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Displaying items by tag: Environment
Catalan court orders closure of LafargeHolcim España’s Montcada i Reixac cement plant
10 February 2022Spain: The Catalonia government has received a court order to close down LafargeHolcim España’s Montcada i Reixac cement plant in Barcelona. The Spanish Collection newspaper has reported that the plant failed to conform to new environmental regulations. LafargeHolcim España has appealed the decision.
The Montcada i Reixac plant currently employs 300 people. A union involved in the issue said that the alleged breach is formal rather than substantive and that an administrative error by the regional government caused the plant to breach the regulations.
China to set cement production energy efficiency benchmark
25 October 2021China: The government plans to implement a benchmark level of energy efficiency for cement plants by 2025 in order to realise its national goal of no CO2 emissions growth by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Local press has reported that the government has yet to set a specific benchmark for the cement industry. The corresponding figure for aluminium production will be 13,000kWh/t.
EcoBati secures H-Iona cement distribution contract with Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies
04 October 2021Benelux: Belgium-based building supplies chain EcoBati has signed a distribution agreement with France-based Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies. The producer will supply its H-Iona clinker-free cement for EcoBati to sell online and in its shops in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies owners Julien Blanchard and David Hoffmann said "Signing a distribution agreement with an international specialist in ecological materials shows the competitive edge and relevance of our H-Iona cement within the context of the fight against global warming. We are therefore delighted with the signing of this partnership that allows us to benefit from the EcoBati network’s strategic retail outlets and provide a response to the exponential demand for sustainable cement. We intend to sign more such partnerships in the future in order to spread our responsible vision of the construction sector and contribute to the environmental transition."
UltraTech Cement commits to 100% renewable energy by 2050
24 September 2021India: UltraTech has made a commitment to transition to 100% renewable energy use by 2050. The Aditya Birla subsidiary has joined the global RE100 group of companies committed to energy decarbonisation. Asian News International has reported that the producer is already targeting 34% renewable energy use by 2024 from 13% in 2020. It more than doubled its consumption of renewable energy between 2018 and 2020. UltraTech Cement is additionally targeting a CO2 emissions reduction to 462kg/t of cement. It is the first Indian producer to instigate sustainability target-linked financial commitments.
Ready Mix USA receives two Tennessee Concrete Association Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence
24 September 2021US: The Tennessee Concrete Association (TCA) has awarded Emerald Awards for Environmental Excellence to two Ready Mix USA concrete plants. The TCA awards the prize to member plants which demonstrate environmental leadership, maintain sound environmental management practices and implement environmentally friendly upgrades or plant procedures. Ready Mix USA's Boone's Creek plant in Johnson City earned the award in the Small Plant category, while its Morristown Plant in Morristown earned the Mid Plant category award.
President Marc Tyson said "At Ready Mix USA and Cemex USA, we strive to be good environmental stewards and look for opportunities to improve our processes and operations to be even more sustainable and environmentally friendly." He added "We are proud of the achievements at Ready Mix USA, and we remain dedicated to leading positive change for our industry."
Murdoch University team develops Colliecrete fly ash-based concrete
20 September 2021Australia: Researchers from Murdoch University in Western Australia have developed a cement-free concrete called Colliecrete. ABC News has reported that the concrete comprises of 80 – 90% fly ash. Other ingredients are bauxite residue and recycled aggregates. Developer Ramon Skane said that customers can make Colliecrete ‘anywhere, at room temperature.’
Balearic Environmental Commission tightens requirements on Cemex’s Lloseta cement plant’s licence
18 June 2021Spain: The Balearic Environmental Commission has set more stringent environmental requirements than previously in its authorisation of Cemex’s Lloseta plant’s licence to operate. The Diario de Mallorca newspaper has reported that the authority has followed standards set out by European Commission decisions. The requirements cover emissions, dust and hazardous waste volumes.
India: Dalmia Bharat subsidiary Dalmia Cement (Bharat) has marked World Environment Day with the ceremonial planting of a tree at the Bokaro cement plant in Jharkhand. In Assam, the company planted 6000 Neem, Royal Poinciana and Yellow Poinciana saplings and 4km of bamboo fence around its Alsthom Industries cement plant in Jagiroad.
Dalmia Cement (Bharat) executive director Indrajit Chatterji said, “We at Dalmia Cement have been firm believers in creating a clean and green ecosystem, especially in this pandemic situation across the world. With this tree plantation drive, we would humbly like to make a contribution towards the nature. I would urge all, to come forward and join hands to do our bit towards enabling a greener environment not only for us, but for the future generations to come. We, as a responsible corporate citizen, will always come forward to do whatever we can for the society at large.”
Cemex Colombia receives environmental clearance for upcoming Cementera del Magdelena Medio cement plant expansion
17 February 2021Colombia: The Regional Autonomous Corporation of Antioquia (CorAntioquia) approved the modification of the environmental license of Cemex Colombia’s upcoming 1.0Mt/yr Cementera del Magdelena Medio integrated cement plant in Maceo, Antioquia. The modification will allow for the production of up to 1.5Mt/yr of cement annually. It will additionally enable the company to extract up to 990,000t/yr of limestone and clay. The producer called the authorisation an ‘important step’ towards the plant’s completion.
Cemex Colombia and Peru president Alejandro Ramírez said, "The modification of the environmental licence is a milestone that allows us to resume work to make this project a reality, through which it is expected that we will offer our materials for infrastructure and housing works in the country more efficiently."
Cementos Cosmos cleared of environmental crime charges
02 February 2021Spain: A regional court has ruled in favour of Cementos Cosmos in a case brought by local environmental group Bierzo Aire Limpio. The protestors alleged that the company had violated regulations at its Toral de los Vados cement plant in El Bierzo, León. The court ruled that the producer had acted correctly and in continuous communication with the administration.