centric approach, this new offering is to cater to the growing needs of a specialised product for 'Stronger, Faster and Better' construction."
Mexico: Cemex recorded sales of US$4.04bn in the first quarter of 2023, up by 8% year-on-year from US$3.73bn a year earlier. The producer recorded operating earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$733m, up by 7% year-on-year from US$685m. This was despite a 9% year-on-year decline in group cement sales volumes to 14.4Mt from 15.8Mt. First-quarter 2023 cement volumes fell by 3% in Mexico, by 19% in the US, by 10% in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia and by 8% in South, Central America and the Caribbean.
Cemex retained its guidance of a low single-digit year-on-year increase in operating EBITDA in 2023. It also expects its energy cost per tonne of cement produced to rise by 10%.
Vicat boosts sales in first quarter of 2023 04 May 2023
France: Vicat's first-quarter sales were Euro899m in 2023, up by 14% year-on-year from US$789m during the first quarter of 2022. In France sales rose by 9.6% to Euro297m. In the Americas sales rose by 9% to Euro198m. In the Mediterranean region sales rose by 94% to Euro104m and in Africa sales rose by 21% to Euro108m. Meanwhile, sales remained roughly level year-on-year in Asia and Europe (excluding France), at Euro112m and Euro81m respectively.
Chair and CEO Guy Sidos said “Vicat’s first-quarter performance demonstrates the strong resilience of demand in its main markets, which translated into a sharp increase in its consolidated sales when compared to very good first-quarter 2022 figures. Amid changeable winter weather conditions, especially in California, the group has pushed ahead with the ramp-up in its new installation in Alabama and accelerated its strategy of improving its manufacturing performance and shifting away from fossil fuels to achieve its operational, environmental and social objectives.”
US: Eagle Materials has completed its acquisition of Martin Marietta's cement import and distribution business in Northern California. The business is centred on the Stockton cement terminal in San Joaquin County. Eagle Materials hopes that the new business will enable it to extend and strengthen its reach across its heartland US cement sales network.
President and chief executive officer Michael Haack said "Our Nevada Cement operations have long-standing customer relationships in Northern California, and this acquisition will uniquely position us to better serve these and new customers with complementary imported product. Our entire cement system is currently 'sold out,' and this acquisition will enable us to more actively participate in the strong US demand environment."
Vietnam: Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA) members produced 40Mt of cement during the first four months of 2023. The volume corresponds to a 4.8% drop from four-month 2022 levels.
Vietnam produced 116Mt of cement in 2022, up by 5.8% year-on-year from 2021 levels.
Holcim to acquire PASA 04 May 2023
Mexico: Switzerland-based building materials group Holcim concluded a deal to acquire the Mexican roofing producer PASA on 3 May 2023. PASA employs 250 people, and generated sales of US$38m throughout 2022.
Holcim said that the deal will help to expand its products and solutions business, an area in which it has now made five acquisitions to date in 2023. Chief executive officer Jan Jenisch expects the group to acquire 30 companies throughout 2023, of which it already acquired 12 during the first quarter of the year.