September 2024
France: Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies plans to expand its low-CO2 cement’s presence in and beyond France through the establishment of 15 – 20 new licenced plants before 2030. The Les Echos newspaper has reported that the company plans to raise Euro25m, of which it will invest Euro15.7m in international licencing contracts for its technology. In 2026, it expects the contracts to derive 10Mt of its revenues, 7.7% of its target for the year.
Spain: Cementos Cosmos plans to scale down the production of clinker at its Córdoba cement plant as a result as the high cost of electricity. The Cordoba Day newspaper has reported that parent company Votorantim Cimentos said that clinker grinding operations at the site will continue to ensure a sufficient cement supply in the region.
The Córdoba cement plant employs 48 people. The company is currently negotiating the situation and the scope of its impacts with the workforce.
Vietnam: Vietnam exported 43Mt of cement and clinker in the first 11 months of 2021, up by 24% year-on-year from 11-month export volumes in 2020. Viet Nam News has reported that the value of Vietnam’s cement and clinker exports rose by 28% to US$1.67bn. The country’s full-year cement and clinker exports in 2020 were 38.4Mt, with a total value of US$1.44bn.
Hongshi Group to inject US$125m into Dang Cement 29 November 2021
Nepal: China-based Hongshi Group has received clearance from the Nepal Rastra Bank to invest US$125m into Dang Cement. Hongshi Group owns an 85% stake in the cement producer, according to the Republica newspaper. The remaining 15% stake is owned by Shivam Cement. The investment will be used to build a 6000t/day production line at Dang Cement’s plant in Dang region. The project was previously approved by the Investment Board Nepal in late 2020 for commissioning in late 2023.
North Korea’s Manpho cement plant increases its capacity by 20% 29 November 2021
North Korea: Manpho cement plant has increased its production capacity by 20% through ‘technical innovations.’ Korean News Service has reported that the installation of new equipment in the plant’s kiln line also improved clinker quality.
ACC and Ambuja Cements to develop calcined clay cements with Indian Institute of Technology Delhi 29 November 2021
India: ACC and Ambuja Cements have partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD) to develop a range of calcined clay cements with 50% lower CO2 emissions than Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The collaboration will vary clinker, calcined clay and limestone levels in calcined clay cements in order to ascertain their effects on its performance. France-based Holcim Innovation Centre will fund the research.
Holcim India chief executive officer and managing director Neeraj Akhoury said "Through our extensive research and development setup, we consistently strive to develop new low-CO2 materials for the construction industry. Calcined clay cement is one such avenue to make a significant quantitative difference in the industry and further accelerate our sustainability drive. Our academic partnership with IITD is a big step towards building a greener future and we are excited to collaborate with the best minds in the country."
The producers have previously partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) to study low-CO2 binders with alternative reinforcements and with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) to develop smart sensing technology for continuous on-site strength evaluation of a concrete structure.
Suspected arson reported at Cruz Azul’s Tula cement plant 29 November 2021
Mexico: A fire at Cruz Azul’s Tula cement plant in Hidalgo has been reported as being started intentionally by sources quoted by the Excélsior newspaper. A fire on a 500m conveyor belt at the unit was reported in the early morning on 28 November 2021. Production at the plant will not be affected. Repair work on the conveyor is expected to take up to 20 days. An official cause for the fire has yet to be disclosed.
Cemex USA sells headquarters 29 November 2021
US: Cemex USA has sold its headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida for US$13.4m. The South Florida Business Journal newspaper has reported that the company will vacate the property in early 2022. It will relocate to a nearby smaller office. Cemex USA has occupied its current headquarters since 1983. According to sources quoted by the newspaper, it no longer requires the 20,000m2 space due to increased rates of remote working by staff.
Nigeria: Finland-based Wärtsilä has secured another contract for the supply of a 70MW dual-fuel gas-fired power plant to BUA Cement, this time for the upcoming Line 3 of its Obu cement plant in Edo state. The Sun newspaper has reported that the line and a new fourth line at Sokoto cement plant will bring the company’s total cement capacity to 17Mt/yr when commissioned in 2022. BUA Cement is scheduled to commission the Sokoto cement plant’s new Line 3 in November 2021.
Chair Abdul Samad Rabiu said “Currently, we have phased out the use of coal across our factories and are now shifting to gas-powered plants. As we ramp up our capacity, there is need to complement it with efficient power supply and Wärtsilä’s technology has been found to be durable and uniquely aligned with our vision for more efficient power generation at all our production locations.”
UltraTech Cement wins Indian Circular Economy Award 2021 26 November 2021
India: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has awarded UltraTech Cement its Indian Circular Economy Award 2021 in the large enterprise category. The federation said that the award recognises UltraTech Cement's efforts to accelerate the development of a circular economic business model and celebrates its new impactful and innovative practices in 2021.