September 2024
Bauma 2022 postponed to 24 – 30 October 2022 26 April 2021
Germany: Messe München has announced the postponement of the Bauma 2022 trade fair to 24 – 30 October 2022. The previously scheduled date for the event had been 4 – 10 April 2022. The organiser said it recognised growing uncertainties about the April date in light of the on-going Covid-19 outbreak. The new dates are at a time when it is confident of the possibility of international travel.
Chair and chief executive officer Klaus Dittrich said, “The decision to postpone Bauma was not an easy one for us, of course. But we had to make it now, before the exhibitors start planning their participation in the trade show and make corresponding investments. Unfortunately, despite the vaccination campaign that has been launched around the world, it is not yet possible to predict when the pandemic will be largely under control and unlimited worldwide travel will be possible again. This makes participation difficult to plan and calculate for both exhibitors and visitors. Under these circumstances, we would not have been able to fulfil our central promise that Bauma, the world's leading trade fair, represents the entire spectrum of the industry and generate international reach like no other comparable event. After all, Bauma’s last edition welcomed participants from over 200 countries around the world. Hence, the decision is consistent and logical.”
Switzerland: LafargeHolcim’s first-quarter consolidated net sales rose by 1% year-on-year to Euro4.86bn in 2021 from Euro4.79bn in 2020. Its recurring earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) doubled to Euro478m from Euro237m. Cement sales volumes grew by 5.5% to 47.3Mt and ready-mixed concrete by 2.7% to 10.1Mm3. The group said that it anticipates growth to accelerate in 2021. It expects to achieve its Strategy 2022 targets one year ahead of time.
During the quarter, the group concluded its acquisition of US-based Firestone Building Products and received an A1+ social, environmental and governance rating from UK-based Vigeo.
China: China Resources Cement’s turnover grew by 51% year-on-year to US$1.1bn in the first quarter of 2021 from US$720m in the same period in 2020. Its profit rose by 16% to US$166m from US$143m. Sales volumes of cement increased by 65% to 18.4Mt and concrete by 80% to 2.87Mm3.
Cemex Zement buys 400t/hr River Elbe dredger 23 April 2021
Germany: Cemex Zement, part of Mexico-based Cemex, has bought a 400t/hr floating bucket chain dredger. The company plans to use the vessel in its aggregates operations on the River Elbe around Rogätz, Saxony-Anhalt. It includes a dewatering screening machine, a fine sand recovery system and a conveyor belt that transports the processed sands and gravels ashore. The dredger replaces an older 350t/hr model which has been in action since the mid-1990s. The company said that the purchase is in line with its strategy to enhance its vertically integrated positions near growing metropolises. Elbe operations supply aggregates to produce concrete for the Berlin market.
Central Europe vice president of materials Rüdiger Kuhn said "With this important investment, our company strengthens its position in the metropolitan market of Berlin and secures the long-term availability of valuable mineral raw materials for its customers."
US: Energy company Luminant has awarded Charah Solutions a fly ash management contract extension for its Miami Fort and Zimmer coal-fired power plants in North Bend and Moscow, Ohio. Charah Solutions says that it will pass on the ash for use in concrete production. It will continue to manage the onsite landfill and impoundment operations under its existing contract with Luminant, including material loading, hauling and disposal of approximately 180,000t/yr. In addition, Charah Solutions will be responsible for the beneficiation and utilisation of approximately 400,000t/yr of fly ash. The contract ends in 2027, when both power plants are expected to close.
President and chief executive officer Scott Sewell said “We have been proud to partner with Luminant on its sustainability efforts for many years and are delighted to extend our relationship at these Ohio sites through 2027. We have dramatically reduced the need to landfill fly ash at Miami Fort and Zimmer through our on-going partnership, saving Luminant both expense and valuable landfill space while lowering their risk.” He added “As a result of this expanded agreement, Charah Solutions will continue to provide a reliable supply of high-quality fly ash to ready mix concrete producers in the Midwest, Northeast and deep South through our MultiSource network.”
Conveyor Component Company launches new Model BSD sensor 23 April 2021
US: The Conveyor Components Company has launched its new Model BSD belt speed sensor. The unit has overspeed, underspeed and zero speed control settings and can shut down rotating equipment to stop damage. It can be used with various controllers. The supplier says that the sensor’s ain advantages are drilling-free installation and flexibility as to location.
China: Tangshan Jidong Cement net loss fell by 82% year-on-year to US$7.93m in the first quarter of 2021, down by 82% year-on-year from US$43.3m in the first quarter of 2020. Its operating income rose by 64% to US$785m from US$478m.
FLSmidth to prepare Norcem’s Brevik cement plant for carbon capture and storage installation 22 April 2021
Norway: Norcem, part of Germany-based HeidelbergCement, has awarded a contract to Denmark-based FLSmidth to provide modifications to allow for downstream CO2 removal at its integrated Brevik cement plant. The supplier will begin work in the unit’s winter 2022 shutdown. Its upcoming carbon capture and storage (CCS) installation is scheduled for commissioning in September 2024.
Norcem project manager Tor Gautestad said, “We are very excited to have FLSmidth on board and to finally begin the construction of the full-size installation.” He added, “FLSmidth’s extensive process knowledge, and air pollution control in particular, will be critical to the success of the project.”
Germany: Holcim Deutschland, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, has launched its new ECOPlanet Zero carbon neutral cement. The producer says that it will offset the product’s CO2 emissions through a peatland rewetting service provided by MoorFutures. The cement also has a low clinker factor due to the use of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS)-enriched binders.
Cement and binders sales director Matthias von der Brelje said “Holcim has been reducing the specific CO2 emissions of binders very effectively for decades by using high-quality GGBFS.” He added, “In the future, we want to work with planners, contracting agencies and users to further advance the use of our CO2-reduced binders. This helps our customers to realise their vision of sustainable building even better. In terms of product technology, the ECOPlanet series also has outstanding - and in some cases even better - properties than Portland cements, for example good workability, light colour, favourable heat development and high fatigue strength.”
Holcim Mexico launches EcoEtiquetas label 22 April 2021
Mexico: Holcim Mexico, part of Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim, has launched the new EcoEtiquetas label. The label designates products conforming to a set of ecological criteria set by the company. These include a certain level of recycled content or a reduced carbon footprint, as specified by the label on each product. The label is now found on Holcim Apasco, Maestro and Supra Cemento cement bags. These products say they offer CO2 reductions from 30 – 60% compared to Ordinary Portland Cement.
Chief executive officer Jaime Hill Tinoco said, “This is one more step on our way to becoming a Net Zero Company, but also when our clients buy our cements with EcoEtiquetas, they will have the certainty that they are collaborating in the care of the environment by using or distributing products that have been thought not only in terms of quality and performance, but also in ensuring a better world for present and future generations.”